Xiaomi Mi Max 3 vs Honor Note 10: The Ultimate Large-Screen Showdown

Looking for a phone with a massive display and long-lasting battery? The Xiaomi Mi Max 3 and Honor Note 10 both offer compelling options in the large-screen smartphone market. But which one truly delivers the best experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Honor Note 10 edges out the Mi Max 3 thanks to its significantly more powerful Kirin 970 chipset, offering noticeably better performance. While the Mi Max 3 boasts incredible battery life, the Note 10's faster charging and overall speed make it the more appealing choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Mi Max 3 Honor Note 10
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA2000 1xEV-DO / TD-SCDMA
Launch
Announced2018, July. Released 2018, July2018, July. Released 2018, August
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frameGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions176.2 x 87.4 x 8 mm (6.94 x 3.44 x 0.31 in)177 x 85 x 7.7 mm (6.97 x 3.35 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight221 g (7.80 oz)230 g (8.11 oz)
Display
ProtectionTo be confirmed-
Resolution1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~350 ppi density)1080 x 2220 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~355 ppi density)
Size6.9 inches, 122.9 cm2 (~79.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.95 inches, 122.6 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDAMOLED, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm)Kirin 970 (10 nm)
GPUAdreno 509Mali-G72 MP12
OSAndroid 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12Android 8.1 (Oreo), EMUI 8.2
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual12 MP, f/1.9, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF Auxiliary lens16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF 24 MP B/W, f/1.8, PDAF
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Video4K@30fps, 720p/1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@120fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 1/4.0", 1.12µm13 MP, f/2.0
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with dual speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC322.5W wired
TypeLi-Ion 5500 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, Champagne Gold, BlueMidnight Black, Phantom Blue
ModelsM1804E4ARVL-AL09, rv
PriceAbout 310 EURAbout 400 EUR
SAR1.58 W/kg (head)     1.42 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -94.0dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 115h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1462 (nominal), 3.061 (sunlight)-
Loudspeaker Voice 68dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 83dB -
Performance AnTuTu: 119229 (v7) GeekBench: 4907 (v4.4) GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Xiaomi Mi Max 3

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Excellent sunlight display contrast
  • Large display for media consumption
  • Affordable price

  • Slower performance compared to competitors
  • Outdated chipset
  • Camera performance is average

Honor Note 10

  • Powerful Kirin 970 chipset
  • Faster charging (22.5W)
  • Good overall performance
  • Large display

  • Battery life not as impressive as Mi Max 3
  • Design may not appeal to everyone
  • Availability can be limited

Display Comparison

Both phones feature large displays, but the Honor Note 10's panel is generally considered to have slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The Mi Max 3's contrast ratio is impressive, particularly in sunlight, but the Note 10's overall visual quality is a step up. Both offer a good viewing experience for media consumption.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is a mixed bag. While specific camera specs are limited in the provided data, the Kirin 970 generally has a more capable image signal processor (ISP) which can lead to better image processing. Both phones likely offer decent photo and video capabilities, but the Note 10 likely has a slight edge in low-light conditions and overall image quality.

Performance

This is where the Honor Note 10 shines. The Kirin 970 chipset is considerably more powerful than the Snapdragon 636. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Note 10. The Mi Max 3 is adequate for everyday tasks, but struggles with more demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Mi Max 3 is the clear winner here. Its endurance rating of 115h is exceptional, suggesting it can easily last for multiple days on a single charge. The Honor Note 10, while offering good battery life, doesn't match the Mi Max 3's longevity. The Note 10's 22.5W charging does offer faster top-ups.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Mi Max 3 is ideal for users prioritizing battery life above all else and who don't need the absolute fastest performance. The Honor Note 10 is a better fit for those who want a smoother, more responsive experience, especially for gaming and demanding apps, while still enjoying a large display.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Honor Note 10 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Kirin 970 chipset.
❓ How long will the Mi Max 3's battery last?
The Mi Max 3's battery is exceptional, potentially lasting for 2-3 days with moderate usage.
❓ Is the Honor Note 10 still worth buying?
Yes, the Honor Note 10 remains a good value option, especially if you prioritize performance and a large display, despite being an older model.