The TCL 10 Pro, released in 2020, aimed to deliver a premium experience at a mid-range price. The Xiaomi Mi 10S, arriving later, represents a step up in processing power and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two devices, focusing on how their contrasting chipsets impact real-world performance and user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Mi 10S is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 870 5G chipset provides a substantial performance boost over the TCL 10 Pro’s Snapdragon 675, making it ideal for demanding tasks and gaming. While the TCL 10 Pro offers a more affordable entry point, the Mi 10S’s superior speed and charging justify the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - T799B | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - T799B | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - T799H | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 06. Released 2020, May 19 | 2021, March 10 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 158.5 x 72.4 x 9.2 mm (6.24 x 2.85 x 0.36 in) | 162.6 x 74.8 x 9 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 177 g (6.24 oz) | 208 g (7.34 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, HDR10 | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1120 nits (peak) |
| | Always-on-display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 10, planned upgrade to Android 11, TCL UI | Android 11, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 3.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
16 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 108 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
13 MP, f/2.4, 123˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 20 MP, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm | 20 MP, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
Tuned by Harman Kardon |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC3, 50% in 35 min | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 56 min
30W wireless, 100% in 69 min
10W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4780 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Green | Titanium Black, Ice Blue, Pearl White |
| Models | T799B, T799H | M2102J2SC |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 430 EUR |
TCL 10 Pro
- More affordable price point
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Supports Quick Charge 3.0
- Significantly slower processor
- Slower charging speeds
- Lacks 5G connectivity
Xiaomi Mi 10S
- Powerful Snapdragon 870 5G processor
- Fast 33W wired and 30W wireless charging
- Supports PD3.0 and QC4
- Higher price tag
- Potentially higher power consumption
- May run slightly warmer under heavy load
Display Comparison
Neither TCL nor Xiaomi provided display specs beyond the existence of a display. Assuming typical LCD panels for this price bracket, the TCL 10 Pro likely offers adequate color reproduction for everyday use. However, the Mi 10S, being a slightly later model, may benefit from minor improvements in color calibration. Without specific data on brightness or color gamut coverage, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Mi 10S’s potential for a more refined display experience is plausible.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Mi 10S, positioned as a more premium device, likely incorporates a more advanced camera system. While both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, the Mi 10S benefits from the processing power of the Snapdragon 870, enabling faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The TCL 10 Pro’s camera is adequate for casual photography, but the Mi 10S offers a more capable imaging experience for enthusiasts.
Performance
The performance gap between these devices is significant. The Xiaomi Mi 10S’s Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the TCL 10 Pro’s Snapdragon 675 (11nm). The 870 features a Kryo 585 core clocked at 3.2 GHz, compared to the 675’s Kryo 460 Gold core at 2.0 GHz. This translates to a dramatically faster CPU and GPU, enabling smoother multitasking, quicker app launches, and a far more enjoyable gaming experience. The 7nm process node of the 870 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling under sustained load. The Mi 10S is designed for users who push their phones to the limit.
Battery Life
The TCL 10 Pro’s 18W charging, while supporting Quick Charge 3.0, is significantly slower than the Xiaomi Mi 10S’s 33W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC4 support. The Mi 10S can reach 100% charge in 56 minutes, while the TCL 10 Pro takes 35 minutes to reach 50%. Furthermore, the Mi 10S adds 30W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging, features absent on the TCL 10 Pro. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speeds of the Mi 10S are a major advantage for users who prioritize convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 10 Pro if you prioritize affordability and basic smartphone functionality, and your usage primarily revolves around social media, calls, and light web browsing. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 10S if you demand smooth multitasking, enjoy mobile gaming, and value fast charging speeds – especially if you frequently find yourself needing to top up your battery throughout the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Xiaomi Mi 10S handle demanding games like Genshin Impact smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 870 5G in the Mi 10S is more than capable of running Genshin Impact and other graphically intensive games at high settings. The improved GPU and CPU performance, combined with efficient thermal management, will provide a significantly smoother gaming experience compared to the TCL 10 Pro.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the TCL 10 Pro slow enough to be a major inconvenience?
For casual users who charge their phone overnight, 18W charging may be sufficient. However, if you frequently need to quickly top up your battery during the day, the slower charging speed will be noticeable and potentially frustrating compared to the Mi 10S’s 33W charging.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Mi 10S support 5G connectivity, and will I see a real-world benefit?
Yes, the Snapdragon 870 5G includes an integrated 5G modem. However, the real-world benefit depends on 5G availability in your area and your mobile carrier’s network. If 5G is available, you can expect significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G LTE.
