Xiaomi offers a range of budget-friendly smartphones, and the Redmi Note 10 Lite and Mi A3 are two popular contenders. Both offer compelling features for their price, but cater to slightly different needs. This comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right one.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi Note 10 Lite generally wins due to its more powerful processor and brighter display. However, the Mi A3 boasts exceptional battery life and a clean Android experience. If performance is key, go for the Note 10 Lite; if longevity and stock Android are priorities, the Mi A3 remains a strong choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 400/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 01 | 2019, July 17. Released 2019, July 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 02 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.8 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.53 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 153.5 x 71.9 x 8.5 mm (6.04 x 2.83 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 209 g (7.37 oz) | 173.8 g (6.14 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 11 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Po 5020 mAh | Li-Po 4030 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Black, Champagne Gold | Kind of Gray, Not just Blue, More than White |
| Models | M2002F4LG | M1906F9SH, M1906F9SI |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | 1.17 W/kg (head) 0.86 W/kg (body) | 0.53 W/kg (head) 0.72 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.01 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 0.30 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -93.0dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 74dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 81dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 2345Basemark X: 17948 |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite
- More powerful processor
- Brighter, 120Hz AMOLED display
- Better gaming performance
- Larger display
- Shorter battery life than Mi A3
- MIUI software can be bloated
Xiaomi Mi A3
- Exceptional battery life
- Clean, stock Android experience
- Compact size
- Reliable camera
- Slower performance
- Lower screen brightness
- Outdated chipset
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 10 Lite features a larger 6.47-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Mi A3 has a 6.01-inch AMOLED display, but with a standard 60Hz refresh rate and a lower measured brightness of 363 nits. The Note 10 Lite's display is noticeably superior in terms of visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer decent camera setups for their price range. The Redmi Note 10 Lite typically captures slightly more detailed photos in good lighting conditions. The Mi A3's camera is reliable for everyday snapshots, and its clean software often results in more natural-looking images. Low-light performance is comparable on both.
Performance
The Snapdragon 720G in the Redmi Note 10 Lite provides a significant performance boost over the Mi A3's Snapdragon 665. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance. The Note 10 Lite handles demanding games more effectively.
Battery Life
The Mi A3's standout feature is its exceptional battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 101 hours. The Redmi Note 10 Lite offers good battery life, but it doesn't match the Mi A3's longevity. If you need a phone that can easily last two days on a single charge, the Mi A3 is the clear winner.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite is ideal for users who prioritize performance for gaming and multitasking, and appreciate a brighter, more vibrant display. The Xiaomi Mi A3 is a great pick for those who value long battery life, a clean, stock Android experience, and a reliable camera for everyday photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has the better software experience?
The Mi A3 offers a cleaner, stock Android experience, while the Redmi Note 10 Lite uses Xiaomi's MIUI, which includes more features but can feel more cluttered.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 10 Lite worth the extra cost?
If performance and display quality are important to you, the Redmi Note 10 Lite is generally worth the extra cost. However, if battery life and a stock Android experience are your top priorities, the Mi A3 remains a compelling option.
