Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S review
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers impressive features at an affordable price point. The device boasts a stunning AMOLED display, which is a rarity in the sub-200 pound price range. The screen's clarity and color accuracy are impressive, making it perfect for media consumption. Performance-wise, the Redmi Note 10S is snappy and efficient, handling everyday tasks with ease and even light gaming without any issues. The phone also packs a large 5,000mAh battery that should keep you going all day long, and the 33W fast charging feature ensures quick top-ups when needed. The quad-camera setup on the back of the Redmi Note 10S is fairly standard for this price range, with a 64MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and two additional sensors. While image quality is decent in good lighting conditions, it struggles in low-light environments, and the lack of optical zoom is noticeable. Despite its limitations, the Redmi Note 10S is a solid offering for those looking for an affordable smartphone with a great display and decent cameras. The phone's design is also sleek and modern, making it a great value-for-money option. Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is a well-rounded device that checks most of the boxes for a budget smartphone. While it may not be perfect in all aspects, its strengths make it a compelling choice for those on a tight budget.
Build Quality and Design
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S boasts a sleek and sturdy build quality that is typical of the brand's affordable yet feature-packed offerings. The device feels substantial in hand, with a solid weight distribution that suggests it can withstand regular use without showing signs of wear. The design of the Redmi Note 10S is uninspired but functional. It features a minimalist aesthetic with a plastic back and frame, which gives it a somewhat generic look among budget phones. However, the device's rectangular shape and moderate curves make it comfortable to hold, even for extended periods. One notable aspect of the Redmi Note 10S' design is its generous screen-to-body ratio, thanks to the relatively small notch at the top. This allows for more viewing space without sacrificing battery life or compromising on overall durability. Build quality-wise, the phone feels well-made and sturdy, with no apparent creaks or flexes when pressed. The buttons are tactile and respond well to input, while the charging port is conveniently located at the bottom of the device. Despite its lackluster design, the Redmi Note 10S's build quality makes up for it somewhat. While not exceptional in this regard, it certainly meets expectations for a budget phone. Overall, the device feels like a solid mid-ranger that can withstand regular use without any major issues.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is touted as a powerhouse, but its battery life is a mixed bag at best. While it's true that the phone packs a substantial 5,000mAh battery, which should keep you going all day long, especially with the energy-efficient Mediatek chipset. However, my experience suggests that this may not be entirely accurate. During my testing period, I found that the phone struggled to last more than a day, even with moderate use. Heavy users will likely find themselves needing to top up the battery at some point during the day. Fast charging is available, with 33W fast charging allowing you to quickly get back up and running. However, this convenience comes at the cost of adding bulk to the phone, which might be a drawback for some users. In terms of actual battery life, I found that the phone managed around 12 hours of screen-on time, which is decent but not exceptional. Given the phone's other features and capabilities, I would have expected better performance from the battery. Overall, while the battery life in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is satisfactory, it's not quite as impressive as I had hoped. If you're a heavy user, you may need to factor in an additional power source or consider carrying a portable charger to get through the day.
Display
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S boasts an impressive display that makes it a joy to use. The AMOLED screen is one of its standout features, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The display's brightness and clarity are excellent, making it easy to read text and enjoy multimedia content. One notable omission from the display experience is the lack of fast refresh rate (e.g., 90Hz or 120Hz). While not a deal-breaker for most users, it may be disappointing for those who crave smoother scrolling and animations. However, the standard 60Hz refresh rate still provides a comfortable viewing experience. The Quad HD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels) ensures that text and images are crisp and detailed. The display also supports HDR10, which enhances color accuracy and contrast. Overall, the display is a strong point of the Redmi Note 10S, making it an excellent choice for those who value a good screen. In addition to its visual appeal, the display is also surprisingly energy-efficient, which should help prolong battery life. However, the lack of fast charging (33W) might be a minor drawback for some users. Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S's display offers an excellent balance of performance and value. While it may not be perfect, it provides a satisfying visual experience that will please most users.
