Xiaomi Mi Note 10 vs Xiaomi Mi 10 - which one should you choose?

Xiaomi Mi 10 costs 799,90 EUR or 899,90 EUR, constituting the most expensive flagship in the history of a Chinese company. Xiaomi Mi Note 10 was valued at 599,90 EUR. It should be much weaker - and it is, but only in some respects. In some respects it surpasses the much more expensive flagship, and the choice is not at all obvious. That is why I decided to make this comparison Xiaomi Mi Note 10 vs Xiaomi Mi 10.

1. Xiaomi Mi 10 is bigger but slimmer
2. Xiaomi Mi 10 has a larger screen and 90 Hz refresh rate
3. Xiaomi Mi 10 has higher performance
4. Both models have readers and face recognition, but 5G is only in Mi 10
5. Xiaomi Mi 10 supports 5G
6. Mi Note 10 has a larger battery
7. Mi Note 10 has a better camera than Mi 10
8. Xiaomi Mi Note 10 or Xiaomi Mi 10

Xiaomi Mi 10 is bigger but slimmer

Both models look similar, especially at the back, where a rather characteristic and unfortunately strongly protruding camera holder has been placed. At the front they are also similar - they have displays with curved sides, which may not suit everyone. The easiest way to distinguish them is to look at the selfie cameras. Mi 10 has a camera in the hole (see what Xiaomi Mi 10 looks like), while in Mi Note 10 we find a classic, droplet notch (see what Xiaomi Mi Note 10 looks like). It is difficult to indicate which model is prettier - they are too similar. It can be considered that Xiaomi Mi 10 with a hole in the display is a little more modern. It is also larger (it has a larger display), but at the same time a bit slimmer - compare the size of Mi Note 10 vs Mi 10). To make it more interesting, both phones weigh exactly the same - check: dimensions and weight of Mi Note 10 vs Mi 10.

Xiaomi Mi 10 has a larger screen and 90 Hz refresh rate

Xiaomi Mi 10 is larger - it therefore has a larger display, 6.67 inch diagonal. Meanwhile, in Mi Note 10 we have 6.47 inches. Both displays are made in AMOLED technology and have the same resolution of 1080 x 2340 px. This translates into a slightly higher image density ratio in the cheaper model, but no one looks at the phone through the magnifying glass. In practice - we won't notice much difference. We will also not notice clear differences in terms of colour reproduction or brightness of both displays. In both cases - it is very good, both phones can be used on sunny days, both work correctly with polarized glasses. Both smartphones have an eye protection mode against blue light, i.e. "yellowing" of the image at user-specified times. The more expensive Mi 10, which has a screen refreshed at 90 Hz, wins by a hair, while the cheaper model has a standard 60 Hz. There will certainly be those who appreciate the higher fluidity of the image, but there will also be users who do not notice the difference. And if so - is it worth paying extra...?

Xiaomi Mi 10 has higher performance

Xiaomi Mi 10 has a Snapdragon 865 processor, while Xiaomi Mi Note 10 has a Snapdragon 730G, placed "a point" below. Mi 10 has 8 GB of RAM, and Mi Note 10 has 6 GB. Actually, this information should be enough to show you the difference between these models. If you are primarily focused on games - choose Mi 10. However, if you just need a fast, efficient phone - much cheaper Mi Note 10 should be enough for you. The difference in performance is obviously noticeable, but it's definitely harder to feel it if we use mainly social and multimedia applications, and we only play games occasionally. Then - it is not worth paying extra. Both models have the same interface: MIUI 11. I recommend it with a clear conscience. Unfortunately - neither of the discussed models can use a microSD card, so the built-in memory remains. If you care about its larger capacity, I have bad news: you are going to buy the more expensive version of the Mi 10, with 256 GB memory - for almost 899,90 EUR. In this case, the Mi Note 10, which costs about 400 EUR less, still looks sensible, because it also has half the memory;)

Both models have readers and face recognition, but 5G is only in Mi 10

In both smartphones we find face recognition systems that use the image from the front camera. Both models also have on-screen fingerprint readers. Although I do not like readers hidden under the displays, those in Xiaomi work quite well. I will not complain - both in case of a cheaper and more expensive phone. The assessment of the facial recognition system looks similar. Note, however, that this system uses the image from the front camera, so theoretically it is less secure than a fingerprint reader. Both models support NFC connectivity and can therefore be used to make payments. In other words - a draw, you don't have to buy a more expensive model...

