The question of when exactly the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro was released often arises among users who are looking for a balance between performance and cost. This smartphone has become a landmark device for the Chinese manufacturer, marking the final transition to the premium segment of the market. For many enthusiasts, this model was the first full-fledged attempt of the company to compete with the flagships of Samsung and Apple on an equal footing, offering advanced characteristics.
Many people confuse the announcement dates in China and the global launch, which creates information noise. If you are planning to buy a device in the secondary market or looking for parts, it is important to understand the timeline of the gadget.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the timeline of events leading up to the launch of the new product, and analyze how justified the attention to this device is years after the premiere, learn about the technical nuances that were hidden behind the presentation dates, and understand why this smartphone is still mentioned in the discussions.
Official release dates and presentations
The smartphone’s launch was in several stages, typical of the company’s strategy to capture different markets, with China being the first place to launch the device. On February 13, 2020, an official presentation took place in Beijing, where all key features and prices for the domestic market were revealed.
The world premiere came a little later, after MWC, which was canceled that year, Xiaomi held a separate online event on February 24, 2020, presenting the device to European partners and the press, which is considered the starting point for global firmware versions and the start of sales in Europe.
⚠️ Note: The dates of the start of actual sales in retail chains of different countries may have differed from the date of presentation by 2-4 weeks due to logistics chains and quarantine restrictions of that period.
Importantly, there was a period between the announcement and the launch, with sales starting on February 18, 2020 in China, while in Europe the devices didn’t reach store shelves until mid-March, a delay caused by a complex epidemiological environment and disrupted supply chains.
Technical characteristics of the flagship
At the time of release, the device had a top-end filling that is still capable of providing comfortable use. The heart of the smartphone was the Snapdragon 865 processor, made on a 7-nm process, which became one of the most successful chipsets in the history of Qualcomm, providing high energy efficiency and powerful graphics.
The display deserves special attention. AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2340×1080 and a refresh rate of 90 Hz became the standard for the lineup. HDR10+ support and accurate color reproduction made it an excellent tool for multimedia.
| Parameter | Specification | Details. |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 865 | 8 cores, up to 2.84 GHz |
| RAM | LPDDR5 | 8GB or 12GB |
| Built-in memory | UFS 3.0 | 256GB or 512GB |
| Battery | 4500mAh | Charging 50 watts, wireless 30 watts |
RAM ranged by region and version. The top-of-the-line version with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage was a hit for those who store large amounts of data locally. The UFS 3.0 memory speed ensured instant application loading.
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When buying a used Mi 10 Pro, be sure to check the battery status through the engineering menu or the AccuBattery application, since the life of lithium batteries could be significantly reduced in 5-6 years.
Leica Camera: A Revolution in Mobile Photography
The main reason many people were waiting for the smartphone was the camera, and the collaboration with Leica (at that time a partnership with optics, later developed into deep integration) paid off. The 108MP core module with Samsung HMX sensor and optical stabilization became the device’s main trump card.
A periscopic telephoto lens with a 10-fold hybrid zoom allowed high-quality images of distant objects. This was rare for smartphones at the time. The 20MP wide-angle camera also received high marks for detail and minimal distortion around the edges of the frame.
- 📸 Primary sensor: 108 MP, f/1.69, OIS
- 🔭 Telephoto lens: 12 MP, 2x zoom, OIS
- 🌲 Ultrashire: 20 MP, viewing angle 117°
- 🔍 Macro/Portrait: 8 MP, 3x zoom
The software-based photo processing in MIUI Camera offered a variety of modes, including Night Mode 2.0 night shooting. AI algorithms did a great job of balancing white and HDR, making the images ready to be posted on social media without any additional processing.
Software and updates
Since its release, the smartphone has received several major operating system updates, initially with Android 10 and the MIUI 11 shell, and users have since received updates to Android 11, 12 and 13, confirming the long-term support from the manufacturer.
The move to new versions of Android has been accompanied by new security and interface features, but given the age of the device, users may find that some new MIUI features available on the latest models will not be ported to the Snapdragon 865 platform.
Will the Mi 10 Pro get Android 14/15?
To check the current version of the software, you need to go to the device settings. The path is: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Here you can search for updates manually if an automatic notification does not arrive.
⚠️ Warning: Installing global firmware on the Chinese version of the device (and vice versa) can lead to camera features being blocked and notification issues (Push services).
Comparison with modern analogues
Comparing the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro to the 2026-2026 models, you can see both progress and continued benefits. Modern processors are certainly more powerful, but the Snapdragon 865 still feels quite fast in everyday tasks, the difference is most noticeable in energy efficiency and working with artificial intelligence.
The cameras of the new smartphones offer better zoom and nighttime shooting thanks to larger matrices and new algorithms. However, the quality of the main module of the Mi 10 Pro remains at a level that will satisfy 90% of users. The lack of a periscope telephoto lens in many budget and mid-budget models makes the old flagship attractive.
- 🚀 Performance: New chips are 40-60% faster in benchmarks.
- 🔋 Autonomy: Modern batteries hold the charge longer thanks to the 4 nm process technology.
- 📺 Screen: 120Hz and 144Hz frequency became standard, against 90Hz of the Mi 10 Pro.
- 💰 Price: In the secondary market Mi 10 Pro is 3-4 times cheaper than new analogues.
If you consider buying as a primary device, weigh the need for the freshest features against the cost. For those looking for a reliable phone for reasonable money, the old flagship is often better than the new “average”.
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Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro remains a relevant device for users who appreciate high-quality sound, a good screen and camera with optical zoom, provided they are ready to put up with the age of the battery.
Cost and feasibility of buying today
Finding the new Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro in official retail in 2026 is almost impossible, with the main market being used appliances and inventory residues in small stores, and the price of the device has dropped significantly, making it one of the most affordable ways to enter the world of premium materials and cameras.
When buying, you should pay attention to the condition of the screen and the presence of original charging in the kit, since the device supports fast charging with a capacity of 50 W, requiring a special power supply.
☑️ Checking when buying used Mi 10 Pro
In conclusion, while the question of when is no longer relevant, the legacy of this smartphone lives on, setting the bar high for the entire industry in 2020, and for collectors and fans of the brand, this device remains a milestone in the company’s history.