1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Motorola Moto G35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 166.3 × 76 × 7.8 mm | Moto G35 is taller & wider, Redmi Note 10S is thicker; G35 will feel larger in hand. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 188g | Redmi Note 10S is slightly lighter; noticeable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.72" | Moto G35 has a larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both offer a Full HD experience. |
| PPI | 409 | 392 | Similar pixel density; both look sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Redmi Note 10S has better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, better for dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Moto G35 has smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1000 nits | Redmi Note 10S is slightly better for outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Unisoc T760 (6nm) | Different chipsets; real-world performance is very similar, despite different architectures. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 423,297 | Near-identical performance levels, good for daily tasks and casual gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G57 MP4 | Both GPUs are capable of handling modern games with medium settings. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 64MP f/1.79 1/2" | 50MP f/1.8 1/2.76" | Redmi Note 10S has slightly higher resolution and a larger sensor; potentially better low light. |
| Front Camera | 13MP f/2.45 1/3.06" | 16MP f/2.45 | Moto G35 has slightly higher front camera resolution, better for selfies |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP f/2.2 1/2.8" | 8MP f/2.2 | Similar wide angle performance, good for group photos |
| Depth Camera | 2MP f/2.4 1/5" | None | Redmi Note 10S has depth sensor, improving portrait mode |
| Macro Camera | 2MP f/2.4 1/5" | None | Redmi Note 10S has macro camera, for close-up shots |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Similar 4K capabilities, both have stabilization. |
| Slow-motion | 960 fps | 120 fps | Redmi Note 10S offers much higher frame rate recording slow-motion video |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life under normal usage |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Redmi Note 10S charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | None | Redmi Note 10S can charge other devices, a useful backup power source. |
| Software & Storage | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 | Moto G35 has the newer OS with its features. |
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | Moto G35 offers more storage, useful for large media libraries. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 4/8 GB | Both offer sufficient memory for multi-tasking with similar top configuration. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Other | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, Wi-Fi MiMO | 802.11ac | Similar Wi-Fi capabilities; Redmi Note 10S has MIMO for improved speeds |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, EDR, HID | 5.0 LE, SBC, AAC | Both have standard bluetooth features. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Moto G35 is more flexible with eSIM. |
| Audio | Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | Moto G35 has superior audio quality for multimedia, Redmi Note 10s has Hi-Res. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both offer standard fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Both share the same basic protection. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Both have comprehensive sensor suites |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, enhancing media consumption and overall visual experience.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging drastically reduces charging times compared to Moto G35's 18W charging.
- Better Main Camera: Higher resolution and larger sensor, potentially resulting in better low-light photography.
- Extra cameras: Depth and macro cameras offer additional creative options.
- Faster slow motion: 960fps compared to 120fps
- Reverse charging: Ability to charge other devices
Motorola Moto G35 Advantages:
- Larger Display: 6.72-inch screen is better for watching videos, playing games, and multitasking.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother animations and scrolling.
- Newer OS: Android 14 out-of-the-box offering more features, better security, and longer software support.
- More Storage: Offers up to 256GB of internal storage.
- eSIM Support: Enhanced connectivity with eSIM, allowing for a secondary digital plan.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos support enhances audio quality.
Practical Implications & Trade-offs:
- Display: Redmi Note 10S’s AMOLED is better for visual quality, while Moto G35's 120Hz is better for a smoother experience. The trade-off is between image quality vs responsiveness.
- Battery: While both have the same capacity, Redmi Note 10S charges much faster, reducing downtime, but doesn't have as advanced audio as Moto G35,
- Camera: The Redmi Note 10S offers additional camera features such as depth and macro lenses, but the main camera on it performs similarly to the 50MP sensor of the Moto G35. The Redmi Note 10S takes better slow-motion videos, while the Moto G35 only does 120fps.
- Software: Moto G35's Android 14 offers a more modern software experience while Xiaomi's Redmi Note 10S has a slightly older OS with a planned upgrade to 13.
- Storage: Moto G35 is more suitable for users who need plenty of space for files and apps, with up to 256 GB of storage, while the Redmi Note 10S is not expandable and only goes up to 128GB.
- Audio: Moto G35's Dolby Atmos gives better sound quality but it may be less appealing to people with Hi-Res equipment who would prefer the Redmi Note 10S.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Ideal Users:
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize vibrant colors and deep blacks for watching videos and viewing photos.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who appreciate additional camera features like macro and depth sensors, and who want the better low light potential and better slow-motion capabilities.
- Users Wanting Fast Charging: Those who value quick battery top-ups and don't want to be tethered to a charger for long.
- Users who value better color quality: the AMOLED display offers a better user experience in terms of color.
- Use cases: Streaming high-quality content, mobile photography, gaming with detailed visuals.
Motorola Moto G35 Ideal Users:
- Multimedia Lovers: Users who watch a lot of videos, play games and prefer the larger screen and smooth scrolling.
- Software Enthusiasts: Users who want the latest Android features and updates.
- Users Who Need More Storage: Those who download a lot of apps, photos, and videos, and need plenty of internal storage.
- Frequent travelers: those who travel a lot can use the eSIM functionality
- Audio Lovers: Those who use headphones frequently, and prefer the better sound quality
- Use cases: Watching movies, playing games, multi-tasking, daily use with a lot of apps and files.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Redmi Note 10S was released much earlier, so it is likely to be less expensive than the Motorola G35. It provides a slightly better image quality due to the AMOLED display, and has better main camera potential due to the specs.
- The Moto G35 is a newer phone with a larger display, 120Hz refresh rate, superior software, and superior audio experience. It is better suited for users who prioritize multimedia, storage and general daily usage.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Do you prioritize screen quality (vibrant colors, deep blacks) or smoothness (higher refresh rate)?
- How important is fast charging versus having the latest version of Android?
- Do you need more storage or do you prefer flexibility with creative camera features?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: You watch a lot of movies and videos on your phone and want the best visual quality and don't mind the lack of the newest OS.
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S due to its AMOLED screen.
Scenario 2: You primarily use your phone for daily tasks, want a smooth experience, and need a lot of storage for media.
- Recommendation: Motorola Moto G35 for the large 120Hz display, large storage and newer Android version.
Scenario 3: You want the best possible main camera and slow-motion video capabilities.
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S, as it has a better main camera, a depth, and a macro sensor, as well as the better slow-motion video.
Scenario 4: You're looking for the best overall value and you don't want to be tied to your charger for a long time.
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S due to its much faster charging.
Personal Choice
Personally, I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S. My primary needs revolve around image and video quality and battery performance. The superior AMOLED display, higher-resolution main camera with additional lenses, and significantly faster charging, outweigh the benefits of the Moto G35's larger 120Hz screen and newer OS. The ability to take better slow-motion video with its 960fps option and reverse charge other devices also adds extra utility to the phone. Although it is older, its image quality and better camera specs would suit my needs. While the 120Hz of the G35 is nice to have, I find that having an AMOLED screen, a great main camera with extra lenses and faster charging are more valuable to me, especially if I'm watching content or filming for myself.
