Xiaomi Mi 10 vs Mi 10 Pro: Which one to choose?

The release of the Xiaomi Mi 10 series was a landmark event, marking the final transition of the brand to the premium segment. Until that moment, the company was famous for budget decisions, but it was this model range that made the market reckon with the ambitions of the Chinese giant. The potential buyer faces a difficult question: should overpay for the version with the Pro prefix, or the basic model will cope with the tasks no worse?

Both are built on the most powerful Snapdragon 865 processor at the time of release, which guarantees high performance in all use cases. However, the devil lies in the details: optical stabilization, charging speed and zoom quality. Only the Pro version features a telephoto lens with a 10-fold hybrid zoom, which dramatically changes the ability to shoot at long distances.

Visually, the devices are almost identical, but the technical differences within the case are significant. In this article, we will break down every aspect so you can make an informed decision about your purchase.

Design and ergonomics of housings

At first glance, the Xiaomi Mi 10 and its older brother look like twins, both with curved waterfall screens and glass backs, but when you look at it in detail, you can see the differences in the camera module and dimensions, and the base model is a little narrower and lighter, making it more comfortable to use with one hand.

The Pro version features a more massive main camera unit that protrudes prominently above the body surface, which is due to the installation of a more complex optical system, and the build materials are premium in both cases: Gorilla Glass 5 glass is used in the front and rear, as well as an aluminum frame.

⚠️ Note: Due to the strong curve of the side faces of the screen on both models, the use of protective glasses may be difficult. 3D-glazed.

Color variations also vary. While the regular version was often seen in bright, gradient colors, the Pro received stricter, "business" shades to emphasize its status. The weight of the device plays a role in long-term conversation or watching videos: a difference of 10-15 grams is noticeable when you are in constant contact.

Display: brightness and frequency of update

Both smartphones are equipped with high quality AMOLED-diagonal 6.67 inch and resolution 2340×1080 The refresh rate is pixels. 90 Hz, which is a smooth interface, but the key difference is peak brightness and color reproduction.

The Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro screen is capable of delivering peak brightness up to 1200 nits, whereas the base model has a limit of 800-1100 nits (depending on HDR mode), which makes the Pro version much more readable under direct sunlight.

• 📱 Type of matrix: Super AMOLED from Samsung in both cases.
• 🌞 Peak brightness: 1200 nit (Pro) vs. 800-1100 thread).
• 🎨 Color Rendering: More accurate calibration in Pro version (JNCD < 0.7).
• 🛡️ Gorilla Glass 5 on both models.

For the average user, the difference may not be as obvious indoors, but you will notice the advantage of the older model on the street, and it is also worth noting that both screens support DC Dimming technology, which reduces eye strain at low brightness.

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Turn on the “Paper” mode in the screen settings, if you plan to read from your phone for a long time in artificial lighting – this will reduce the load on vision.

Productivity and gaming opportunities

At the heart of both devices is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset, a 64-bit processor made with a 7nm process, and it's paired with the Adreno 650 graphics accelerator. In synthetic tests (AnTuTu, Geekbench), the results are almost identical, because the hardware is the same.

However, the Pro version's cooling system is more efficient, using a graphene heat sink system that is better at removing heat during long-term loads, which means that in heavy games like Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile at maximum settings, the Mi 10 Pro will be less likely to reset frequencies due to overheating.

RAM in both cases of the standard LPDDR5, and built-in – UFS 3.0 for the base model and UFS 3.0 (in some regions of UFS 3.1) for Pro. The speed of downloading applications and working with heavy files will be lightning fast in both cases.

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In games, the difference is not noticeable in the first 15-20 minutes, but for long sessions, the Pro version keeps a stable FPS better due to improved cooling.

Cameras: the main argument in favor of Pro

It's the photo capabilities that are the main watershed between the two models. If you're a mobile photographer, the choice is obvious. The basic model is equipped with a quad camera, but lacks optical zoom, relying on digital framing.

Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro received a complex system of four modules. the main trump card was a telephoto lens with optical zoom 3.3x and optical stabilization, allowing you to make a 10-fold hybrid zoom without losing detail. the main module 50 MP (Samsung HMX) here also has more light-powered optics (f/1.8 vs f/1.7, but with better stabilization and algorithms).

Video shooting also benefits in the older model: support for 8K recording at 30 frames per second and improved stabilization of 4K video. The basic model can shoot 8K, but the quality of stabilization and microphones (there are 3 vs. 5 for the Pro) is inferior.

⚠️ Attention: Shooting mode 8K It takes about 400MB per minute, and make sure you have enough space before you start recording a long video.

Autonomy and charging speed

In power matters, the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro also shows superiority, although the base model does not look lagging behind compared to competitors: both smartphones received 4500 mAh batteries (some Pro specs specify 4700-4960 mAh depending on the region, but they are physically similar).

The main difference is in the delivery and support of technology. Pro version comes with a powerful 50 watt power supply that charges the smartphone completely in about 45 minutes. The base model is often sold with a 30 watt unit, which increases the charging time to 65-70 minutes.

• ⚡ Charging speed: 50 W (Pro) vs. 30 W (Base).
• 🔋 Wireless charging: 30 watts on both models.
• 🔌 Reverse charging: 10 W (can be charged headphones).
• 📦 Type-C cable and power supply in both cases.

Both models support fast wireless charging, which is rare for many other brands: You can just put your phone on the dock and get 50% charge in under an hour.

Sound and multimedia

Multimedia capabilities are another strong point of the series: Both smartphones feature stereo speakers, where the upper channel is a conversational speaker and the lower one is a mainstream multimedia speaker. The sound in the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro is customized by Harman Kardon, which provides a more balanced sound with deep bass.

The base model also has excellent sound, but less detailed at high frequencies. The lack of a 3.5 mm connector is compensated by the presence of an adapter in the kit or the use of Bluetooth headsets. Support for the aptX HD codec allows you to transmit high quality sound to wireless headphones.

The Pro speaker is the second stereo speaker, but it also provides sound output when making calls. The voice quality of the Mi 10 Pro is higher thanks to the 5 noise-canceling microphone system, while the conventional version has three.

Conclusions and Comparisons

The choice between the Xiaomi Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro depends on your priorities. If you care about maximum quality photography, especially zoom and video, and maximum screen brightness, the overpayment for the Pro version is completely justified. You get a device that, even years later, does not lose relevance in mobile photography.

If you’re a regular user who needs a fast smartphone for social media, navigation, and other shooting, the base model Xiaomi Mi 10 will be a more rational purchase. It offers 90% of the functionality of the older brother for less money, while maintaining a premium design and high performance.

Both devices remain excellent in their class, but it was the Pro version that set the bar for the entire market in 2020, proving that Chinese flagships can compete with industry leaders.