Xiaomi Mi 10 marks, more than past devices, the total abandonment of the philosophy of low cost smartphones by Xiaomi. It is useless to go around it, they are now top-of-the-range terminals in all respects, unfortunately also in the price list. We put it to the test, and here's what we think, who should buy it, and who shouldn't. Here are the strengths and weaknesses of this terminal.
Aesthetics
On an aesthetic level, Mi 10 does not take much from its predecessor. If you compare the two terminals it seems to be made by different companies. for this more recent model Xiaomi has adopted a display with double curvature at the edges, absent in the previous model, but certainly not exclusive to the company, which has already experienced it on the Mi Note 10 series. The display will be discussed later, but given that we have mentioned the Note terminal, we limit ourselves to saying that the curvature is better than the previous model, due to a better visibility at the edges, which always have a slight black / green shade, but reduced compared to that of the Mi Note 10.
The aesthetics of the terminal is really of a premium terminal, even if this does not necessarily translate into originality. Most of the current top of the range experiment with a design that we could define as a sandwich between two glass plates, where the display is perfectly embedded in the structure. Xiaomi offers the Mi 10 in Coral Green and Twilight Gray color options, where the former has little gray, and more blue. On the back there is a glossy finish, which, as easily understood, turns out to be a real fingerprint attraction. Too bad for the weight, of 208 grams , due moreover to the oversized battery. In any case, the weight distribution is good, and you will get used to having it in your hands.
This is because the curvature at the edges, present both on the front and on the back, helps to keep the terminal in hand, which can be used well and does not slip at all. There is no reason to weigh it down with an additional cover, as long as you do not want to protect it further, especially on the back, since the front is still equipped with Gorilla Glass 5 .
On the back there is a camera kit that certainly does not send them to say, both for technical characteristics, which we will talk about later, and for the total dimensions of the four lenses.
To complete the design, there are obviously the power buttons and volume rocker on the right and two identical speakers located at the top and bottom, both on the left side. The SIM compartment is located in the lower part next to the USB-C charging port and the positioning of the power button is in the perfect position to have it immediately available on the thumb as soon as you pick up the device. Excellent, and always welcome, the presence of the IR sensor , which in fact transforms the device into a universal remote control for TV and household appliances.
It should be noted that the global variant of the Mi 10 offers a compartment with only one Sim, therefore it is not suitable for those who need to have a double telephone number available. Note that there is no support for even one example.
Display
The Mi 10 has the same panel as the Mi 10 Pro. It is, therefore, a unit AMOLED FHD + , with 2340 × 1080 resolution and 6.67-inch diagonal . It is made by Samsung, and this would be enough to establish its quality. The refresh rate is 90Hz and there is no lack of support for HDR10 + for Netflix. Yes, it is probably the best screen Xiaomi has ever used on an Android device. The colors are absolutely vivid, with excellent viewing angles. When viewing content, the curved edges do not offer any problems, while a slight black halo emerges when viewing blank pages. The curved edges and really thin bezels make Mi 10's display immersive, truly an eye-catcher, not only when opened, but also during everyday use.
Technical features
The technical sheet of this Xiaomi Mi 10 recites a script already seen on many other top of the range, and in which of course all the numbers are in the right place. Present the processor Snapdragon 865 , assisted by 8 GB RAM and 128 GB of storage space for the base model. Still, the terminal enjoys Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 and NFC. How the device turns is easy to say: lightning. There is not much to add, because in everyday use the smartphone will never show uncertainty. The Snapdragon Gaming Elite platform is also fully exploited, which together with the presence of a Game Turbo mode, allows users to take full advantage of mobile gaming. The two high stereo speakers also help in this, which serve to provide greater immersion while playing.
Among the most valuable features, certainly more in the future than not present, support for 5G networks. Again, among the strengths of this device the renewed vibration motor, which provides better feedback than in the past. The introduction of the haptic engine, although not featured in the foreground, gives the Mi 10 even more the appearance and substance of a top of the range.
We cannot, however, remain silent, some small reservations about the reception. Let's be clear, in everyday use it certainly didn't give us any problems, but on several occasions, when we moved from the city to seaside areas, the terminal did not shine for reception. In different and varied areas, where many other smartphones allowed us to make calls and web browsing (including the previous Mi 9), Xiaomi Mi 10 was completely “dead”. We were certainly not pleased to have such a concentration of technology in our hands, and to see it give way – in terms of reception – compared to lower-end smartphones.
Battery and autonomy
As for the autonomy side, however, there is a lot to appreciate. the battery from 4780 mAh certainly increases the weight of the device, but they are absolutely comfortable in the long run. There is no lack of support for fast charging from 30W , while the general autonomy is really good, allowing you to arrive in the evening with a considerable residual charge margin. For a mild use it is also possible to hypothesize an autonomy of one and a half days. With the supplied charger, charging goes from zero to 50% in just 25 minutes.
Cameras
The camera sector can be summed up simply in one sentence: the 108 MP lens is fantastic, the rest a little less. Xiaomi Mi 10 offers a 13 MP wide-angle lens with a 123-degree field of view, which is good during daytime use. The 2MP sensor, along with the 2MP one dedicated to Portraits, do not seem to be up to par. Even macro photos with this Mi 10 are absolutely frustrating, so much so that it will not be used frequently.
The primary sensor has a 1 / 1.33-inch f / 1.68 aperture. The phone uses 4 to 1 pixel binning to produce 27MP shots and thanks to the large sensor the shots are really great in almost any lighting conditions. Lots of detail in each shot, with a wide dynamic range.
Among the features absolutely to be promoted, the one that allows the Mi 10 to record 8K videos at 30 fps and at the same time obtain optical stabilization. Obviously, there is the possibility of recording 4K video at 60 fps with OIS, while the dedicated night mode allows you to get more details in low light conditions. On the one hand, it is a pity that the other sensors are not up to par, but the Mi 10 has the best camera in this category. The 108MP sensor is also good, so much so that this time it can hold its own against Samsung and Google.
Conclusions
Xiaomi Mi 10 offers an excellent multimedia department, supported by the latest hardware available on the market today. The panel is really the best seen and appreciated on a Xiaomi smartphone, while autonomy will certainly not be a problem. To take away some enthusiasm for this terminal was the reception in some critical points, as well as the absence of an IP 68 waterproofing certification. It is the ideal smartphone for those who want a top of the range without compromise, while it is not suitable for those who need a dual Sim. Obviously, considering the history of Xiaomi, we cannot fail to put the price between the cons: its price list is 799 euros, but fortunately the current street price is already 100 euros less.
PRO
VERSUS
Prices and availability
You can buy Xiaomi Mi 10 in the 8 GB of RAM and 128 of ROM version directly on Amazon for less than 600 euros.
