iZoneMedia360
  • Home
  • Tech
  • Mobile
  • Streaming
  • Gaming
  • Reviews
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tech
  • Mobile
  • Streaming
  • Gaming
  • Reviews
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
iZoneMedia360
No Result
View All Result

Xiaomi – Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Review: No 5G, No Deal

Henry Romero by Henry Romero
August 7, 2021
in Xiaomi
0
Xiaomi – Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Review: No 5G, No Deal

Xiaomi – Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Review: No 5G, No Deal

<a href=Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S being held in one hand.” skip_size_classes=”1″ ignore_aspect_ratio=”1″ srcset=”https://icdn.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/xiaomi-redmi-note-10s-in-hand-camera-back-382×255.jpg 382w, https://icdn.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/xiaomi-redmi-note-10s-in-hand-camera-back-625×417-c.jpg” sizes=”(max-width: 654px) 382px”/>

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S review: No 5G means no deal

“Temptingly cheap, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S gets the basics right, but for a little more money you can buy a phone that will last you longer.”

Pros

  • Long battery life
  • Durable construction

Cons

  • No 5G for future-proofing

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is a good smartphone, but it’s also evidence of just how important it is to consider longevity when deciding which model to buy, regardless of the price. Although it’s a strong value when discounted, as it is when this review was written, at full price you can get a better, longer-lasting 5G phone for not much more money.

5G may not be for you today, but it may be tomorrow, and you’d have to upgrade from the Redmi Note 10S to get it. I’ve spent some quality time with the phone to discover if it’s worth taking the risk.

Design

The Redmi Note 10S has a plastic frame and a plastic rear panel, with Gorilla Glass over the screen, plus an IP53 splash and dust resistance rating. The 6.43-inch AMOLED screen is flat while the rear is slightly curved, and the whole thing weighs 178 grams and is 8.3mm thick. There’s a fingerprint scanner in the power key on the side of the phone, a 3.5mm headphone jack on the bottom, and four cameras in the module on the back.

The <a href=Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S seen from the back.” style=”aspect-ratio: 1.5003750937734″/>
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

It’s not a remarkable-looking smartphone, but it’s far from unattractive with a few standout design touches I really like, such as the use of clear plastic for the camera module which makes it appear slimmer. The plastic body provides grip and adds lightness, plus it’s comfortable to hold for extended periods of time, but it does get covered in messy fingerprints — on the front and the back — and the back panel has some unpleasant flex to it when pressed.

<a href=Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S seen from the front.” style=”aspect-ratio: 1.5003750937734″/>
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

This is why the Redmi Note 10S is so price-sensitive. It’s obviously not a premium smartphone, but it edges awfully close to being a little too cheap. No one really wants to pay much for a phone that sounds hollow when tapped, and the Redmi Note 10S does. It is a low-cost smartphone built on a budget, but this won’t matter too much if you can secure one for a low price.

Camera

The main camera has 64-megapixels and an f/1.8 aperture, plus Phase Detection Autofocus, and it’s alongside an 8MP, f/2.2 wide-angle camera, plus a 2MP depth and 2MP macro camera. It’s not bad. In good outdoor conditions, it takes well-balanced photos with a lovely splash of color, provided you’re careful with the “AI” mode. Sometimes it can really enhance a picture, but in other situations it can heavy-handedly up the color, boost the contrast, and process the image to where it doesn’t look natural. It’s a gamble which one you get, unfortunately.

<a href=Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S camera module.” style=”aspect-ratio: 1.5003750937734″/>
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

In more difficult lighting the camera’s white balance suffers, and stormy clouds turn more blue than grey or black. Outdoor shots also lose some visual excitement and detail when the ambient light is low. The Portrait mode is effective and edge recognition is good. The selfie camera has a degree of beautification active by default, so it lightens and smooths your skin, but it can be deactivated easily.

If you can get the Redmi Note 10S at the right price the camera won’t disappoint, but spend just a little more and you can get phones with much better cameras.

