Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S vs. Motorola Moto G51 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 170.5 × 76.5 × 9.1 mm | The Moto G51 is larger and bulkier, potentially less comfortable for smaller hands or one-handed use. The Redmi Note 10S is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 208g | The Redmi Note 10S is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less tiring to hold. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.8" | The Moto G51 has a larger screen for a more immersive viewing experience, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both provide the same level of sharpness. |
| PPI | 409 | 387 | The Redmi Note 10S has slightly sharper text and images due to higher pixel density, though the difference is not dramatic. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The Redmi Note 10S offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, enhancing visual experience, especially in dark mode or when viewing HDR content. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Moto G51 provides a smoother scrolling experience, making the interface and animations look more fluid, especially noticeable during gaming and fast-scrolling apps. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | The Redmi Note 10S is significantly easier to see outdoors in bright sunlight due to its high brightness, while the Moto G51 brightness specification is not provided. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | The Redmi Note 10S generally offers marginally better overall performance, according to benchmark scores. The Snapdragon 480+ has better power efficiency on paper. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 381,000 | The Redmi Note 10S shows slightly better general performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 619 | Different GPUs mean different game optimization support, both are mid-range GPUs. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | The Redmi Note 10S offers higher resolution, enabling slightly more detail in photos. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | The Redmi Note 10S's wider aperture allows for better low-light performance and shallower depth of field. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/2.76" | Redmi Note 10S has larger sensor, which typically means better low-light performance and less noise. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 13MP | 13MP | Both offer similar selfie resolution, but Moto G51 has a wider aperture for better low light selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.2 | Moto G51 has a wider aperture, potentially better for low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Camera Resolution | 8MP | 8MP | Both offer similar wide angle cameras. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP | None | The Redmi Note 10S can capture depth information for portrait mode with background blur. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | 2MP | Both offer similar macro lens. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps | 1080p@30/60fps | The Redmi Note 10S can record 4K video, offering greater detail. It also has higher slow motion capabilities. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery size; real world use might vary based on processor efficiency and screen brightness. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 10W Fast Charging | The Redmi Note 10S charges much faster, reducing downtime waiting for the battery to fill up. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | None | The Redmi Note 10S can act as a power bank to charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | The Redmi Note 10S has a higher maximum OS upgrade available |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both support dual-band Wi-Fi for faster wireless internet. The Redmi Note 10S also includes Wi-Fi MIMO for better signal strength and throughput. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE | The Moto G51 has slightly newer Bluetooth technology potentially offering better efficiency and stability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Both phones offer similar GPS services. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB | Both phones offer the same internal storage options, sufficient for most users. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 4GB/8GB | Both offer an 8 GB RAM version, but the Redmi Note 10S also has 6GB version, which will offer slightly faster app switching. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers external storage expansion, users will have to rely on the internal storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | The Redmi Note 10S has a richer audio experience with stereo speakers and Hi-Res audio. The Moto G51 offers better audio recording with 2 microphones and Dolby Atmos for virtual surround sound. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both offer standard fingerprint security that is fast and easy to access. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | The Redmi Note 10S offers some drop and scratch resistance. The Moto G51's screen protection is not specified, hence potentially more vulnerable to scratches and damage. |
| Sensors | |||
| Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope | The Redmi Note 10S has a more comprehensive sensor suite, potentially enabling more advanced features and gaming use. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, enhancing the visual experience.
- Higher Brightness: Significantly better outdoor visibility, essential for use in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging is much faster than the 10W of the Moto G51, reducing charging time.
- Better Main Camera: Larger sensor and wider aperture result in potentially better image quality, especially in low light. Also, 4K video recording.
- Reverse Charging: Ability to charge other devices.
- Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers: Better audio quality for listening to music and watching videos.
- More comprehensive sensor suite: Better support for advanced features and gaming with the inclusion of a compass sensor.
Motorola Moto G51 5G Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate offers a noticeably smoother visual experience, particularly during scrolling and gaming.
- Larger Screen: A 6.8" display is more immersive, great for media consumption and gaming.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.1 may offer more efficient wireless connections.
- Dolby Atmos and two microphones: Better quality audio recording and virtual surround sound.
Trade-offs:
- The Redmi Note 10S has a slightly smaller screen but significantly better display technology (AMOLED).
- The Moto G51 offers a smoother 120Hz refresh rate but lacks the brightness and better display tech of the Redmi Note 10S.
- The Redmi Note 10S has faster charging and reverse charging but a smaller screen, while the Moto G51 focuses on a larger screen with slower charging speed.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S:
- Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize display quality for media consumption (videos, photos, social media).
- Users who need good outdoor visibility.
- Users who value a fast-charging phone.
- Users who prefer a compact and lighter phone.
- Users who value high-quality audio playback.
- Use Cases:
- Watching videos in various lighting conditions.
- Taking photos and videos, especially in low light.
- Gaming with good visuals and audio.
- Daily use with quick battery top-ups.
- Using the phone as a portable media player with high-quality audio.
- Price-to-Value: Offers strong value for those prioritizing display and camera performance.
Motorola Moto G51 5G:
- Ideal Users:
- Users who prefer a large screen for immersive media viewing and gaming.
- Users who appreciate a smooth, fast-scrolling interface (120Hz).
- Users who want a device with good sound recording.
- Users who are okay with a slightly bulkier and heavier device.
- Use Cases:
- Watching movies, playing games, and reading on a large display.
- Heavy social media and web browsing.
- Users who use their phone for recording audio.
- Those who don't prioritize fast charging.
- Price-to-Value: Good for those who value screen size and smooth performance, and aren't bothered by slower charging or lesser outdoor brightness.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Display Priority: Do you value vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good outdoor visibility (Redmi Note 10S) or a smoother 120Hz refresh rate and larger display (Moto G51)?
- Charging Needs: Is faster charging a priority for you, or is a slightly larger battery capacity sufficient?
- Camera Use: Do you need higher resolution, better low-light performance, and 4K recording (Redmi Note 10S), or are you mainly looking for standard photo taking with decent quality (Moto G51)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Media Enthusiast (Movies, Videos): The Redmi Note 10S is a better choice with its superior AMOLED display, higher brightness, Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers, making movie-watching a better experience.
- Scenario 2: Heavy Gamer: The Motorola Moto G51 would be a slightly better choice with its 120Hz refresh rate, though you would be missing out on the better colours and brightness of the AMOLED display of the Redmi.
- Scenario 3: On-the-Go User (Frequent Travel, Outdoor Use): The Redmi Note 10S is significantly better because of its high outdoor visibility and fast charging capability.
- Scenario 4: Budget conscious user: Both offer comparable performance. Users must choose what aspects they prioritize in a smartphone.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would personally pick the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S. While the 120Hz refresh rate on the Moto G51 is attractive, the superior AMOLED display on the Redmi Note 10S, combined with the significantly better brightness, faster charging, and a better main camera is a more compelling package. The difference in display quality (AMOLED vs IPS LCD) is far more noticeable in daily usage and media consumption than the difference between 60Hz and 120Hz in a mid-range phone. The faster charging and better camera on the Redmi Note 10S is also a big plus in my daily life. While the 120Hz refresh rate of the Moto G51 is nice, I don't find it to be a big enough advantage to make up for the trade-offs.
