1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Realme 11 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 161.6 × 73.9 × 8.2 mm | The Realme 11 Pro+ is slightly taller but negligibly narrower and thinner. Minimal difference in hand feel. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 183g | Both are very similar in weight. No significant difference in portability. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard, non-foldable phones. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Realme 11 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | Realme 11 Pro+ provides a slightly more immersive viewing experience due to the larger display. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both are sharp Full HD+ displays. Negligible difference in clarity. |
| PPI | 409 | 394 | Both have very sharp displays, with the Xiaomi offering slightly higher pixel density for minimal, unnoticeable sharpness increase. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Realme 11 Pro+ provides much smoother scrolling, gaming, and overall user interface experience. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 950 nits | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is slightly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Realme 11 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Realme 11 Pro+ offers a newer, more efficient chipset resulting in faster processing, better performance, and improved power management. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 540,800 | Realme 11 Pro+ will feel significantly faster in daily use, app loading, and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Realme 11 Pro+ has a more modern GPU, resulting in better gaming and graphic rendering. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Realme 11 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 200MP | Realme 11 Pro+ captures far more detailed photos, and allows for more cropping and flexibility. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.69 | Realme 11 Pro+ allows slightly more light in, which may translate to better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.4" | Realme 11 Pro+ uses a much larger sensor, meaning it will generally capture better photos, especially in low light, with greater dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 13MP | 32MP | Realme 11 Pro+ captures higher resolution, more detailed selfies |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.06" | 1/2.74" | Realme 11 Pro+ captures better selfies due to the bigger sensor size. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | Similar wide-angle photo quality in both phones |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Not Available | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S offers a dedicated depth sensor for potentially better portrait mode effect. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | 2MP, f/2.3, 1/5" | Both phones have similar macro capabilities, but the Realme 11 Pro+ has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, up to 960fps slow-mo | 4K@30fps with EIS, up to 960fps slow-mo | Realme 11 Pro+ benefits from EIS for more stable video recording. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization. | Triple camera, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), UIS, UIS Max, Noise Reduction. | Realme 11 Pro+ features superior video stabilization, noise reduction and OIS. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Realme 11 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life, expected to last a full day for average use. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | Realme 11 Pro+ charges much faster, drastically reducing charging times. |
| Features | Reverse charging | 2x2500mAh | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S can charge other devices. Realme 11 Pro+ splits the battery into 2 cells which is common for fast charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages
- Slightly Higher Display Brightness: Better outdoor visibility.
- Reverse Charging: Can be used to charge other devices.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: May offer better portrait mode photos
Realme 11 Pro+ Advantages
- Significantly Faster Processor: Smoother performance for daily tasks and gaming, with better power efficiency.
- 120Hz Refresh Rate: Much smoother user experience, especially when scrolling.
- Much Faster Charging: 100W charging drastically reduces downtime.
- Superior Camera System: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras, as well as a larger sensor on the main camera, capture better photos overall, and video recording benefits from better video stabilization.
- More Storage and RAM Options: Comes with more onboard storage, and up to 12GB of RAM.
- Newer Software: Android 13 out of the box, and will likely get more OS updates.
- Better Connectivity: Has newer Wi-Fi standards and a better Bluetooth version.
- Dolby Atmos Audio: Enhanced audio experience with virtual surround sound.
- More Comprehensive Camera Features: OIS, UIS, and more video features.
Significant Trade-offs
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S offers higher peak brightness, but with significantly inferior processing power and camera system. The lack of fast charging is also a downside.
- Realme 11 Pro+ lacks reverse charging and a dedicated depth sensor which might be a miss for certain users. It has a slightly lower display brightness, but the 120Hz panel and superior performance of other features are a significant upgrade.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Ideal User
Realme 11 Pro+ Ideal User
- Users seeking fast performance: App loading, multitasking, and gaming should be smooth.
- Photography enthusiasts: Want high-quality photos and video with advanced features and good low light capabilities.
- Users who prioritize a smooth display experience: 120Hz refresh rate makes a noticeable difference.
- Users who need fast charging: Quickly recharging the phone is crucial.
Users who prefer larger storage and more RAM: Need more storage for apps, photos, videos, and more RAM for better multitasking.
- Use Cases: Heavy app usage, high-end mobile gaming, photography/videography, watching streaming services, prolonged use without frequent charging, users who prefer a smooth user experience.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S provides decent value for a very low price but compromises on performance and camera.
- The Realme 11 Pro+ offers a significantly better experience for a moderate price increase, making it a better value for most users considering its performance, camera, and display upgrades.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions
- How important is processing power and gaming performance for you? If a smooth, fast experience is important, the Realme 11 Pro+ is superior.
- How much do you value camera quality and video stabilization? If you want more detailed photos, better video, and flexibility, the Realme 11 Pro+ is the better choice.
- Do you prioritize fast charging or reverse charging? If fast charging is essential, the Realme 11 Pro+ is a clear winner. If reverse charging is crucial then the Xiaomi might be a better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Budget-Conscious User: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is adequate if you have a very tight budget and only need basic functionality. However, it is worth stretching your budget for the Realme 11 Pro+.
- Casual User: The Realme 11 Pro+ offers a much smoother and more enjoyable experience with its 120Hz display and faster performance, making it worth the investment.
- Gaming Enthusiast: The Realme 11 Pro+ is the clear choice with its more powerful processor, better GPU, and 120Hz display.
- Photography Enthusiast: The Realme 11 Pro+ with its superior camera, large sensor, OIS, and advanced features, is the far superior option.
What I would choose
I would choose the Realme 11 Pro+. The performance improvements offered by the Dimensity 7050 chipset, the 120Hz display, the significantly upgraded camera system with OIS, and the incredibly fast 100W charging make it the far superior choice for me. Although the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has a slightly higher peak brightness, the overall benefits offered by the Realme 11 Pro+ outweigh this. The practical impact of having better performance, a smoother display, and drastically faster charging on a daily basis is much more significant than slightly brighter peak screen brightness. The camera on the Realme 11 Pro+ also is a big upgrade and is likely to perform better in most scenarios. While I appreciate the reverse charging capability of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S, for me, it's not as important as the benefits of the Realme 11 Pro+. The Realme 11 Pro+ is a better all-around device with a better user experience, and offers more value.
