The Xiaomi Mi Note 10 and Mi 10 Lite 5G represent distinct approaches within Xiaomi’s mid-range lineup. The Note 10, released earlier, prioritized camera capabilities and long battery life, while the Mi 10 Lite 5G brought 5G connectivity and a more modern chipset to the table. This comparison dissects their differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and faster connectivity, the Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 765G offers a performance edge and 5G support, while maintaining comparable battery life. However, those heavily invested in mobile photography may still find the Mi Note 10’s camera system more appealing.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| 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, March 27. Released 2020, May 25 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 157.8 x 74.2 x 9.7 mm (6.21 x 2.92 x 0.38 in) | 163.7 x 74.8 x 7.9 mm (6.44 x 2.94 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 208 g (7.34 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~87.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.57 inches, 104.2 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, HDR10, 600 nits (typ) | AMOLED, HDR10+, 430 nits (typ) |
| | 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, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.0 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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 | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@960fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | FM radio, recording |
| 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, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, PD, 58% in 30 min, 100% in 65 min | 20W wired, PD3.0, QC4 |
| Type | Li-Po 5260 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Green, Glacier White, Midnight Black | Aurora Blue, Cosmic Gray, Dream White |
| Models | M1910F4G | M2002J9G, M2002J9S, XIG01 |
| Price | About 380 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) | 1.09 W/kg (head) 0.74 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.11 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 0.79 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | - | £ 312.99 |
| 64GB 6GB RAM | - | £ 399.99 |
| RENEWED | - | £ 272.00 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.3dB / Crosstalk -89.7dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 95h
|
Endurance rating 103h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-29.6 LUFS (Average)
|
-28.6 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 213566 (v7), 256717 (v8)
GeekBench: 6737 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 318117 (v8)
GeekBench: 1927 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Mi Note 10
- Faster 30W charging for quicker top-ups.
- Potentially superior camera system (based on marketing).
- Excellent 95-hour battery endurance.
- Older Snapdragon 730G chipset.
- Lacks 5G connectivity.
Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite 5G
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing.
- More efficient Snapdragon 765G processor.
- Brighter 610 nit display for better outdoor visibility.
- Slightly better 103-hour battery endurance.
- Slower 20W charging.
- Camera system likely less advanced than the Note 10.
Display Comparison
Both phones share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks typical of AMOLED panels. However, the Mi 10 Lite 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 610 nits, a significant advantage over the Mi Note 10’s unspecified brightness. This translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. While both likely employ similar PWM dimming rates (data unavailable), the brighter display of the Mi 10 Lite 5G offers a more vibrant viewing experience overall.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are marketed as having capable photo/video systems, but the Mi Note 10’s camera is its defining feature. While detailed sensor specs are missing, the Note 10’s emphasis on camera technology suggests a more sophisticated setup. The Mi 10 Lite 5G’s camera is competent, but likely prioritizes versatility over outright image quality. The absence of detailed sensor information for both makes a definitive comparison difficult, but the Note 10’s positioning suggests a stronger focus on photographic performance.
Performance
The Mi 10 Lite 5G’s Snapdragon 765G, fabricated on a 7nm process, represents a step up from the Mi Note 10’s 8nm Snapdragon 730G. The 765G’s Kryo 475 Prime core, clocked at 2.4 GHz, provides a noticeable performance boost over the 730G’s 2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold cores. While both feature the same 6x1.8 GHz efficiency cores, the 765G’s integrated 5G modem adds a layer of future-proofing. The Mi 10 Lite 5G will handle demanding apps and multitasking with greater ease.
Battery Life
The Mi 10 Lite 5G edges out the Mi Note 10 in battery endurance with a rating of 103 hours versus 95 hours. Despite having a similar battery capacity (data unavailable for both), the more efficient Snapdragon 765G likely contributes to this improvement. Charging speeds differ significantly: the Mi Note 10 supports 30W wired charging, reaching 58% in 30 minutes and 100% in 65 minutes, while the Mi 10 Lite 5G is limited to 20W, utilizing PD3.0 and QC4 standards. The Note 10 offers faster top-ups, but the Lite 5G’s efficiency extends overall usage time.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 if you need exceptional battery endurance (95h rating) and prioritize a versatile camera system for detailed photography. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite 5G if you prefer faster 5G connectivity, a more modern processor for smoother multitasking, and are willing to trade a small amount of battery life for these benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 765G in the Mi 10 Lite 5G get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the 730G in the Mi Note 10?
While both chipsets are efficient, the 765G's higher clock speeds and integrated 5G modem *could* lead to slightly more heat generation under sustained load. However, Xiaomi's thermal management solutions are generally effective, and the difference is unlikely to be significant for most users. The 7nm process node of the 765G also helps mitigate thermal issues.
❓ Is the 20W charging on the Mi 10 Lite 5G slow enough to be a major inconvenience compared to the Mi Note 10's 30W charging?
While 30W is faster, 20W charging is still reasonably quick and will fully charge the Mi 10 Lite 5G in a little over an hour. The Mi 10 Lite 5G’s slightly better battery efficiency also means you may not need to top it up as frequently, lessening the impact of the slower charging speed.
❓ Given the lack of detailed camera specs, how much of a real-world difference can I expect in photo quality between these two phones?
The Mi Note 10 likely excels in detail capture and low-light performance due to its camera-focused design. The Mi 10 Lite 5G will still produce good photos, but may rely more on software processing and offer less dynamic range in challenging conditions. Without direct comparisons, it's difficult to quantify, but the Note 10 is the safer bet for photography enthusiasts.
