Xiaomi Mi 10S โ One of those smartphones that, even years after its release, continues to attract attention due to its balanced specs and stylish design. If you are considering buying this device in the secondary market or just wondering what it looks like live, this article will help you understand all the nuances of the appearance of the model. 10S with other flagships of the Mi 10 series.
It's important to understand that the look of a smartphone is not just aesthetics, but also ergonomics, practicality in everyday use. For example, a slippery glass case may look premium, but it will require a case for comfortable retention. And the location of buttons and sensors affects the ease of one-handed operation. In this article, we will examine all these aspects, based on real photos and technical specifications.
Design and ergonomics: what has changed compared to the Mi 10
Smartphone Xiaomi Mi 10S He inherited the design from the original Mi 10, but with a few key differences: the body was made of Gorilla Glass 5 glass in front and back, with an aluminum frame around the perimeter:
- ๐ Sizes: 162.6 ร 74.8 ร 9 mm 162.6 ร 74.8 ร 8.96 mm 10) โ The difference in thickness is almost imperceptible, but the weight has increased to 208 d against 208 y 10 and 208 y 10 Pro).
- ๐จ Colors: officially available Titanium Black Pearl, Glacier Blue, Pearl White โ the latter has a pearl hue that varies depending on the lighting.
- ๐ Buttons: physical volume and power keys are on the right edge, just like their predecessors.
One of the big visual differences was the camera. 10S It uses a four-lens module, but the location has been changed: the main sensor is now in the center position, rather than being side-shifted as in the Mi 10 Pro. This gives the rear panel a more symmetrical look. It is also worth noting that the Xiaomi logo was moved to the lower left corner (in the Mi 10 it was in the center).
Ergonomically, the smartphone is comfortable in the hand due to its rounded edges and relatively compact size for the flagship. However, due to the glossy glass without a case, it is slippery - this is worth considering when buying. For comparison, the Mi 10 Pro was thinner by 0.5 mm, but weighed the same.
Materials of the case: glass, metal and protection against scratches
Mi Corps 10S It's made of premium materials, which is typical of Xiaomi's flagship models. Let's see what's in use and how practical it is:
| Materials | Application | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gorilla Glass 5 (front panel) | Screen protection | Resistant to scratches (up to Mohs level 6), smooth surface | Prone to break down when falling, collects fingerprints |
| Gorilla Glass 5 (rear panel) | Back cover. | Premium appearance, wireless charging | Slippery, easily stained, requires a cover |
| Aluminum 7000 Series | Body frame | Light, durable, provides rigidity of the structure | It can get scratched when used intensively. |
Importantly, despite using Gorilla Glass 5, the glass on the back is more vulnerable to scratches than metal or matte plastic. For example, if you put a smartphone in your pocket with your keys, you are at high risk of microdamage.
โ ๏ธ Note: If you are planning to use the Mi 10S without a cover, avoid putting it down on abrasive surfaces (sand, concrete, gravel).Even Gorilla Glass 5 can scratch from small particles!
To protect the screen, the manufacturer does not install the film from the factory, so it is recommended to immediately paste tempered glass (preferably with oleophobic coating to reduce greasy traces). As for the back panel, either a case or a special protective sticker made of matte material will help.
Camera and front panel: location and features
The camera module is one of the most notable design details of the Mi. 10S. It protrudes about 2 mm above the body, making the smartphone less stable on a flat surface (for example, on a table:
- ๐ท Primary sensor: Sony IMX686, 108 MPP (f/1.69, 1/1.33") โ centralize.
- ๐ Wide-angle: 13 MPP (f/2.4, 123ยฐ), left-handed.
- ๐ Macro: 2 MPP (f/2.4), right.
- ๐ญ Depths: 2 MPP (f/2.4), bottom.
On top of the module is a double. LED-And the thing is, despite the four cameras, the only really useful ones are the main and wide-angle sensors.
On the front panel is a selfie camera on 20 MPP (f/2.3) It's a little cutout in the top left corner of the screen, and it's a droplet, and it takes up a minimal amount of space, and it doesn't interfere with the viewing of the content:
- ๐ค Speaker (right of the camera).
- ๐๏ธ Approximation/light sensor (left of camera).
- ๐ Infrared port (upper frame).
โ ๏ธ Warning: When using high-sided covers, make sure they don't block the infrared port. Otherwise, the remote control in the Mi Remote app won't work!
The screen occupies 89.8% of the front panel due to the thin bezels (especially on the sides), the bottom bezels are slightly wider - here is the Xiaomi logo and hidden fingerprint scanner (ultrasonic, like in the Mi 10 Pro).
How to verify the authenticity of Xiaomi Mi 10S superficially?
Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro: What is the difference between the design
At first glance, Mi. 10S It's very similar to the Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro, but when you look at it in detail, you can see the differences:
| Characteristics | Mi 10S | Mi 10 | Mi 10 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colours of the case | Titanium Black Pearl, Glacier Blue, Pearl White | Coral Green, Twilight Grey | Alpine White, Solstice Grey |
| Camera module | 4 lenses, symmetrical arrangement | 4 lenses, main sensor shifted to the left | 4 lenses, vertical position |
| Logo on the back panel | Lower left corner. | Downtown. | In the center, with a metallic tint |
| Weight. | 208g | 208g | 208g |
| Screen protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 5 (but with better oleophobic coating) |
The main visual difference is Mi 10S The Mi 10 Pro is the camera arrangement. In the Pro version, the module is vertical, and the sensors are located underneath each other, whereas in the Mi, the camera is vertical. 10S The Mi 10 Pro also had a more premium oleophobic screen covering that took longer to repel greasy traces.
Compared to the Mi 10, the Mi is the most important. 10S It's a little thicker (9 mm vs. 8.96 mm), but it's almost invisible in practice. 10S It looks more interesting due to the pearl effect, while the Coral Green of the Mi 10 was matte.
Look at the camera module - in Mi 10S he's symmetrical|Check the location of the logo (in Mi) 10S he's down left)|Pearl White is the only color in the Mi. 10S|Compare weight (y Mi) 10S It's 0.5g bigger, but it's hard to see)-->
Real photos of Xiaomi Mi 10S: What it looks like in life
Photos from the official website often do not convey the real perception of the smartphone. 10S It looks different in different conditions:
- ๐ In daylight, Glacier Blue looks intense but not flashy. Titanium Black Pearl looks harsh, but the sun is a little purple. Pearl White plays rainbow shimmering.
- ๐ In the dark: the back panel reflects light, creating a mirror effect. This is beautiful, but it can be uncomfortable if you often take photos in dark rooms (the flash reflects).
- ๐๏ธ Hand: With rounded edges, the smartphone is comfortable in the palm of your hand, but with 208g weight, long-term one-handed holding can be tiring.
The front screen covers almost the entire area, but the bottom frame is still noticeable (about 5 mm).The cutout under the camera is not striking, as it is small and dark. In general, the design looks modern even in 2026, although some competitors (for example, Xiaomi 11) offer thinner bezels.
In practical terms, the smartphone looks good in transparent cases that emphasize the design, but the glossy back panel quickly gets scratched if you don't use protection, for example, after six months of use without a cover on the black version, you notice small scuffs.
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To reduce the slippage of Xiaomi Mi 10S, Use a rubber-painted cover or put an anti-slip film on the back, which will also protect the glass from scratches.
Covers and accessories: what is suitable for Mi 10S
Due to the similarity of the design with the Mi 10, many accessories from the older model are suitable for the Mi. 10S. But there are nuances:
- ๐ฑ Cases: suitable from Mi 10, but may not match the camera cutouts perfectly (in Mi) 10S It is better to choose cases marked "For Mi". 10S".
- ๐ Chargers: the smartphone supports 33W fast charging, but the package comes with a 30W block. You can use the charges from the Mi 10 Pro (they are identical).
- ๐ง Wireless headphones: thanks to the chip Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 work well Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2 and Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2.
- ๐ Cables: Anybody fits USB-C cable USB 2.0 (for charging) or USB 3.1 (for data transmission).
When choosing a cover, pay attention to:
- Thickness โ thin covers (up to 1 mm) will retain the original design, but will not protect against shocks.
- Material โ Silicone cases are better cushioned, but stained; plastic longer last, but can crack.
- The cutout under the camera - it must exactly repeat the shape of the module, otherwise it will interfere with taking photos.
โ ๏ธ Note: Some Mi 10 cases may block the infrared port in the Mi 10S, Since his situation has changed a little, check the reviews before buying!
To protect the screen, it is recommended to use tempered glass with a coating 9H. It should have a cutout for the front camera and not interfere with the work of the fingerprint scanner. It is also useful to buy a protective film for the back if you want to keep the original look of the smartphone.
Pros and cons of Xiaomi Mi design 10S
To sum up, we will highlight the key advantages and disadvantages of the appearance of Xiaomi Mi 10S:
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Xiaomi Mi 10S retains the premium design of the 2020 flagships, but with minor improvements in ergonomics and element layout.
- โ Pluses:
- ๐จ Premium appearance thanks to glass case and metal frame.
- ๐ธ The symmetrical camera module looks more neat than in the Mi 10.
- ๐๏ธ Convenient location of buttons and fingerprint scanner in the screen.
- ๐ Pearl White color with pearl effect is unique for the series.
- โ ๏ธ Cons:
- ๐งด The glass back panel is slippery and quickly gets dirty.
- ๐จ The camera module strongly protrudes, which is why the smartphone is staggering on the table.
- ๐ There is no official water protection (IP-certificate).
- ๐ฆ Mi 10 cases may not be perfect due to modified camera module.
Overall, Mi. 10S โ It's a stylish smartphone that doesn't look obsolete even in 2026, but it's designed with care, because without a case and glass, it's going to lose its presentable appearance.
Compared to newer models (such as the Xiaomi 12), the Mi is also worth noting. 10S It's a much thicker screen frame and a less modern camera module, but for its time (2021), the design was one of the best in Xiaomi's lineup.