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Redmi Note 10 Pro Review (Full Analysis)

In a couple of days, the Redmi Note 10 Pro , Xiaomi's new smartphone that follows in the numbered wake of its predecessors , goes on sale . On this occasion, although we find similarities with the previous Pro model in terms of screen size, resolution and battery, almost everything else has undergone changes to a greater or lesser extent.

We will find a different type of screen to which a refresh rate of 120 Hz is added, a better processor and a main sensor that greatly increases its number of megapixels . In other aspects such as the design, we also see some general renewal in his style that really suits him, although other decisions around his design are more questionable .

Let's see how it performs and feels during extended testing and use!

Technical characteristics Redmi Note 10 Pro

The Redmi Note 10 Pro box has a simple and minimalist design in which the color white predominates. The only color notes are presented on the front with some images of the terminal. The rest of the outside of the box is dotted with the model name and some information about it. Once the box is opened, the interior shows a simple and very usual arrangement of the different elements.

The only surprise, which is always welcome and is not always included, is a gel cover , so that from day one you have extra protection. You can buy a better case, but this one in itself offers good protection in some points, such as the camera, which, as we will see later, needs it. Also noteworthy is the inclusion of a screen protector already placed and hardly noticeable.

In short, inside the box we find:

Big design

The Redmi Note 10 Pro has, unlike its predecessor, a style that has reduced its curvature on all its side edges . Its design on the sides is more rectilinear and on the upper and lower edges there is hardly a slight curve towards the rear. The sides on each side if joined towards the rear with a smooth curve that offer a very good feeling to the touch . This, together with the low thickness of the device, means that, although the grip is good, many times it seems that it is going to slip from your hands at any time . Sensation that can be alleviated if the previously mentioned cover is used.

The material used on the sides is still plastic , a material that Xiaomi uses very much, and that usually gives good results in this mid-range. The back, for its part, is made of glass , offering a very satisfactory hand feeling, but it runs a high risk of breaking when dropped or hit. This glass has been coated using P2i Nano coating technology with a liquid-proof coating and has the IP53 certification , which offers us protection against liquid particles and dust, but not a complete immersion of the finish under water.

Thanks to its 6.67-inch screen we are faced with a terminal of considerable dimensions , but to which many of us are used to. It is becoming increasingly difficult to see small terminals. Specifically, this Redmi Note 10 Pro has 76.5 x 164 x 8.1 mm . Some measures that make it difficult to use it with one hand to reach some points. Even with big hands, the solution on many occasions will be to use both hands. The weight of 193 grams, although high, is not so noticeable and when you get used to it it is even light.

Continuing with the front of Redmi Note 10 Pro, it has rounded corners that encompass the screen with a useful surface of 85%, this leaves us around 3 millimeters of frame on almost all sides of the screen, except for the frame. bottom that has 5 millimeters . The passage from the notch to the little hole in the upper part of the screen is still fashionable , this time instead of on the side, it remains centered on the upper part of the screen, as with the Redmi Note 9 Pro and being so small, hardly annoying. This front part is protected against scratches with Gorilla Glass 5.

The glass back is available in 3 aluminized style colors that vary according to the incidence of light: Dark Night like our model which is like gray, Bronze or Glacial Blue which is similar to a very light blue. These colors give the Redmi Note 10 Pro a fairly elegant look, but its glass construction makes fingerprints easily marked.

In this rear part, except for the brand name silkscreened, we only find the rear camera module . This module has the disadvantage of having two levels . In the first level is the LED flash and the dual LED, while in the second is where the 4 sensors that this Redmi Note 10 Pro has are found, including the main one with an amazing 108 megapixels. The other three are in charge of providing a wide angle, depth and macro mode.

Despite the good predisposition to use more and better cameras, this dual-level module has the disadvantage of not keeping the phone stable on flat surfaces and in turn makes it a part that can receive more damage when more exposed. A cover can minimize both problems, but we come to the question of how far it is necessary to add such a mound to take photos. In the end it is something personal and there will be those who opt for a higher quality of photos when sacrificing design or those who think the opposite. In my particular case, I prefer to lose some function or so many megapixels and gain in design.

As it has been seen, the fingerprint recognition sensor is conspicuous by its absence at the rear. Instead it has been repositioned on the right side edge, as part of the on / off button. A measure taken perhaps to better redistribute the space occupied by the higher capacity battery. However, placing the fingerprint sensor on the power button still seems a more uncomfortable or less natural option than the one already common in the back. As with many things, it is a matter of getting used to it. Just above the on / off button, we find the typical volume button made up of a single piece.

