Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro: release date, specifications and whether to buy in 2026

Many users still wonder when exactly the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro came out, and it is no coincidence that this smartphone became a landmark for the Chinese giant, marking the final transition of the brand to the premium segment. Until then, Xiaomi has been associated with affordable devices, but it was the Mi 10 line, introduced in early 2020, that set the new bar for quality, performance and price.

The device was officially unveiled on February 13, 2020 in China, the company’s first major online presentation in the wake of the pandemic, and a global version adapted for markets in Europe and elsewhere was unveiled later on February 24 at the MWC Barcelona show, which was also held online, a point many experts consider to be the starting point when Xiaomi proved it can compete with Samsung and Apple on an equal footing.

It’s important to understand that the Mi 10 Pro was the first smartphone in the world to receive a high rating DxOMark (at the time), which instantly caught the attention of photo enthusiasts. The device was based on the advanced chipset Snapdragon 865 and offered unique for the time characteristics of sound and video shooting. In this article, we will discuss in detail the history of the model, its technical nuances and relevance of purchase in current realities.

Chronology of the exit and regional features

The release date of the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro varied depending on the region, which is standard practice for large manufacturers. Chinese users got access to the novelty first – February 18, 2020, just 5 days after the presentation. The starting price in China was 4999 yuan for the basic version with 8 GB of RAM, which at the time was a very competitive offer.

The European launch took place on March 27, 2020, with a dedicated version with increased storage capacity for the European market, unlike the Chinese market, where 8/256 GB and 12/256 GB options were available, Europe only sold one configuration: 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal memory, and the recommended retail price in Europe was 999 euros, confirming the company’s ambition to occupy the flagship niche.

In Russia and the CIS, official sales began in April 2020, but due to logistical difficulties caused by the global situation, supplies were limited and shortages were observed during the first months, which led to a price that could differ significantly from the official price in the grey market.

It's worth noting that there were few color options, but they were premium, and the main color was "Alpine Blue," which had a matte coating that didn't collect fingerprints, and there was a version of "Pearl White," and the lack of bright, flashy colors emphasized the status of the device.

Technical Specifications: What Happened Inside

When the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro came out, it immediately made the list of the most powerful devices according to AnTuTu. The heart of the smartphone was the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor, manufactured using 7-nm process technology. It was the first chipset company that required a separate modem Snapdragon X55 to work on networks of the fifth generation (5G), which is why all versions of the Mi 10 Pro support 5G, unlike some cheaper models of the period.

The team focused on the cooling system, which uses LiquidCool technology, which is a 2586 mm2 evaporation camera that allows the smartphone to maintain high performance even during long gaming sessions or recording high-resolution video without resetting the processor frequencies due to overheating.

The screen is another reason to be proud. AMOLED-Samsung matrix with diagonal 6.67 had permission 2340×1080 and frequency of renewal 90 Hz, though today. 120 Hz became the standard, then 90 Hz provided incredible fluidity to the interface. 1200 The thread made the picture readable even under direct sunlight.

The Pro version was not only a camera, but also a sound, and the Mi 10 Pro used two independent symmetrical speakers to provide a real stereo, and the regular Mi 10 also had a conversational speaker, which made the sound less volumetric, a technical solution that was praised by audiophiles.

Camera: A Revolution in Mobile Photography

The main trump card that many people were waiting for when the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro came out was the camera. The basic module 108 MP (Samsung HMX sensor) with optical stabilization (OIS) allowed you to take detailed pictures even in poor light.

The periscopic telephoto lens provided 5x optical zoom without loss of quality. This was rare for smartphones of the time, as most competitors offered only 2x or 3x optical zoom. In addition, there was a 12MP portrait module with 2x zoom, which allowed you to take pictures with perfect background blur.

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When shooting at 108 MP, remember that the file size can reach 30-40 MB. For everyday shooting, it is better to use the default mode (pixel binning), which creates 27 MP shots with better dynamic range and less weight.

Video also took the next step: The smartphone can write 8K video at 30 frames per second and 4K at 60 frames per second, an important feature of which is the ability to record video with simultaneous operation of the wide-angle and the TV camera, as well as the professional mode of video shooting LOG, which provides a wide range of options for color correction in post-production.

⚠️ Note: When shooting video in the 8K or 4K/60fps The smartphone can get significantly hot. It is not recommended to cover the camera area with your fingers, as this can lead to glare or overheating of the sensor.

Software and Relevance of Updates

At the time of the release, the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro was running the MIUI 11 shell based on Android 10. Since then, the device has received several major updates to the operating system, which is a big plus for the longevity of the smartphone. The owners of the device were able to upgrade to Android 11, Android 12 and even Android 13 with the shell MIUI 14.

Support for Xiaomi flagship models typically amounts to 2-3 years of major Android updates and 4 years of security updates. For a model released in 2020, this is a great indicator. However, users should consider that new features introduced in the latest versions of MIUI may not work as smoothly on the old hardware as on new devices.

There are many useful optimization features in the system settings, such as Second Space, which allows you to create an isolated environment for applications and files. For advanced users, unlocking the bootloader is available, which gives root rights, but resets the warranty and can disrupt banking applications.

Settings → About the phone → MIUI version (7 times) → Advanced settings → For developers → Mi Unlock status

Comparison with competitors and the regular Mi 10

Many buyers were hesitant to pay more for the Pro version. The difference in price at the start was about 200-250 euros. For this money, the user received improved zoom, better video stabilization, faster charging and stereo speakers. For the average user who just flips through the social media feed, the difference could not be so noticeable, but for the photographer – critical.

Compared to the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, which came out around the same time, the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro won in price and trim (the charger and case were in the box, while Samsung had already begun to abandon them).However, Samsung had a more advanced screen with a frequency of 120 Hz and better optimization of video shooting.

With the release of the Mi 10 Ultra in the summer of 2020, the regular Pro version lost its absolute top status, but remained on sale as a more affordable alternative. The Ultra version received 120-watt charging and 120-fold zoom, but did not officially ship outside of China, making the Mi 10 Pro the main global flagship of the company.

Should you buy Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro in 2026?

After a few years, the question of when did the Shaomi Mi 10 pro come out is no longer so much of a fan of new products as of pragmatic buyers of the secondary market. The device still has a margin of performance. The Snapdragon 865 processor still pulls most modern games and heavy applications, although it is inferior to the latest chips in energy efficiency.

The main risk when buying a used instance is the state of the battery. Lithium-ion batteries degrade over time, and over time, and over time. 3-4 The capacity could have fallen to 80% And below. It's also worth looking at the screen carefully: AMOLED-matrixes are prone to burnout of static interface elements, which manifests itself in the form of yellow spots or shadows from icons.

If you find the device in perfect condition with a battery replaced, it can be a great budget entry into the world of quality mobile photography. The camera still shoots better than many modern mid-range smartphones. However, count on years of support for updates is no longer worth it - the life cycle of the device is coming to an end.

⚠️ Note: When buying a used Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro be sure to check IM-Make sure that your Mi Cloud account is uncoupled from the previous owner, otherwise you will not be able to fully use your phone after a reset.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro remains a relevant smartphone due to the excellent camera with zoom and a high-quality screen, but when buying a used device, it is critical to check the battery status and the absence of burnout matrix.