Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra vs Mi 10 5G: A Clash of Flagships
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Mi 10 Ultra is the clear performance and charging champion, boasting incredibly fast 120W wired charging and a potentially superior camera system. However, the Mi 10 5G offers significantly better battery life and a brighter display, making it a more practical choice for many users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra | Xiaomi Mi 10 5G |
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40 - Global |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 7, 28, 77, 78 Sub6 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 11. Released 2020, August 16 | 2020, February 13. Released 2020, February 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 162.4 x 75.1 x 9.5 mm (6.39 x 2.96 x 0.37 in) | 162.5 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 | 221.8 g (7.83 oz) | 208 g (7.34 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (HBM), 1120 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12.5 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.0 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.32", 1.2µm, PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/4.1, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.0, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, 2x optical zoom 20 MP, f/2.2, 128˚, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm, PDAF | 108 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10 rec. | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| - | Virtual proximity sensing | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 120W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 41% in 5 min, 100% in 23 min 50W wireless, 100% in 40 min 10W reverse wireless | 30W wired, PD3.0 30W wireless 5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 4500 mAh, graphene-enhanced | Li-Po 4780 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Obsidian Black, Mercury Silver, Transparent Edition | Coral Green, Twilight Grey, Peach Gold |
| Models | M2007J1SC | M2001J2G, M2001J2I, Mi 10 |
| Price | About 650 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.69 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 85h | Endurance rating 109h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -24.6 LUFS (Very good) | -26.9 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 638497 (v8) GeekBench: 3248 (v5.1) GFXBench: 46fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 578056 (v8) GeekBench: 3322 (v5.1) GFXBench: 42fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra
- Incredibly fast 120W wired charging
- Superior camera system with 10x optical zoom
- Potentially better thermal management
- Premium build quality
- Shorter battery life
- Higher price
- Potentially less comfortable to hold due to larger size
Xiaomi Mi 10 5G
- Excellent battery life
- Brighter display
- More affordable
- Good overall performance
- Slower charging speeds
- Less impressive camera zoom
- Less premium feel compared to the Ultra
Display Comparison
The Mi 10 5G takes a slight edge here. While both offer 'infinite' contrast ratios (a marketing term often indicating OLED), the Mi 10 5G's measured 854 nits max brightness is significantly higher than the Mi 10 Ultra's unspecified brightness. This translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. Both use AMOLED panels with excellent color accuracy and HDR support.
Camera Comparison
This is where the Mi 10 Ultra truly shines. While both offer capable camera systems, the Ultra boasts a massive 108MP primary sensor, a 12MP periscope telephoto lens with 10x optical zoom, and a 20MP ultrawide lens. The Mi 10 5G has a 108MP primary, a 12MP telephoto, and a 20MP ultrawide. The Ultra's superior zoom capabilities and potentially improved image processing algorithms give it a significant advantage in photography, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Video recording capabilities are similar on both.
Performance
Both phones share the same Snapdragon 865 chipset and CPU configuration, meaning raw performance is virtually identical in everyday tasks and gaming. However, the Mi 10 Ultra's potentially better thermal management (due to its larger size and potentially improved cooling system) *could* allow it to sustain peak performance for longer periods during intensive tasks. Real-world difference is likely minimal.
Battery Life
The Mi 10 5G wins decisively in battery life. Its endurance rating of 109h significantly surpasses the Mi 10 Ultra's 85h. This translates to noticeably longer usage times between charges. The Mi 10 Ultra's incredibly fast charging (120W wired) partially compensates for this, but the Mi 10 5G's longevity is a major advantage.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra is ideal for photography enthusiasts, power users who demand the fastest charging speeds, and those who prioritize cutting-edge specs. The Xiaomi Mi 10 5G is a better fit for users who value long battery life, a brighter screen for outdoor visibility, and a more balanced overall experience without the Ultra's premium price.