Honor Note 10 vs Xiaomi Mi Max 3: A Clash of the Titans

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.
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🏆 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.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Note 10 Xiaomi Mi Max 3
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat16 1024/150 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO / TD-SCDMACDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2018, July. Released 2018, August2018, July. Released 2018, July
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions177 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)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight230 g (8.11 oz)221 g (7.80 oz)
Display
Protection-To be confirmed
Resolution1080 x 2220 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~355 ppi density)1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~350 ppi density)
Size6.95 inches, 122.6 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.9 inches, 122.9 cm2 (~79.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, HDR10IPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetKirin 970 (10 nm)Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP12Adreno 509
OSAndroid 8.1 (Oreo), EMUI 8.2Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF 24 MP B/W, f/1.8, PDAF12 MP, f/1.9, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)4K@30fps, 720p/1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@120fps
Selfie camera
Single13 MP, f/2.08 MP, f/2.0, 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging22.5W wired18W wired, QC3
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 5500 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsMidnight Black, Phantom BlueBlack, Champagne Gold, Blue
ModelsRVL-AL09, rvM1804E4A
PriceAbout 400 EURAbout 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.