While on the left side edge we only find the housing for the dual nanoSIM card tray and a microSD card; On the upper edge are the infrared sensor that Xiaomi continues to incorporate in all its terminals, the microphone for noise cancellation, a speaker to play multimedia content and, fortunately for many, the 3.5 mm Jack is still preserved . Finally, the lower edge houses the microphone for calls, the microUSB type C charging connector and the multimedia speaker. The loudspeaker for calls is located right on the edge of the top edge. In this aspect, we see a very continuous style in the line of the company's previous terminals.

In general terms, the Redmi Note 10 Pro has a design that does not innovate in anything but offers a product that feels good in the hand and only breaks the aesthetics of its camera module.

A change of direction in display technology

Goodbye to IPS screens and welcome to Super Amoled . This is what the brand thought when creating this terminal. A technology that, as many of us know, offers a higher contrast and quality of black, and at the same time, lower energy consumption . In addition to the type of screen and the diagonal of 6.67 inches . It is necessary to know that the Redmi Note 10 Pro has a FHD + resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, which gives a density of 395 pixels per inch , a high density but slightly lower than other models by maintaining the resolution while increasing the diagonal. from the screen.

Another aspect to take into account is the aspect ratio of the screen, while a short time ago the standard remained at 18: 9, twice as long as it is wide, in this case the screen is lengthened even more, maintaining an aspect ratio of 20: 9 . A stretch of the screen, which can come in handy to see more information on web pages, on social networks or other apps, but which may not come as well for videos or games that are not prepared.

As I mentioned previously, we are in front of a screen that in the first instance looks really good, with warm and saturated colors , which some have always liked and have been hated by others. Generally speaking, the higher contrast of 4500000: 1 does not suit the content of the Redmi Note 10 Pro at all and the pure blacks are an incentive when playing videos. However, one of the few drawbacks of Amoled technology has always been the small loss of definition it has , although it is only noticeable when compared with an IPS panel.

Despite the inclusion of significant features that are usually seen, such as the use of the DCI-P3 extended color space , the use of the HDR10 standard to display content with high dynamic range or the TÜV Rheinland certification that ensures that the screen mitigates visual fatigue; One of the most striking features of this Redmi Note 10 Pro and that is not something that has not been seen before, is the possibility of increasing the refresh rate of the screen to 120 Hz . This possibility of increasing the number of times the image is refreshed per second is what allows you to enjoy really fluid animations when you move through the MIUI system.. An option that, like Virtual Reality, is something that one must experience and can hardly be explained in words. In return, using this option drains the battery more quickly.

Viewing angles have long been a problem more of the past than of today's displays. In this case, the image quality is still good from whatever angle you look at it.

The brightness is an aspect that has surprised me for good, I expected something similar to other mid-range models of the company, and I have found that the maximum brightness is a few points above, around 550 or 600 nits . With the Day mode activated and in very intense light situations, the software can increase the nits to 700 . Something far from the 1200 nits that are advertised and that are achieved by measuring a tiny part of the screen at a moment of maximum brightness.

The display options are the common ones in MIUI systems. We can find the now famous Dark Mode more and more frequent and that can be programmed to reduce visual fatigue or save battery, especially on an Amoled screen of this type. Another option also allows you to program the brightness for both Daytime and Nighttime moments . The Read Mode reduces harmful blue light and also allows you to program schedules as in the previous options. With the color scheme it is possible to adjust the contrast and temperature of the colors. The option to increase the refresh rate comes by default to 60 Hz , for those who want to enjoy 120 Hz, they should activate it here.

There are other minor and less important options, but it is necessary to highlight an option not available in other models of the brand and that is the Always- on screen . An option that allows you to display different messages, drawings or clocks while the screen is off in idle. Something similar to Samsung with its Always On. An option available only in this model precisely because of the savings of this type of screens by keeping the black pixels off.

Adding stereo sound to the Redmi

Companies add speakers to smartphones because it is necessary to have a means by which to reproduce call tones and because in the last 20 years they have also served to reproduce music or videos. So many companies just put a speaker in and it's over, although in recent years that tendency to ignore mobile sound has diminished. That is why, in the case of the Redmi Note 10 Pro, it is a surprise to discover that a second multimedia speaker has been added on the upper edge, just as the company has already done with other high-end models of its own. And it must be recognized that everything that is stereo is almost always going to be heard better, if the sound quality accompanies, of course.

