Introduction: two flagships of the budget segment under the same brand
Choosing between the POCO X3 Pro and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is a classic dilemma for those looking for a powerful smartphone up to 25,000 rubles. Both models were released in 2021, but still remain relevant due to balanced performance and stable updates to MIUI. At first glance, they look similar: the same brand manufacturer (Xiaomi), similar screens and even the design of the case. However, under the hood there are key differences that determine who will suit better.
The question is: what is more important – the quality or performance of the shooting? POCO X3 The Pro is positioned as a gaming smartphone with a top-end Snapdragon 860 processor, while the Redmi Note 10S stake AMOLED-We analyzed both devices on 10 criteria — from autonomy to support for upgrades — to help you make an informed choice.
In this article, you will find not only the “dry” specifications, but also real-world tests in games, comparison of low-light photos and data on the charging speed from the outlet to 100%. And if you have already decided on priorities, use the interactive survey below to get opinions of other users.
1.CPU and performance: Snapdragon 860 vs Helio G95
The most noticeable difference between the models is chipsets. POCO X3 Pro is equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm), which is a re-marked version of the flagship Snapdragon 855+ 2019 This is a year. 8-nuclear processor with clock speed to 2.96 GHz, Adreno graphics accelerator 640 support 5G (In this model, the module 5G For comparison: Redmi Note 10S He is working with MediaTek Helio. G95 (12 nm) - a medium-level chip with a frequency of up to 2.05 GHz and graphics Mali-G76 MC4.
In synthetic tests, the difference is enormous:
- 📊 AnTuTu 9: POCO X3 Pro — ~480,000 points vs. ~300,000 for the Redmi Note 10S
- 🎮 3DMark Wild Life: 2,800 vs 1,400 (almost 2 times difference!)
- 🔄 Geekbench 5 (multi-core test): 2,500 vs 1,700 points
In practice, this means:
- 🎯 POCO X3 Pro no problem pulling Genshin Impact on medium settings (30) FPS) Call of Duty: Mobile at maximum (60) FPS). For long sessions, it warms up to 42.°C, but no trottling.
- 📉 Redmi Note 10S I'm going to be able to play the same games, but I'm going to have to reduce the graphics to "low" or "balanced." PUBG Mobile on ultra-settings observed slowdown.
💡
If you play modern mobile games (Genshin Impact, Diablo Immortal, Apex Legends Mobile) – POCO X3 Pro is out of competition. Redmi Note 10S is suitable only for casual games like Clash Royale or Brawl Stars.
⚠️ Note: Both phones have active cooling (copper heat pipes), but the POCO X3 Pro is more efficient because it's more of a heat dissipation area. If you're going to play 2.+ hours a day – be sure to use a cover with vents or an external cooler.
2. Screen: 120Hz IPS vs 60Hz AMOLED
Here's the Redmi Note. 10S He's got a payoff for losing productivity. 6.43-inch AMOLED-resolution-screen 2400×1080 (FHD+), support HDR10 It's a very rich color, and it's really deep black. 1 000 000:1), and the brightness reaches 1100 peak-strand.
POCO X3 Pro, in turn, offers a 6.67-inch IPS-resolution-screen 2400×1080, But with a key advantage - the frequency of updates 120 Hz. 60 Hz from a competitor. There's also AdaptiveSync. 30/60/90/120 Hz depending on content) and support HDR10. Brightness below - up 450 nit, but in sunny weather the screen remains readable due to the oleophobic coating.
| Parameter | POCO X3 Pro | Redmi Note 10S |
|---|---|---|
| Type of matrix | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| Frequency of update | 120 Hz (AdaptiveSync) | 60 Hz |
| Max. brightness. | 450 nits | 1100 nits (peak) |
| Support for HDR | HDR10 | HDR10 |
| Screen protection | Gorilla Glass 6 | Gorilla Glass 3 |
Who's gonna do it?
- 🎥 For video and TV series better Redmi Note 10S — AMOLED It gives more realistic colors and a deep black.
- 🎮 For games and scrolling tape wins POCO X3 Pro thanks to 120Hz. the difference is especially noticeable in dynamic scenes (for example, in Free Fire or when flipping TikTok).
- ☀️ Both screens are good for use on the street, but POCO less blind in the sun due to the mattiness.
💡
To turn on 120Hz on the POCO X3 Pro, go to Settings → Display → Screen refresh rate and select “120Hz.” To save charge, activate AdaptiveSync – the phone will reduce the frequency when watching video or reading.
3.Cameras: 48 MP vs 64 MP on paper, but who wins in practice?
On paper, the Redmi Note 10S looks like a winner: the main camera here is 64 MP (Samsung GW3 sensor, f/1.79 aperture) vs. 48 MP for the POCO X3 Pro (Sony IMX582 sensor, f/1.79). However, the real quality of photos depends not only on the megapixels, but also on the image processing. Let's compare the key scenarios:
Daylight:
- 🌞 Both phones take bright and detailed shots, but the Redmi Note 10S It works better with shadows and retains more dynamic range.
- 🎨 Colors on POCO X3 Pros are more saturated (sometimes even excessive), while Notes are more saturated 10S near-natural.
Low light:
- 🌙 Redmi Note 10S It's a better night mode (Night Mode 2.0) that makes it lighter, less noise.
- 🔦 POCO X3 Pro in the dark often "overlit" the frame, losing detail in the light areas.
Video:
- 🎥 Both are filming videos in 4K@30fps and 1080p@60fps, But stabilizing the Note. 10S smoother.
