Both the Huawei nova 8 SE and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (China) target the competitive mid-range market, leveraging MediaTek’s Dimensity series to deliver strong performance. However, a significant gap exists in the silicon powering these devices, impacting everything from gaming to everyday tasks. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (China) is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 1100 chipset provides a substantial leap in CPU and GPU capabilities compared to the nova 8 SE’s Dimensity 720 or 800U, despite only a slight difference in charging times.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, November 06. Released 2020, November 11 | 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.1 x 74.8 x 7.5 mm (6.34 x 2.94 x 0.30 in) | 163.3 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 193 g (6.81 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, HDR10 | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - standard modelOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - premium model | Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm) - standard modelMediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) - premium model | Mediatek Dimensity 1100 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Mali-G77 MC9 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services | Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, Panorama, HDR | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 17mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps, HDR |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
Tuned by JBL |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 60% in 15 min, 100% in 35 min | 67W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 42 min |
| Type | Li-Po 3800 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Deep Blue, Blue, Silver | Stargaze Black, Wave Blue, Cloud White |
| Models | JSC-AN00 | - |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 200 EUR |
Huawei nova 8 SE
- Faster advertised charging (35 minutes to 100%)
- Potentially more stylish design (subjective)
- Huawei’s software optimizations (for some users)
- Less powerful Dimensity 720/800U chipset
- Likely inferior GPU performance
- Potential software limitations due to geopolitical factors
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (China)
- Significantly more powerful Dimensity 1100 chipset
- Superior GPU performance for gaming
- More efficient 6nm process node
- Slightly slower charging (42 minutes to 100%)
- Potentially less refined software experience (subjective)
- Larger size/weight (potentially)
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the price points, both likely utilize OLED panels. The Redmi Note 10 Pro, being a slightly higher-tier offering, may benefit from a higher peak brightness and potentially a more accurate color calibration. The absence of LTPO technology on either device suggests standard refresh rate implementations, impacting power efficiency during dynamic content viewing.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, analysis is limited. However, the Redmi Note 10 Pro, positioned as a ‘Pro’ model, likely features a larger primary sensor and more sophisticated image processing algorithms. While both phones likely include multiple lenses, the quality of those secondary sensors (ultrawide, macro) is often less critical. The Dimensity 1100’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is also more advanced, potentially enabling better low-light performance and faster image processing speeds. The absence of OIS information for either device suggests reliance on software stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi Note 10 Pro’s Dimensity 1100 (6nm) boasts a significantly more powerful CPU configuration – four Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.6 GHz versus the nova 8 SE’s Dimensity 720 (7nm) with two Cortex-A76 cores at 2.0 GHz (standard model) or 2.4 GHz (premium model). This architectural advantage translates to a substantial performance uplift in CPU-intensive tasks. The Dimensity 1100’s Mali-G88 MC4 GPU also eclipses the Dimensity 720/800U’s Mali-G57 MC3, offering a smoother gaming experience. The 6nm process node of the Dimensity 1100 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
Both devices offer impressive fast charging capabilities – 66W for the nova 8 SE and 67W for the Redmi Note 10 Pro. The Redmi Note 10 Pro claims a full charge in 42 minutes, while the nova 8 SE achieves 100% in 35 minutes. This difference is marginal and unlikely to be noticeable in everyday use. Battery capacity is not specified, but the more efficient Dimensity 1100 in the Redmi Note 10 Pro could offset a potentially smaller battery size, resulting in comparable real-world battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 8 SE if you prioritize a sleek design and fast 66W charging, and your usage primarily revolves around social media, light gaming, and everyday communication. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (China) if you demand superior processing power for demanding games, multitasking, and content creation, and are willing to accept a slightly longer full charge time.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 1100 in the Redmi Note 10 Pro get noticeably hotter during extended gaming sessions compared to the Dimensity 720/800U in the nova 8 SE?
The Dimensity 1100, while more powerful, is fabricated on a 6nm process, which generally leads to better thermal efficiency than the 7nm process used in the Dimensity 720/800U. This means the Redmi Note 10 Pro is *less* likely to experience significant throttling during prolonged gaming, despite the higher performance output.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed (35 minutes vs 42 minutes) between the nova 8 SE and Redmi Note 10 Pro actually noticeable in daily use?
The 7-minute difference in full charge time is unlikely to be a significant factor for most users. Both phones offer incredibly fast charging, and the convenience of topping up quickly is more important than the absolute time to 100%. The Redmi Note 10 Pro also supports PD3.0, offering wider compatibility with chargers.
❓ Will the Redmi Note 10 Pro's Dimensity 1100 handle graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact at higher settings without significant frame drops?
Yes, the Dimensity 1100’s Mali-G88 MC4 GPU is significantly more capable than the Mali-G57 MC3 found in the nova 8 SE. It should comfortably handle Genshin Impact at medium to high settings with stable frame rates, offering a much smoother gaming experience.
