1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 163.1 × 76 × 8.8 mm | Motorola Edge 30 Pro is slightly larger and thicker, making it less pocketable but also offering a bigger screen. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 196g | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and extended holding. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | Motorola Edge 30 Pro has a slightly larger display, offering a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have the same sharpness and detail levels on their displays. |
| PPI | 409 | 393 | Both have similar pixel densities; both will provide crisp text and image quality. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use similar quality display technologies, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Motorola Edge 30 Pro's significantly higher refresh rate will result in much smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has much better outdoor visibility; Motorola Edge 30 Pro brightness info is unavailable. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Motorola Edge 30 Pro's chipset is significantly faster, leading to smoother performance in demanding apps and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,061,400 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro is over 2.5 times more powerful, enabling much better gaming and multitasking performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 730 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers significantly better graphics performance for gaming and GPU-intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4800mAh | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has a slightly larger battery; might translate to a slightly longer use between charges. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 68W fast charging | Motorola Edge 30 Pro charges much faster, reducing waiting time. |
| Features | Reverse charging | Reverse & Wireless charging | Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers more versatile charging capabilities with wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" | Motorola Edge 30 Pro has a larger sensor size which generally means better light gathering and better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06" | 60MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | Motorola Edge 30 Pro has a higher resolution and slightly better aperture; should produce sharper and more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP | None | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for more versatile photography options. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both have similar depth cameras for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | None | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" | Motorola Edge 30 Pro has a wide-angle and macro combined lens for flexibility. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers higher video resolution, along with HDR, EIS for more professional video content. |
| DxOMark | Not Tested | Main: 101, Photo: 107, Video: 102 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro is tested for its camera with overall score of 101. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has not been tested. |
| Features | 4K, Digital zoom, etc. | 4K, 8K, OIS, etc. | Motorola Edge 30 Pro has OIS, and 8K video recording; Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S offers Quad camera setup. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Android 12, upgradable to 13 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro ships with a slightly newer base Android version. Both phones are upgradable to Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5, MiMO | Wi-Fi 6 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro supports a faster WiFi standard; Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has Wi-Fi MiMO capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2, Apt-X, LDAC, etc. | Motorola Edge 30 Pro has newer Bluetooth version with higher quality codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, L1+L5, etc. | Both phones offer comprehensive GPS capabilities; Motorola Edge 30 Pro has better accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers significantly more internal storage capacity. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers more RAM, beneficial for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers a more immersive audio experience, better audio clarity for voice. Xiaomi has Hi-Res Audio for better quality music. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones use a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass 3 | Both phones offer the same screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, etc. | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, etc. | Both offer similar sets of motion sensors; Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S offers Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual sensor, Motorola Edge 30 Pro has standard Proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and more pocketable.
- Higher Brightness: 1100 nits makes it significantly more usable in bright outdoor conditions, a crucial factor for outdoor use.
- Dedicated Wide Angle and Macro Camera: More versatile photography options with dedicated lenses.
- Hi-Res Audio: Better audio quality for music enthusiasts.
- Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor: Potentially faster and more reliable sensor.
Practical Implications: This phone is great for everyday use, especially for those who prefer a lighter, more compact device and for outdoor use.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset offers dramatically higher performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Smoother Display: 144Hz refresh rate leads to significantly smoother animations and scrolling.
- Faster Charging: 68W fast charging rapidly replenishes the battery.
- Wireless Charging: Added convenience of wireless charging.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Takes sharper and more detailed selfies.
- Better Video Recording: Supports up to 8K video with HDR, EIS and more frame rate options.
- More Internal Storage Options: Up to 512 GB of storage, great for storing a lot of photos, videos, and apps.
- More RAM Options: Up to 12 GB of RAM for efficient multitasking.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos, and 3 microphones for better audio capture and quality.
- Better Bluetooth: Supports high-quality audio codecs.
- Combined Wide + Macro: A versatile option for closeup shots and wide images.
- Camera DXOMark: Camera has been tested by DxOMark and provides a good baseline score.
Practical Implications: This phone is a powerhouse, ideal for gamers, media creators, and users who prioritize top-tier performance and camera capabilities.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S: Sacrifices performance and some camera capabilities for a lighter, more compact, brighter display, and versatile set of cameras.
- Motorola Edge 30 Pro: Sacrifices some outdoor visibility and comfort for superior performance, camera capabilities, and a smoother screen, and doesn't include dedicated macro or wide-angle cameras.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize a good screen for outdoor use, a lighter and more pocketable device, and versatile camera options (wide and macro). Users who use their phone for basic tasks and want great outdoor viewing will also appreciate it.
- Use Cases: Casual photography, everyday use, social media browsing, outdoor navigation, and general media consumption. Good for those who need a device for everyday tasks.
- Price-to-Value: Offers good value for its price segment, providing a balance of features.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro:
- Ideal User: Performance-oriented users, gamers, content creators, and those who want the best possible screen experience, also for users who prefer professional camera capabilities with OIS, 8K, 4K video recording, and wireless charging.
- Use Cases: High-end mobile gaming, video editing, professional photography, videography, heavy multitasking, and use of demanding apps.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a premium experience with top-tier performance and features, justifying its higher price tag.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Do you prioritize performance and gaming or portability and outdoor visibility?
- Do you need the best camera system and advanced features or versatile shooting modes with dedicated lenses?
- Is wireless charging and a smoother screen important, or do you prefer a device that's lighter, more compact and has a brighter display?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1 (Budget & Everyday Use): If you want a more affordable option for general use, value outdoor visibility, and need versatile camera options, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is the better choice.
Scenario 2 (Performance & Multimedia): If you need maximum performance, great screen smoothness, wireless charging, and advanced camera capabilities for gaming, professional photography, and content creation, the Motorola Edge 30 Pro is the superior choice.
Scenario 3 (Balanced Experience): If you want a balance between affordability and features, and don't prioritize gaming, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S provides a very good user experience, but if you are willing to pay more for superior performance, and better audio/video experience the Motorola Edge 30 Pro is the superior choice.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would personally choose the Motorola Edge 30 Pro.
Here's why:
As a technology enthusiast and someone who enjoys mobile gaming and photography, the Motorola Edge 30 Pro's superior performance with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset is a significant draw. The 144Hz refresh rate would make for a much smoother user experience, which is something that I value highly for everyday use. The vastly superior camera system, with its higher quality sensors and features like 8K video recording and OIS, aligns well with my preference for capturing high quality photos and videos, and I consider the ability to shoot higher quality videos a better option over having a dedicated macro lens. While the lack of outdoor visibility is a drawback, and the extra size can be a bit of an issue in terms of pocketability, I can overlook that trade-off for the significant gains in performance, camera quality, and charging speed.
Although the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is a good phone, its features are not as relevant to my specific needs as the Motorola Edge 30 Pro.