- 🎤 Microphones on POCO X3 Pros are better at suppressing wind noise – important for street photography.
Additional modules:
- 📸 POCO X3 Pro: 8 MP super-wide (119)°), 2 MP macro, 2 MP depth sensor.
- 📸 Redmi Note 10S: 8 MP super-wide (118)°), 2 MP macro, 2 MP depth sensor.
Examples of photos in comparison
⚠️ Note: If you shoot documents or small objects frequently, note that the 2MP macro camera on both phones is practically useless. For high-quality macro shots, it is better to use the main camera with manual focus (Google Camera app with modified configuration for Xiaomi).
4. Battery and charging: who lives longer without an outlet?
Both smartphones are equipped with 5,000 mAh batteries, but battery life differs due to the optimization of the software and hardware platform:
- 🔋 POCO X3 Pro in active use (games, social networks, video) lasts 10-12 hours at 120 Hz. If you turn on AdaptiveSync and limit background activity, you can stretch up to 14-16 hours.
- 🔋 Redmi Note 10S thanks AMOLED-A more energy efficient processor (Helio) G95 Consumes less energy for simple tasks, works 1-2 hours longer in similar conditions.
Charging speed:
- ⚡ POCO X3 Pro: 33W (fast charging) 0 to 100% in 58 minutes (tested with original RAM).
- ⚡ Redmi Note 10S: 33 watts, but due to the characteristics of the charging controller, the full cycle takes 65-70 minutes.
Important nuances:
- 🔌 Both phones support reversible charging (can be used as a power bank for other devices via a power bank). OTG-cable).
- 🛡️ Batteries have protection against overheating, but when charging during games, the temperature can rise to 40°C: It is best to avoid such scenarios.
Turn off 120Hz when watching video
Use dark themes on the AMOLED-screen (Redmi Note) 10S)
Charging up to 100% is carried out no more than 1 time in 2-3 days
Turn off background activity for unnecessary apps in Settings → Battery
-->
5. Design and Ergonomics: Plastic vs Glass
The phones are similar, but the materials and build are different:
- 📱 POCO X3 Pro: Body: matte-coated plastic (less slippery but picks up prints) Weight: 215g - heavier due to metal frames Colors: Phantom black, Metal bronze, Fantasy blue.
- 📱 Redmi Note 10S: Body: Gorilla Glass 3 front and rear, aluminum frame. Weight: 178.8 g - lighter and thinner (8.3 mm vs 9.4 mm y) POCO). Colors: Ocean Blue, Onyx Gray, Pebble White.
Key observations:
- 👆 POCO X3 Pro is more comfortable in the hand due to rounded edges, but because of the weight long-term holding with one hand is tedious.
- ✋ Redmi Note 10S slippery (especially in white), but it looks more premium.
- 🔊 Dynamics: y POCO stereo sound (upper) + bottom speaker, the Note 10S — The difference is noticeable when watching movies.
⚠️ Attention: Y POCO X3 Pro no memory card slot – only a hybrid slot (2 Nano-SIM or 1) SIM + If you need two SIMs and a memory extension at the same time, choose the Redmi Note. 10S (microSD slot).
6.Software and Updates: MIUI 14 vs MIUI 13
At the time of writing (2026), both phones have received an upgrade to MIUI 14, but with different restrictions:
- 🤖 POCO X3 Pro: Android 12 (no updates to Android 13 - officially confirmed by Xiaomi) Latest version MIUI: 14.0.6 (stable) Security updates are released every 3 months.
- 🤖 Redmi Note 10S: Android 13 (last available version). MIUI 14.0.8 with monthly security patches Support will last until the end of 2026.
What does that mean in practice?
- 🔄 Redmi Note 10S It will get more updates, but the difference in functionality MIUI 14 between models minimal.
- 🛡️ Nana POCO X3 Pro some new applications (for example, banking) may require Android 13 – you will have to install custom firmware.
- 📱 Both phones support unlocking the bootloader and installing Google Camera (GCam), but on the other hand, the phone is not designed to be used. POCO It is easier to find stable ports.
How to check the version of MIUI and Android
7.Price and availability in 2026
In the secondary market and in official stores, prices for models vary depending on the condition and configuration:
| Model | Price (new), ₽ | Price (b/y, excellent condition), ₽ | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| POCO X3 Pro 6/128GB | 18 000 – 22 000 | 12 000 – 15 000 | AliExpress, Beru, M. Video |
| POCO X3 Pro 8/256 GB | 23 000 – 26 000 | 16 000 – 19 000 | Yandex Market, Citilink |
| Redmi Note 10S 6/128GB | 19 000 – 23 000 | 13 000 – 16 000 | Wildberries, SberMegaMarket |
| Redmi Note 10S 8/128GB | 21 000 – 24 000 | 15 000 – 18 000 | Ozon, Player.ru. |
Should I pay more for a new model?
- 💰 Budget up to 15,000 ₽: Look. POCO X3 Pro used is in great condition. Even with battery wear up to 85%, it remains the best option for gaming.
- 💰 Budget budget 18 000–22 000 ₽: New Redmi Note 10S 6/128 GB – the best choice for photos and videos.
- 💰 Over 23,000 ₽: Consider newer models, for example, POCO X5 Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+.
💡
In the secondary market POCO X3 Pro is 20 to 30 percent cheaper in a similar condition. AMOLED-The screen is the best option in terms of price / performance ratio.