5G only in Mi 10

Xiaomi Mi 10 supports 5G networks.. In this respect, it knocks out a cheaper brother ... But in the future, maybe in 2-3 years the 5G service will become an asset worth paying for. At the moment - buying a more expensive model only because of 5G support does not make sense - unless you want to show off in front of friends... Both models have infrared transmitters, which allow you to turn your phone into a remote control for AV equipment. Unfortunately, a minijack is only in Mi Note 10.

Mi Note 10 has a larger battery

Xiaomi Mi 10 has a 4780 mAh battery, while Xiaomi Mi Note 10 has a 5260 mAh battery.In addition, the cheaper model has a slightly less power-consuming processor and a slightly smaller screen. These are other elements - apart from the battery capacity - which will translate into longer operation time. I mention the fact that 5G in Mi 10 will need more energy to operate only for the record, because for now this element does not matter, because of the lack of network... So - if a battery life time matters to you, you can safely buy a cheaper Mi Note 10. The more expensive model has the advantage of fast wireless charging (30 W) and 5W feedback. The question is whether these are elements for which it is worth paying at least 400 EUR.

Mi Note 10 has a better camera than Mi 10

The flagship model should have a better camera. The Xiaomi Mi Note 10 vs Xiaomi Mi 10 comparison, however, appears to be a bit strange, because in some respects we have a draw, and in some... the cheaper smartphone is towering. Both models have main cameras with 108 megapixel resolutions, with large 1 1.33" matrices, optical stabilization and good apertures f/1.69. However, it is different further on. Mi 10 has a 13 Mpx wide-angle camera, and two 2-megapixel cameras for blurring the background and the macro. See what photos Xiaomi Mi 10 takes!

In the cheaper Mi Note 10, additional cameras are definitely "richer", and above all - more universal. In addition to the 108 Mpx matrix, we have a 20 Mpx wide-angle camera, a 12 Mpx portrait camera with lossless 2x zoom and another module with a telephoto lens, with 8x zoom, but with a hybrid and a resolution of 5 megapixels. Of course, the 2-megapixel module also had to be here - and is responsible for the macro, while being the weakest link in this camera. See what photos the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 takes!

To make it more fun, the cheaper Mi Note 10 also wins with front cameras! It has a 32 megapixel camera, while the flagship only offers 20 Mpx. However, there is something that Xiaomi Mi 10 is better at. It can record videos in 8K resolution. The question is, do you want to pay extra for this opportunity...?

Videos recordered with Xiaomi Mi Note 10 and Xiaomi Mi 10 video: GSMchoice.com via YouTube

Xiaomi Mi Note 10 vs Xiaomi Mi 10

As you can see, choosing between Xiaomi Mi Note 10 and Xiaomi Mi 10 is not easy. The flagship model offers 5G connectivity, a display with 90 Hz refresh rate, as well as wireless and feedback charging. In addition, it can record movies in a resolution of up to 8K, and in addition - you can buy it with a larger internal memory. In addition, it offers very high performance, achieved thanks to the top Qualcomm processor. It would be an excellent choice, if not for the fact that for a much lower price we can buy Mi Note 10, which has a more interesting, richer photo set, a larger battery, similar appearance and many elements of equipment that we will find in a more expensive model. In addition, its performance is not so much lower to give a sense of expenditure at least 400 EUR ... So - if you are not very demanding players, you are not tempted by 8K and 5G movies, which are not yet available - do not overpay and buy Xiaomi Mi Note 10. This is a really cool and well-priced phone. All I can say about the flagship Mi 10 is that it's fine...

Why should you buy Xiaomi Mi Note 10?

• Minijack
• Universal camera
• Two telephoto lenses
• Smaller dimensions
• Larger battery
• Lower price

Why should you buy Xiaomi Mi 10?

• 90 Hz display
• 5G support
• Higher performance
• Wireless charging
• Reverse loading
• Filming in 8K

Comparison of Xiaomi Mi Note 10 vs Xiaomi Mi 10 specifications