1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | vivo V30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 164.4 × 75.1 × 7.5 mm | vivo V30 is taller and thinner, potentially feeling sleeker; Redmi Note 10S is shorter and thicker, having larger volume which might feel bulky |
| Weight | 178.8g | 186g | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is slightly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, not foldable. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | vivo V30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.43" | 6.78" | vivo V30 offers a more immersive viewing experience with a larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2800 | vivo V30 has a noticeably sharper display with more details, especially when viewing text or images. |
| PPI | 409 | 453 | vivo V30 provides slightly crisper images due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks typical of AMOLED screens. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | vivo V30 provides smoother scrolling and animations, more fluid user interface. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has much better visibility in bright sunlight, but the vivo V30's brightness is unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | vivo V30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4nm) | vivo V30's newer chip provides significantly better performance, faster app loading and smoother gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 866,863 | vivo V30 is much faster overall, handles demanding tasks with ease. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 720 | vivo V30's GPU is more capable, better graphics performance in games. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | vivo V30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S captures slightly more detailed images in ideal light, but not better quality images. |
| Main Camera Sensor | 1/2" Omnivision OV64B | 1/1.55" Omnivision OV50E | vivo V30's larger sensor captures more light, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.88 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S slightly better performance in low light |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 13MP | 50MP | vivo V30 takes much more detailed selfies, and better overall selfie image quality |
| Selfie Camera Sensor | 1/3.06" Omnivision OV13B10 | 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1 | vivo V30's larger sensor allows better low light performance and detail. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.0 | vivo V30's wider aperture allows more light, again better performance in low-light. |
| Wide Angle Camera Resolution | 8MP | 50MP | vivo V30 captures much higher resolution ultra-wide shots, better for landscapes and group photos. |
| Wide Angle Camera Sensor | 1/2.8" Sony IMX355 | 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1 | vivo V30's slightly larger sensor captures more light. |
| Wide Angle Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | vivo V30's wider aperture allows for better light intake, leading to higher quality wide angle images. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP | None | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has a dedicated depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | None | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has a dedicated macro camera, useful for very close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps | 4K@30fps | Both capture similar resolution, the vivo V30 has EIS, making video more stable. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes (EIS) | vivo V30 videos are less shaky, more usable for action footage. |
| Slow Motion | 960fps | 240fps | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S can capture faster slow-motion, but with lower quality. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Night Mode | Dual camera, OIS, PDAF, Continuous shooting, Panorama, RAW | vivo V30 has OIS for sharper photos and videos, and RAW capture for more control in post-processing. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | vivo V30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should provide similar battery life, but real-world usage varies. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | vivo V30 charges much faster, reducing downtime significantly. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | None | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S can charge other devices. |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | vivo V30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11, upgradeable to 13 | Android 14, upgradeable to 16 | vivo V30 has a more modern OS, likely providing better security and features. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | vivo V30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | vivo V30 can connect faster and more efficiently to Wi-Fi networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.4 | vivo V30 has a more modern Bluetooth standard, potentially better range and efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | vivo V30 offers slightly more accurate positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both offer dual SIM functionality. |
Storage & Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | vivo V30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 64/128GB | 128/256/512GB | vivo V30 offers significantly more storage for apps, photos and videos. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 8/12GB | vivo V30 performs better with heavy app usage and demanding games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows extra storage. |
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has a richer audio output. |
Security, Build & Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | vivo V30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S may have a slightly better fingerprint reader placement. |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S screen has better protection, likely more durable. |
| Sensors | Ultrasonic Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both feature standard sensors. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has Ultrasonic Proximity sensor while vivo V30 has a traditional Proximity sensor, but no real practical difference |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Brighter Display: With a 1100 nits brightness, the Redmi Note 10S is significantly better for outdoor viewing in bright sunlight.
- Better Audio: Offers Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers for a superior audio experience.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices, acting as a power bank.
- Lower price: Being an older device, it's likely more affordable.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Cameras: Offers macro and depth cameras that the vivo V30 lacks.
- Better slow motion: The Redmi Note 10S has slow motion recording up to 960 FPS vs the vivo V30's 240 FPS, albeit lower quality at that frame rate.
- Side mounted fingerprint sensor: Side mounted sensors are sometimes preferred for ergonomics.
vivo V30 Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip offers vastly better performance for gaming, multitasking, and general use.
- Superior Display: Larger, higher-resolution screen with a 120Hz refresh rate provides a smoother, more immersive experience.
- Faster Charging: 80W charging fills the battery much quicker, reducing downtime.
- Higher Quality Cameras: Larger sensors and higher resolution, especially for the selfie and ultrawide cameras.
- Better Video: EIS provides better stabilization in videos, which is essential for capturing smooth footage on the move.
- More Storage & RAM: Higher RAM, and more available storage with larger options to choose from
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14, which is upgradable, resulting in better performance and updated features.
- Modern Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 for faster and more reliable connections.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Results in sharper photos and more stable videos.
Key Trade-offs
- Brightness: The vivo V30's display brightness is unknown, a critical factor for outdoor use, while the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S provides 1100 nits.
- Audio: The vivo V30 lacks features such as Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers, potentially impacting audio quality
- Charging: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has reverse charging, lacking in the vivo V30.
- Price: The vivo V30 will likely cost more due to its more modern features.
- Macro and Depth: vivo V30 lacks these camera features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Looking for a good display with good brightness, decent main camera, acceptable performance.
- Users who want basic features: Macro and depth camera lenses, reverse charging, good audio quality.
- Outdoor users: Benefit from the bright display for easy visibility under sunlight.
- Users who value audio quality: Want a phone with Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers.
Use Cases: Casual use, media consumption, basic photography, outdoor use, a secondary device, users who prefer to save money.
vivo V30 Ideal User:
- Performance-oriented users: Gamers, heavy multi-taskers, app enthusiasts.
- Photography enthusiasts: Who need a quality camera experience.
- Users who prioritize display quality: Want a large, sharp screen with smooth refresh rates.
- Users who value fast charging: Don't want to wait long to recharge their phone.
- Users who need a long-lasting device: With a more modern operating system and better connectivity.
Use Cases: Mobile gaming, professional photography, video recording, social media usage, long-term use, heavy day-to-day usage.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance for your use cases? Are you primarily gaming, doing heavy tasks, or only using basic apps?
- Do you prioritize display quality and outdoor visibility, or are you primarily using your phone indoors?
- How important are camera quality and video capabilities for you? Are you just snapping basic pictures, or are you serious about photography/videography?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
My Choice
I would choose the vivo V30. While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has a brighter screen and a few extra camera features, the performance difference is too significant to ignore. The vivo V30's significantly faster processor, better display quality with 120Hz refresh rate, and superior cameras, particularly the much improved selfie and ultra-wide lenses, make it a better overall experience. Although it lacks the reverse charging feature and specific camera features of the Redmi Note 10S, the advantages in speed, display, camera quality, and future-proofing are worth the premium.
The practical implications of a faster processor, smoother screen and better cameras are significant in day-to-day use, making the experience of the vivo V30 substantially more enjoyable, despite the uncertainty around the brightness. For me, this advantage outweighs the Redmi Note 10S' brighter screen and dedicated macro camera, which I consider less critical for my personal needs. I also prefer the newer Bluetooth, WiFi, and Android versions. The faster charging is also a very compelling and important benefit.
