1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Z Flip4 is more compact when folded, making it easier to carry in pockets. The Note 10S is a standard slab phone. |
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 165.2 × 71.9 × 6.9 mm | The Z Flip4 is taller and thinner, while the Note 10S is wider and thicker. Overall the Note 10s has larger volume, but the Z Flip4's folded size is significantly smaller and more pocketable |
| Weight | 178.8g | 187g | The Note 10S is slightly lighter, which may be a minor benefit during extended use. |
| Build | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (Screen) | The Z Flip4 has more robust screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus, making it more scratch and drop resistant. The Note 10S uses Gorilla Glass 3 which is less durable. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | The Z Flip4 offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing of videos and games. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2640 | The Z Flip4 has a slightly higher resolution, resulting in a slightly sharper display, but the difference is subtle. |
| PPI | 409 | 426 | Both phones have very similar pixel density, leading to comparable sharpness in everyday use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | - | The Note 10S's AMOLED display offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast compared to the Z Flip4 which has an unknown technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Z Flip4's 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother and more fluid, providing a better experience. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1200 nits | The Z Flip4's slightly higher brightness provides better outdoor visibility on sunny days. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Z Flip4's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is significantly more powerful, providing faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| Antutu Score | 409,874 | 1,050,371 | The Z Flip4 scores much higher, indicating a substantial performance advantage, especially for demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 730 | The Z Flip4's Adreno 730 GPU is significantly more powerful, delivering a better gaming experience. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 12.2MP | The Note 10S has higher resolution photos, but the Z Flip4's larger pixels can capture more light and detail. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/2.55" | The Note 10S has a larger sensor that should capture more light, leading to better low-light performance, but not necessarily better overall image quality. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.70 µm | 1.40 µm | The Z Flip4 has larger individual pixels, resulting in better light gathering and potentially better low-light performance, despite a smaller sensor. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 13MP | 10MP | The Note 10S has slightly higher resolution front-facing camera. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.06" | 1/3.2" | The Note 10S has a larger sensor for better light capture. |
| Selfie Camera Pixel Size | 1.12 µm | 1.22 µm | The Z Flip4 has larger individual pixels for better light capture. |
| Wide Angle Camera Resolution | 8MP | 13MP | The Z Flip4 has a higher resolution wide angle camera for more detail. |
| Wide Angle Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.8" | 1/3.06" | The Note 10S has a larger sensor for better light capture. |
| Additional Cameras | 2MP Depth, 2MP Macro | None | The Note 10S has a dedicated depth sensor and macro camera which the Z Flip4 lacks. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR | The Z Flip4 offers higher frame rate 4K recording with HDR, resulting in smoother, more vibrant videos. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | The Z Flip4 has optical image stabilization (OIS) for smoother video, especially while moving. |
| DxOMark Score | - | Main: 112, Photo: 125, Video: 113 | The Z Flip4's DxOMark score indicates excellent camera performance for both photo and video, while the Note 10S lacks this data. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3700mAh | The Note 10S has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life, although real-world endurance depends on the device usage. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | The Note 10S has slightly faster wired charging, leading to slightly less downtime. The Z Flip4 has fast wireless charging, which the Note 10S lacks. |
| Charging Features | Reverse Charging | Bypass Charging, Fast Charging, Wireless Charging, Reverse Wireless Charging | The Z Flip4 has more charging features, including bypass charging to limit heat when gaming, fast wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging for accessories. |
Software and Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 12 (Upgradable to 14) | The Z Flip4 has a newer version of Android and will likely receive software updates for longer. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | The Z Flip4 supports faster Wi-Fi speeds and more efficient network use. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.1 | The Z Flip4 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version with better connection stability and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS (L1+L5), A-GPS, GLONASS (L1), Beidou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | The Z Flip4 supports more satellite systems for more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | The Z Flip4 supports eSIM which allows using two phone numbers simultaneously without physical SIM cards. |
Storage, Audio, Security, Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | The Z Flip4 offers more storage options for users with higher needs. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB | Both phones offer ample RAM for efficient multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, limiting your storage space. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | The Note 10S has Hi-Res Audio support for better music quality, while both devices have stereo speakers for audio playback. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones use a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Proximity, Gravity, Hall, Geomagnetic | The Z Flip4 has a more comprehensive suite of sensors suitable for more advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life than the Z Flip4.
