1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-04-28 | 2024-01-24 | The S24 Ultra is significantly newer, benefitting from newer technology and software updates |
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm | S24 Ultra is larger and may feel less comfortable for small hands |
| Weight | 178.8g | 232g | Redmi Note 10S is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.8" | S24 Ultra offers more screen real estate for content consumption and productivity |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3120 | S24 Ultra provides significantly sharper visuals, which is noticeable when viewing high-resolution content or text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 409 | 505 | S24 Ultra has a much sharper and clearer display, making text and images appear more crisp |
| Technology | AMOLED | Missing | Redmi Note 10S has better contrast and richer blacks, potentially more vivid colors |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S24 Ultra provides smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experience |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2600 nits | S24 Ultra is significantly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight, ensures easy screen readability |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | S24 Ultra offers drastically better performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and future-proofing |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,814,869 | S24 Ultra delivers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, better gaming performance |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 750 | S24 Ultra has a much more powerful GPU, offering superior graphical performance |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life for typical usage |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | S24 Ultra charges faster, reducing downtime |
| Features | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging, Non-removable, 15W Wireless Charging, 4.5W Reverse Wireless Charging | S24 Ultra offers more versatile charging options |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 64MP | 200MP | S24 Ultra captures significantly more detail and allows for greater cropping flexibility |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.7 | S24 Ultra may capture slightly more light but difference may not be too noticeable |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.3" | S24 Ultra has larger sensor for improved light gathering capabilities and image quality |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | None | 50MP, f/2.4, 1/1.56" | S24 Ultra offers high-quality telephoto and portrait photography |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 13MP | 12MP | Redmi Note 10S takes marginally higher resolution selfies |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.2 | S24 Ultra may capture marginally more light |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/3.4, 1/3.52" | S24 Ultra provides dedicated telephoto capabilities for distant subjects |
| Wide Angle Lens Resolution | 8MP | 12.2MP | S24 Ultra captures slightly more detail in wide angle photos |
| Wide Angle Lens Sensor Size | 1/2.8" | 1/2.55" | S24 Ultra has larger sensor for improved light gathering |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | None | Redmi Note 10S has dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | None | Redmi Note 10S has dedicated macro lens for close-up photos |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps | S24 Ultra allows for higher resolution video, improved stabilization and slow-mo options |
| DxoMark | Not Tested | Main: 144, Photo: 144, Video: 137 | S24 Ultra’s camera is professionally benchmarked, showing high performance in all areas |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Digital Zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance, ISO, Exposure, Scene, Self-timer, Night Mode | Night Mode 2.0, 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital Zoom, Optical Zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital stabilization, OIS, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance, ISO, Exposure, Scene, Self-timer, RAW | S24 Ultra has a much more advanced and versatile camera system with a wider range of features |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Up to 13) | Android 14 (Up to 21) | S24 Ultra has a more up to date OS and will receive longer software support |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Dual-band, Wi-Fi 6E | S24 Ultra offers faster and more reliable wireless connection speeds |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.3 LE | S24 Ultra has more advanced Bluetooth for improved audio codecs and more reliable connections |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1 + L5) | S24 Ultra has better GPS with more satellite systems, for superior location accuracy |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM / eSIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | S24 Ultra supports eSIM for more flexible carrier options |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | S24 Ultra offers much larger storage for more files and apps |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 12GB | S24 Ultra provides better multitasking and smoother performance with heavy apps |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows storage expansion |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Noise Cancellation Microphone, Stereo Speakers | S24 Ultra may offer clearer calls. Redmi Note 10S offers High-res Audio for improved music listening |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | The fingerprint sensor on the Redmi Note 10S is more convenient to reach and access. S24 Ultra may have a slightly slower fingerprint sensor depending on model |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Armor | S24 Ultra has superior screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | S24 Ultra features more comprehensive sensor suite including barometer; Redmi Note 10S has a virtual sensor for proximity |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: Much more comfortable for extended use and single-handed operation.
- More affordable: Significantly cheaper than the S24 Ultra, making it more accessible to budget-conscious consumers.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Often faster and more convenient to access.
- Hi-Res Audio: Better audio experience for music enthusiasts.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster chipset and more RAM offer better app loading, multitasking, and gaming experience.
- Much Higher Quality Display: Larger, higher resolution, smoother refresh rate, and much brighter display makes for a vastly improved viewing experience.
- Advanced Camera System: Versatile camera system with significantly higher main sensor resolution, telephoto and portrait lenses, much better video recording capabilities and features.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Options: Quicker charging and wireless charging options increase usability and practicality.
- More Storage: Significantly more storage for storing photos, videos, and apps.
- Better Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards offer faster speeds and more stable connections.
- More up to date software: Provides a newer version of Android, and will receive more future updates.
- Better Build Quality: Superior screen protection.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: More sensors mean a more accurate set of data for various applications.
Trade-offs:
- Redmi Note 10S: Significantly less performance, lower-quality display, and less advanced camera capabilities compared to the S24 Ultra.
- S24 Ultra: Much heavier, less comfortable for extended use, and significantly more expensive.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious buyers: Looking for a reliable smartphone at a lower price point.
- Users focused on basics: Primarily uses the phone for communication, browsing, and casual photography.
- Users who prefer lighter phones: Values comfort and ease of handling.
- Audio Enthusiasts: People who want access to High-res audio for their music.
- Use Case:
- Everyday communication and social media
- Basic photography and videography
- Casual gaming
- Music listening with headphones.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Ideal User:
- Power users: Demanding users who need top performance for gaming, multitasking, and creative tasks.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who want the best possible mobile camera capabilities.
- Users who value cutting-edge technology: Looking for the latest features and performance.
- Productivity focused professionals: Users who rely heavily on their smartphone for work.
- Use Case:
- Professional-grade mobile photography and videography
- Demanding mobile gaming
- Heavy multitasking and productivity apps
- Long-term usage due to future-proofing and software support
- Outdoor activities due to superior display brightness and ruggedness.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The price difference is significant; determine what price range aligns with your resources.
- What are your performance needs? Are you a casual user, or do you need top-tier power for demanding tasks?
- How important is the camera to you? Is mobile photography a crucial aspect, or is a basic camera sufficient?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Usage: If budget is the primary concern and you need a phone for basic tasks, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is sufficient and offers great value for the price.
- Scenario 2: Balanced Performance & Features: If you prioritize a balance of performance and features, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S would be a good choice, but only if you're willing to make a lot of concessions. The S24 Ultra is much better for this user.
- Scenario 3: Top-Tier Performance & Camera: If performance and camera quality are paramount and budget isn't a major issue, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the clear choice.
My Choice
Given my needs, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The biggest drivers for this decision are the dramatically superior performance, display, and camera system. The vast difference in the chipset and GPU performance alone, evidenced by the massive difference in the AnTuTu score, is enough of a factor to tip the scales. This makes the S24 Ultra future-proof and a device that will handle heavy loads.
While the Redmi Note 10S has a few advantages, they are overshadowed by the advancements the S24 Ultra offers. The significantly better display, particularly the higher resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, will be noticeable every day. The versatility of the camera system, with its telephoto and portrait capabilities, provides greater creative possibilities. The difference in software support is also important, as the S24 Ultra will likely receive more updates and features.