Performance

Xiaomi chose MediaTek as its partner on the Redmi Note 10S, but it didn’t opt for a Dimensity chip to add 5G. Instead, the phone uses a MediaTek Helio G95 octa-core chip with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM. My review model has 6GB of RAM. Using the phone for general purposes, like Twitter and Instagram, web browsing, some YouTube, and casual games it’s fine and doesn’t get hot or suffer from slowdown.

Game being played on the <a href=Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S.” style=”aspect-ratio: 1.5003750937734″/>
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

I have played a lot of Asphalt 9: Legends during my time with the phone. I didn’t alter the default graphics settings and saw only the very occasional pause during the action. It never became bothersome, and the phone never became too hot. It’s a great little phone for casual gaming.

It’s a great little phone for casual gaming

I like the 2400 x 1080 AMOLED screen and the video experience too. It’s bright enough that I haven’t had issues seeing it outside in sunlight, although I do miss a high refresh rate. There are stereo speakers on the phone too, making watching video way more fun than you often find on phones at this price, but they don’t provide much bass.

The fingerprint sensor on the <a href=Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S.” style=”aspect-ratio: 1.5003750937734″/>
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

There’s no 5G onboard, which does affect the longevity of the phone as while you may not want the fast data connection now, you may next year. It does have NFC for Google Pay and dual-SIM support, plus a microSD card slot too. I also like the fingerprint sensor, which is well placed in the power key and quick to respond.

Software

The phone has Android 11 with Xiaomi’s MIUI 12.5.2 interface over the top. It comes with Google Play and all the usual Google services, plus a variety of Xiaomi’s own apps such as a calculator, a QR code scanner, a file manager, and the Mi Store app store. It’s identical in looks to the version on Xiaomi’s more expensive phones like the Mi 11 Ultra, and it runs smoothly and stably here. It’s customizable, the notifications can be interacted with in the notification shade, and I’ve found it to be reliable.

There are some annoyances though. The Always-on screen isn’t always on at all, no matter what settings I use, and instead lights up when a notification arrives or with a double-tap of the screen. The Dark Mode is haphazard with app support, resulting in some apps not displaying properly, and I dislike the way it dims the wallpaper by default too, as it makes the phone dull to look at.

The Always-on screen isn’t always on at all, no matter what settings I use

None of these things are really unique to the Redmi Note 10S and affect all MIUI phones. Version 12.5 installed on the Redmi Note 10S does seem to have improved energy efficiency though, and many of the pre-installed apps can be either hidden or uninstalled, something not always available in previous versions of MIUI. I never mind using MIUI as I expect these idiosyncrasies, but Xiaomi’s Android software is still less enjoyable to use than Samsung’s One UI and OnePlus’s OxygenOS.

Battery

Turning the Redmi Note 10S off overnight saw the 5,000mAh battery last for three days with general use, and that includes using the camera, social networking, a video call and a few voice calls, and other basic phone tasks. Use the phone more heavily and it’ll still last two days without a problem. The battery life is a real strong point, but high-intensity tasks can drain it quickly. An hour of YouTube video at high resolution takes at least 15% of the battery life, for example.

<a href=Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S from the bottom.” style=”aspect-ratio: 1.5003750937734″/>
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

A 33W fast charger is included in the box, which Xiaomi claims delivers 54% of charge in 30 minutes.

Price and availability

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is not officially sold in the U.S. but can be imported. It’s available now through Xiaomi’s official online store in the U.K., where at full price it costs 229 British pounds, which is about $320. However, at the time of writing it’s discounted to 179 pounds, or about $250.

Our Take

If you can get the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S for the lowest price, it’s a good value smartphone for people who won’t be demanding too much of it, or have any expectation to use 5G. It delivers strong performance for your money, with a good screen and long and battery life. The MediaTek Helio G95 processor isn’t the newest, but it’s powerful enough for everyday use and for casual gaming too. Even the camera is acceptable in the right conditions.

