1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Nothing Phone (1) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 159.2 x 75.8 x 8.3 mm | Xiaomi slightly taller, Nothing Phone slightly wider. Both the same thickness. Minor differences in hand feel. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 193.5g | Xiaomi is noticeably lighter, which can be more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.55" | Nothing Phone has a slightly larger screen, offering a bit more viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical resolution, providing similar sharpness. |
| Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 402 PPI | Visually similar sharpness due to close pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar quality displays with vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Nothing Phone provides smoother scrolling and animations, making it more fluid in daily use. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1200 nits | Nothing Phone offers slightly better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6nm) | Snapdragon chipset is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading and smoother performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 624,253 | Nothing Phone provides better performance for gaming and multitasking with much higher benchmark score. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 642L | Adreno GPU in Nothing Phone provides better graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | Nothing Phone's larger sensor and pixel size should capture more light and perform better in low light conditions, despite lower resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.13", 1.00µm | Nothing Phone has slightly better selfie camera in terms of aperture and resolution. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | None | Xiaomi has a dedicated wide-angle lens, useful for landscape shots. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | None | Xiaomi has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | None | Xiaomi has a dedicated macro lens for closeup shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" | Nothing Phone offers a high-resolution ultrawide camera with macro capabilities. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K 30fps | Up to 4K 30fps with HDR | Similar max video resolutions, but Nothing Phone has additional HDR support for better video quality. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes (EIS/OIS) | Nothing Phone has superior video stabilization with EIS and OIS, reducing shake in videos. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera | Dual camera, OIS, Ultra Stable Video | Xiaomi has more lenses for versatility. Nothing Phone has more advanced stabilization features. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Xiaomi has larger battery, should provide better battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Similar charging speeds for both. |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 5W, No charger in box | Nothing Phone has wireless charging, more convenient. Xiaomi includes a charger. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 13) | Android 12 (up to 15) | Nothing Phone offers a newer Android version with potential for longer updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Nothing Phone has the newer WiFi 6 standard, providing faster speeds and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Nothing Phone features a newer Bluetooth version with more codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | Nothing Phone has more comprehensive satellite support for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Nothing Phone offers larger base storage (128GB) and higher maximum capacity (256GB). |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB | Nothing Phone has more RAM, which is beneficial for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Both offer stereo speakers. Xiaomi has Hi-Res audio and Nothing Phone has extra microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi offers a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. Nothing Phone's sensor is not specified. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass 5 | Nothing Phone provides better scratch and shatter protection for the screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Xiaomi has a specialized sensor for proximity detection while Nothing has an RGB sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers potentially longer usage times between charges, which benefits users who prioritize battery endurance.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Sensors: Offers a versatile quadruple-camera system, with dedicated lenses for wide-angle, macro, and portrait shots, providing more creative options.
- Hi-Res Audio: Provides higher-quality audio output for audiophiles.
- Includes Charger: The box includes a charger which is a plus.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Potentially more convenient and faster than a basic fingerprint sensor.
- Ultrasonic proximity virtual sensor: May have better proximity sensing capabilities than traditional sensors.
Nothing Phone (1) Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 778G+ 5G chip provides a significant performance boost, making the phone better for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- 120Hz Refresh Rate: Delivers smoother scrolling and animations, leading to a more responsive and fluid user experience.
- Superior Main Camera Sensor: Larger sensor with larger pixels for better low-light photography.
- Better Video Stabilization: Offers EIS and OIS, producing more stable and professional-looking videos.
- Wireless Charging: Convenience of wireless charging, although the charger is not included in the box.
- Newer Bluetooth & WiFi Standards: Better performance and more features in terms of connectivity.
- More Comprehensive GPS: Better location accuracy through a wider range of satellite systems.
- More Storage and RAM: Higher storage and memory options with faster multitasking.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for increased durability and screen protection.
- Longer Software Support: Newer Android version with a promise of longer update support.
- Better Audio Support: Includes 3 microphones for better quality audio capture.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi: Trade-offs include lower performance, lower refresh rate, inferior main camera sensor for low light, and less advanced video stabilization. However, you get a larger battery, a dedicated macro and depth sensor, and a included charger.
- Nothing Phone: Trade-offs include smaller battery, missing dedicated lenses for macro/depth, and no included charger.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Prioritizes affordability over top-tier performance.
- Battery Life Focus: Needs a phone that can easily last through a full day without needing a recharge.
- Photography Versatility: Enjoys having multiple lenses, including wide angle, macro and portrait, for different types of photography.
- Traditional Features: Prefer a more traditional experience, don't necessarily need wireless charging.
- Included Charger Preference: Prefers to have a charger included in the box.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Use Cases:
- Everyday use: Browsing, social media, communication, and light gaming.
- Travel and Outdoor Photography: Uses the wide-angle lens to capture landscapes.
- Close-Up Photography: Takes close up shots of small objects with the dedicated macro lens.
Nothing Phone (1) Ideal User:
- Performance Seekers: Needs a fast, responsive device for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Smooth Visuals: Values a high refresh rate display for smooth scrolling and gaming.
- Photography Quality: Needs better low light performance from the main camera sensor and good stabilization when recording videos.
- Modern Features: Wants wireless charging, better connectivity, more storage, and more ram.
- Design Centric: Values a modern or unique design.
- Longer Software Support: Needs long term software support with latest Android versions.
Nothing Phone (1) Use Cases:
- Gaming Enthusiasts: Uses the phone for demanding mobile games requiring high performance.
- Social Media Creators: Records and edits video content with advanced video features and video stabilization.
- Frequent Travelers: Relies on accurate GPS and good connectivity.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Appreciates the unique design and cutting-edge features.
- Power User: Will use the additional RAM for multitasking different applications.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What's Your Budget? The Xiaomi is likely more affordable, making it a good choice if you have a strict budget.
- How Important is Performance? If performance is a top priority for gaming and multitasking, the Nothing Phone (1) is a better choice.
- What Features Do You Value? Do you need a larger battery and more lenses or a smoother screen and wireless charging?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User on a Tight Budget: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S. Its larger battery and included charger make it a practical choice for daily use.
- Scenario 2: Gaming Enthusiast: Choose the Nothing Phone (1). Its powerful processor, higher refresh rate screen, and better graphics performance offer a smoother gaming experience.
- Scenario 3: Photography Focus: It is a toss up. If you want more flexibility, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S provides more lenses, while the Nothing Phone (1) captures better low-light photos and has superior video stabilization, making it a better choice for low-light or video recording.
- Scenario 4: Power User: Choose the Nothing Phone (1), this device has more ram and storage options making it suitable for multitasking between several applications.
- Scenario 5: Feature Rich User: Choose the Nothing Phone (1), this phone offers more modern features such as wireless charging and more comprehensive connectivity options such as bluetooth 5.2 and WiFi 6.
My Choice
I would choose the Nothing Phone (1).
While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S offers a larger battery and more camera lenses, the performance gap between the two devices is too significant for me to overlook. The Nothing Phone (1)'s Snapdragon 778G+ 5G chip offers a much smoother experience, especially when multitasking and playing games. Also, the 120Hz refresh rate makes a noticeable difference in day-to-day use, providing a more fluid experience. The improved camera sensor and superior video stabilization of the Nothing Phone (1) is essential for me, as I often capture and edit videos on my phone. Although it does not include a charger, it offers wireless charging, which I would find more convenient for daily use. The lack of a macro lens on the Nothing Phone (1) is not a significant loss for me.
