Xiaomi Mi 10i review
The Xiaomi Mi 10i is an impressive mid-range smartphone that competes with flagship devices like the Galaxy M51. While it falls short in some aspects, it excels in others. Design-wise, the Mi 10i has a better design compared to its predecessor, with a higher refresh rate display (up from 60Hz). The 6.67-inch screen is crisp and vibrant, making it enjoyable for watching videos or gaming. Under the hood, the phone packs a slightly better-performing chipset, which translates to smoother performance in daily tasks and demanding apps. However, it's worth noting that the device can get warm during intense usage. The camera setup on the Mi 10i is impressive, with four lenses at the back: a primary 108MP sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro camera. While it produces sharper images than the Galaxy M51, its colors often have a slight red tint, which might not be accurate. Portrait shots from the Mi 10i can sometimes look ghastly due to excessive details on the subject's face, but they're not bad overall. Nighttime images are similar to those taken by the Galaxy M51, with good exposure and saturation. In terms of video capabilities, the Mi 10i shoots at 1080p 60fps, while the Galaxy M51 can record at 4K 30fps. However, the former's videos look stabilized, unlike the latter's shaky recordings. Battery life is a letdown, with the 4500mAh cell lasting only a day, whereas the Galaxy M51's 7000mAh battery easily lasts two days. Despite this, the Mi 10i's proprietary 33W power adapter quickly charges the phone to 100%. Overall, the Xiaomi Mi 10i is a good mid-range smartphone that excels in some areas but falls short in others. It requires optimization of its flagship-grade camera sensor with future updates to truly compete with the Galaxy M51.
Build Quality and Design
The Xiaomi Mi 10i boasts an impressive build quality and design that sets it apart from its competitors. The device's sleek and premium look is achieved through its sturdy construction and high-quality materials. The metal body provides a solid foundation for the phone, giving it a luxurious feel in the hand. One of the standout features of the Mi 10i's design is its subtle curves and rounded edges, which make it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. The device's weight distribution is also well-balanced, making it easy to navigate with one hand. The rear panel features a smooth texture that provides a pleasant tactile experience. The camera module on the back is cleverly designed, featuring a unique arrangement of four lenses that are discreetly placed within a subtle protrusion. This design not only looks visually appealing but also protects the camera lenses from scratches and damage. In terms of color options, the Mi 10i is available in a range of vibrant colors, including Purple, Black, and White. While some may find these options to be somewhat limited, they are still stylish and attractive, making it easy for users to choose a design that suits their personal taste. Overall, the Xiaomi Mi 10i's build quality and design are major strengths of the device. The phone's premium look and feel, combined with its comfortable size and weight distribution, make it a joy to use and own. Whether you're looking for a stylish smartphone or simply want a reliable device that looks good, the Mi 10i is definitely worth considering.
Battery Life
One area where the Xiaomi Mi 10i falls short is battery life. The device's 4,800mAh cell, while sizable, only manages to squeeze out exactly a day's endurance. This is somewhat disappointing considering the phone's larger size and more powerful processor. In contrast, its rival, the Galaxy M51, boasts a whopping 7,000mAh battery that easily lasts for two days on a single charge. Xiaomi's proprietary 33W fast charger, while speedy, can't quite make up for the phone's relatively short battery life. To be fair, the Mi 10i's battery does last long enough to get through a day of moderate use, but it's not exactly what you'd call impressive. If you're someone who's always on-the-go or has a habit of forgetting to charge your phone overnight, you might find yourself needing to top up during the day. That being said, Xiaomi has made an effort to optimize battery life with its proprietary charger, which can get the 4,800mAh cell from 0-100% in just under an hour. Still, if battery life is a top priority for you, you might want to consider other options in this price range.
Display
The display on the Xiaomi Mi 10i is one area where the device excels. The phone features a 6.67-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, offering a vibrant and clear visual experience. The display is also protected by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass, which adds to its durability. One of the standout features of the Mi 10i's display is its high refresh rate. With a smooth and silky feel, the phone's screen can hit refresh rates of up to 90Hz, making it ideal for gaming and multimedia consumption. This level of responsiveness and fluidity is particularly noticeable when scrolling through web pages or watching videos. However, while the Mi 10i's display is impressive in many ways, it does have some limitations. The screen is not as bright as some other smartphones on the market, which can make it difficult to use outdoors in very sunny conditions. Additionally, the colors and contrast may not be quite as accurate or vivid as those found on some higher-end displays. Despite these minor quibbles, the Xiaomi Mi 10i's display is still a strong point of the device. It offers a great balance of performance, features, and value for its price, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and enjoyable visual experience without breaking the bank. Overall, the Mi 10i's display is a highlight of the phone, offering a smooth and vibrant viewing experience that is perfect for gaming, watching videos, and browsing the web. While it may not be as advanced or feature-rich as some other smartphones on the market, its many strengths make up for any minor weaknesses, making it an excellent choice for anyone in search of a reliable and affordable display.