The quality given by these speakers is quite good , although it is not excellent. It offers a balanced sound in its different frequencies, the highest and especially the low ones being the ones that limp a bit . The power offered at the maximum volume level is really high , but when it is increased so much there is a slight distortion so it is advisable to reduce the volume somewhat. Clarity is gained and a good volume is still maintained.

The use of headphones even improves the quality of the sound emitted, if good headphones are used, and allows access to some extra settings in options , which can provide us with some sound improvements or make use of the equalizer. By default, the speakers only allow access to four presets: Smart, Music, Video, and Voice.

One more step towards increasing Yield

Xiaomi has taken one more step and with the Redmi Note 10 Pro they have decided to mount the Snapdragon 732G Octa-Core with 2 Kryo 470 cores at 2.3GHz and 6 Kryo 470 cores at 1.8 GHz along with an Adreno 618 ,   6 or 8 GB GPU of LPDDR4X RAM memory and 64 or 128 GB of internal memory of type UFS 2.2 .

We are facing an SoC already used by Xiaomi in some previous model and that performs quite well within the mid-range . So no average user will miss more power. Moving through the different menus of the system is fluid and we have not noticed any slowdowns or crashes of the system. To give it more cane, we have been testing some of the apps and games that consume more resources and we have not noticed a drop in frames or an obvious slowdown either. Perhaps something sporadic at a specific moment. We reached a point where the mid-range is already even ahead of many apps on the market. AnTuTu gives a result of 289814 with our model with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal memory.A result that is not bad, but it places it below other smartphones such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the Realme 6 or the LG G7.

Some more powerful smartphones sin by overheating a lot from the back, in the Redmi Note 10 Pro a slight heating has been noticed and because we were looking for it. Under normal conditions it is priceless .

The performance of fingerprint recognition to unlock the terminal must be said that it is quite good and fast, almost the same as that of a sensor placed on the back . What is the difference? Personally I think its arrangement on the power button makes it more complicated to use . Sometimes it is difficult to find the button quickly, although it must be recognized that with the case on, this process of finding the button is easier. Once you get used to it, unlocking can be quick.

In contrast, facial recognition unlocking works quite well and recognizes features quickly . The only but are the need to turn on the screen first and that it does not work with sunglasses, something that other facial recognition systems do. However, in the dark and at high brightness, it is still able to quickly recognize the face in the light emitted by the screen.

MIUI 12

There is not much surprise to say that the Redmi Note 10 Pro comes standard with Android 11 under MIUI 12, Xiaomi's own customization layer . The latest update available today is MIUI 12.0.3, although it is to be expected that as soon as the next big update 12.5 comes out, it will also be one of the chosen ones.

After the latest updates, the system looks simpler and more minimalist, while making it easier to access or understand certain shortcuts . In the same way, the animations have been improved and the set complies perfectly.

The Redmi Note 10 Pro box boasts easy access to the most used Google applications. The problem is that they do not lie, but Xiaomi's own applications are still included. In the end we found a hodgepodge of applications, many of them repeated, one from each company . The easy thing would be to be able to choose one and delete the other, but while with Google's you can, with Xiaomi not unless less orthodox methods are used.

On the other hand, navigating the different system menus with the refresh rate at 120 Hz is a real treat . It is an incentive that greatly helps MIUI and that makes returning to the 60 Hz of other terminals difficult.

As is normal, this version of MIUI has not added or changed many things. Almost the only changes in settings are those that affect the screen, either due to its refresh rate or its transition to Amoled technology . Among the settings that are maintained, we can find the use of a dual card, the possibility of sharing our screen, notifications and the control center can be configured in multiple ways, even giving the possibility of maintaining a MIUI style or that of standard Android. Other settings allow you to completely modify the home screen, use a floating ball for notifications, use one-handed mode, use gestures, go to Lite or simplified mode, create a second space or use Game Turbo to optimize the gaming experience .

Four cameras and 108 megapixels

One of the issues that has given the most to talk about this Redmi Note 10 Pro is its main camera and not precisely because of the thickness of its rear module but because of the 108 megapixels it incorporates. Although, as has been said for years, more megapixels do not have to come together with higher quality, but companies continue to use those numbers as a way to promote their products. Let's take a look at each sensor and see how they are going.

