Xiaomi Mi 10 Review: Characteristics, Price and Opinion

Improving its predecessor

When you see and hold the Mi 10 for the first time, the feeling is that you have already lived that experience. And this is because, in terms of design, the new high-end Xiaomi does not risk , it does not present anything new beyond profiling and improving the details seen in its previous generation. Of course, this is not bad, but if you were expecting any surprise, you will not find it here.

If, on the contrary, you physically liked the Mi 9, this renovation will do it more due to that front with a curved panel. Ok, I understand that the subject of the curve will also be conflicting for some, but in general it is pleasant and there are no problems such as possible accidental touches.

For the rest, the Mi 10 is a quite elegant phone , which makes use of quality materials and it shows when holding it in the hand. The glass back pleases, even if it is the classic fingerprint magnet. Also curved edges, but beyond aesthetics it is important to assess how it behaves when you hold it.

Despite its generous screen diagonal, the phone feels comfortable and not at all heavy. It is true that it is large, but by width I like the feeling in hand. Of course, my main problem with it is that it slides a lot. So my advice is to put a cover on it, to gain grip and security against a possible fall or blow.

In general, the work done by Xiaomi is very attractive. Although just by looking at the images you will be able to draw your own conclusions.

A satisfying multimedia experience

If with the Xiaomi Mi 10 you are looking for a solvent device when it comes to enjoying multimedia content , you will find it. Both the display and the stereo speaker system do quite well with all kinds of content and situations. Still, some notes on each of these key elements in the multimedia experience

The screen of this Xiaomi Mi 10 could easily be the best or one of the best screens used by the manufacturer to date. It is true that the viewing angles are not perfect , when you tilt it it turns a little yellow (something that is especially noticeable with white backgrounds), but in the other sections such as color, brightness and contrast it does very well. Although what really helps is its 90 Hz refreshment.

If a phone in full 2020 wants to compete with the rest of the high range, it must offer 90 Hz yes or yes. For me it is the feature that can not miss any phone that is released this year and has a price similar to that proposed by Xiaomi here. It is more, seeing that other manufacturers with their average ranges also include them, more reasons so that it is to doubt the more top proposals.

Otherwise, in case you are interested in the data. This is a 6.67-inch screen and AMOLED technology that you will like in the vast majority of scenarios, whether you are outdoors in high or low light. And now let’s talk about the sound, the other 50% of the experience.

With a stereo speaker system, the power, clarity and maximum volume level seem more than correct to me. Even when we go to certain levels, the audio does not suffer distortion , despite the limitations of these solutions and their tiny speakers. So, very well the work done by Xiaomi in the audio section.

However, it is with good headphones that I recommend you use it. Because you do not disturb others and because you appreciate much more details of the content you are playing, from music to podcasts or videos.

Compete in the high-end and perform as such

I have always thought that analyzing the performance of many Android devices ends up being very boring. Once you test a configuration, any other terminal that includes it will offer the same experience. There must be a major problem in terms of optimizing your software layer, otherwise little or nothing will vary.

Knowing this, the Mi 10 is a device that competes with the rest of the high-end, therefore, the experience and performance is the best, high-end. Both in demanding games and applications of all kinds or in the use of the system, it performs optimally. Zero problems on a phone that comes with a layer of personalization as particular as any other, but with many customization options and a proven solvency in recent years.

For all this, just stick with this idea: the Xiaomi Mi 10 will allow you to enjoy whatever you want to do with the terminal. And before moving on to the key section, a quick note:

• The 4,780 mah battery offers autonomy capable of lasting a day and a half or almost two. You have to squeeze a lot in camera or game themes to need an additional charge. If this happens, even if it does not offer the fastest charge on the market, the truth is that it is fast enough to have that extra boost when you need it.
• The on-screen fingerprint reader works great , it’s fast and accurate. If for some reason you are not convinced or like it, you can resort to the facial unlock system. This is less secure, but may be more convenient for you.
• The phone has 5G , which is good for the future, but still useful because of the current rollout of 5G coverage in many cities.
• It integrates NFC , so you can pay with the phone.

A camera where sensors are superfluous

And we arrived at the main enemy of the Mi 10: its cameras . This phone has four sensors on the back and one front integrated in the screen. It might seem cool, and in part it is, but when you spend a few days with it you wonder why it should differ so much from its dance partner, the Mi 10 Pro.

I understand that Xiaomi wants to add more value to its model with the last name Pro, but there are ways to do it without the user feeling that there is a lot of noise and few nuts here. You know, too much marketing to then have impractical solutions. But I explain everything well.

The camera configuration between both devices is as follows. Both share a main sensor of 108 MP with which you get very good quality photos and video that can reach a whopping 8K resolution . Also the 20 MP front camera, but it is the last thing they have in common.

While the Mi 10 Pro integrates an 8MP telephoto lens, a 12MP portrait lens and a 20MP ultra-wide angle, on the Mi 10 we have a 2MP sensor for depth of field, a 2MP macro lens and a 13MP ultra wide angle. Without underestimating the reasons for doing so, neither of the two depth-of-field and macro sensors provide any real benefit. Or, at least, they didn’t do it for me.

As I said, I understand that you want to give value to the Pro model, but removing the telephoto lens or the portrait lens seems to me a big mistake . Who really prefers a macro lens over a portrait or telephoto lens? Well that.

However, the main sensor can save many situations and its performance is interesting. In good light, especially, it allows to obtain very good quality photographs.

The ultra wide angle with good light works very well, but with less brightness it suffers like other phones on the market, so it gives game and more creative options, that is what is important to know about it.

Therefore, at the photographic level it is a device that complies, but it is not the reason that pushes you to bet on it and decide to pay what the phone costs.

A simple question of prices

The Xiaomi Mi 10 seems to me a good terminal, but deciding to bet on it or not at the end is a simple question of price. For 799 euros , that that official price, is not attractive at all . And maybe due to hardware and construction it can be justified, but the camera weighs it down if we compare it with other proposals of the same value.

Therefore, when it drops in price and is above 500 euros (there are already a few specific offers) it will gain attractiveness. But, until then, you will have to be patient if you are interested. Because Xiaomi had accustomed us to very capable phones for little price. That jump that already started with the Mi 9 now finds itself in a difficult situation economically and with the classic rivals that, year after year, are there at the top.