The Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha and Mi 10 Pro 5G represent two distinct approaches to flagship smartphone design. The Alpha, with its radical 'surround screen,' aimed to redefine form factor, while the Mi 10 Pro focused on perfecting the established smartphone experience with cutting-edge internals and a powerful camera system. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the best overall value in 2024.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G is the superior choice. While the Mi Mix Alpha’s innovative display is visually striking, the Mi 10 Pro’s Snapdragon 865 chipset, faster charging, and more practical design offer a more refined and reliable daily experience. The Alpha’s experimental nature comes with compromises.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40 - Global |
| 5G bands | 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 3, 7, 28, 77, 78 Sub6 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) | HSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September | 2020, February 13. Released 2020, February 18 |
| Status | Cancelled | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, ceramic/glass back, titanium alloy frame (TC4) | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 154.4 x 72.3 x 10.4 mm (6.08 x 2.85 x 0.41 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 | 241 g (8.50 oz) | 208 g (7.34 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 2088 x 2250 pixels (~388 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.92 inches, 201.8 cm2 (~180.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Flexible Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 11 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 512GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.0 | UFS 3.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, Triple-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 108 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.0, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, 2x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.0, (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.7x optical zoom, 5x hybrid zoom
20 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.0, 54mm (telephoto), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, 2x optical zoom
20 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm | - |
| Video | 6K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | - | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Triple | No - uses main camera | - |
| Video | 3240p@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired | 50W wired, PD3.0
30W wireless
5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4050 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Alpine White, Solstice Grey |
| Models | - | M2001J1G |
| Price | About 2500 EUR | About 930 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 101h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.2 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 595246 (v8)
GeekBench: 3331 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 42fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha
- Truly innovative 'surround screen' design
- Unique and eye-catching aesthetic
- Relatively fast 40W wired charging
- Fragile and impractical display
- Older Snapdragon 855+ chipset
- Potential software bugs and instability
Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G
- Powerful Snapdragon 865 5G chipset
- Versatile and high-quality camera system
- Fast 50W wired and 30W wireless charging
- More conventional design
- Larger and heavier than some competitors
- Software can be bloated with pre-installed apps
Display Comparison
The Mi Mix Alpha’s defining feature is its ‘surround screen,’ attempting to eliminate bezels entirely. However, this comes at the cost of practicality; the curved edges are prone to accidental touches and the display’s durability is questionable. The Mi 10 Pro, conversely, features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a more conventional design, achieving a measured peak brightness of 858 nits. This higher brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. While the Alpha’s novelty is undeniable, the Mi 10 Pro’s display is demonstrably more usable and robust.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature capable camera systems, but the Mi 10 Pro’s setup is more versatile and consistently delivers higher-quality results. While both are labeled as 'Photo / Video' capable, the Mi 10 Pro’s larger sensor and advanced image processing algorithms result in better dynamic range and low-light performance. The Alpha’s camera, while competent, doesn’t offer the same level of refinement or consistency. The Mi 10 Pro’s inclusion of features like 8K video recording and advanced zoom capabilities further solidify its position as the superior camera phone.
Performance
The Mi 10 Pro 5G boasts the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G chipset, a significant upgrade over the Mi Mix Alpha’s Snapdragon 855+. The 865’s Cortex-A77 cores offer improved single-core performance, while the Adreno 650 GPU provides a substantial boost in graphics capabilities. The Mi 10 Pro also benefits from faster LPDDR5 RAM, further enhancing responsiveness. While both phones utilize a 7nm process, the 865’s refined architecture and higher clock speeds deliver a noticeably smoother experience, particularly in demanding games and applications. The Alpha's 855+ is still capable, but feels dated in comparison.
Battery Life
The Mi 10 Pro 5G offers a more comprehensive charging solution. While both phones offer 40W wired charging (Alpha) and 50W wired charging (Mi 10 Pro), the Mi 10 Pro adds 30W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging, providing greater flexibility. Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 101h, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite potential differences in battery capacity. However, the Mi 10 Pro’s faster charging speeds significantly reduce downtime, making it more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha if you prioritize a truly unique and futuristic design, and are willing to accept potential durability concerns and software quirks. You're paying for a glimpse into the future of smartphone displays. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G if you value performance, a versatile camera system, fast charging, and a more conventional, robust smartphone experience. It’s the better all-rounder for power users and photography enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mi Mix Alpha’s surround screen durable enough for everyday use?
The Mi Mix Alpha’s display is highly susceptible to damage due to its exposed edges. While Xiaomi claims to have used durable materials, the lack of traditional bezels makes it significantly more vulnerable to cracks and scratches compared to conventional smartphones. A screen protector is highly recommended, but even then, the risk remains substantial.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 855+ in the Mi Mix Alpha struggle with demanding games in 2024?
While the Snapdragon 855+ remains a capable chipset, it will show its age when running the latest, most graphically intensive games. The Mi 10 Pro’s Snapdragon 865 offers a noticeable performance advantage, resulting in smoother frame rates and a more consistent gaming experience. Expect to potentially lower graphics settings on the Alpha to maintain playable performance.
❓ Does the Mi 10 Pro 5G support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds?
Yes, the Snapdragon 865 in the Mi 10 Pro 5G supports carrier aggregation, allowing it to combine multiple 5G channels for significantly faster download and upload speeds, provided your carrier supports it. This is a key advantage over older 5G chipsets.
❓ How does the Mi 10 Pro's camera perform in low-light conditions compared to the Mi Mix Alpha?
The Mi 10 Pro consistently outperforms the Mi Mix Alpha in low-light photography. Its larger sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms capture more light and detail, resulting in brighter, clearer images with less noise. The Alpha's low-light performance is adequate, but lacks the refinement and dynamic range of the Mi 10 Pro.