The main 108 megapixel sensor is an ISOCELL-type Samsung S5KHM2 with a sensor size of 1/52, a pixel size of 0.7 microns, and a 6-element lens with a focal aperture of 1.9.

The 8 megapixel wide-angle camera with a 118º field of view uses a Sony IMX355 CMOS sensor. BSI has a sensor size of 1 / 2.8, a pixel size of 1.14 microns and a focal aperture of 2.2.

The depth camera has 2 megapixels and uses a Galaxy Core GC2M1 CMOS-type sensor with a pixel size of 1.75 microns and a focal aperture of 2.4.

The 5 megapixel telemacro camera uses an Omnivision OV5675 CMOS type sensor with 1/5 size, 1.12 micron pixel size and 2.4 focal aperture.

The main camera in principle does not make use of the captures at 108 unless it is selected . By default it takes them with 12 megapixels. Images taken with the main camera and their default resolution in broad daylight have a high level of detail, while maintaining true and natural colors. The contrast is consistent and there is not much noise . Without activating HDR, the dynamic contrast is quite good, without being outstanding. In a few cases, when the range is not so good and automatic HDR jumps or we can activate it manually if we see fit.

In night scenes the colors are usually quite reliable and do not appear oversaturated. The photos have good lighting and although, despite everything, it is inevitable to find noise in the image, a certain level of detail is achieved . To get good pictures it is important to be careful when shooting, without sudden movements. The shutter speed at night can cause blurry images. Using the Night Mode, it is necessary to keep the Redmi Note 10 Pro stable for a couple of seconds, but cleaner images are achieved.

If we decide to use the 108 megapixel mode, we will achieve clearer photographs overall, but there is a lack of definition in other aspects such as buildings and the appearance of artifacts in the image . In general, these shots do not offer as impressive a result as expected, the colors and contrast are quite similar to the photos that are taken by default, although a slight discoloration is shown in the final capture. Future optimization may improve the results of these photos.

For many cameras that the Redmi Note 10 Pro has, the great absent is the telephoto lens . Instead , the main camera sensor and its 108 megapixels are used to cut the image and then resize it , but the same thing happens as always with digital zooms, which do not offer the minimum desired quality.

Like the main sensor, the wide-angle camera captures a lot of detail, not so great but still accurate colors, and good dynamic range . Nor is it appreciated in daytime shots too much noise. It is in night photographs where a lot of noise appears and a little more lighting is missing in the images taken , which are overshadowed. The colors lose some of their bellows and the detail is more than correct. The biggest problem with these fisheye cameras is that having to cover so much image they suffer distortion at the edges and corners that is tried to alleviate by software.On the Redmi Note 10 Pro, wide-angle shots show a well-fixed distortion correction and slightly blurred corners.

The portrait mode depth camera creates a really good Bokeh or blur effect . Distinguishing effectively between person and background, although sometimes he makes the odd little mistake . The rest of aspects such as color and details are just as good as the main camera, when used in conjunction with the depth camera for captures. In night scenes the result almost never ends up being quite right, but it can be tried depending on the light at that moment.

The telemacro camera to capture details or close objects, creates photographs that have a high definition and quite vivid colors . On the other hand, a little noise appears in the image and the contrast is not as good as in the other cameras.

The Redmi Note 10 Pro can record videos with the main camera at up to 4K at 30fps , if the resolution is reduced to 1080p, it can record at 60fps. With the other two cameras, the macro and wide angle, the maximum video output is 1080p at 30 fps .

Videos shot with the main camera at 4K and in daytime scenes offer truly natural colors and contrast. The definition and level of detail also scratch at a great level. It is also appreciated that the recording is free of a lot of noise and the camera movement is smooth . Optical stabilization can be used, but the final recording is limited to 1080p and 30 fps.

Video recording at night maintains an acceptable level of colors and contrast, while not losing much quality in detail. In these cases, the noise in the image is accentuated but not exaggerated.

The 16 megapixel front selfie camera has a CMOS-type Sony IMX471 Exmor RS sensor with a 1/3 sensor size, a 1 micron pixel size and a 2.45 focal aperture.

This camera delivers good images with very good contrast, good colors that are fairly accurate, and very competent definition but not flamboyant . If you use portrait mode, the camera does a good job isolating the subject from the background and you get a pretty good blur effect.

