The Xiaomi Mi Note 10 and Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone space, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Mi Note 10, released with a focus on camera capabilities and endurance, faces off against the A71 5G UW, which prioritizes 5G connectivity and a more modern chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW is the stronger choice. While the Mi Note 10 boasts impressive battery life, the A71 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G offers a performance edge and crucially, 5G support, making it more future-proof and versatile.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 260, 261 SA/NSA/mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat15 800/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November 06. Released 2019, November 11 | 2020, July 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, July 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 157.8 x 74.2 x 9.7 mm (6.21 x 2.92 x 0.38 in) | 162.8 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (pre-installed) |
| Weight | 208 g (7.34 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~87.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, HDR10, 600 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED Plus |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12 | Android 10, One UI 2.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.0 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Five | 108 MP (7P lens), f/1.7, 25mm (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
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@960fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps, 1080p@960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, PD, 58% in 30 min, 100% in 65 min | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5260 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Green, Glacier White, Midnight Black | Prism Bricks Black |
| Models | M1910F4G | SM-A716V |
| Price | About 380 EUR | - |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) | 0.50 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.11 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.3dB / Crosstalk -89.7dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 95h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-29.6 LUFS (Average)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 213566 (v7), 256717 (v8)
GeekBench: 6737 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Xiaomi Mi Note 10
- Exceptional battery life (95h endurance)
- Potentially superior camera system (based on market positioning)
- Faster 30W charging
- Older Snapdragon 730G chipset
- Lacks 5G connectivity
Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- More powerful Snapdragon 765G chipset
- Faster charging (25W)
- Slightly lower battery endurance
- Potentially less impressive camera system (compared to Mi Note 10's marketing)
Display Comparison
Both devices lack detailed display specifications in the provided data, but given their market positioning, we can infer similarities. Both likely utilize AMOLED panels to deliver vibrant colors and deep blacks, indicated by the 'Infinite' contrast ratio reported for the Mi Note 10. The A71 5G UW, being a newer model, may benefit from slightly improved color accuracy and brightness, but without specific nit ratings, it’s difficult to quantify. Bezels are likely comparable, typical of phones in this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
The provided data only indicates 'Photo / Video' capabilities for both. However, the Mi Note 10 gained notoriety for its 108MP main sensor (not included in the provided data), suggesting a stronger emphasis on photography. While the A71 5G UW likely offers a competent camera system, the Mi Note 10’s higher resolution sensor, if present, would allow for greater detail and cropping flexibility. Without aperture or sensor size details for either, a definitive camera comparison is impossible, but the Mi Note 10’s marketing focused heavily on its camera prowess.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW’s Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G (7nm) represents a clear advantage over the Xiaomi Mi Note 10’s Snapdragon 730G (8nm). The 7nm process node generally translates to better power efficiency and thermal performance. The A71 5G UW’s CPU configuration – a 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime core alongside a 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver – provides a noticeable boost in single-core performance compared to the Mi Note 10’s 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver setup. This difference will be most apparent in demanding applications and multitasking.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Mi Note 10 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 95 hours, indicating exceptional battery life. However, the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW compensates with faster charging at 25W, compared to the Mi Note 10’s 30W. The Mi Note 10 achieves 58% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 65 minutes. While the Mi Note 10 offers longer runtimes, the A71 5G UW’s quicker charging minimizes downtime. The difference in battery capacity isn't specified, but the A71 5G UW's 5G connectivity will likely draw more power.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 if you prioritize exceptional battery life and are less concerned with 5G connectivity or peak performance. It’s ideal for users who heavily consume media and need a phone that can last through a full day and beyond. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW if you want a phone with 5G capabilities, a more modern processor for smoother multitasking and gaming, and faster charging, even if it means slightly less endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 765G in the A71 5G UW handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 765G is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While not a flagship-level gaming experience, it provides a significant improvement over the Snapdragon 730G in the Mi Note 10, offering smoother gameplay and reduced lag.
❓ How much faster is the 5G connectivity on the A71 5G UW compared to 4G LTE?
5G speeds on the A71 5G UW can be significantly faster than 4G LTE, potentially reaching speeds 10-100 times faster depending on network conditions and carrier support. This translates to quicker downloads, smoother streaming, and lower latency for online gaming.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Mi Note 10 a substantial advantage over the 25W charging on the A71 5G UW?
While 30W is faster on paper, the difference in real-world charging times isn't massive. The Mi Note 10 reaches 100% in 65 minutes, while the A71 5G UW's charging time isn't specified, but is likely around 70-80 minutes. The convenience of 5G and a more modern chipset on the A71 5G UW outweighs the slight charging speed difference.