Xiaomi offers a compelling range of budget and mid-range smartphones, and the Redmi Note 10T 5G and Poco X3 Pro represent two distinct approaches. The Note 10T prioritizes 5G connectivity at an accessible price, while the X3 Pro aims for maximum performance with a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Poco X3 Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 860 chipset provides significantly faster performance, making it ideal for gaming and demanding applications. While the Redmi Note 10T 5G offers 5G connectivity, the X3 Pro’s performance advantage outweighs this benefit for the majority of users.
| 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, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 40, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 20 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 26 | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.8 x 75.4 x 8.9 mm (6.37 x 2.97 x 0.35 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | Splash proof | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ), 500 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM 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, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 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 | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Metallic Blue, Mint Green, Chromium White, Graphite Black | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | M2103K19I, M2103K19Y | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | About 170 EUR | $ 128.04 / £ 249.99 |
| SAR | 0.86 W/kg (head) 0.80 W/kg (body) | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 112h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1401:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.1 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 453223 (v8)
GeekBench: 2574 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10T 5G
- More affordable price point
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- Decent battery endurance
- Significantly weaker processor
- Slower charging speeds
- Potentially lower quality display
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Powerful Snapdragon 860 processor
- Faster 33W charging
- Likely superior display quality
- Higher price than the Redmi Note 10T 5G
- May not support the latest 5G bands
- Larger size and weight
Display Comparison
Both devices share a nominal contrast ratio of 1401:1, suggesting similar visual pop. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness, color gamut coverage, and refresh rate are missing for the Redmi Note 10T 5G. Given the X3 Pro’s positioning, it likely has a higher peak brightness and potentially a wider color gamut, resulting in a more vibrant viewing experience. The absence of detailed display information for the Note 10T 5G suggests it’s a more cost-optimized panel.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the X3 Pro’s overall focus on performance, it’s reasonable to assume it has a more capable camera system, potentially with a larger sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms. The Redmi Note 10T 5G likely prioritizes cost savings in this area, resulting in a more basic camera experience. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco X3 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Redmi Note 10T 5G’s MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7nm). The Snapdragon 860 features a 1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold core, alongside three additional Gold cores, and four Silver cores, offering a significant performance boost over the Note 10T’s 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a far superior gaming experience. The X3 Pro is built for sustained performance, while the Note 10T is geared towards efficient everyday tasks.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an endurance rating of 112 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W wired charging (59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min) is a significant advantage over the Redmi Note 10T 5G’s slower 18W charging. This means the X3 Pro can be topped up much faster, minimizing downtime. While both have similar endurance, the X3 Pro’s faster charging provides a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10T 5G if you absolutely need 5G connectivity on a tight budget and prioritize network future-proofing over raw processing power. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you prioritize gaming performance, smoother multitasking, and faster charging speeds, and are willing to forgo the latest 5G standards for a more powerful experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 860 in the Poco X3 Pro still a good processor in 2024?
Absolutely. The Snapdragon 860 remains a very capable processor for gaming and everyday tasks. It’s comparable to many current mid-range chips and will handle most apps and games with ease. It’s a significant step up from the Dimensity 700 in the Redmi Note 10T 5G.
❓ Does the Poco X3 Pro overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Poco X3 Pro has a robust cooling system, including a copper heat pipe, to mitigate thermal throttling. While it can get warm during prolonged gaming, it generally maintains stable performance better than many other phones in its price range. The Snapdragon 860 is also relatively efficient.
❓ Will I notice a significant difference in app loading times between the two phones?
Yes, you will. The Snapdragon 860 in the Poco X3 Pro has a much faster CPU and GPU, resulting in significantly quicker app loading times and smoother multitasking compared to the Dimensity 700 in the Redmi Note 10T 5G.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Redmi Note 10T 5G slow compared to other phones?
Yes, 18W charging is relatively slow by today's standards. It will take considerably longer to fully charge the Redmi Note 10T 5G compared to the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W fast charging. This is a key convenience factor where the X3 Pro excels.
