Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S vs. vivo V40
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | vivo V40 | Practical Impact |
Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 164.2 × 75 × 7.6 mm | vivo V40 is taller and thinner, while Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is wider and thicker, impacting hand feel and pocketability |
Weight | 178.8g | 190g | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is lighter by 11.2g, which may feel more comfortable during prolonged use |
Build Material | Not specified | Not specified | Information missing, making it hard to compare durability and premium feel |
Display
Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | vivo V40 | Practical Impact |
Size | 6.43" | 6.78" | vivo V40 offers a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming |
Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2800 | vivo V40 has a sharper display with more detail |
Pixel Density (PPI) | 409 | 453 | vivo V40 has a slightly crisper display |
Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks |
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | vivo V40's smoother scrolling and animations enhance responsiveness |
Brightness | 1100 nits | 4500 nits | vivo V40 is drastically better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight |
Performance
Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | vivo V40 | Practical Impact |
Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | vivo V40's chipset is significantly more powerful and efficient, leading to better app performance, gaming, and multitasking |
AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 855,000 | vivo V40 has superior overall performance, handling demanding tasks more smoothly |
GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 720 | vivo V40 provides better graphics performance for gaming and video editing |
Camera
Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | vivo V40 | Practical Impact |
Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56" sensor | vivo V40 has a larger sensor for better low-light performance; Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has higher resolution |
Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06" sensor | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76" sensor | vivo V40 has a significantly higher-resolution selfie camera and a wider aperture for better low-light selfies |
Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor | 50MP, f/2.4, sensor size not specified | vivo V40 offers a higher resolution wide-angle camera |
Depth/Portrait Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has a dedicated depth sensor for bokeh effects |
Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots |
Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps, no stabilization | Up to 4K@30fps with OIS, EIS | vivo V40 provides both Optical and Electronic Image Stabilization for smoother videos |
Slow-motion | 960 fps | 120 fps | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S can record significantly slower slow-motion video |
Battery
Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | vivo V40 | Practical Impact |
Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | vivo V40 has a larger battery, potentially leading to longer battery life |
Charging | 33W fast charging | 80W fast charging | vivo V40 charges significantly faster |
Features | Reverse Charging | None | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S can act as a power bank for other devices. |
Software and Other
Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | vivo V40 | Practical Impact |
Operating System | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Android 14 | vivo V40 has a newer OS with updated features and security patches |
Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5, MIMO | Wi-Fi 6 | vivo V40 has faster Wi-Fi speeds and better performance in congested networks. |
Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.4 | vivo V40 has a newer Bluetooth version with better audio codecs |
SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM/eSIM) | vivo V40 offers eSIM support for more flexible connectivity |
Storage | 64/128GB | 256/512GB | vivo V40 offers significantly more internal storage |
RAM | 6/8GB | 12GB | vivo V40 has more RAM for better multitasking |
Audio | Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio | Basic Audio | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S offers better audio quality with stereo speakers and Hi-Res Audio |
Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has a more convenient fingerprint sensor placement |
Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S uses superior screen protection |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices, a handy feature for emergencies.
- Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers: Provides enhanced audio quality for music and media consumption.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More ergonomic and convenient than standard sensor.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth cameras: Offers additional options for photography.
- Significantly faster slow motion video
vivo V40 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset provides significantly better CPU and GPU performance than the Helio G95.
- Brighter Display: Much higher brightness makes it easier to view in direct sunlight.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Provides smoother animations and transitions, for more fluid experience.
- Larger and Sharper Display: Larger screen with higher resolution offers a more immersive experience.
- Significantly More Storage: Comes with significantly more storage capacity, essential for users with many photos, videos, and apps.
- Faster Charging: 80W charging refills the battery much faster than 33W.
- Better Main and Selfie Cameras: Larger sensors and higher resolution on the front and back cameras.
- Optical Image Stabilization: Provides smoother and more stable video recording.
- Newer OS: comes with newer operating system, better performance, new features and better security
Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S sacrifices raw performance and display quality for features like reverse charging and better audio.
- The vivo V40 sacrifices a dedicated depth and macro camera and reverse charging for much better general performance, display and camera quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious User: Those seeking a reliable phone with basic features at a lower price point.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality audio playback and stereo sound.
- Casual Photographers: Those who want versatile camera options, including macro and depth lenses.
vivo V40 Ideal User:
- Performance Seekers: Users who need a phone for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Frequent Travelers and Media Consumers: Those who require a bright screen, long battery life, and fast charging.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Users who need high-quality, stable videos with excellent front camera performance.
- Power Users: Those who require ample storage space and smooth performance.
Specific Use Cases:
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S:
- Playing music on-the-go with Hi-Res audio.
- Occasional photography with macro and depth options.
- Using reverse charging as a power bank when needed.
vivo V40:
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Watching videos and movies on a large, vibrant display.
- Taking high-resolution selfies and shooting stabilized videos.
- Power users with need for speed and fast charging.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S offers good value for budget-conscious users.
- The vivo V40 provides excellent value for users who prioritize performance, display quality, and advanced camera capabilities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is overall performance? If smooth gaming and app performance are key, the vivo V40 is superior.
- What's your budget? If you're on a tight budget, Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S might be more accessible, though it makes trade-offs on performance, screen, and camera quality.
- What is your priority for photography? If low-light selfies, video recording quality and wide angle shots are important, the vivo V40 is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User - If you just want a functional phone with basic features, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S provides better value and is a solid choice with great audio capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Gaming and Power User - If gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps are your priority, the vivo V40 is the clear winner, due to its vastly superior processor, GPU, display and much faster charging.
- Scenario 3: Photography and Videography Enthusiast - If taking high quality videos, selfies and having the best photo experience is a priority the vivo V40 is the better choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the vivo V40. While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has a few niche advantages like reverse charging and Hi-Res audio, the overall experience offered by the vivo V40 is far superior. The difference in performance (AnTuTu score of 855,000 vs 409,874), the vastly brighter and smoother display (120Hz refresh rate, 4500 nits brightness), larger battery with significantly faster charging, much more internal storage and overall significantly better cameras with better video stabilization, make the vivo V40 the better choice for me. Although I might not use a macro lens very often, the vastly improved main and wide angle cameras will prove to be more useful in my daily life. The newer version of android would also mean longer software support, and ultimately a phone that will perform better for a longer period of time. The overall experience that the vivo V40 offers outweigh the additional features that the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S provides. For me, the significantly enhanced performance, superior display, and better cameras of the vivo V40 make it the obvious choice.