The camera app maintains the design seen previously in other models with MIUI 12. Once inside and in photo mode, we can select other modes such as Pro, Video, Portrait and More to the left and right . In the latter there are many extra functions such as the 108 megapixel mode, short video, slow motion, long exposure, time-lapse or cloning, among others.

While the Photo Mode in the Redmi Note 10 Pro has an extra bar to make use of the digital zoom , in the PRO Mode the option to choose the camera to use has been implemented between the settings of the different values.

At the top of the app are the most common quick settings: flash, HDR, AI, filters, Google lens and the tab for advanced settings . While at the bottom, in addition to the shooting option, we have the option to switch to the front camera and see the latest photos taken. The interface is still simple and intuitive, with enough effects and options for most situations.

Great battery, great autonomy

One of the most interesting aspects of the Redmi Note 10 Pro, as with its predecessor, is the capacity of its battery that reaches 5020 mAh . A capacity that is usually seen in minority models and with lower characteristics. It is an element that some brands do not usually have so much in mind and that many people think is one of the main elements. In our tests with the refresh rate at 120 Hz and making normal use with social networks, web browsing and sporadic multimedia content playback, the autonomy has been 26 hours with 7 and a half hours of screen . The tests with the refresh rate at 60 Hz by default gave a few more hours, exactly 32 total hours and 9 hours of screen. An important difference but not as much as we expected. However, both autonomies yield really good data taking into account the characteristics of the Redmi Note 10 Pro. It is surprising, above all, the duration with 120 Hz, since its use does not penalize as much as expected, at least at the beginning. With more months of use, it would be necessary to see how it continues to behave.

With so much capacity, you need a good fast-charging charger . The one included offers a load of up to 33 watts which is what the Redmi Note 10 Pro can support. This has provided us with half the battery charge in half an hour and a full charge in around an hour and a half . A good time, considering its great capacity.

Nearly up-to-date connectivity

The Redmi Note 10 Pro has multiple connections, including:  Bluetooth 5.0 LE, Wi-Fi a / b / g / n / 5GHz / ac, Wi-Fi Direct, GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, NFC, Infrared , VoLTE, 3.5 mm Jack and FM radio .

Most of the functions are already common to practically any smartphone worth its salt. The Redmi Note 10 Pro has that and some that people fear losing such as the audio jack, the radio or the infrared. However, the only feature absent and lacking to be complete is the lack of 5G band . It is the data connection par excellence of this and the coming years and more and more operators include it. You can survive without it if one does not care about the connection speed, but it is an important absence that has been conditioned by using the Snapdragon 732G that does not support it.

Conclusion and final words of the Redmi Note 10 Pro

As is the norm of each, Xiaomi once again offers a terminal in a really good quality and price ratio . It is true that years ago he was the king and he has more and more competition, perhaps that is why he removed so many terminals without rhyme or reason. You want to cover as much as you can and end up confusing your customers along the way. This time they have been more conservative and have released a model that improves certain aspects of its predecessor while maintaining others that were already good.

It should be noted how well the new Super AMOLED screen has sat and looks and how well the 120 Hz works . MIUI, although improved, has always been a bit limp and the higher refresh rate gives it a much needed vibe and fluidity. Best of all, is that even at 120 Hz, the autonomy is still very high , and those who want even more autonomy, only have to maintain the 60 Hz that the Redmi Note 10 Pro brings by default.

Design and performance are two of the aspects that fulfill their mission, but they do not have virtues to highlight either . In any case, the fingerprint sensor on the power button is an aspect that each user will value, it does not completely convince us, but we must give it a try. The same happens with the camera module, it is not aesthetic.

There are aspects to improve such as the operating system and its hodgepodge of apps from two companies, the hype that has been given to the 108 megapixels and that then has been a bit in borage water, although the rest of the sensors do comply without reaching be excellent . Finally, we must emphasize the absence of a 5G module for those who were thinking of jumping to the new generation of connection with this model. For this Xiaomi has other models.

In conclusion, the Redmi Note 10 Pro is a very good smartphone in most respects, if its minor flaws or shortcomings can be forgiven . As always, it's all about the budget. Right now it is possible to get it through Aliexpress PLAZA with shipping from Spain and a two-year guarantee and with a discount until March 10 for its launch.