Looking for a phone with a massive display and long-lasting battery? The Honor Note 10 and Xiaomi Mi Max 3 both aim to deliver that, but with different approaches. This detailed comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Note 10 boasts a significantly faster Kirin 970 chipset, offering superior performance for gaming and demanding tasks. However, the Mi Max 3 excels with its exceptional battery life and impressive sunlight display contrast. Ultimately, the Note 10 wins for power users, while the Mi Max 3 is ideal for those prioritizing endurance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO / TD-SCDMA | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, July. Released 2018, August | 2018, July. Released 2018, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 177 x 85 x 7.7 mm (6.97 x 3.35 x 0.30 in) | 176.2 x 87.4 x 8 mm (6.94 x 3.44 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 230 g (8.11 oz) | 221 g (7.80 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | To be confirmed |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2220 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~355 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~350 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.95 inches, 122.6 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.9 inches, 122.9 cm2 (~79.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, HDR10 | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 970 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP12 | Adreno 509 |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo), EMUI 8.2 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
24 MP B/W, f/1.8, PDAF | 12 MP, f/1.9, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) | 4K@30fps, 720p/1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 5500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Phantom Blue | Black, Champagne Gold, Blue |
| Models | RVL-AL09, rv | M1804E4A |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 310 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.58 W/kg (head) 1.42 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -94.0dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 115h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1462 (nominal), 3.061 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 83dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 119229 (v7)
GeekBench: 4907 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor Note 10
- Superior Performance (Kirin 970)
- Faster Charging (22.5W)
- Potentially Better Camera (ISP)
- Sleek Design
- Battery Life Not as Good as Mi Max 3
- May Lack Some Mi Max 3 Features
Xiaomi Mi Max 3
- Exceptional Battery Life (115h Endurance)
- Excellent Sunlight Display Contrast
- Large Screen for Media
- QC3 Charging
- Slower Performance (Snapdragon 636)
- Less Powerful Chipset
- Older Chipset Technology
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large 6.6-inch displays, but the Mi Max 3's contrast ratio (1462 nominal, 3061 in sunlight) is particularly noteworthy, making it exceptionally readable outdoors. The Honor Note 10's display is good, but doesn't quite match the Mi Max 3's sunlight performance. Resolution is likely similar, both offering a good viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is a mixed bag. While both offer Photo/Video capabilities, the Honor Note 10's Kirin 970 typically includes a more advanced image signal processor (ISP), potentially leading to better image quality and features. However, the Mi Max 3's camera software might offer unique features. Detailed camera tests would be needed for a definitive comparison.
Performance
Here, the Honor Note 10 takes a clear lead. Its Kirin 970 chipset is considerably more powerful than the Mi Max 3's Snapdragon 636. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Note 10. The Mi Max 3 is adequate for everyday tasks, but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Mi Max 3 shines in this category. Its endurance rating of 115h is outstanding, suggesting exceptional battery life. The Honor Note 10, while having a decent battery, doesn't match the Mi Max 3's longevity. This makes the Mi Max 3 a better choice for heavy users or those who travel frequently.
Buying Guide
The Honor Note 10 is perfect for users who prioritize performance, enjoy gaming, and need a responsive experience. The Xiaomi Mi Max 3 is a great choice for those who value long battery life, excellent outdoor visibility, and a large screen for media consumption, even if it means sacrificing some processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Honor Note 10 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Kirin 970 chipset.
❓ Which phone will last longer on a single charge?
The Xiaomi Mi Max 3 offers exceptional battery life and will easily outlast the Honor Note 10.
❓ Is the display quality good on both phones?
Yes, both phones have large, decent displays. However, the Mi Max 3's contrast ratio makes it noticeably better in direct sunlight.