Redmi Note 10S or 10 Pro – which is better to buy in 2026? Full comparison on 7 key parameters

Choosing between the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S and Redmi Note 10 Pro is a classic dilemma for those looking for a balanced smartphone for 15-25 thousand rubles. Both models were released in 2021, but still remain relevant due to stable performance, good cameras and long battery life.

On the one hand, the Redmi Note 10 Pro is positioned as the flagship of the line with a AMOLED- screen 120 Hz, a more powerful Snapdragon 732G processor and an improved main camera on 108 MP. On the other hand, the Redmi Note 10S offers almost identical design, but with a IPS- matrix 60 Hz, a Mediatek Helio G95 chip and a price of 2-3 thousand rubles below.

In this comparison, we're not going to rely on dry numbers from the specs, but rather look at how these differences manifest themselves in everyday use: how noticeable the difference in performance when launching games, whether to overpay for AMOLED, and why a 108-megapixel camera doesn't always mean better photos. Also consider the relevance of models in 2026 - whether they are supported by updates, as is the case with repairability and availability of spare parts.

1.CPU and performance: Snapdragon 732G vs Helio G95

The main “iron” difference between the models is chipsets. Redmi Note 10 Pro is equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G (8 cores, up to 2.3 GHz), and Redmi Note 10S – Mediatek Helio G95 (also 8 cores, up to 2.05 GHz). On paper, the frequency difference is small, but architecture and optimization play a key role.

In synthetic tests (e.g., AnTuTu 10), the 10 Pro is ahead of the 10S by about 15-20%: ~300,000 points versus ~250,000.

• 🎮 Games: Genshin Impact on medium settings (30 FPS), Call of Duty: Mobile on high (60 FPS). On 10 Pro, the graphics may be a little smoother, but the difference is not critical.
• 📱 Multitasking: Up to 10-12 applications in the background without rebooting (on 10 Pro — up to 14 thanks to better optimization MIUI).
• 📹 Video editing: CapCut or KineMaster work without lags, but rendering on 10 Pro is faster by 10-15%.

Where does the Helio G95 lose? With prolonged loads (for example, an hour of playing PUBG Mobile at high settings), it warms up more - up to 45 ° C versus 40 ° C for the Snapdragon 732G. Also, the 10S does not have 5G support (although this is not critical for Russia in 2026).

So the bottom line is, if you're not a gamer and you're not editing videos every day, you don't feel the difference in your everyday life, but for games and hard tasks, the 10 Pro is more reliable.

2.Screen: AMOLED 120Hz vs IPS 60Hz - should you overpay?

Here, the Redmi Note 10 Pro clearly wins - it has a 6.67-inch AMOLED- screen with support for 120 Hz, while the 10S - 6.43-inch IPS with 60 Hz. The difference is noticeable to the naked eye:

🔹 AMOLED vs IPS:

• 🌑 Black: It's really black on AMOLED (pixels off) and gray on IPS, which is important for watching movies and playing dark scenes.
• ☀️ Brightness: 10 Pro is better seen in the sun thanks to a peak brightness of 1,200 nits.
• 🎮 120Hz: Scrolling on social media and animation MIUI look noticeably smoother. In games, the difference is less noticeable if they don't support high frame rates.

The critical detail is that the adaptive refresh rate on the 10 Pro only works in the 30-120 Hz range, not the 1-120 Hz range of flagships, which means that with a simple scrolling of text, the screen still consumes more power than it could.

🔹 Cons AMOLED:

• ⚠️ Pixel burnout: With prolonged display of static elements (e.g., navigation bars), traces are possible. On 10 Pro, this is unlikely in the first 2-3 years, but there is a risk.
• 🔋 Energy consumption: despite marketing claims, AMOLED with 120 Hz will eat away at a battery faster than IPS with 60 Hz (for more on autonomy).

Who needs AMOLED? Those who watch a lot of video, play mobile games or appreciate rich colors. For normal use (social networks, calls, photos), an IPS in 10S is enough.

💡

AMOLED with 120 Hz is not only “beautiful”, but also practical: less strain on the eyes during long reading due to the lack of backlight.

3. Cameras: 108 MP vs 64 MP - who takes the best photos?

On paper, the Redmi Note 10 Pro is back ahead: the main camera is 108 MP (Samsung HM2) versus 64 MP (Sony IMX682) in the 10S. But megapixels are not the main thing.

📸 Daytime shooting:

• The 🌳 10 Pro gives slightly more detailed photos at the expense of greater resolution, but the difference is only visible at 100% magnification.
• 🎨 Both smartphones have close to natural color reproduction, but 10S sometimes over-shoots with the saturation of green.
• 🔍 HDR: The 10 Pro has better shade and lighting (thanks to HDR10+ on the screen and improved algorithm).

🌙 Night shooting:

• 🌃 Both models use Night Mode, but the 10 Pro will do better, with less noise and clearer contours.
• 📸 Frontal: 16 MP for 10 Pro vs 13 MP for 10S The difference is minimal, but 10 Pro blurs the background a little better in portrait mode.