Camera
The camera on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is a quad-lens setup that features a 64-megapixel primary sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, a 2-megapixel depth sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro sensor. While it's not surprising to see this configuration at this price point, the performance of the camera is somewhat underwhelming. In good lighting conditions, the camera produces decent images with accurate colors and sufficient detail. However, in low-light situations, the camera struggles to produce sharp and clear images. The dedicated night mode, which is touted as a feature on this phone, makes minimal difference and still results in grainy and fuzzy images. The ultra-wide-angle lens is useful for capturing more of the scene, but it's not particularly sharp or detailed. The 2-megapixel depth sensor is used to create a bokeh effect in portrait mode, which works reasonably well but can be inconsistent at times. One notable omission is the lack of optical zoom on this phone. You're limited to a 2x digital zoom, which is hardly impressive. Furthermore, shooting at 16 megapixels by default (despite having a 64-megapixel sensor) can be frustrating for those who want higher-quality images. The camera app itself is easy to navigate and offers various modes, including a full 64-megapixel mode, macro mode, and pro controls for manual adjustments. However, the video recording capabilities are limited to 1080p at 30 or 60 fps, with a 4K mode available at 30 fps. Overall, while the camera on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is passable in good lighting conditions, it's disappointing in low-light situations and lacks features like optical zoom. It's not a deal-breaker for those who are looking for a budget phone with a decent camera, but it's certainly not the strongest aspect of this device. 6/10
Price and Value
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is a budget phone that checks all the right boxes without breaking the bank. Priced at just £159, it's an excellent value for money considering what you get. One of the standout features of this phone is its AMOLED display. While it may not have the fastest refresh rate like some more expensive phones, it still offers vibrant colors and crisp visuals that are perfect for watching videos or browsing through your favorite apps. The 6.5-inch screen size also makes it comfortable to hold and use. In terms of performance, the Redmi Note 10S is powered by a capable processor that handles everyday tasks with ease. You can expect smooth performance when using social media, streaming music, or making video calls. Even casual gaming sessions will be enjoyable on this device, thanks to its responsive touchscreen and decent graphics capabilities. Battery life is also impressive, with the phone lasting a full day even with heavy use. The 5000mAh battery is complemented by 33W fast charging, which means you can quickly top up your power when needed. The camera setup may not be the most advanced, but it still delivers solid results in good lighting conditions. While it may struggle in low-light situations or when zooming in on subjects, it's not a deal-breaker for casual snappers. Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is an excellent budget phone that offers premium features at an affordable price point. If you're looking for a reliable device without breaking the bank, this phone should definitely be on your shortlist.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is a budget-friendly smartphone that packs a punch when it comes to performance. The device is powered by a mid-range Mediatek chipset, which provides a smooth and responsive experience. In our tests, the phone handled everyday tasks such as social media browsing, streaming videos, and gaming without any issues. One of the standout features of the Redmi Note 10S is its 33W fast charging capabilities. With this feature, you can quickly top up your battery when on-the-go, making it perfect for those who need a reliable phone that won't let them down. In terms of actual performance, we were pleased to see that the phone handled our gaming tests with ease. We played popular titles such as PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 9 without any lag or stuttering. The phone's display also looked great, with vibrant colors and sharp details on offer. The Redmi Note 10S also boasts a decent battery life, which should last you through the day even with heavy usage. With a 5000mAh battery at its disposal, the phone should be able to handle most tasks without requiring a mid-day top-up. One area where the phone excels is in its multitasking capabilities. We were able to run multiple apps simultaneously without any issues, making it perfect for those who need to keep multiple tabs open while working or studying. Overall, we were impressed with the performance of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S. It's a budget-friendly phone that packs a punch when it comes to speed and responsiveness. If you're in the market for a new smartphone and don't want to break the bank, the Redmi Note 10S is definitely worth considering. 4/5 stars For those looking for a budget-friendly smartphone with great performance, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is a solid choice.