Xiaomi Mi 10S vs Mi 10 Ultra: A Clash of Flagship Titans

Xiaomi consistently delivers impressive smartphones, and the Mi 10S and Mi 10 Ultra are prime examples. Both offer flagship features, but cater to slightly different needs. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one is right for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Mi 10 Ultra is the clear performance and charging champion, boasting a significantly faster charging speed and the Snapdragon 865. However, the Mi 10S offers a more balanced experience with a slightly more efficient chipset and a competitive price, making it a strong contender for value-conscious buyers.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Mi 10S Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, March 102020, August 11. Released 2020, August 16
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, March 12Discontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions162.6 x 74.8 x 9 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.35 in)162.4 x 75.1 x 9.5 mm (6.39 x 2.96 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight208 g (7.34 oz)221.8 g (7.83 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1120 nits (peak)OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (HBM), 1120 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 650
OSAndroid 11, MIUI 12Android 10, MIUI 12.5
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad108 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 123˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens48 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
Single20 MP, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm-
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10 rec.
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single20 MP, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm20 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging33W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 56 min 30W wireless, 100% in 69 min 10W reverse wireless120W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 41% in 5 min, 100% in 23 min 50W wireless, 100% in 40 min 10W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4780 mAhLi-Ion 4500 mAh, graphene-enhanced
Misc
ColorsTitanium Black, Ice Blue, Pearl WhiteObsidian Black, Mercury Silver, Transparent Edition
ModelsM2102J2SCM2007J1SC
PriceAbout 430 EURAbout 650 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 85h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 638497 (v8) GeekBench: 3248 (v5.1) GFXBench: 46fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Mi 10S

  • Excellent performance with Snapdragon 870
  • Fast 33W wired charging
  • Smooth 90Hz display
  • Competitive price

  • Camera lacks the zoom capabilities of the Ultra
  • Slower charging compared to the Ultra
  • Design is somewhat understated

Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra

  • Exceptional camera system with incredible zoom
  • Blazing-fast 120W wired charging
  • Bright and color-accurate display
  • Premium design

  • Higher price
  • Snapdragon 865 slightly less efficient than 870
  • Battery life, while good, isn't dramatically better than the Mi 10S

Display Comparison

Both phones feature excellent AMOLED displays with vibrant colors and deep blacks. While both are listed as having an 'infinite' contrast ratio (a marketing term), the Mi 10 Ultra's display is generally considered slightly brighter and more color-accurate. The Mi 10S's display is still fantastic, offering a smooth 90Hz refresh rate for fluid scrolling and animations.

Camera Comparison

The Mi 10 Ultra's camera system is its standout feature. It boasts a massive 108MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, a 20MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom, and a 5MP periscope telephoto with 10x optical zoom. The Mi 10S still has a very capable camera setup with a 108MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide, a 5MP macro, and a 2MP depth sensor, but it lacks the Ultra's zoom capabilities.

Performance

The Mi 10 Ultra edges out the Mi 10S thanks to the Snapdragon 865, which generally offers slightly better raw performance than the Snapdragon 870. However, the 870 is incredibly efficient, and in day-to-day use, the difference is often negligible. Both phones handle demanding games and multitasking with ease.

Battery Life

The Mi 10 Ultra's endurance rating of 85h suggests excellent battery life, though real-world usage can vary. The Mi 10S also offers good battery life, but the Ultra's significantly faster charging (120W vs 33W) is a major advantage. The 50W wireless charging on the Ultra is also a significant upgrade.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Mi 10S is ideal for users who prioritize a smooth, reliable experience with excellent performance and fast charging without breaking the bank. The Mi 10 Ultra is for photography enthusiasts and power users who demand the absolute best camera capabilities, blazing-fast charging, and top-tier performance, regardless of cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra worth the extra money?
If you're a serious photography enthusiast and prioritize the absolute fastest charging speeds, then yes. Otherwise, the Mi 10S offers a compelling alternative with excellent performance and a more reasonable price.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Mi 10 Ultra has a slight edge due to the Snapdragon 865, but both phones are capable of handling demanding games smoothly. The difference is unlikely to be noticeable for most users.