Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 10 and Poco X3 Pro represent compelling options in the crowded budget and mid-range smartphone space. While both offer Xiaomi’s signature value, they cater to different priorities. The Redmi Note 10 focuses on all-around usability and endurance, while the Poco X3 Pro aggressively targets gamers with a significantly more powerful processor. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and a balanced experience, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is a solid choice. However, the Poco X3 Pro is the clear winner for gamers and power users who demand significantly higher performance, justifying its slightly faster charging despite similar battery endurance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India | 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 04 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 16 | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.33 in) | 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178.8 g (6.31 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant (market/region dependent) | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 450 nits (typ), 1100 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM678 Snapdragon 678 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 14 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 25 min, 100% in 74 min | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Shadow Black (Onyx Gray), Frost White (Pebble White), Aqua Green (Lake Green) | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | M2101K7AI, M2101K7AG | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | € 159.99 | $ 128.04 / £ 249.99 |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 110h
|
Endurance rating 112h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1401:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-26.2 LUFS (Good)
|
-26.1 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 218788 (v8)
GeekBench: 2860 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 453223 (v8)
GeekBench: 2574 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10
- Excellent battery life (110h endurance)
- Bright display (682 nits)
- More affordable price point
- Significantly weaker processor
- Lower contrast ratio on display
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Powerful Snapdragon 860 processor
- Faster charging speeds
- Superior display contrast (1401:1)
- Slightly lower battery endurance
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 10 boasts a peak brightness of 682 nits, ensuring good visibility outdoors, while the Poco X3 Pro lacks this specific measurement. However, the X3 Pro’s contrast ratio of 1401:1 significantly surpasses the Redmi Note 10’s ‘infinite’ (nominal) ratio, suggesting deeper blacks and a more vibrant image. This higher contrast will be particularly noticeable when consuming media. While both are LCD panels, the X3 Pro’s superior contrast provides a more immersive viewing experience, even if peak brightness is comparable.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a photo/video camera setup, but detailed sensor information is absent. Given the market positioning, it’s likely the Poco X3 Pro has a more capable main sensor. The Snapdragon 860’s image signal processor (ISP) is also more advanced, enabling better image processing and potentially superior low-light performance. While both likely include standard features like HDR, the X3 Pro’s processing power allows for more sophisticated computational photography techniques. The absence of details on sensor size and aperture makes a definitive comparison impossible, but the X3 Pro’s chipset gives it a clear advantage.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi Note 10 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 678 (11nm), a capable but entry-level processor. The Poco X3 Pro, however, is equipped with the Snapdragon 860 (7nm). This is a massive leap in performance; the 860’s Kryo 485 cores, with a prime core clocked at 2.96 GHz, deliver significantly faster processing speeds compared to the Note 10’s 2.2 GHz Kryo 460 Gold cores. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, though both phones are likely to throttle under sustained heavy load. Gamers will see a dramatic difference in frame rates and responsiveness on the X3 Pro.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of around 110-112 hours, indicating similar real-world battery life. However, their charging speeds differ. The Redmi Note 10 reaches 100% in 74 minutes with its 33W charging, while the Poco X3 Pro achieves the same in 59 minutes. The X3 Pro also hits 59% charge in just 30 minutes, compared to the Note 10’s 50%. This faster charging is a benefit for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly, despite the similar overall endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 if you need a reliable daily driver with excellent battery life and a bright, usable display for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and casual photography. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you prioritize gaming performance, demanding applications, and are willing to trade a small amount of battery endurance for a substantial boost in processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco X3 Pro overheat during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 860 is more thermally efficient than the Snapdragon 678, it can still experience throttling under prolonged, demanding gaming. Xiaomi likely implemented thermal management strategies, but sustained peak performance may decrease over time. Expect some warmth, but not necessarily unbearable heat.
❓ Is the 33W charging on both phones compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
Xiaomi typically uses its own proprietary charging standards, even with 33W charging. While some PD chargers *may* work, it's not guaranteed and could result in slower charging speeds. It's best to use the included charger or a Xiaomi-certified charger for optimal performance.
❓ How does the Redmi Note 10 handle multitasking compared to the Poco X3 Pro?
The Poco X3 Pro’s Snapdragon 860 and likely larger RAM capacity (though not specified) will provide a significantly smoother multitasking experience. The Redmi Note 10’s Snapdragon 678 may struggle with numerous apps open simultaneously, leading to occasional lag or app reloading.
❓ Does the Poco X3 Pro support high refresh rate gaming?
The Poco X3 Pro's display supports a 120Hz refresh rate. While not all games will natively support this, the Snapdragon 860 has the power to push higher frame rates in many titles, making the 120Hz display a significant advantage for a smoother gaming experience.
