Realme 8i vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S: The Ultimate Showdown

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 8i and Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S are two popular contenders. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one reigns supreme? This detailed comparison will break down every aspect to help you make the right choice.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Redmi Note 10S edges out the Realme 8i thanks to its faster charging and generally more refined camera system. However, the Realme 8i boasts exceptional battery life. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities: speed or endurance.

PHONES
Phone Names	Realme 8i	Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE

Launch
Announced	2021, September 09	2021, March 04
Status	Available. Released 2021, September 14	Available. Released 2021, April 28

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back	-
Dimensions	164.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.33 in)	160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.33 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	194 g (6.84 oz)	178.8 g (6.31 oz)
	-	IP53, dust and splash resistant

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size	6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio)	6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (peak)	AMOLED, 450 nits (typ), 1100 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)	Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm)
GPU	Mali-G57 MC2	Mali-G76 MC4
OS	Android 11, Realme UI 2.0	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM	64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
	UFS 2.1	UFS 2.2

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad	-	64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single	16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm	13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
Triple	50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens	-
Video	1080p@30fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps

Selfie camera
Features	Panorama	HDR
Single	16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm	13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with stereo speakers
	-	24-bit/192kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE	5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	-	Yes
NFC	Yes (market/region dependent)	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	No	FM radio
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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass
	-	Virtual proximity sensing

Battery
Charging	18W wired	33W wired
Type	5000 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Space Black, Space Purple	Deep Sea Blue (Ocean Blue), Shadow Black (Onyx Gray), (Frost White) Pebble White
Models	RMX3151	M2101K7BG, M2101K7BI, M2101K7BNY, M2101K7BL
Price	About 440 EUR	€ 101.48 / £ 135.82 / ₹ 13,999
SAR	-	1.07 W/kg (head) 0.81 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	-	0.60 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 131h	-
Camera	Photo / Video	-
Loudspeaker	-28.4 LUFS (Average)	-

Realme 8i

Exceptional battery life
Smooth performance
Good value for money
Impressive contrast ratio

Slower charging
Camera slightly behind Redmi Note 10S
Design less premium

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S

Faster charging (33W)
Better camera quality
Slightly more premium design
Good display

Battery life slightly shorter than Realme 8i
Performance marginally slower than expected

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.43-inch Super AMOLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate and Full HD+ resolution. The Redmi Note 10S has slightly better color accuracy and a marginally brighter display, though the Realme 8i's 1244:1 contrast ratio is impressive. Overall, display quality is comparable, with a slight edge to the Redmi Note 10S.

Camera Comparison

The Redmi Note 10S features a quad-camera setup (108MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro, 2MP depth) while the Realme 8i has a triple-camera setup (108MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro). The Redmi Note 10S consistently produces better images, especially in low light, thanks to its more refined image processing. Video recording is also slightly better on the Redmi Note 10S.

Performance

While both phones utilize a Mediatek Helio G9x series chipset (G96 vs G95), the Redmi Note 10S generally feels slightly snappier in everyday use. The Realme 8i's performance is still good, but the Redmi Note 10S benefits from slightly better optimization. Gaming performance is similar on both devices.

Battery Life

The Realme 8i truly shines in battery life. Its 5000mAh battery, combined with efficient power management, delivers exceptional endurance. The Redmi Note 10S also has a 5000mAh battery, but it doesn't last quite as long. However, the Redmi Note 10S's 33W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.

Buying Guide

The Realme 8i is ideal for users prioritizing long battery life and a smooth, consistent experience. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is a better pick for those who value faster charging, a slightly better camera, and a more premium feel.