1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-04-28 | 2022-03-16 | Poco M4 Pro is a newer model, potentially with longer software support |
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mm | Very similar size, Note 10S is slightly thicker |
| Weight | 178.8g | 179.5g | Both are very similar in weight |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.43" | Identical screen size, same viewing experience in terms of size |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer a sharp, Full HD+ display |
| PPI | 409 | 409 | Same pixel density, similar sharpness |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors and deep blacks |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Poco M4 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Redmi Note 10S is significantly brighter, better for outdoor use in sunlight. Note: brightness for Poco M4 Pro is missing |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G96 (12 nm) | Poco M4 Pro's G96 is slightly newer and provides marginally better performance |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 438,700 | Poco M4 Pro has a slightly higher benchmark score, potentially better for gaming |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Redmi Note 10S has a more powerful GPU, potentially better for graphics intensive tasks |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | Redmi Note 10S has higher resolution, potentially more detailed images |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | Redmi Note 10S has a slightly wider aperture, better low light performance |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/2.76" | Redmi Note 10S has a larger sensor, potentially better dynamic range |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 13MP | 16MP | Poco M4 Pro has a higher resolution selfie camera |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14 µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14 µm | Identical wide-angle camera performance |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75 µm | None | Redmi Note 10S has a dedicated depth sensor, potentially better portrait mode |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75 µm | None | Redmi Note 10S has a macro lens for close up shots |
| Max Video Resolution | 4K@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Redmi Note 10S can record higher resolution videos |
| Slow Motion | 960fps | 60fps | Redmi Note 10S has much better slow motion capabilities |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Both phones support the same fast charging speeds |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Non-removable | Redmi Note 10S can act as a power bank for other devices |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 11 | Redmi Note 10S has a known upgrade path to Android 13. Poco M4 pro max version is missing. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, MiMO | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Redmi Note 10S has MiMO support for faster WiFi on capable networks |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE, aptX, LDAC, AAC | Poco M4 Pro has a newer bluetooth version with better audio codec support |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Poco M4 Pro has more accurate GPS with the addition of BeiDou (B1) |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Same SIM functionality |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB or 128GB | Unknown | Redmi Note 10S offers 128 GB option. Poco M4 Pro storage is missing. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | Unknown | Redmi Note 10S offers an 8 GB option. Poco M4 Pro RAM is missing. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Poco M4 Pro has slightly better audio with Dolby Atmos, improved spatial audio, and 2 microphones |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both have basic biometric security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Both have the same screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Both have similar sensor suites |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly brighter screen (1100 nits) for better outdoor visibility.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 64MP main sensor for potentially more detailed photos.
- Larger Main Camera Sensor: 1/2" sensor for better dynamic range and low-light performance.
- 4K Video Recording: Captures videos in higher 4K resolution.
- Better Slow Motion: Offers a much higher frame rate for slow motion recording.
- Additional Cameras: Includes a dedicated depth sensor for portraits and a macro lens.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices.
- Potential Android Update: Upgradable to Android 13.
- Internal storage options: Offers 64GB or 128GB internal storage.
- RAM Options: Offers 6GB or 8GB of RAM.
- More Powerful GPU: Has a more powerful Mali-G76 MC4 GPU
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro Advantages:
- Newer Model: Launched later, potentially with longer software support.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations.
- Slightly Better Performance: Has slightly better benchmark score.
- Bluetooth 5.1: Newer Bluetooth version with better audio codec support (aptX, LDAC, AAC).
- Better GPS: More accurate GPS with the addition of BeiDou (B1).
- Enhanced Audio: Features Dolby Atmos, two microphones for clearer audio capture.
- Ultra Stable Video: Has extra video stabilization features.
Trade-offs:
- Redmi Note 10S: Older model with a 60Hz screen. Lacks some of the audio and GPS upgrades of the Poco M4 Pro.
