Xiaomi's Mi series has consistently delivered impressive value. The Mi 10S and Mi 10 5G are two compelling options, but which one offers the better experience? This in-depth comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Mi 10S edges out the Mi 10 5G thanks to its Snapdragon 870 chipset, faster charging, and slightly improved overall performance. While the Mi 10 5G boasts excellent battery life, the Mi 10S's upgrades make it the more desirable choice for most users.
| 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 / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 10 | 2020, February 13. Released 2020, February 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 12 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 162.6 x 74.8 x 9 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.35 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 | 208 g (7.34 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 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1120 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 12 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.0 | UFS 3.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 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 | 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 |
| Single | 20 MP, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm | - |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps | 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
Tuned by Harman Kardon | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 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 | 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 | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 56 min
30W wireless, 100% in 69 min
10W reverse wireless | 30W wired, PD3.0
30W wireless
5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4780 mAh | Li-Po 4780 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Black, Ice Blue, Pearl White | Coral Green, Twilight Grey, Peach Gold |
| Models | M2102J2SC | M2001J2G, M2001J2I, Mi 10 |
| Price | About 430 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 109h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.9 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 578056 (v8)
GeekBench: 3322 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 42fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Mi 10S
- Faster Snapdragon 870 Chipset
- Faster Charging (33W wired, 30W wireless)
- Improved Performance
- Likely Software Optimizations
- Slightly Shorter Battery Life than Mi 10 5G
- Potentially Higher Price
Xiaomi Mi 10 5G
- Exceptional Battery Life (109h Endurance Rating)
- High Brightness Display (854 nits)
- Competitive Price
- Infinite Contrast Ratio (Nominal)
- Slower Charging (30W wired, 5W wireless)
- Older Snapdragon 865 Chipset
- Potentially Less Optimized Software
Display Comparison
Both phones feature excellent AMOLED displays, but the Mi 10 5G's measured 854 nits peak brightness gives it a slight edge in outdoor visibility. The Mi 10S likely has a similar brightness, but specific measurements are harder to find. The Mi 10 5G's infinite contrast ratio (nominal) suggests deep blacks and vibrant colors, a characteristic of AMOLED technology. Both offer smooth 90Hz refresh rates.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable camera systems, but detailed camera comparisons are difficult without extensive testing. The Mi 10S likely benefits from software optimizations and potentially slightly improved image processing due to its later release. Both phones feature a versatile array of lenses, including main, ultrawide, macro, and telephoto.
Performance
The Mi 10S's Snapdragon 870 is a significant upgrade over the Mi 10 5G's Snapdragon 865. The 870 offers improved CPU and GPU performance, resulting in smoother gaming and faster app loading times. While the Mi 10 5G is still capable, the Mi 10S provides a noticeably snappier experience.
Battery Life
The Mi 10 5G shines in this category, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 109 hours. The Mi 10S, while still offering good battery life, doesn't quite match this longevity. However, the Mi 10S's 33W wired and 30W wireless charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the Mi 10 5G's 30W wired and 5W wireless charging.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Mi 10S is ideal for users prioritizing performance and faster charging. It's a great choice for gamers and those who frequently multitask. The Xiaomi Mi 10 5G is a solid option for those seeking exceptional battery life and a slightly more affordable price point, especially if performance isn't the absolute top priority.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 870 significantly faster than the Snapdragon 865?
Yes, the Snapdragon 870 offers a noticeable performance boost over the 865, particularly in GPU performance, making it better for gaming and demanding tasks.
❓ Which phone has better camera quality?
While both have capable cameras, a definitive answer requires extensive testing. The Mi 10S likely benefits from newer software and image processing algorithms.
