Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S vs Sony Xperia 10 III - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date April 28, 2021 June 11, 2021
Release Year 2021 2021

Physical

Volume 99.25 cm³ 86.92 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.6 "/g 3.55 "/g
Weight 178.8 g 169 g
Height 160.5 mm 154 mm
Width 74.5 mm 68 mm
Thickness 8.3 mm 8.3 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Shadow Black (Onyx Gray)
  • Deep Sea Blue (Ocean Blue)
  • (Frost White) Pebble White
  • Black
  • Blue
  • White
  • Pink

Display

Screen Size 6.43 " 6 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2520
Aspect Ratio 20:9 21:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 83.5 % 80.3 %
Pixel Density 409 PPI 457 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A N/A
Typical Brightness 450 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness 1100 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 120.93 mAh/in² 125.00 mAh/in²
Battery Density 50.38 mAh/cm³ 51.77 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 4500 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver)
GPU Mali-G76 MC4 Adreno 619

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.1
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 3.1, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 11
Maximum OS Version 13 13

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Here's a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S and the Sony Xperia 10 III, focusing on their practical implications:

FeatureXiaomi Redmi Note 10SSony Xperia 10 IIIPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm154 × 68 × 8.3 mmXiaomi is noticeably larger, may be less comfortable for smaller hands
Weight178.8g169gSony is slightly lighter, more comfortable for extended use
Display
Size6.43"6"Xiaomi has a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking
Resolution1080x24001080x2520Sony has slightly sharper image due to higher pixel density
PPI409457Sony has sharper display, text and images appear clearer
TechnologyAMOLEDOLEDBoth offer vibrant colors and deep blacks
Refresh Rate60Hz60HzBoth offer standard smoothness, no high refresh rate
Brightness1100 nits0 nitsXiaomi much brighter screen, better visibility in bright sunlight
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Helio G95Snapdragon 690 5GXiaomi offers better processing power, faster app loading
AnTuTu Score409,874275,000Xiaomi performs better overall, especially in gaming
GPUMali-G76 MC4Adreno 619Xiaomi has better graphics performance for gaming and graphic intensive tasks
Camera
Standard Lens64MP, f/1.7912MP, f/1.8Xiaomi captures more detail; better low-light performance
Telephoto/PortraitNot Available8MP, f/2.4Sony offers optical zoom for better portrait shots
Selfie Camera13MP, f/2.458MP, f/2.0Xiaomi captures more detail; Sony has better low-light selfies
Wide Angle Lens8MP, f/2.28MP, f/2.2Similar wide-angle performance
Portrait (depth)2MP, f/2.4Not AvailableXiaomi offers additional portrait depth information for more artistic shots
Macro Lens2MP, f/2.4Not AvailableXiaomi captures close up images
VideoUp to 4K@30fpsUp to 4K@30fpsSimilar video quality capabilities
Slow Motion960 fps120 fpsXiaomi offers higher quality slow-motion video
Battery
Capacity5000 mAh4500 mAhXiaomi offers longer battery life
Charging33W Fast Charging18W Fast ChargingXiaomi charges much faster
FeaturesReverse chargingXiaomi can charge other devices
Software
OSAndroid 11, Max Version 13Android 11, Max Version 13Both support the same maximum Android version
Connectivity
Wi-FiWi-Fi 5, MIMOWi-Fi 5Xiaomi offers faster Wi-Fi speeds with MIMO
Bluetooth5.0 LE5.1 LESony has newer Bluetooth with more features
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GalileoSony has more accurate GPS due to QZSS support
Storage
Internal64/128 GB128 GBSony offers only 128GB
RAM6/8 GB6 GBXiaomi offers more RAM for better multitasking
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone offers expandable storage
Audio
QualityStereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio2 Microphones, Hi-Res AudioXiaomi for better media consumption and audio quality; Sony for better audio recording
Security
Featuresside-mounted fingerprint sensorside-mounted fingerprint sensorSimilar biometric security
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass 6Sony offers superior scratch resistance on the display
Sensors
FeaturesGyroscope, Ultrasonic proximityProximity, HallXiaomi has more advanced sensors overall

2. Key Differences Analysis

Here's a breakdown of the major advantages of each phone and their practical implications:

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:

