1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S and Motorola Moto G04s, focusing on the practical impact of their specifications:
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 163.5 x 74.5 x 8 mm | Moto G04s is slightly taller, Redmi Note 10S slightly thicker; negligible in daily use. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 178.8g | Both have the same weight, so no difference in portability. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.56" | Moto G04s has a slightly larger screen, good for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1612 | Redmi Note 10S has much sharper visuals; better for reading text, viewing images, and videos. |
| Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 269 PPI | Redmi Note 10S offers significantly sharper image quality. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Redmi Note 10S: richer colors, deeper blacks, better contrast, better for viewing in dark. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Moto G04s: smoother scrolling and animations; slightly more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Redmi Note 10S: much better outdoor visibility, very important for use in bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 | Unisoc T606 | Redmi Note 10S provides better performance for daily tasks, gaming, and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 220,000 | Redmi Note 10S delivers much better performance for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Redmi Note 10S: better graphics processing for gaming and visually intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | Redmi Note 10S has slightly higher resolution, potentially more detail in photos. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | Redmi Note 10S might perform marginally better in low light situations due to a slightly wider aperture |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/2.76" | Redmi Note 10S's larger sensor generally captures more light and detail. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 13MP | 5MP | Redmi Note 10S produces higher-resolution selfies, sharper. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.2 | Moto G04s might be slightly better at low light selfies due to wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP | None | Redmi Note 10S captures wide perspective photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | None | Redmi Note 10S captures close-up photos with more detail. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP | None | Redmi Note 10S enables better portrait mode with bokeh effect. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Redmi Note 10S can record higher quality video. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Moto G04s has video stabilization, leading to smoother video footage. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life, depending on usage. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 15W fast charging | Redmi Note 10S charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse charging | None | Redmi Note 10S can act as power bank. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 | Moto G04s has a more modern Android version out of the box |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (ac) | Wi-Fi 5 (ac) | Both offer similar Wi-Fi connectivity. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has Wi-Fi MiMO. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Both have similar Bluetooth capabilities. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has EDR and HID. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Both have similar GPS capabilities. Moto G04s has SUPL support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 64/128/256 GB | Moto G04s has a 256GB option for users needing more space. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 4 GB | Redmi Note 10S has more RAM which improves multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos | Redmi Note 10S provides clearer audio with stereo speakers. Moto G04s has Dolby Atmos which enhance audio clarity and loudness |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both have fingerprint scanners for device unlock and security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Both phones use the same type of screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | Redmi Note 10S offers more sensors with Compass and virtual Proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with much higher resolution and brightness offers significantly better visual quality, especially outdoors and in dark environments.
- Better Performance: The Helio G95 chipset and higher AnTuTu score mean the Redmi Note 10S is faster, smoother, and better suited for gaming and multitasking.
- More Versatile Camera System: Includes wide-angle, macro and depth sensors, providing more creative photography options.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging is substantially faster than the Moto G04s' 15W charging.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res Audio and stereo speakers offer a better audio experience.
- More RAM Options: Up to 8 GB of RAM for better multitasking.
- Additional Features: Reverse charging, and a wider range of sensors
- Trade-off: Older operating system (Android 11 upgradable to 13)
Motorola Moto G04s Advantages:
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14, potentially offering longer software support.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate provides slightly smoother scrolling.
- Larger Internal Storage: Option for 256GB of storage.
- Video stabilization: Offers video stabilization, leading to smoother video footage
- Trade-off: Significantly inferior display, performance, camera system, charging speed and audio.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S:
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who watch a lot of videos and play mobile games. The superior display and audio enhance this experience significantly.
- Photography Lovers: Those who enjoy taking photos with diverse lenses and need good image quality in various conditions.
- Power Users: Users who value performance for smooth multitasking and fast app loading.
- Users who need a bright display: For people who use their phone a lot outside
- Users who are on the go: The faster charging speeds keep the device topped up
Use Cases for Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S:
- Mobile gaming with smooth graphics and good responsiveness.
- Watching HDR videos with vibrant colors and deep blacks.
- Taking detailed photos in various lighting conditions.
- Running several apps simultaneously with no lag.
- Using navigation apps outdoors with a very visible screen
- Charging the phone quickly when needing a boost
Ideal User for Motorola Moto G04s:
- Casual Users: Those who prioritize a newer Android version, and basic functionality
- Users who want a larger screen for social media: larger 6.56" screen for browsing content.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users looking for a simple, affordable smartphone.
- Users wanting more storage space: Users that need more than 128GB of internal storage.
- Users that want a more modern operating system: Users who want the latest android.
Use Cases for Motorola Moto G04s:
- Basic web browsing, social media, and messaging.
- Casual video watching and light gaming.
- Everyday use for users who don't need high performance.
- Users who want to take smooth video recordings.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions for buyers to consider when choosing between the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S and the Motorola Moto G04s:
How important is display quality to you?
- If high display quality is very important: Choose Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S for its significantly superior AMOLED display (higher resolution and brightness)
- If display is not critical: The Moto G04s's basic IPS LCD will suffice.
How much do you value performance?
- If high performance is a must: Go for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S, which has significantly better chipset performance.
- If basic performance is adequate: The Motorola Moto G04s will be fine for everyday use
Do you prioritize photography and versatility?
- If yes, choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S: Its more versatile camera system with wide, macro and depth lenses, plus higher video resolution is better for those who like photography.
- If the camera is not that important, choose the Motorola G04s: The simpler camera on the Moto G04s is good enough for basic usage.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you are a student who watches a lot of videos and plays games in your free time, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is the better pick due to the superior screen and performance.
- Scenario 2: If you are looking for a simple, reliable phone for basic tasks like calls, messages and some browsing, and want the latest OS version, the Motorola Moto G04s may be adequate.
- Scenario 3: If you take pictures in different conditions, want to take nice portraits, close ups and wide shots, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is better.
- Scenario 4: If you need a phone with a larger storage option, then the Motorola Moto G04s with the 256GB variant is the right phone.
- Scenario 5: If you want a phone that charges fast and is always ready to go, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has much faster charging.
My Choice
Based on the analysis, I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S. While the Motorola Moto G04s has a newer Android version and larger storage option, the Redmi Note 10S provides a significantly superior user experience in crucial areas like display quality, performance, camera versatility, and charging speed. The superior AMOLED display, faster chipset, versatile camera system, and faster charging make it the better all-around smartphone for most users. The only major drawback is that it doesn't have the latest operating system, however the pros outweighs the cons. I also prefer to have a much more visually pleasing display as I use my phone quite a lot.
