The Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite Zoom and Mi 10S represent distinct approaches within Xiaomi’s 2020 lineup. The Mi 10 Lite Zoom prioritized a sleek design and balanced feature set at a competitive price, while the Mi 10S aimed to deliver near-flagship performance with the Snapdragon 870. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Mi 10S is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 870 chipset provides a significant performance uplift over the Mi 10 Lite Zoom’s Snapdragon 765G, translating to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a better gaming experience. While the Mi 10 Lite Zoom offers a compelling value proposition, the Mi 10S’s extra power justifies 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 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2021, March 10 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2021, March 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164 x 74.8 x 7.9 mm (6.46 x 2.94 x 0.31 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 |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 208 g (7.34 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.57 inches, 104.2 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, HDR10+, 600 nits (typ) | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1120 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 11 | Android 11, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB 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 | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/3.4, 122mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 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 |
| 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 | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 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 | 24-bit/192kHz audio
Tuned by Harman Kardon |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | No | 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 | 22.5W wired, PD3.0, QC4 | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 56 min
30W wireless, 100% in 69 min
10W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4160 mAh | Li-Po 4780 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, White, Black, Green, Orange/Peach | Titanium Black, Ice Blue, Pearl White |
| Models | - | M2102J2SC |
| Price | About 270 EUR | About 430 EUR |
Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite Zoom
- More affordable price point
- Lighter and potentially more compact design
- Sufficient performance for everyday tasks
- Significantly slower processor than the Mi 10S
- Slower charging speeds
- Lacks wireless charging
Xiaomi Mi 10S
- Much faster Snapdragon 870 processor
- Faster 33W wired and 30W wireless charging
- More advanced ISP for better image quality
- Higher price tag
- Potentially heavier and larger form factor
- May run slightly warmer under heavy load
Display Comparison
While both devices likely feature AMOLED panels (based on Xiaomi’s typical implementation), specific details like peak brightness and color accuracy are not provided. The Mi 10 Lite Zoom’s focus on aesthetics suggests a potentially more refined display experience, but the Mi 10S’s higher price point could indicate a panel with superior calibration. Both devices support HDR10+, enhancing video playback. The absence of high refresh rate panels on either device is a notable omission compared to some competitors.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are missing, but the Mi 10S likely features a more capable primary sensor. The Snapdragon 870’s image signal processor (ISP) is more advanced than the 765G’s, resulting in better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. While both phones likely include multiple rear cameras, the Mi 10S’s ISP will extract more detail and dynamic range. The Mi 10 Lite Zoom’s camera system is geared towards social media sharing, while the Mi 10S aims for a more versatile and higher-quality photographic experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Mi 10S’s Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Mi 10 Lite Zoom’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm). The 870 features a Kryo 585 core clocked at 3.2 GHz, compared to the 765G’s Kryo 475 Prime at 2.4 GHz. This translates to a roughly 30-40% performance increase in CPU-intensive tasks. The Adreno 660 GPU in the 870 also offers significantly improved graphics performance. While both support 5G, the 870’s superior processing power will handle 5G-related tasks more efficiently. The Mi 10S benefits from faster LPDDR5 RAM, further enhancing performance.
Battery Life
The Mi 10S boasts a significant charging advantage with 33W wired charging (0-100% in 56 minutes), 30W wireless charging (0-100% in 69 minutes), and 10W reverse wireless charging. The Mi 10 Lite Zoom is limited to 22.5W wired charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Mi 10S’s faster charging mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage. The addition of wireless and reverse wireless charging on the Mi 10S adds convenience for users invested in the wireless charging ecosystem.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite Zoom if you prioritize a lighter, more compact phone with a focus on everyday tasks and social media. It’s ideal for users who don’t heavily game or require demanding performance. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 10S if you value raw processing power for gaming, video editing, or running resource-intensive applications. The Mi 10S is also the better choice for users who appreciate faster charging speeds and wireless charging capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 765G in the Mi 10 Lite Zoom struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 765G will likely require significant graphics settings reductions to achieve playable frame rates in Genshin Impact. While it can run the game, the experience won't be optimal compared to the Mi 10S's Snapdragon 870, which can handle it at higher settings.
❓ Does the Mi 10S’s 30W wireless charging significantly outperform the Mi 10 Lite Zoom’s lack of wireless charging?
Absolutely. Wireless charging offers a convenient, cable-free charging experience. The Mi 10S’s 30W wireless charging is also relatively fast, completing a full charge in under 70 minutes, making it a practical alternative to wired charging.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 870 and 765G noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
While both chips are capable of handling everyday tasks smoothly, the Snapdragon 870 in the Mi 10S provides a noticeably snappier and more responsive experience. App loading times are faster, multitasking is smoother, and the overall user interface feels more fluid.
❓ Given the price difference, is the Mi 10S worth the extra cost for someone who primarily uses their phone for photography?
Yes, the Mi 10S is worth the extra cost for photography enthusiasts. The Snapdragon 870’s superior ISP and likely better camera hardware result in significantly improved image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The Mi 10S will capture more detail, dynamic range, and overall better-looking photos.
