1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Samsung Galaxy S24 FE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 162 × 77.3 × 8 mm | S24 FE is slightly taller and wider, potentially less comfortable for small hands. 10S is a bit thicker. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 213g | Redmi Note 10S is noticeably lighter; more comfortable for prolonged use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | S24 FE offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both have similar sharpness; differences are barely noticeable |
| PPI | 409 | 385 | Redmi Note 10S has slightly crisper text and images; difference is not very noticeable |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S24 FE offers significantly smoother scrolling and animations, more responsive experience |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1900 nits | S24 FE is much more readable in bright sunlight; better for outdoor use |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Exynos 2400e (4 nm) | S24 FE's chipset is significantly more powerful; faster app loading, smoother multitasking and gaming performance |
| Antutu Score | 409,874 | 1,600,000 | S24 FE has drastically higher performance for demanding apps and games; much more future-proof |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Xclipse 940 | S24 FE has much superior graphical performance for gaming and graphics intensive tasks |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4700mAh | Redmi Note 10S has a slightly larger battery; may offer slightly longer battery life, but not significantly |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Redmi Note 10S charges faster, reducing downtime |
| Features | Reverse Charging | Reverse, Bypass, 15W Wireless | S24 FE offers more versatile charging options, including wireless charging and bypass charging for uninterrupted gaming while plugged in |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", 1.0µm | S24 FE has a larger sensor with bigger pixels, generally better low-light performance despite lower resolution |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | S24 FE has slightly larger pixels and wider aperture, typically better low-light selfies |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.0µm | S24 FE offers optical zoom capabilities, allowing closer shots without losing quality |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm | S24 FE has higher resolution, generally better wide-angle shots |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Redmi Note 10S has dedicated depth sensor, which could potentially slightly improve portrait shots |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Redmi Note 10S offers a dedicated macro camera for close up shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | S24 FE offers significantly higher video resolution and framerates; captures more detailed videos |
| Stabilization | No | Yes | S24 FE has video stabilization for smoother footage |
| DXOMark | N/A | Main 133, Photo 136, Video 125 | S24 FE has a tested score, while Xiaomi is not tested. S24 FE has a decent overall camera |
| Features | Quadruple Camera, Night Mode | Triple Camera, OIS, RAW | S24 FE offers advanced photography features, OIS and RAW for more control, while Redmi offers more versatility with the Quad camera |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: The Redmi Note 10S is noticeably lighter (34.2g) and slightly more compact, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and extended periods of use.
- Slightly Faster Charging: The 33W fast charging is faster than the S24 FE's 25W, reducing charging times.
- Dedicated Depth and Macro cameras: The Redmi Note 10S features a dedicated depth and macro camera, increasing versatility for different shooting styles.
- Lower price point: Generally more affordable, making it attractive for budget-conscious users.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful: The Exynos 2400e chipset offers drastically better performance for gaming, multitasking, and overall responsiveness.
- Superior Display: The 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness (1900 nits) result in smoother visuals and much better outdoor visibility.
- Better Camera System: The larger sensor in the main camera, telephoto lens, and advanced features like OIS, 8K recording, and RAW support make it a significantly better choice for photography and videography.
- More Storage Options: Offers 128 GB/ 256 GB/ 512 GB options, compared to 64 GB/ 128 GB on the Redmi, and without expandable storage on either phone the S24 FE provides a more future proof experience.
- More Modern Connectivity: Includes WiFi 6/6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and more satellite navigation systems for faster and more reliable connections and positioning.
- Additional Charging Capabilities: Offers 15W wireless charging and bypass charging.
- Better Build Quality: The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ offers better screen protection.
Trade-offs:
- The Redmi Note 10S sacrifices performance and display quality for a lower price and lighter design.
- The S24 FE is heavier and more expensive, but offers significantly better performance, display, and camera capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Prioritizes affordability over top-tier performance.
- Casual Smartphone Users: Primarily uses the phone for basic tasks like calls, browsing, social media, and light photography.
- Users who prioritize a lighter device: Would rather have a lighter and more comfortable device over better performance.
- Users who value a macro and depth lens: Prefer to have macro and depth lenses for specific shooting styles.
Specific Use Cases for Redmi Note 10S:
- Daily communication and social media browsing.
- Light media consumption and basic mobile gaming.
- General-purpose photography in well-lit environments.
- Users who need a secondary smartphone.
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S24 FE:
- Performance-Oriented Users: Requires fast performance for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Wants a versatile camera system with excellent image quality and advanced features.
- Media Consumers: Appreciates a high-quality display with smooth visuals and good brightness for outdoor use.
- Users who require future-proofing
- Users who like wireless charging: The phone offers 15W wireless charging.
Specific Use Cases for S24 FE:
- High-performance mobile gaming.
- Professional-quality photography and videography.
- Demanding multitasking and productivity apps.
- Extensive media consumption, especially outdoors.
- Users who want a main smartphone with the best performance in the price range.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Redmi Note 10S provides good value for budget-conscious users who don't need top-tier performance.
- The S24 FE justifies its higher price with significantly superior performance, display, camera, and features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Redmi Note 10S is much more affordable than the S24 FE.
- How important is performance? For gaming, demanding apps, and future-proofing, the S24 FE is superior.
- How important is the camera? For high quality, versatile photography with 8k video, the S24 FE is better, while the Redmi Note 10S is more versatile.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: If your budget is a primary concern and you only need basic smartphone functions, the Redmi Note 10S is a good choice.
- Performance Seeker: If you prioritize performance, smoother visuals, and better camera capabilities, the S24 FE is worth the extra investment.
- Camera Enthusiast: If you value a versatile camera system for photography and videography, the S24 FE offers a superior experience.
- User who values a lighter device: If having a light and small phone is important, the Redmi Note 10S is a better choice.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. While the Redmi Note 10S offers a more affordable option, the S24 FE provides significant advantages in nearly every other aspect that are very important to me, including performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and overall feature set.
Here's why:
- Performance: As someone who uses my phone for various tasks including some gaming, the Exynos 2400e chipset is crucial for a smooth experience, which the Redmi Note 10S struggles to keep up with.
- Display Quality: The 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness of the S24 FE make a noticeable difference in everyday usage, making the device feel much smoother and more enjoyable for content consumption outdoors.
- Camera Versatility: As someone who enjoys taking pictures with my phone, the telephoto lens and video quality on the S24 FE is very important to me.
- Future-Proofing: The S24 FE with its better connectivity (WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3) will make the device more future proof.
- Overall Experience: The S24 FE simply provides a more premium experience, and while it costs more, the performance upgrade is very important for my usage needs.
While the Redmi Note 10S is a good budget phone, the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is the clear winner if the budget allows for it, as it offers a much more modern and enjoyable smartphone experience for my personal usage needs. The superior performance, display, and camera capabilities outweigh the Redmi Note 10S's cheaper price and lighter build.
