Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G vs. Asus ROG Phone 3: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G and Asus ROG Phone 3 represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone market. The Mi 10T 5G aims for a compelling blend of performance and affordability, while the ROG Phone 3 is unapologetically geared towards mobile gaming enthusiasts, prioritizing sustained performance and specialized features. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your priorities.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing value and a well-rounded experience, the Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G emerges as the winner. While the ROG Phone 3 boasts a slightly faster processor and gaming-centric features, the Mi 10T 5G delivers comparable performance at a significantly lower price point, making it the more sensible choice for most.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G Asus ROG Phone 3
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - A version
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - A version
5G bands1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - A version
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G 4.4 Gbps DL
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, September 30. Released 2020, October 132020, July 22. Released 2020, July 23
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions165.1 x 76.4 x 9.3 mm (6.5 x 3.01 x 0.37 in)171 x 78 x 9.9 mm (6.73 x 3.07 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight216 g (7.62 oz)240 g (8.47 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~79.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 144Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 650 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 650 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.10 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 650
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, ROG UI
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro), AF64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm, 125˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps; gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama, HDR
Single20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm24 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm
Video1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with DTS:X stereo speakers (2 dedicated amplifiers)
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector
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
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired, PD3.030W wired, PD3.0, QC4 10W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsCosmic Black, Lunar SilverBlack Glare
ModelsM2007J3SYASUS_I003D, ZS661KS, I003DD, I003D
PriceAbout 240 EURAbout 650 EUR
SAR0.97 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)0.74 W/kg (head)     1.50 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.57 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 120h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -23.1 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 621932 (v8) GeekBench: 13306 (v4.4), 3386 (v5.1) GFXBench: 48fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G

  • More affordable price point
  • Excellent value for money
  • Capable camera system (likely)

  • Potentially more thermal throttling under sustained load
  • Slightly slower processor than ROG Phone 3

Asus ROG Phone 3

  • Faster Snapdragon 865+ processor
  • Superior thermal management for gaming
  • Reverse wireless charging

  • Significantly higher price
  • Larger and heavier form factor
  • Camera likely not a primary focus

Display Comparison

Both phones feature 120Hz displays, but the ROG Phone 3 edges out the Mi 10T 5G with a measured peak brightness of 719 nits, suggesting a more visible screen in direct sunlight. While the Mi 10T 5G’s display specs aren’t provided, the ROG Phone 3’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) indicates a superior viewing experience with deeper blacks. The ROG Phone 3’s larger size likely contributes to a more immersive gaming experience, though the Mi 10T 5G may offer a more manageable form factor for some users.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the ROG Phone 3’s focus on gaming suggests camera performance is a secondary consideration, while Xiaomi typically prioritizes camera quality in its flagship and near-flagship devices. The Mi 10T 5G is likely to offer a more versatile and refined camera experience, despite lacking specific details in the provided data.

Performance

Both devices utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G platform, but the ROG Phone 3 features the ‘Plus’ variant. This translates to a slightly higher CPU clock speed – 3.10 GHz on the ROG Phone 3 versus 2.84 GHz on the Mi 10T 5G – potentially offering a marginal performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks. However, both phones share the same core architecture (Octa-core with 1x Cortex-A77 prime core, 3x Cortex-A77 performance cores, and 4x Cortex-A55 efficiency cores), meaning the real-world difference will be subtle for most applications. The ROG Phone 3’s superior thermal design, a hallmark of the ROG series, is crucial for maintaining peak performance during prolonged gaming sessions, mitigating potential throttling that the Mi 10T 5G might experience.

Battery Life

Both phones boast an endurance rating of 120 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the ROG Phone 3’s larger battery capacity (implied by its gaming focus) likely contributes to this endurance. The Mi 10T 5G supports 33W wired charging with PD3.0, while the ROG Phone 3 offers 30W wired charging with PD3.0 and Quick Charge 4.0, plus 10W reverse wired charging. The ROG Phone 3’s Quick Charge support may result in slightly faster charging speeds with compatible chargers, but the difference is likely minimal. The addition of reverse wired charging on the ROG Phone 3 is a convenient feature for topping up accessories.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G if you need a fast, 5G-enabled phone with a capable camera and a smooth 120Hz display, all without breaking the bank. It’s ideal for everyday use, social media, and casual gaming. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 3 if you are a dedicated mobile gamer who demands sustained peak performance, extended battery life during gaming sessions, and features like AirTriggers for a competitive edge. The ROG Phone 3 is a specialized tool for a specific user.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 865+ in the ROG Phone 3 offer a noticeable gaming advantage over the Snapdragon 865 in the Mi 10T 5G?
While the Snapdragon 865+ has a slightly higher clock speed, the difference in gaming performance is often minimal. The ROG Phone 3’s superior thermal design is more critical for maintaining sustained performance during long gaming sessions, preventing throttling and ensuring a smoother experience.
❓ How does the charging speed of the Mi 10T 5G compare to the ROG Phone 3 in real-world scenarios?
The Mi 10T 5G’s 33W charging is competitive, and while the ROG Phone 3 supports Quick Charge 4.0, the difference in charging time is unlikely to be substantial. Both phones will likely take around an hour to fully charge from 0%.
❓ Is the ROG Phone 3’s size and weight a significant drawback for everyday use?
Yes, the ROG Phone 3 is considerably larger and heavier than the Mi 10T 5G. This can make it less comfortable to hold and use for extended periods, especially for users with smaller hands. The Mi 10T 5G offers a more manageable form factor.
❓ Which phone is better for video recording?
Without detailed camera specs, it's difficult to say definitively. However, Xiaomi generally prioritizes camera quality, suggesting the Mi 10T 5G may offer better video recording capabilities, particularly in terms of image stabilization and dynamic range.