Xiaomi Mi Note 10: Release Date, History and Why It’s Still Relevant in 2026

The Xiaomi Mi Note 10 is one of those smartphones that has forever entered its name in the history of the mobile industry. Its release in 2019 was a real event: it was the first mass-produced device with a 108-megapixel camera that proved that high-resolution sensors can be combined with affordable price. But when exactly the release took place, what technologies were behind it, and why the model is still being discussed in five years? In this article, we will examine not only the exact release date, but also the context in which the Mi Note 10 appeared – from a competitive race with Samsung to the impact on future flagships of Xiaomi.

If you’re looking for information to buy a used device, compare with modern models, or just interested in the evolution of mobile photography, here you will find all the answers. We will analyze official announcements, technical specifications and even little-known facts about the development. For example, did you know that the Mi Note 10 was originally planned as an exclusive for the Chinese market under a different name? or that its camera was the prototype for the future Mi 11 Ultra and Redmi Note 12 Pro+?

Official release date Xiaomi Mi Note 10

Xiaomi Mi Note 10 was introduced to the world on November 6, 2019 at a special event in Beijing, but the date of the start of sales differed depending on the region:

• 🇨🇳 China: Sales started on November 11, 2019 under the name Mi CC9 Pro (differences - only in firmware and configuration).
• 🌍 Global Market: Official Release Taken On November 14, 2019 Under the Mi Note 10 Brand.
• 🇷🇺 Russia: First batches went on sale at the end of November 2019, but mass distribution began only in December.

Interestingly, Xiaomi specifically chose November for the announcement — a month earlier, in October, Samsung unveiled its flagship Galaxy Note 10+ with an improved camera. Thus, the Mi Note 10 was positioned as a more affordable alternative with a revolutionary sensor.

Importantly, the Mi Note 10 was the first Xiaomi smartphone to receive the TÜV Rheinland certification for low radiation levels, part of a marketing strategy aimed at the European market, where security issues have always been acute.

Technical specifications: what made Mi Note 10 unique

The Mi Note 10’s main trump card was its camera, but that’s not the only thing he remembers. Let’s take a look at the key specs that set the model apart from its competitors in 2019-2020:

The 108-megapixel ISOCELL Bright HMX sensor was a joint development of Samsung and Xiaomi — the chip was the first in the world to break the 100-megapixel mark in mass smartphones. However, high resolution had the downside: photo files took up to 30-40 MB in RAW format, which quickly filled up memory. To solve this problem, Xiaomi added the option of saving images in 27 MP (four-in-one pixel) by default.

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If you are buying a used Mi Note 10, check the battery status using the code ##4636## in the Battery Health menu. Normal wear over 4-5 years is 15-20%.

Another innovation is the 5x optical zoom, which in 2019 was only available to flagships like the Huawei P30 Pro or Oppo Reno 10x Zoom, but Xiaomi was able to offer this at a price of 1.5-2 times lower, although the software algorithm was used to stabilize the zoom, not optical stabilization (OIS), which sometimes gave artifacts in low light.

Why Mi Note 10 has become a cult: 5 key reasons

Although the Mi Note 10 was not a traditional flagship (it didn’t have the top-end Snapdragon 855), it has a fan base, and here are the main reasons for its popularity:

1. The revolution in mobile photography: Before the Mi Note 10 100+, megapixel sensors were exotic, and the model proved that high resolution can be useful not only for marketing, but also for real-world image quality (when processed properly).
2. In Russia at the start of sales of the Mi Note 10 cost about 35-40 thousand rubles — 2 times cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ with similar functions.
3. Design and ergonomics: Despite the large battery, the smartphone received a slim body (8.8 mm) and a curved screen, which was rare for middle-class devices.
4. Xiaomi supported the model with MIUI updates until 2022 (including MIUI 13 based on Android 11), which is atypical for non-flagship devices.
5. Iconic status among photographers. Even today, the Mi Note 10 is used by enthusiasts for shooting in RAW thanks to its unique combination of sensor and lenses.

But there were also disadvantages. For example, the lack of OIS on the main camera led to handheld soap shots at dusk, and the Snapdragon 730G processor, while powerful for its segment, was less powerful than flagship chips in performance, but for most users, these tradeoffs were justified.

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The Mi Note 10 was the first 108-megapixel smartphone to be available to the general public, changing the standard of mobile photography for years to come.

Mi Note 10 vs Mi Note 10 Pro: What’s the Difference?

Many people confuse the Mi Note 10 and its older brother, the Mi Note 10 Pro. In fact, the differences between the two are minimal, but critical for some users.

The Mi Note 10 Pro was aimed at professional photographers who were critical to stabilizing with zoom, but in everyday use the difference between the models was small, especially if the shooting was conducted in good lighting conditions, and the Pro version had problems with overheating due to the more complex stabilization system.

Should you overpay for the Pro version today? Only if you're using zoom extensively -- otherwise, the Mi Note 10 offers 90 percent of the features for less money.

The Relevance of the Mi Note 10 in 2026: Should I Buy?

It's been almost 5 years since the release, but the Mi Note 10 is still available on the secondary market. Is it worth buying today? Let's take a look at the pros and cons:

• ✅ Pluses: 📷 Camera: even today 108 MP allow you to take pictures that are not inferior to many budget innovations. 🔋 Battery: 5260 mAh lasts for 1.5-2 days with moderate use. 💰 Price: on the secondary market, the model can be found for 10-15 thousand rubles (2026).
• ❌ Cons: 🐢 Performance: Snapdragon 730G weakly pulls modern games and heavy applications. 🔄 Updates: latest version MIUI 13 (Android 11) no longer gets security patches. 📱 Screen: 90 Hz today seem slow against the background of 120-144 Hz in new smartphones.

Who will be the Mi Note 10 in 2026?

• 🎨 Amateur photographers who want to experiment with RAW-shooting.
• 📱 Secondary users who need a backup phone with a good camera.
• 💸 Budget buyers who are ready to put up with outdated “stuffing” for the sake of low price.

All 5 cameras (especially telephotos)

Battery condition (capacity not lower than 4000 mAh)

Performance of the fingerprint sensor under the screen

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⚠️ Note: When buying a used Mi Note 10, pay attention to the state of the camera plume loop. Due to frequent use of zoom, it can wear out, which leads to errors in shooting.

Interesting facts about the development of the Mi Note 10

The Mi Note 10 was a lot of technical and marketing nuances that few people know about.

1. The original name, the internal code for the project is "Tucana" (after the constellation Tucan), the device was planned as part of the Mi CC series (for the Chinese market), but after the success of the Mi 9T in Europe, it was decided to release it globally under the Note brand.
2. The collaboration with Leica.In the six months before the release, Xiaomi was in talks with Leica to jointly develop optics, but the deal fell through.Instead, engineers optimized the image processing algorithms themselves.
3. Production issues: The first batches of the Mi Note 10 had a flaw: RAW sometimes produced purple artifacts, and this was corrected with a software update a month after release.
4. Record sales: In the first 24 hours after the start of sales in China, more than 100 thousand devices were sold - a record for Xiaomi mid-segment smartphones at that time.

Another little-known fact: the Mi Note 10 was the first Xiaomi smartphone to pass IP53 certification (dust and splash protection). Although it is not fully waterproof, for its time it was a step forward - previous Mi Note models had no protection.

Frequently Asked Questions About Xiaomi Mi Note 10