Huawei P40 vs Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G: Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?

Released in early 2020, both the Huawei P40 and Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G represented the pinnacle of Android smartphone technology. Now, with price drops and continued software support, these devices offer compelling value. This comparison dissects their key differences, focusing on performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and charging speeds to help you decide which flagship best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset delivers consistently higher performance, coupled with significantly faster 50W wired and 30W wireless charging. While the P40 offers a refined experience, the Mi 10 Pro’s superior charging and performance give it the edge.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei P40 Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40 - Global
5G bands1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 28, 77, 78 Sub6 - Global
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2020, March 262020, February 13. Released 2020, February 18
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, April 07Discontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions148.9 x 71.1 x 8.5 mm (5.86 x 2.80 x 0.33 in)162.5 x 74.8 x 9 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight175 g (6.17 oz)208 g (7.34 oz)
 IP53, dust and splash resistant-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~422 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLEDSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetKirin 990 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUMali-G76 MP16Adreno 650
OSAndroid 10, EMUI 12, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLeica optics, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, Triple-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-108 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.0, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.0, (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.7x optical zoom, 5x hybrid zoom 20 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), AF-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm IR TOF 3D, (biometrics sensor only)20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsInfrared Face ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging22.5W wired50W wired, PD3.0 30W wireless 5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 3800 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilver Frost, Blush Gold, Deep Sea Blue, Ice White, BlackAlpine White, Solstice Grey
ModelsANA-AN00, ANA-TN00, ANA-NX9, ANA-LX4M2001J1G
PriceAbout 520 EURAbout 930 EUR
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     1.02 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.69 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 89h Endurance rating 101h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.9 LUFS (Average) -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 486583 (v8) GeekBench: 12619 (v4.4), 3148 (v5.1) GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 595246 (v8) GeekBench: 3331 (v5.1) GFXBench: 42fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei P40

  • Sleek and compact design
  • Refined software experience (HMS)
  • Good overall camera performance

  • Slower charging speeds
  • Less powerful chipset compared to Snapdragon 865
  • Limited app ecosystem due to HMS

Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 865
  • Blazing-fast 50W wired and 30W wireless charging
  • Full Google Play Store access

  • Larger and heavier design
  • Image processing can be overly saturated
  • MIUI software can be bloated

Display Comparison

Both the P40 and Mi 10 Pro feature displays with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, typical for OLED panels. However, the Mi 10 Pro boasts a notably higher peak brightness of 858 nits compared to the P40’s 589 nits. This translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While both offer excellent color reproduction, the higher brightness of the Mi 10 Pro provides a more vibrant and usable outdoor experience. The lack of high refresh rate panels on either device is a notable omission compared to later flagships.

Camera Comparison

Both phones excel in photography, but approach it differently. Without detailed sensor information, it's difficult to make definitive claims. However, the Mi 10 Pro’s larger overall camera module suggests potentially larger sensors. Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the Mi 10 Pro’s image processing tends towards more saturated colors, while the P40 aims for a more natural look. The absence of detailed camera specs necessitates a focus on real-world image quality comparisons, where the Mi 10 Pro often demonstrates superior dynamic range and detail in challenging lighting conditions.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Huawei P40 utilizes the Kirin 990 5G (7nm+), while the Mi 10 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G (7nm+). While both are built on similar process nodes, the Snapdragon 865’s Cortex-A77 prime core (2.84 GHz) generally outperforms the P40’s Cortex-A76 (2.86 GHz) in sustained workloads. The Mi 10 Pro’s CPU configuration (1x A77 + 3x A77 + 4x A55) also provides a more balanced approach to multi-core tasks. This difference is noticeable in demanding games and multitasking scenarios, giving the Mi 10 Pro a performance advantage.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G holds a slight edge in endurance with a rating of 101 hours, compared to the P40’s 89 hours. This is partially offset by the P40’s more efficient chipset. However, the Mi 10 Pro’s charging capabilities are a game-changer. Its 50W wired charging can replenish the battery from 0-100% significantly faster than the P40’s 22.5W charging. The addition of 30W wireless and 5W reverse wireless charging further enhances the Mi 10 Pro’s versatility, making it ideal for users who prioritize convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei P40 if you prioritize a sleek, compact design and a well-integrated software experience, even with the limitations of the Huawei Mobile Services ecosystem. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G if you demand raw performance, blazing-fast charging speeds, and a more open Android experience with access to the full Google Play Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 990 5G in the P40 suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 990 5G is a capable chipset, it is known to exhibit more thermal throttling under sustained load compared to the Snapdragon 865. This means performance may decrease slightly after prolonged gaming or demanding tasks. The Mi 10 Pro’s superior thermal management allows it to maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods.
❓ How does the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Huawei P40 impact the user experience?
The P40 relies on Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) instead of GMS. This means you won't have direct access to the Google Play Store and core Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps. While Huawei offers alternatives through the AppGallery, the app selection is limited, and some apps may not function correctly or require sideloading.
❓ Is the 50W charging on the Mi 10 Pro compatible with all USB-PD chargers?
The Mi 10 Pro supports USB Power Delivery (PD) 3.0, but to achieve the full 50W charging speed, you need a charger specifically rated for that wattage and PD compatibility. Standard USB-PD chargers may charge at a slower rate.
❓ How does the camera perform in low-light conditions on each device?
Both phones perform admirably in low light, but the Mi 10 Pro generally captures more detail and exhibits better dynamic range in extremely dark scenes. The P40 tends to prioritize noise reduction, which can sometimes result in a loss of fine details.