Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 and Redmi Note 10S: Which one to choose?

Choosing a mid-range smartphone often turns into a quest, especially when model names differ only in one letter. This is the situation with Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 10 series, released in 2021. At first glance, the Redmi Note 10 and Redmi Note 10S seem identical twins: they have similar dimensions, the same screen size and even a similar main camera.

Many users mistakenly believe that the “S” is simply an improved version with a more powerful processor, as is often the case in the industry. In this case, Xiaomi went the other way, creating two devices with different accents. The main difference lies in the type of screen matrix and the presence of additional modules, such as the IR port and headphone jack, which is only in one of the models. Understanding these nuances will help you not overpay for features that you do not need, or, conversely, do not disappoint you in the lack of the desired features.

In this article, we'll go into detail, compare the quality of the materials and the performance of both devices, and you'll learn why one phone can appear brighter than the other despite the same resolution, and which one is better for gaming or video shooting. Let's dive into technical analysis to make your choices as informed as possible.

Design, ergonomics and build quality

Visually distinguishing the Redmi Note 10 from the Redmi Note 10S in a case is almost impossible. Both smartphones are made in a modern design with flat faces and rounded corners, which provides a pleasant tactile return when held. The back of both devices has a glossy coating, which, unfortunately, is a fingerprint magnet, but looks spectacular when hit by light. The weight of the gadgets is also identical, at 178.8 grams, making them comfortable for long-term use with one hand.

But if you look closely, you can see significant differences in the layout of the elements on the ends of the body. The Redmi Note 10S has retained a classic set of ports, including a 3.5mm headphone jack and a built-in IR port for controlling household appliances. At the same time, the base version of the Redmi Note 10 lacks these elements, making its ends cleaner but less functional for those who use wired acoustics.

⚠️ Warning: Do not try to open the back cover yourself to check for the presence of an IR port, as this will lead to a loss of warranty.

The build quality of both devices is high for its price segment. There are no Lufts in the cases, the buttons are clear and elastic. It is worth noting that the fingerprint scanner is built into the on-side button, which is the de facto standard for modern smartphones. The location of the camera modules is also identical, although the modules themselves may differ in the composition of the lenses.

Screen: The battle of AMOLED vs. IPS

The most fundamental difference between the two is the display technology. The Redmi Note 10 features Samsung's Super AMOLED array, which delivers incredibly deep black, high contrast and rich color reproduction. The pixels in these screens are arranged in a Pentile pattern, which can be seen very closely, but in everyday use, the picture looks just great.

In turn, the Redmi Note 10S got the matrix IPS LCD. Although resolution and pixel density (Full) HD+ 409 ppi is identical, visual perception will be different. IPS-screens are usually more natural, but less saturated colors. IPS in this context, there is no flickering (PWM) at low brightnesses, which is critical for users with sensitive eyes.

Both screens support refresh rate 60 Hz and protected by Gorilla Glass 3. The brightness and readability of the sun AMOLED-The Redmi Note has the highest brightness. 10 reach 1100 The slug is in the middle, while the Redmi Note 10S This is a more modest figure, about 450-500 This makes the base model more comfortable for use in direct sunlight.

Productivity and gaming opportunities

The heart of the Redmi Note 10 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 678, an 11nm chipset that has proven to be a reliable medium processor, which is great for everyday tasks, social networks and navigation. The Adreno 612 graphics accelerator allows you to run popular games at medium graphics settings, providing a stable framerate.

The Redmi Note 10S is based on the MediaTek Helio G95, a 12nm chip that is considered more game-oriented due to aggressive performance adjustments. The Mali-G76 MC4 graphics in synthetic tests often perform better than those of Qualcomm’s competitor. In real-world scenarios, this means being able to play heavy projects with higher detail settings.

Despite different processors, the amount of RAM and internal memory in versions may coincide. However, the speed of the interface and applications can subjectively differ from different optimization of the MIUI shells for different platforms. Snapdragon traditionally keeps the charge better in standby mode, whereas Helio can be more voracious under load.

Cameras and quality of photography

The main camera module for both smartphones is stated as 64 MP. However, the sensors are different. The Redmi Note 10 has a Samsung GW1 sensor, which is time-tested and gives excellent detail in good lighting. Xiaomi's image processing algorithms work well with this sensor, giving bright, ready-to-post images on social networks.

The Redmi Note 10S also uses a 64MP sensor, but often the Samsung GW1 or its GW2 counterpart, depending on the delivery region. The difference in photo quality between the two devices is minimal and noticeable only with pixel-peeping (viewing at 100% magnification), both phones have an ultra-wide-angle 8MP camera and a 2MP macro camera, the quality of which is compromised and more suitable for documentary shooting.

Video shooting is limited to 4K at 30 frames per second for both devices. Electronic video stabilization (EIS), and here Snapdragon may have a slight advantage thanks to more algorithms for processing the video stream. For bloggers and mobile video enthusiasts, the difference can be noticeable in dynamic scenes.

⚠️ Attention: The quality of macro shooting on both devices leaves much to be desired due to the lack of autofocus and low resolution of 2 MP.

Autonomy and charging speed

Both smartphones have 5,000mAh batteries, a de facto mid-range standard that delivers a solid run of one and a half to two days with moderate use, but the actual operating time depends heavily on the type of screen and processor. AMOLED-The screen in Redmi Note 10 when displaying dark themes consumes significantly less energy than the screen. IPS version 10S.

The charging speed is also different.The Redmi Note 10 model supports fast charging of 33 watts. The kit often comes with a corresponding charger. Full charging takes about an hour.The Redmi Note 10S also supports 33 watts, but due to different power controllers, full cycle times can vary.

Importantly, both devices support a chargeback mode, allowing you to use your smartphone as a power bank to charge headphones or smartwatches, which is activated in battery settings and useful in emergency situations.

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For maximum battery life, try to keep your charge in the range of 20% to 80%. Do not leave your phone charging overnight regularly unless you have optimised charging.

Technical specifications in detail

So for the sake of comparing all the key parameters, we've put the data into a single table, so you can quickly navigate the numbers and understand where the major differences lie.

As you can see from the table, the differences are more functional than quantitative, and the choice between them is the choice of priorities: picture quality and autonomy against game potential and connector availability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The final choice depends on your habits: if you like watching videos and appreciate deep black, take a regular Note 10. If you need headphones with wire, IR remote and maximum performance in games, your choice is the Note 10S.