Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Z Flip3 offers a unique, compact form factor when folded, improving portability, while the Redmi Note 10S is a standard phone. |
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 166 x 72.2 x 6.9 mm | Z Flip3 is taller but narrower and thinner, The Redmi Note 10S has a larger overall volume. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 183g | Both phones are very similar in weight, differences will be negligible in everyday use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | Z Flip3 has a slightly larger screen, which is better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2640 | Z Flip3 has a slightly higher resolution, resulting in a sharper image quality. |
| Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 426 PPI | Both phones have very similar pixel density; differences in sharpness are virtually unnoticeable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unspecified | The Redmi Note 10S has an AMOLED display, offering deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Z Flip3 has a smoother display with a higher refresh rate (120Hz), which makes animations and scrolling more fluid. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1200 nits | The Z Flip3 offers slightly better outdoor visibility due to its higher peak brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | The Z Flip3 has a much more powerful chipset, leading to faster app loading, better multitasking, and smoother gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 898,700 | The Z Flip3 offers significantly higher performance, over twice as fast for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 660 | Z Flip3's Adreno 660 GPU offers superior graphical performance for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3300mAh | Redmi Note 10S has a much larger battery, offering potentially longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Redmi Note 10S charges much faster, reducing the time spent plugged into a charger. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Both phones support reverse charging to power accessories or other devices; neither has a removable battery. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.70µm | 12.2MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | Redmi Note 10S has higher resolution and larger sensor, but Z Flip3 has larger pixel size, impacting low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | Redmi Note 10S has a higher resolution front camera, but smaller pixel size. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | 13MP, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | Z Flip3 has a higher resolution wide-angle lens while the Redmi Note 10S has a larger sensor. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Redmi Note 10S offers a dedicated depth camera for portrait mode while the Z Flip3 does not. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Redmi Note 10S has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots while the Z Flip3 does not. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps, 720p@960fps | 4K@60fps with HDR, 1080p@240fps | Z Flip3 has HDR video capability and records at higher frame rates in 4K and slow motion. |
| Stabilization | No | Yes | Z Flip3 has video stabilization features. |
| DxoMark | Unspecified | Main: 111 (Photo: 118, Video: 110) | Z Flip3 camera performance is rated by DxoMark while Redmi Note 10S is not rated. |
| Camera Features | Quad, Digital Stabilization | Dual, OIS | Redmi Note 10S offers a quad-camera setup, while Z Flip3 offers OIS and a dual-camera setup. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 13 | Android 11, Upgradable to 14 | Z Flip3 is expected to receive one additional Android version upgrade compared to Redmi Note 10S. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Z Flip3 has newer, faster Wi-Fi 6 technology for improved network speeds and latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | Z Flip3 has Bluetooth 5.1 offering slightly better performance and battery efficiency. |
| GPS | Standard | Enhanced | Z Flip3 has better GPS accuracy due to support for multiple frequency bands. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Z Flip3 supports eSIM, allowing for more flexibility with carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128GB | 128/256GB | Z Flip3 offers higher storage options, more room for photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 8GB | Z Flip3 has a fixed 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage via microSD, so users are limited to the internal storage offered. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | Redmi Note 10S offers Hi-Res audio, providing better audio fidelity for music lovers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer similar fingerprint sensor technology, for basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Z Flip3 uses more durable screen protection (Gorilla Glass Victus), offering better scratch and shatter resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Z Flip3 has a barometer, which can be useful for tracking weather changes; both offer similar motion tracking. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Offers a significantly larger battery capacity (5000mAh vs. 3300mAh), providing potentially much longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: Features 33W fast charging, compared to the 15W of the Z Flip3, significantly reducing charging times.
- Hi-Res Audio: Supports Hi-Res Audio, which can appeal to audiophiles.
- Depth and Macro Cameras: Includes dedicated depth and macro lens for portrait and close-up photography.
- Lower Price: Generally available at a lower price point, making it more accessible to budget-conscious consumers.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G Advantages:
- Foldable Form Factor: Its unique foldable design makes it highly portable and compact.
- Superior Performance: Powered by the Snapdragon 888 5G, it delivers much better performance for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 120Hz display for smoother animations.
- More Powerful GPU: Adreno 660 provides much better graphics performance.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers greater scratch and shatter resistance.
- HDR Video Recording: Supports HDR video, offering better dynamic range for videos.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Offers Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and advanced GPS for better wireless experience and navigation.
- eSIM Support: Offers eSIM functionality for flexible network access.
- Better Main Camera Pixel Size: Larger pixels capture more light, improving low-light performance
Trade-offs:
- The Redmi Note 10S sacrifices processing power for better battery and lower price point.
- The Z Flip3 5G sacrifices battery life and dedicated macro/depth sensors for a cutting-edge design and processing power.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life, fast charging, and solid all-around performance without the need for flagship-level speed or a cutting-edge design.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday use including social media, browsing, emails, calls, etc.
- Users who frequently travel and require a long battery life.
- Photography enthusiasts who value a good standard camera setup, dedicated macro/depth sensors, and good low-light performance.
- Users who enjoy consuming media and gaming and are willing to sacrifice cutting-edge graphics for better battery.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G:
- Ideal User: Tech enthusiasts and users who want a premium experience, cutting-edge design, powerful performance, and the portability of a foldable device, regardless of price.
- Use Cases:
- Users who appreciate and want to be among the early adopters of new tech like foldable smartphones.
- Users who highly prioritize high-end mobile gaming and demanding applications.
- Users who want a premium smartphone for daily use, with a great focus on the design and the high end performance.
- Users who value portability and a compact phone that can fit easily in pockets.
- Users who want high-quality media consumption and recording.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Priorities: Do you prioritize battery life and charging speed, or performance and a cutting-edge design?
- Use Case: What will be the primary use of your phone (e.g., everyday tasks, gaming, photography)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: If you're on a budget and need a reliable phone with great battery life, choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S.
- Performance User: If you require the best possible performance, high refresh rate screen, and a cutting-edge foldable form factor, go for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G.
- Camera Focused User: If you value the versatility of multiple lenses with specific depth and macro capabilities, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is a solid choice. If you are more focused on high-end quality and better low light performance then the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G is a more suitable option.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G. While the Redmi Note 10S offers a better battery and is more budget-friendly, the Z Flip3's superior performance, foldable design, and overall premium experience are more appealing to my personal use case. I value the ability to perform demanding tasks, like gaming or video editing on the go without slowdowns and the innovative and novel form factor which makes the phone more portable and a conversation starter. The better display quality, smoother refresh rate, and more robust build quality make it a more compelling option despite the smaller battery.