Camera
The Xiaomi Mi 10i boasts an impressive camera setup with four lenses at the back, including a primary 108 megapixel Samsung ISOCELL HM2 sensor, an 8 megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, a 2 megapixel depth sensor, and a 2 megapixel macro camera. However, despite its promising specs, the Mi 10i's camera performance falls short of expectations. One of the major issues with the Mi 10i's camera is the persistent red tint in images, which is not an accurate representation of colors. This flaw is also present in ultra-wide-angle shots, where the Galaxy M51, on the other hand, produces more natural and vibrant colors. The Mi 10i's primary sensor is unable to match the quality of the Galaxy M51's camera, even though it has a similar megapixel count. The situation doesn't improve when using the ultra-wide-angle lens, as the images again exhibit a red tint. This makes the Mi 10i's images look less natural and less appealing compared to those from the Galaxy M51. Portraits taken with the Mi 10i also suffer from excessive details on the subject's face, which can make them appear unnatural. Nighttime images are not significantly different between the two phones, but the Mi 10i's camera does have slightly more saturation in its night mode pictures. However, this is not enough to compensate for the other shortcomings of the camera system. The selfie camera on the Mi 10i takes decent shots with good color and detail, although it too exhibits a slight red tone on the face. The Galaxy M51 has an edge over the Mi 10i in terms of video capabilities, particularly when shooting at 4K resolution. In conclusion, while the Xiaomi Mi 10i's camera specs look promising on paper, its actual performance falls short of expectations. The persistent red tint in images and less-than-stellar ultra-wide-angle shots make it difficult to recommend this phone as a top choice for photography enthusiasts.
Price and Value
The Xiaomi Mi 10i is an intriguing device that sits squarely in the mid-range bracket. Priced around Rs. 16,000, it's a phone that promises a lot without breaking the bank. But does it deliver on its promise? On one hand, the Mi 10i has some impressive features, such as its 108MP primary camera, 4,800mAh battery, and 33W fast charger. These specs make it a compelling option for those looking to upgrade from an older device without shelling out top dollar. However, when compared to its direct competitor, the Samsung Galaxy M51 (priced around Rs. 25,000), the Mi 10i falls short in some areas. The camera, while boasting high megapixel numbers, doesn't quite live up to its potential, and the phone's design, although sleek, doesn't quite match the Galaxy M51's premium feel. While the Mi 10i is an excellent mid-range offering that checks many boxes, it ultimately feels like a "good enough" solution rather than a standout device. For those who prioritize features over brand prestige and are willing to compromise on camera performance, the Mi 10i is definitely worth considering. However, if you're willing to stretch your budget to the Galaxy M51, you'll likely find that the extra cost provides significant value in terms of camera quality, design, and overall build.
Performance
The Xiaomi Mi 10i's performance is a mixed bag, with some areas standing out while others fall short. In terms of power, the device packs a punch with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G processor and up to 8GB of RAM. This translates to seamless multitasking, efficient app switching, and smooth performance even with demanding games and apps. I found the phone's ability to handle daily tasks like browsing, social media, and streaming to be impressive. However, when it comes to gaming, the Mi 10i shows its limitations. While it can handle casual mobile games without issues, more demanding titles like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile can cause some frame rate drops and minor lag. This is not a major issue, but it's something to keep in mind if you're an avid gamer. The phone's display also plays a role in its performance, with the 6.67-inch FHD+ screen providing clear visuals and responsive touch input. However, I did notice some minor stuttering when scrolling or switching between apps on occasion. In terms of overall performance, the Mi 10i is solid but not exceptional. It's more than capable of handling daily tasks and some light gaming, but it won't win any awards for raw processing power. With a few tweaks to its software optimization and a more robust cooling system, the phone could have achieved better performance results. Overall, the Xiaomi Mi 10i's performance is average, making it suitable for casual users who want a reliable device for everyday tasks. However, gamers or heavy users might find themselves wanting a bit more oomph from their device.
Pros
1. Better Design
2. Higher Refresh Rate Display
3. Slightly Better Performing Chipset
4. Fast Charging
5. Decent Camera Capabilities
Cons
1. Color Science Issues
2. No Edge Over Galaxy M51
3. Ads on Home Screen
4. Macro Camera Not That Useful
5. Battery Life Falls Short