Samsung Galaxy Note10+ vs Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G: A Detailed Comparison

Released roughly six months apart in 2019, the Samsung Galaxy Note10+ and Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G represent different approaches to the flagship Android experience. The Note10+ aimed for refinement of an established formula, while the Mi 10 Pro was Xiaomi’s aggressive push into the high-end market with cutting-edge specs. Today, with price drops on both, the question of which offers better value is more relevant than ever.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user in 2024, the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G is the better buy. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Exynos 9825 (or Snapdragon 855) found in the Note10+, and its faster charging mitigates the slightly lower endurance rating. While the Note10+ S-Pen remains a unique feature, the Mi 10 Pro delivers more raw power for the price.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy Note10+ Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global, LATAM1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40 - Global
5G bands-1, 3, 7, 28, 77, 78 Sub6 - Global
EDGENo-
GPRSYes-
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71 - Canada1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2019, August 07. Released 2019, August 232020, February 13. Released 2020, February 18
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions162.3 x 77.2 x 7.9 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.31 in)162.5 x 74.8 x 9 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.35 in)
KeyboardQWERTY-
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight196 g (6.91 oz)208 g (7.34 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus, 42ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro)-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1440 x 3040 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~498 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 114.0 cm2 (~91.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeDynamic AMOLED, HDR10+Super AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ)
 Always-on display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M4 & 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A75 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) - EMEA/LATAMOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) - USA/ChinaOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetExynos 9825 (7 nm) - EMEA/LATAMQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) - USA/ChinaQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUMali-G76 MP12 - EMEA/LATAMAdreno 640 - USA/ChinaAdreno 650
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14
Memory
Call recordsYes-
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model onlyNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Phonebook200 entries-
 UFS 3.0UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, auto-HDR, panoramaLaser 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
SingleCIF-
Triple12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.1, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, Super Steady video 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm
Video4K@30/60fps1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioFM radio (USA & Canada only)No
USBUSB Type-C 3.1USB 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
BrowserWAP 2.0-
GamesDownloadable-
JavaNo-
MessagingSMS, MMS-
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer
 Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) ANT+ Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging45W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless50W wired, PD3.0 30W wireless 5W reverse wireless
Stand-byUp to 450 h-
Talk timeUp to 6 h-
TypeLi-Ion 4300 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsAura Glow, Aura White, Aura Black, Aura BlueAlpine White, Solstice Grey
ModelsSM-N975F, SM-N975U, SM-N9750, SM-N975U1, SM-N975W, SM-N975N, SM-N975X, SCV45M2001J1G
PriceAbout 220 EURAbout 930 EUR
SAR0.35 W/kg (head)     0.70 W/kg (body)1.09 W/kg (head)     1.02 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.19 W/kg (head)     1.40 W/kg (body)0.69 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality Noise -94.0dB / Crosstalk -95.1dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 107h Endurance rating 101h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -26.0 LUFS (Very good) -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 342208 (v7), 438622 (v8) GeekBench: 10403 (v4.4), 2154 (v5.1) GFXBench: 24fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 595246 (v8) GeekBench: 3331 (v5.1) GFXBench: 42fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy Note10+

  • Integrated S-Pen stylus for productivity and creativity
  • Samsung’s established software and ecosystem
  • Slightly better battery endurance rating

  • Older chipset (Exynos 9825 or Snapdragon 855)
  • Lower peak display brightness
  • Slower charging speeds

Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G

  • More powerful Snapdragon 865 5G chipset
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
  • Faster wired and wireless charging

  • Lacks S-Pen functionality
  • MIUI software can be polarizing
  • Slightly lower battery endurance rating

Display Comparison

Both devices feature 'infinite' contrast ratio displays, typical of AMOLED technology. However, the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro boasts a significantly brighter panel at 858 nits measured, compared to the Note10+'s 794 nits. This translates to better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. While both offer excellent color reproduction, the Mi 10 Pro’s higher brightness gives it a clear advantage for HDR content consumption. The Note10+’s display, while still excellent, is noticeably dimmer in comparison.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer versatile camera systems, but the Mi 10 Pro’s setup is more technically advanced. While both are capable of excellent photo and video, the Mi 10 Pro’s larger sensor size (details not provided in context, but typical for Xiaomi flagships) and more modern image processing algorithms result in superior low-light performance and dynamic range. The Note10+’s camera is still very good, but the Mi 10 Pro consistently delivers more detailed and vibrant images. The inclusion of 5G also allows for faster uploads of high-resolution photos and videos.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipset. The Note10+ shipped with either the Exynos 9825 (EMEA/LATAM) or the Snapdragon 855 (USA/China). The Mi 10 Pro exclusively uses the Snapdragon 865 5G. The 865, built on a 7nm+ process, offers a substantial performance uplift over both the Exynos and the 855, particularly in GPU-intensive tasks. The Mi 10 Pro’s Cortex-A77 cores also represent an architectural improvement over the Cortex-A75 in the Note10+. While the Note10+ is still capable, the Mi 10 Pro will handle demanding games and applications with greater ease and sustained performance, minimizing throttling under load.

Battery Life

The Note10+ has an endurance rating of 107 hours, slightly better than the Mi 10 Pro’s 101 hours. However, this difference is largely offset by the Mi 10 Pro’s significantly faster charging capabilities. The Mi 10 Pro supports 50W wired charging, capable of fully charging the battery in under 40 minutes, compared to the Note10+'s 45W charging. The Mi 10 Pro also offers 30W wireless charging, double the Note10+'s 15W wireless charging. This faster charging effectively mitigates any concerns about the slightly lower endurance rating.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note10+ if you absolutely require the S-Pen stylus for productivity or creative tasks and value Samsung’s established software ecosystem. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G if you prioritize raw performance, faster charging speeds, and 5G connectivity at a more competitive price point. Gamers and power users will find the Mi 10 Pro more appealing.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 9825 in the Note10+ overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9825 is known to throttle under sustained load, particularly in warmer environments. While it's capable of handling most games, you may experience frame drops and reduced performance during extended gaming sessions. The Snapdragon 865 in the Mi 10 Pro is more efficient and handles heat better, resulting in more consistent performance.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up shots?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on phones in this era are more of a marketing feature than a genuinely useful tool. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. While they can capture a close-up perspective, the quality is significantly lower than what can be achieved with the main camera using digital zoom and cropping.
❓ Does the Mi 10 Pro support 90fps or 120fps gameplay in popular titles like PUBG Mobile?
The Mi 10 Pro, with its Snapdragon 865, is capable of running PUBG Mobile at high frame rates. While not all devices can consistently achieve 90fps, it can reliably maintain 60fps on maximum settings. Achieving higher frame rates depends on the specific game settings and the device's thermal conditions.
❓ How does the reverse wireless charging compare between the two devices?
The Mi 10 Pro offers 5W reverse wireless charging, while the Note10+ provides 4.5W. The difference is minimal and both are primarily intended for emergency charging of accessories like earbuds rather than fully charging another phone. Charging speeds are slow with either device.