It delivers strong performance for your money, with a good screen and long and battery life

However, the lack of 5G is a problem. Cheap 5G phones are plentiful today, and they don’t all cost much more than the Redmi Note 10S. You may not be able to get 5G in your area today, but you may next month or next year, and upgrading your phone to get it at that time isn’t necessary if you choose wisely today. If you can afford to get (or have the time to save a little more) a 5G phone now, it will absolutely be worth it in the long run, and that takes the Redmi Note 10S out of the running.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. If you’re in the U.S. but don’t want to import the Redmi Note 10S and have about $250 to spend, we recommend the $200 Motorola Moto G Power (2021) if 5G isn’t your thing, or take a look at the $300 OnePlus Nord N10 5G or the $280 Samsung Galaxy A32 5G if it is. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, but two have 5G, providing some future-proofing.

In the U.K. we’d recommend spending a little more to get the OnePlus Nord CE 5G, which costs 299 pounds. The software is better, it comes with 5G for the future, has IP67 water resistance, and is equal to, or better than, the Redmi Note 10S in most other areas too. Also, take a look at the Realme 8 5G, which also has 5G from MediaTek’s Dimensity 700 chip, and costs 200 pounds.

How long will it last?

The plastic body and IP53 splash and dust resistance rating should give the Redmi Note 10S a strong chance of surviving some moderately rough treatment. This is a 4G LTE phone and does not come with a 5G modem, which means if you want to try the fast data connection in the future you will have to change your phone.

Should you buy one?

No. You can get a phone with better software, and that will last longer, by spending just a little more money.

Editors’ Recommendations











[Xiaomi – Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Review: No 5G, No Deal

Tags: Xiaomi

Henry Romero

Henry Romero

Henry covering technology and reviewing consumer products. Previously he was the Tech editor at ICO Stamp steering coverage and reviews of Tech Products. He graduated from London School with a bachelor's degree in English and journalism.

Related Posts

Xiaomi

Xiaomi – Xiaomi to reveal Pad 5 series with new smartphone

August 8, 2021
Xiaomi

Xiaomi – Ultra-high power wireless fast charging will be prohibited soon –

August 8, 2021
Xiaomi

Xiaomi – New laptops from Redmi, LG; Realme brings magnetic charging to Android; Amazon's win in …

August 8, 2021
Next Post
iPhone – Facebook’s WhatsApp Takes Aim At Apple Over Child Safety Software Plan

iPhone - Facebook’s WhatsApp Takes Aim At Apple Over Child Safety Software Plan

xbox Series X - Modern Warfare 3 Remastered Rumors Debunked by Activision

PS5 - Several Canadian retailers have notable PS5 titles on sale

Follow Us

  • 121 Followers
  • 181k Subscribers

Recommended

Xiaomi – Xiaomi Mi Band X with 360-degree screen tipped to be in development

Xiaomi – Xiaomi Mi Band X with 360-degree screen tipped to be in development

2 years ago

20 Best Free Anime Sites to See Anime Online

12 months ago

Bitcoin crosses $40K mark, doubling in below a month

2 years ago

iPhone – Top 10 Best Auroralove Iphone 6s Cases 2021 – Bestgamingpro

1 year ago

Instagram

Categories

  • AMD Ryzen
  • Android
  • Banking
  • Books
  • Business
  • Cartoons
  • Comics
  • Connectivity
  • Credit Card
  • Credit Cards
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Culture
  • Default
  • Email
  • Entertainment
  • Featured
  • Fintech
  • Fortnite
  • Games
  • Gaming
  • Health
  • Instagram
  • Iphone 12
  • Library
  • Life
  • Lifestyle
  • Loans
  • Luxury
  • Market
  • Marketing
  • Marketplace
  • Markets
  • Mobile
  • Money
  • Mortgage
  • Movies
  • National
  • News
  • Nintendo Switch
  • Opinion
  • People
  • Politics
  • PS5
  • Real Estate
  • Reviews
  • Router
  • Sports
  • Stock Market
  • Stock Market: BA Stock
  • Streaming
  • Tech
  • Telugu Movies
  • Torrents
  • Travel
  • World
  • xbox Series X
  • Xiaomi
  • Youtube