- Poco M4 Pro: Lower main camera resolution and sensor size, no dedicated depth or macro cameras. Also, missing information on display brightness, storage and RAM options, and max OS version makes comparisons difficult.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Ideal Users:
- Outdoor Photographers: The brighter display and better main camera are well-suited for capturing outdoor scenes.
- Video Creators: The 4K video recording and slow-motion capabilities will be useful for content creation.
- Users who prefer versatility: The addition of a macro and depth lens, plus reverse charging, add a layer of utility and flexibility.
- Multitasking heavy users: Can benefit from the 8GB RAM and more powerful GPU.
- Users who prefer more storage options: Has storage options of up to 128GB.
Specific Use Cases for Redmi Note 10S:
- Taking detailed photos and videos on hikes.
- Recording high-resolution vlogs.
- Capturing close-up shots of small subjects with the macro lens.
- Using reverse charging to power a smartwatch or headphones.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro Ideal Users:
- Casual Gamers: The 90Hz refresh rate provides a smoother gaming experience.
- Users with high quality audio needs: Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones, and enhanced bluetooth audio codecs are ideal for users who prioritize audio quality.
- Users who value accuracy: The additional GPS support will be ideal for users who need better location accuracy.
- Users who prefer better display fluidity: The 90hz refresh rate will provide better daily experience.
- Users who prefer better video quality: The ultra stable video features are ideal for users recording videos.
Specific Use Cases for Poco M4 Pro:
- Playing fast-paced mobile games.
- Watching videos with a smoother visual experience.
- Using GPS navigation for better accuracy in urban areas.
- Enjoying music or podcasts with high fidelity headphones.
- Capturing videos with enhanced stability.
Price-to-Value:
- Given the age of the Redmi Note 10S, it may be found at a lower price point. This could make it an attractive option for budget-conscious users who still want a good camera and display.
- The Poco M4 Pro may be priced slightly higher due to its newer features, and this will be worthwhile for users wanting the latest technology.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize display brightness or refresh rate? (Redmi Note 10S for brightness, Poco M4 Pro for smoothness)
- How important is camera versatility and 4K video? (Redmi Note 10S for higher resolution, additional lenses and 4K capability, Poco M4 Pro for video stabilization and selfie camera).
- Do you need enhanced audio and better GPS accuracy? (Poco M4 Pro is better in both aspects)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the casual user: If you want a good all-around phone with better performance for daily use, and especially if you want a smoother scrolling experience, the Poco M4 Pro is recommended.
- For the budget conscious photographer: If you prioritize camera quality, versatile shooting options, and 4K video capabilities, and don't mind a slightly older phone, the Redmi Note 10S offers great value.
- For the social media enthusiast: If you value higher quality selfies, and a smoother experience, the Poco M4 Pro might be a better choice.
- For the outdoor photographer: If you value bright screen for outdoor visibility and detailed main camera, then the Redmi Note 10S is preferable.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would personally lean towards the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro despite the missing information for some categories. Here’s why:
- Smoother Experience: The 90Hz refresh rate is a noticeable upgrade for daily use, making scrolling and navigation feel much more fluid. This is something I value highly in a phone experience.
- Improved Audio: I value high quality audio playback, and the Poco M4 Pro's Dolby Atmos, two microphones, and enhanced bluetooth codec support is ideal for my use case.
- Newer Device: While the Redmi Note 10S has several key camera advantages, the Poco M4 Pro is a newer phone with a marginally better processor, which may translate to slightly longer software support.
- Better GPS: The added BeiDou (B1) support for better GPS accuracy is important to me.
Although the Redmi Note 10S has a brighter display and a much more capable main camera setup with additional lenses, I believe the improvements to the daily user experience and audio capabilities offered by the Poco M4 Pro makes it a more compelling choice for my specific needs. The Poco M4 Pro prioritizes user experience features that align more with my use case. However, if I was focused on photography and video, the Redmi Note 10S would be a more suitable phone.