- Hi-Res Audio: Provides higher quality audio playback.
- Lower Price: The Note 10S is generally a more budget-friendly device.
- Larger Camera Sensor: On the main camera, the larger sensor may provide better low light performance.
- Additional cameras: Features dedicated macro and depth sensors.
Practical Implications: The Note 10S is suitable for users who prioritize battery life, better audio quality, and a lower cost.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 Advantages:
- Foldable Design: The unique foldable design makes the phone more compact and pocketable.
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers significantly faster performance for all tasks.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: The 120Hz display results in smoother animations and scrolling.
- More Advanced Camera System: The camera setup is better, even if resolution is lower, with features such as OIS, better low-light performance, and HDR capabilities.
- Wireless Charging: Supports fast wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- More Storage Options: Offers storage options up to 512GB.
- Newer Software and Connectivity: Comes with newer versions of Android, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
- Better Screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides better protection compared to Gorilla Glass 3.
Practical Implications: The Z Flip4 is better for users who prioritize performance, a unique design, and overall camera performance.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Note 10S: Trades performance and features for battery life and lower cost.
- Z Flip4: Trades battery capacity, price and additional cameras for foldable design, performance and better camera quality
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritizes affordability and value over premium features.
- Users who need long battery life: Needs a phone that can last a full day or more without charging.
- Users who value audio quality: Want the best possible sound for music and video content.
- Casual gamers and social media users: Can accomplish daily tasks and use common apps without needing top-tier performance.
Use Cases:
- Everyday communication (calls, messages, social media).
- Long road trips, where battery life is a top priority.
- Music lovers who prioritize audio quality.
- General content consumption, such as videos, reading, and casual browsing.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 Ideal User:
- Tech enthusiasts: Interested in innovative technology and unique designs.
- Power users: Need a phone with the best performance for multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps.
- Users who value camera quality: Capture high-quality photos and videos regularly.
- Users who value compactness: Appreciate a phone that is smaller when not in use.
- Users who want the latest and greatest: Want access to the best features and latest standards.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Users who value premium build quality.
- Those who need high-speed downloads.
- Users who value cutting-edge features, like foldable design, eSIM support, and wireless charging.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Redmi Note 10S: Offers very good value for its price, focusing on core features like battery and a good display for a budget segment.
- Galaxy Z Flip4: Delivers a premium experience, and innovative design with the price to match, appealing to those who are willing to pay a premium for its unique design and power.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The Note 10S is significantly more affordable. The Z Flip4 is a premium device that is much more expensive.
- How important is performance? The Z Flip4 delivers a much more powerful experience than the Note 10S.
- What form factor do I prefer? The Note 10S is a standard smartphone, whereas the Z Flip4 offers a unique foldable design.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User: If your budget is limited and you prioritize battery life over performance, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is the clear choice.
- Scenario 2: Performance Enthusiast: If performance is your top priority, along with a unique design, and you're willing to pay a premium price for these features, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 is recommended.
- Scenario 3: Hybrid Needs: If you're looking for a balance of features and a lower price, the Redmi Note 10S should serve your needs, but be prepared to compromise on performance and unique features. For a more advanced experience you will have to choose the Z Flip4.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4. While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S offers better battery life and a more affordable price point, the Z Flip4's superior performance, better camera quality, modern design, and higher refresh rate display make it a more compelling option for me. Additionally, having features such as wireless charging is a bonus that I would value. The foldable design also offers a unique experience that appeals to me. While the price is much higher, I believe the improvements in performance and overall user experience would be worth the investment.