Topics

2018 League AMD apple Apple Inc Asian Games 2018 benchmarks Bitcoin bitcoin news Bitcoin Price bitcoin price chart bitcoin price usd bitcoin reddit bitcoin usd bitcoin value Budget Travel Buy Bitcoin Google graphics card Intel iPad iphone Istana Negara laptop MacBook Pro Mac Pro Market Stories Microsoft National Exam netbook News nintendo Nintendo Switch notebook Nvidia processor PS5 reports review reviews Samsung test tests Visit Bali what is bitcoin xiaomi
No Result
View All Result

Highlights

Discover the Truth: Is Imginn Truly Anonymous and Secure for Downloads?

Beginner’s Android Studio Tutorial: A Step-by-Step Guide

The 10 Things You Need to Know About Android 10

The What, Why, and How of Tethering: A Comprehensive Guide

Wear OS: How to Rock Out with the Hottest Smartwatches!

Elevate Your Automobile Experience with Auto Android

Trending

Brain Games | iZoneMedia360
Android

Challenge Your Brain with the Best Android Mind Games!

by Henry Romero
January 25, 2023
0

Do you want to challenge your brain and keep it sharp? Are you looking for the best...

Joker Virus | iZoneMedia360

Be Vigilant! The Joker Virus Is Lurking in These Apps – Stay Safe!

January 22, 2023
Discover the Truth: Is Imginn Truly Anonymous and Secure for Downloads?

Discover the Truth: Is Imginn Truly Anonymous and Secure for Downloads?

January 19, 2023
Discover the Truth: Is Imginn Truly Anonymous and Secure for Downloads?

Discover the Truth: Is Imginn Truly Anonymous and Secure for Downloads?

January 19, 2023
Developer on computer | iZoneMedia360

Beginner’s Android Studio Tutorial: A Step-by-Step Guide

December 11, 2022

iZoneMedia360

We bring you the best Premium WordPress Themes that perfect for news, magazine, personal blog, etc. Visit our landing page to see all features & demos.

LEARN MORE »

Recent News

  • Challenge Your Brain with the Best Android Mind Games! January 25, 2023
  • Be Vigilant! The Joker Virus Is Lurking in These Apps – Stay Safe! January 22, 2023
  • Discover the Truth: Is Imginn Truly Anonymous and Secure for Downloads? January 19, 2023

Categories

  • AMD Ryzen
  • Android
  • Banking
  • Books
  • Business
  • Cartoons
  • Comics
  • Connectivity
  • Credit Card
  • Credit Cards
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Culture
  • Default
  • Email
  • Entertainment
  • Featured
  • Fintech
  • Fortnite
  • Games
  • Gaming
  • Health
  • Instagram
  • Iphone 12
  • Library
  • Life
  • Lifestyle
  • Loans
  • Luxury
  • Market
  • Marketing
  • Marketplace
  • Markets
  • Mobile
  • Money
  • Mortgage
  • Movies
  • National
  • News
  • Nintendo Switch
  • Opinion
  • People
  • Politics
  • PS5
  • Real Estate
  • Reviews
  • Router
  • Sports
  • Stock Market
  • Stock Market: BA Stock
  • Streaming
  • Tech
  • Telugu Movies
  • Torrents
  • Travel
  • World
  • xbox Series X
  • Xiaomi
  • Youtube

[mc4wp_form]

© 2018 JNews – City News Magazine WordPress theme. All rights belong to their respective owners.
JNews is a top selling 2018 WordPress News, Blog, Newspaper & Magazine Theme.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Politics
  • News
  • Business
  • Culture
  • National
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Opinion

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.