  • Stronger Performance: The Helio G95 chipset and higher AnTuTu score translate to smoother app performance, faster gaming, and better overall responsiveness.
  • Superior Display Brightness: 1100 nits brightness ensures excellent visibility in direct sunlight, making it ideal for outdoor use.
  • Larger Display: The 6.43" screen is better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
  • Better Main Camera: Higher resolution sensor (64MP) captures more detail and performs well in low light scenarios.
  • Larger Battery & Faster Charging: 5000mAh battery and 33W charging offer extended battery life and quicker refills.
  • Versatile Camera System: Includes dedicated macro and depth cameras, useful for various creative shots.
  • Better Slow Motion Video: Offers higher frame rate for slow motion at 960fps
  • Reverse Charging: Allows the phone to charge other devices.
  • Better Sound Quality: Stereo speakers offer better immersion
  • Gyroscope: Better for mobile gaming

Sony Xperia 10 III Advantages:

  • Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable to hold and use with one hand due to its smaller size.
  • Higher Display Resolution: Sharper display due to higher pixel density, resulting in clearer text and images.
  • Telephoto Camera: Enables optical zoom, leading to better portrait shots.
  • Superior Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass 6 provides enhanced scratch resistance.
  • Newer Bluetooth: Supports more audio codecs and profiles.
  • Better GPS: Offers more accurate GPS tracking with QZSS support.
  • More Microphones: Offers better audio recording

Significant Trade-offs:

  • Xiaomi: Slightly bulkier, less comfortable one-handed usage, lower screen protection.
  • Sony: Lower performance in demanding tasks, less bright display, and smaller battery.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Ideal Users:

  • Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos, movies, or play games, valuing a large, bright display.
  • Gamers: Users who prioritize smooth performance and graphics for mobile gaming.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera with a higher resolution sensor and macro capabilities.
  • Power Users: Individuals who value battery life and fast charging for all-day usage.
  • Budget-conscious Buyers: Those seeking the best performance and features for their money.

Specific Use Cases for Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S:

  • Streaming videos on Netflix, YouTube, etc.
  • Playing graphics-intensive games like PUBG or Genshin Impact.
  • Taking detailed photographs in various settings, from portraits to landscapes.
  • Using the phone extensively throughout the day without worrying about battery life.

Sony Xperia 10 III Ideal Users:

  • Compact Phone Lovers: Users who prefer a smaller, lighter phone that is comfortable to hold and use one-handed.
  • Users who Prioritize Screen Protection: Users looking for a phone with good screen protection for daily use.
  • Portrait Photographers: Users who want optical zoom capabilities for better portrait shots.
  • Audio Recording Enthusiasts: Users who often record audio and value better audio recording capability
  • Users who value GPS Accuracy: Users who prioritize location accuracy

Specific Use Cases for Sony Xperia 10 III:

  • One-handed browsing, texting, and general smartphone usage.
  • Taking portrait photos with optical zoom for better quality.
  • Daily use, fitting comfortably into smaller pockets.
  • Recording better audio for videos
  • Using GPS for navigation, especially in areas with variable satellite coverage.

4. Decision Framework

Here are three key questions to help buyers decide:

  1. Do you prioritize performance and battery life, or a compact and lightweight design? If performance and battery are key, the Xiaomi is better; if size and weight are paramount, the Sony excels.
  2. Is a large, bright display important for your usage, or is image sharpness your main concern? The Xiaomi has a larger, brighter display while the Sony has a sharper display.
  3. What are your primary camera needs? Do you take many portrait or macro shots? The Xiaomi excels in versatile photography, while the Sony features a better portrait mode with optical zoom.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Gaming and Media Consumption: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S for its superior performance, larger screen, and brighter display.
  • Scenario 2: One-Handed Use and Portability: Choose the Sony Xperia 10 III for its smaller size, lighter weight, and one-handed usability.
  • Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S for it's versatile system with dedicated macro and depth cameras.

My Choice and Why:

If I were to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S. While the Sony Xperia 10 III has some appealing features like its compact size and superior screen protection, the Xiaomi's strengths align more closely with my priorities. I value a large and bright display for media consumption, and the stronger performance of the Helio G95 chipset would provide a smoother experience for daily use and gaming. The Xiaomi also features more versatile camera, a larger battery, and faster charging. While the Sony has a sharper display, I think the added brightness of the Xiaomi will make it more versatile for everyday use especially outdoors.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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