vivo X50 vs Xiaomi Mi 10S: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power

The vivo X50 and Xiaomi Mi 10S represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, but cater to slightly different priorities. The X50, with its focus on camera and design, features the Snapdragon 730. The Mi 10S, a later release, steps up the performance with the more powerful Snapdragon 870, alongside enhanced charging capabilities. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi Mi 10S is the superior choice. The Snapdragon 870 delivers significantly better performance for demanding tasks and gaming, and the addition of 30W wireless charging adds convenience. While the X50 offers a sleek design, the Mi 10S’s power advantage is hard to ignore.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X50 Xiaomi Mi 10S
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 401, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands-1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, July 07. Released 2020, July 162021, March 10
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, March 12
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame-
Dimensions159.5 x 75.4 x 7.6 mm (6.28 x 2.97 x 0.30 in)162.6 x 74.8 x 9 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight173 g (6.10 oz)208 g (7.34 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2376 pixels (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size6.56 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1120 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730 (8 nm)Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 618Adreno 650
OSAndroid 10, Funtouch 10.5Android 11, MIUI 12
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.5, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro)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
Single5 MP, AF20 MP, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm20 MP, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging33W wired33W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 56 min 30W wireless, 100% in 69 min 10W reverse wireless
Stand-byUp to 570 h (2G) / Up to 420 h (3G)-
Talk timeUp to 17 h 50 min (2G) / Up to 8 h 20 min (3G)-
Type4200 mAhLi-Po 4780 mAh
Misc
ColorsGlaze Black, Frost BlueTitanium Black, Ice Blue, Pearl White
Models2004M2102J2SC
PriceAbout 400 EURAbout 430 EUR
SAR EU0.52 W/kg (head)     -
Tests
Audio quality Noise -87.8dB / Crosstalk -87.3dB-
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 853:1 (nominal)-
Loudspeaker Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 67dB-

vivo X50

  • Sleek and stylish design (assumed based on vivo’s brand image)
  • Balanced performance for everyday tasks
  • Potentially excellent image processing for natural photos

  • Significantly less powerful chipset than the Mi 10S
  • Lacks wireless charging capabilities
  • Limited information on display specifications

Xiaomi Mi 10S

  • Powerful Snapdragon 870 processor for demanding tasks
  • 33W wired, 30W wireless, and 10W reverse wireless charging
  • Superior thermal management due to 7nm process

  • May have a less refined design compared to the X50 (subjective)
  • Potentially more aggressive image processing (depending on user preference)
  • Lacks detailed display specs in provided data

Display Comparison

Both phones feature similar display technologies, but detailed specs are limited for the X50. The X50’s contrast ratio of 853:1 suggests a standard IPS panel, likely prioritizing color accuracy over extreme contrast. The Mi 10S, while lacking detailed display specs in the provided data, benefits from Xiaomi’s typically vibrant and well-calibrated displays. The absence of high refresh rate information for either device suggests a standard 60Hz experience, which is common in this price bracket.

Camera Comparison

While both phones are marketed with camera prowess, the provided data focuses on general 'Photo/Video' capabilities. The X50 likely emphasizes image processing for natural-looking photos, a common vivo trait. The Mi 10S, leveraging the more powerful ISP of the Snapdragon 870, likely offers more advanced computational photography features. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, the 870’s superior image signal processing capabilities give the Mi 10S an edge in dynamic range and low-light performance. The absence of details on OIS suggests neither phone prioritizes advanced stabilization.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Mi 10S’s Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the vivo X50’s Snapdragon 730 (8nm). The 870’s Kryo 585 cores, with a prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, offer a significant performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks compared to the X50’s 2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold cores. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience. The 7nm process node of the 870 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during prolonged gaming sessions. The X50’s 730 is still capable for everyday tasks, but will struggle with demanding games at higher settings.

Battery Life

Both phones offer 33W wired charging, but the Mi 10S goes further with 30W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging. The Mi 10S achieves a full charge in 56 minutes via wired connection, and 69 minutes wirelessly. The X50’s charging time is not specified, but is likely slower. While battery capacity isn’t provided for either device, the Mi 10S’s charging versatility provides a significant convenience factor, especially for users who frequently use wireless charging or need to top up other devices.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X50 if you prioritize a more refined aesthetic and a balanced experience with a focus on camera quality for everyday use. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 10S if you demand higher performance for gaming, multitasking, or future-proofing, and value faster charging options including wireless capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 870 in the Mi 10S get noticeably warmer than the Snapdragon 730 during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 870 is more powerful, its 7nm process node and Xiaomi’s thermal management solutions generally result in better heat dissipation than the 8nm Snapdragon 730. You’ll likely experience sustained performance for longer periods on the Mi 10S before any significant throttling occurs.
❓ Is the 30W wireless charging on the Mi 10S significantly faster than standard wireless charging?
Yes, 30W wireless charging is considerably faster than the 10-15W wireless charging commonly found on other devices. The Mi 10S can achieve a full wireless charge in approximately 69 minutes, making it a practical alternative to wired charging.
❓ Given the lack of detailed camera specs, how do the image processing styles differ between the X50 and Mi 10S?
Vivo typically prioritizes natural-looking images with accurate color reproduction, while Xiaomi often employs more vibrant and contrast-enhanced processing. Expect the X50 to produce photos that are closer to what you see with your eyes, while the Mi 10S may offer more 'pop' and saturation.