🎥 Video:

• 🎬 Both shoot video in 4K@30fps and 1080p@60fps, but 10 Pro has better stabilization (hybrid EIS+OIS versus only EIS in 10S).
• 🔊 Microphones: 10 Pros less noise when recording voices.

⚠️ Warning: 108-megapixel mode on the Redmi Note 10 Pro only works in good light. At dusk or in artificial light, the smartphone automatically switches to binning 4-in -1 (27 MP), and the difference with 10S disappears.

📊 The final rating of the cameras (on a 5-point scale):

• 📷 Redmi Note 10 Pro: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.2)
• 📷 Redmi Note 10S: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.8)

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To get the best photo quality on the Redmi Note 10 Pro, use 108MP mode only in daylight and turn off digital zoom – it spoils the detail.

4. Battery and charging: who lives longer?

Both models have a 5020mAh battery, but battery life is different due to the screen and processor:

• 🔋 Redmi Note 10S: 1.5-2 days with moderate use (6-7 screen hours). IPS- Matrix and Helio G95 are less voracious.
• 🔋 Redmi Note 10 Pro: 1-1.5 day (5-6 screen hours).AMOLED with 120 Hz and Snapdragon 732G reduce the running time by 20-25%.

🔌 Fast charging:

• ⚡ 10 Pro: 33 W (0-100% in 75 minutes).
• ⚡ 10S: 18 W (0-100% in 110 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: If you play or shoot video frequently, the Redmi Note 10 Pro can discharge in 8-10 hours due to the heat of the processor and screen. In such cases, it is better to keep charging on hand or use 60 Hz mode (in screen settings).

📊 Autonomy Test (real use):

Bottom line: if autonomy is critical to you (like being on the road a lot), 10S is preferable. But if you're willing to sacrifice your time for a smooth screen, take 10 Pro and carry a powerbank with you.

5. Design, body and ergonomics: which is more convenient?

The models are almost identical on the outside: the same matte glass back (less than the Note 9 Pro), a plastic frame and a fingerprint scanner on the side.

📏 Dimensions and weight:

• 📱 10S: 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm, 178 g.
• 📱 10 Pro: 164 × 76.5 × 8.1 mm, 192 g.

The 10 Pro is larger and heavier, which can be uncomfortable for smaller hands, but it has symmetrical bezels (as opposed to the thickened bottom bezels of the 10S).

🎨 Colors:

• 🎨 10S: Deep Sea Blue, Shadow Black, Frost White.
• 🎨 10 Pro: Dark Night, Glacial Blue, Gradient Bronze (most popular is the bronze with overflows).

🔊 Dynamics:

• 🔈 Both smartphones have stereo speakers, but the 10 Pro has 10-15% louder (due to better equalizer settings).
• 🎧 3.5mm connector is available in both models – a rarity for 2026!

⚠️ Warning: The back panel of both models is slippery, despite the matte coating. We recommend buying a camera-protected case right away, the lens projection reaches 2 mm, and the smartphone staggers on the table.

6. Updates and Support in 2026

Both models received MIUI 14 based on Android 13, but further updates are unlikely.

• 📱 Redmi Note 10 Pro: The latest security patch is May 2026. Support is officially complete.
• 📱 Redmi Note 10S: The last patch is April 2026. Also without further updates.

🔄 Can I install custom firmware?

• ✅ Yes, both models support TWRP and firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience.
• ⚠️ But: For the 10 Pro, the bootloader unlocking process is more difficult due to Anti-Rollback protection.

🛠️ Repairability:

• 🔧 Parts (screens, batteries, cameras) for both models are still available, but prices have increased by 30-40% since 2021.
• 💰 Screen replacement: ~5-7 thousand rubles (original), batteries - ~2-3 thousand.

The bottom line: if you care about the latest versions of Android, you should consider newer models (for example, Redmi Note 12), but for basic tasks (calls, social networks, photos), current versions of the software will last for another 1-2 years.

Check the screen for broken pixels (especially AMOLED)

Make sure the battery holds ≥80% of its original capacity.

Test all cameras (especially the main and wide-angle)

Check the fingerprint scanner and Face Unlock-->

7.Price and final verdict: which to choose?

As of mid-2026, the prices for the models are as follows (new, official dealers):

• 💰 Redmi Note 10S (4/64 GB): ~14 000 RUB.
• 💰 Redmi Note 10 Pro (6/128 GB): ~18 000 RUB.
• 💰 Redmi Note 10 Pro (8/128 GB): ~20 000 RUB.

🔹 Who is the Redmi Note 10S?

🔹 Who is the Redmi Note 10 Pro?

• 📈 For those who plan to use a smartphone for 3+ years, the 10 Pro has more power.

Alternatives in 2026:

Final choice:

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If budget allows, take the Redmi Note 10 Pro - the price difference pays off with the screen, performance and camera. 10S only makes sense as a temporary solution or for those who save.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi Note 10S and 10 Pro