1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 165 × 71 × 8.2 mm | Sony is slightly taller and narrower, may feel different in hand; similar thickness. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 185g | Redmi Note 10S is slightly lighter, may be noticeable over extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.5" | Negligible size difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1644x3840 | Sony Xperia 1 IV will have a much sharper and clearer display. |
| PPI | 409 | 643 | Sony Xperia 1 IV's display will have significantly more detail. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar quality display tech; both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Sony Xperia 1 IV will have smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Redmi Note 10S will be much more visible in direct sunlight. (Note: Brightness for Sony Xperia is listed as 0 nits, which is likely incorrect and should be confirmed from other sources. Assuming this spec is an error) |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) | Sony Xperia 1 IV will have significantly faster processing and better efficiency, resulting in better performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,076,100 | Sony Xperia 1 IV will have noticeably better performance for gaming and heavy multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 730 | Sony Xperia 1 IV's GPU is much more powerful, better for demanding graphics and games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Redmi Note 10S will charge slightly faster. |
| Features | Reverse charging | Bypass Charging | Redmi Note 10S can be used to charge other devices, Sony Xperia 1 IV can power the phone directly without charging the battery |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 12MP, f/1.7, Sony Exmor RS, 1.8µm | Redmi Note 10S captures higher resolution images in good lighting, Sony Xperia 1 IV captures larger pixels resulting in better low light performance |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 12MP, f/2.0 | Sony Xperia 1 IV captures brighter selfies in low-light. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP, f/2.3, 1/3.5", 1.0µm | Sony Xperia 1 IV offers optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | 12MP, f/2.2 | Sony Xperia 1 IV provides higher resolution wide-angle shots |
| ToF 3D sensor | None | Present | Sony Xperia 1 IV improves depth sensing for portrait photos. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Redmi Note 10S has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Redmi Note 10S offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K 30fps, No stabilization | Up to 4K 120fps, with HDR, OIS, EIS | Sony Xperia 1 IV records higher quality, smoother, and more stabilized video footage. |
| DXOMark | Not Available | Mobile: 105 (Photo: 107, Video: 92) | Sony Xperia 1 IV has a tested and rated camera performance. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | Sony Xperia 1 IV has more professional-grade camera features, like OIS, RAW capture, and more advanced autofocus. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 13) | Android 12 (up to 13) | Sony Xperia 1 IV has a more recent Android version out of the box, both can upgrade to Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Sony Xperia 1 IV has faster WiFi speeds and is more reliable in crowded areas. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Sony Xperia 1 IV has a slightly newer and more efficient Bluetooth version with more features like LDAC for Hi-Res audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Sony Xperia 1 IV has more precise location tracking with additional satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Both offer dual SIM functionality. Sony has an eSIM that allows for switching carriers digitally. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 256GB/512GB | Sony Xperia 1 IV offers much more internal storage for media and apps. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 12GB/16GB | Sony Xperia 1 IV has more RAM for better multitasking and smoother performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Sony Xperia 1 IV has an immersive sound experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both devices feature side-mounted fingerprint sensors for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Sony Xperia 1 IV has much better scratch and drop resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer, Hall | Sony Xperia 1 IV provides more extensive environmental data, while Redmi Note 10S has a virtual proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Significantly brighter display: The 1100 nits brightness allows for much better outdoor visibility, crucial for users in sunny environments.
- Slightly faster charging: 33W charging allows for faster replenishment of the battery.
- Reverse charging: Can act as a power bank to charge other devices, a convenient feature for users with multiple gadgets.
- Lower Price Point: Generally, the Redmi Note 10S is offered at a lower price, making it a more budget-friendly option.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Useful for users interested in extreme close-up photography.
- Dedicated depth sensor: Useful for users interested in taking portrait photos
Sony Xperia 1 IV Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and Adreno 730 GPU offer significantly better performance, ideal for gaming and heavy apps.
- Much Sharper Display: The 4K resolution and higher PPI provide a much more detailed and clearer visual experience.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate makes for smoother scrolling and animations.
- Advanced Camera System: The inclusion of telephoto lens, and ToF sensor, along with OIS and advanced video features, provide superior photography capabilities.
- Better Video Recording: Capable of 4K 120fps video recording with OIS and EIS for smoother and higher quality videos
- Higher Quality Audio: Dolby Atmos offers an immersive sound experience, a great feature for media consumption.
- More Storage and RAM: Comes with higher RAM and internal storage capacities.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards offer faster speeds and better performance.
- Superior Build Quality: Gorilla Glass Victus offers significantly better protection for the screen.
- More precise GPS: Includes more satelite support for higher precision.
- eSIM support: Allows for digital carrier switching
Significant Trade-offs:
- Redmi Note 10S: The main trade-off is the lower performance and less advanced camera system, which might not be suitable for demanding users and photography enthusiasts.
- Sony Xperia 1 IV: The primary trade-off is likely the price point. The phone also lacks the brightness of the Redmi Note 10S.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, those who need a reliable daily driver, users who prioritize battery life and outdoor visibility.
- Use Cases: Casual use, social media, streaming, basic photography, users who need a reliable GPS with accurate tracking capabilities, everyday mobile usage in outdoor conditions.
- Price-to-value: The Redmi Note 10S provides good value for money, especially for those who want decent performance, long-lasting battery life and good sunlight viewability in a budget-friendly package.
Sony Xperia 1 IV:
- Ideal User: Power users, mobile gamers, professional photographers, and videographers who demand top performance, high-quality display, and an advanced camera system.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, professional photography and videography, high-fidelity media consumption, users needing precise GPS tracking, and users needing a phone for video editing and content creation.
- Price-to-value: The Xperia 1 IV is a premium device and is positioned as a high-end device with significant performance and camera features, justifying its higher price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Redmi Note 10S is considerably more affordable, while the Sony Xperia 1 IV is a premium-priced device.
- How important is camera quality and performance for your usage? If you are into mobile photography or gaming, the Xperia 1 IV will be far more suitable.
- How important is screen brightness and outdoor visibility to you? If you use your phone often in bright sunlight, the Redmi Note 10S has a significant advantage.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User with a Budget: If you need a reliable smartphone for daily tasks, social media, and casual browsing without breaking the bank, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is the more sensible option.
- Scenario 2: Demanding User & Mobile Photographer: If you need top-tier performance, advanced photography features, and a high-resolution screen for multimedia consumption, the Sony Xperia 1 IV is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: User who needs good outdoor visibility: If you need good visibility in bright sunlight, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is a better choice.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Sony Xperia 1 IV. While the Redmi Note 10S has its merits, particularly in screen brightness and pricing, the Xperia 1 IV simply offers a vastly superior experience in almost every other way that matters to me. The significantly better performance, coupled with the high-resolution display and advanced camera system, makes the Xperia 1 IV a much more appealing option for me. As a person who values performance and appreciates high quality image and video capabilities, I am willing to pay the premium for the higher quality the Sony Xperia 1 IV provides. The lack of brightness, while a concern, is not a dealbreaker for me.
