REDMI NOTE 10S Review - A price that tempts you but be careful not to choke
Generally we tend to bring on our channels, whether they are blogs or Youtube, the latest technological specimens released on the market, but in reality I also find it interesting to test products that are not very recent, especially to evaluate whether after some time from their official launch, these have matured properly, improved performance net of a certain price drop compared to the original price list. Today, therefore, we bring to your attention the review of the Redmi Note 10S, officially presented on the Italian market on May 5 and which seems to have all the credentials to become the ideal solution for all those looking for a low-cost smartphone without particular sacrifices. Will it be like this or will we have bitter surprises? You just have to find out in this complete review.
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As per tradition, we start first of all in analyzing the contents of the sales package, which then does not differ much from what the company has presented to us so far, especially in comparison to the Redmi Note 10 series. white color with the image of the product highlighted, we find the following equipment:
- Redmi Notes 10S;
- Pin for removing the SIM tray;
- Manuals;
- Transparent silicone protection cover;
- Plastic display protection film (already pre-applied);
- USB Type-C data transfer and charging cable;
- Wall charger with European socket and max 33W output.
The Redmi-branded smartphone is placed in the economic range of the market and therefore the materials used are not really premium, although the construction in general is well done. We are talking about a terminal with dimensions equal to 160,46 x 74,5 x 8,29 mm for a weight of only 178,8 grams. I underline the low weight by virtue of the fact that it is now customary to be faced with smartphones with weights that go even beyond 200 grams, even if it must be admitted that the body of Redmi Note 10S is made of polycarbonate, which is not even well treated. against fingerprints and dirt in general.
The profiles are also made of plastic and are rather rounded to facilitate ergonomics and the grip of the device, but joining with an unsightly black band that runs along the entire perimeter of the frames that surround the display. The upper profile houses the IR transmitter, second microphone and grille for the first speaker as Redmi Note 10S offers stereo sound, using a second speaker positioned in the lower profile, accompanied by main microphone, Type-C charging port that supports the 'OTG but no video output but also the 3,5mm headphone jack.
Stereo sound therefore for an inexpensive device, which comes with a decent quality audio even if the prevalence of medium and high tones at the expense of bass is rather accentuated, but at least at high listening volumes the sound never distorts. However, stereo audio also works in hands-free mode. The right profile instead houses the volume rocker and the power button, which also incorporates the biometric sensor for unlocking the phone with a fingerprint, a solution that is always valid, reliable and quick in its function. Finally, on the left side there is the SIM tray capable of hosting 2 SIMs in nano format with support for 4G + networks on both slots as well as a compartment dedicated to the micro SD to expand the integrated memory without sacrificing the functionality of the Dual SIM Dual Standby.
Precisely in terms of connectivity I must say that Redmi Note 10S did not disappoint me, obtaining browsing speeds that are not throttled at all, even with my virtual operator Very Mobile, as well as always having a connection stability in general. There is also a Dual WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS with support for Galileo satellites but also NFC and FM radio. Then I add that this smartphone is one of the few of the brand to have a sort of waterproofing certification: we are talking about an IP53 degree of resistance, effective against splashes, water and dust but not immersion.
The time has come to talk about the Redmi Note 10S screen, or a 6,43-inch AMOLED panel with Full HD + resolution (2400 x 1080 pixels), 409 PPI and peak brightness of 1100 nits, which translates into a ' excellent readability of the contents on the screen even in direct sunlight. We also have 8-bit color support, HDR10 + and DRM Widevine L1, even if the latter are not recognized by Amazon Prime Video. From all these acronyms and specifications one would expect a perfect rendering, but in reality I have found better IPS LCD panels than this one, which overall remains enjoyable but the spark of love has not taken place. Maybe I got used to the latest 90/120 Hz display tests while Redmi Note 10S stops at the classic 60 Hz or perhaps much more simply, we find ourselves in the presence of an AMOLED panel but not of first choice. Therefore, although present, the graphic customizations for colors, the anti-flicker mode or the Always On Display do not seem to be of any use.
In any case, we can awaken the display both with the lifting gesture and with a double tap, as well as of course with the physical power button or unlock the smartphone via Unlock Face using the selfie camera inserted in the punch hole positioned centrally at the top of the screen, which unlocks the device quickly and is effective even in low light conditions. Therefore, a notification LED is absent while the frames (which for the first time seem to annoy me in terms of size) house the ear capsule as well as a brightness and proximity sensor, but if for the first one can only praise the excellent work done for the according to unfortunately there is no hope. Oh yes, you will surely find yourself pressing a few buttons with your cheek while you are in conversation, as its function is carried out only 1 time out of 10.
We certainly make a positive contribution to the autonomy discourse, relying on a large 5000 mAh battery with support for fast charging at 33W, which is realized with a 54% charge starting from 0 in just 30 minutes. In any case, you will always take the working day home, even with a fair residual charge, being able to push yourself to two full days of use.
The hardware used on Redmi Note 10S does not scream a miracle, although personally I have no objection to the processor used. In fact, we are talking about a MediaTek Helio G95 SoC with a maximum clock at 2,05 GHz which is accompanied by the ARM-Mali-G76 MC4 GPU as well as 6 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and internal memory cuts of 64 or 128 GB of UFS 2.2 type. In the past I have tried other smartphones with MediaTek CPUs and I was quite satisfied and overall I am also with Redmi Note 10S, but perhaps the software optimization should be revised. In fact, it happened to me, during an AnTuTu stress test, that the terminal did not finish its task, but especially if we push on the Redmi Note 10S accelerator in the gaming field, some lag and slowdowns will be evident. Nothing to say instead in the classic use of the smartphone, or social media, messaging, internet browsing, etc.
Perhaps, however, the most disappointing aspect of Redmi Note 10S is the photographic sector and not for the specifications but for the actual yield both for photos and videos. In fact, the main sensor, which we find on the back of the smartphone, is a 64 MP, f / 1,79 lens which is accompanied by an 8 MP UltraWide sensor, FOV 118 °, f / 2,2 and two 2 lenses MP, f / 2,4 for macro and depth of field. We can record videos up to 4K at 30 fps but also going down in resolution and enabling digital stabilization, you notice the blur but above all when favorable lighting conditions drop, the result will be really painful.
The photos have slightly better results, but for both macro and “night” photos, the colors are mellow and the contrasts out of phase. In short, for social photos, Redmi Note 10S behaves sufficiently well but certainly I would not entrust the memories of my life to its photographic sector, much less to the selfie camera, which is a 13 MP unit, f / 2,45 which also allows the video recording at 1080p 30fps, the results of which are in line with what has just been told.
poor light 
Macro Macro Macro Zoom 2X ritratto Macro 
ultrawide
There would still be talk of the software, which of course could only be MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11 but with patches stopped in July 2021. This would be the least serious thing, as I think the fact that the brand is pushing too hard with the insertion of advertisements and bloatware / apps pre-installed by default. Although some of these may also be of popular use, such as Facebook, Amazon, TikTok etc .. I think it is more correct for the user to decide what to install on their smartphone, without having to spend the first half hour from the first start to uninstall the digital garbage just mentioned.
PROJECTED IMPACT
Some would say that Redmi Note 10S is a smartphone without infamy and without praise, but now we live in a historical moment in which even minor brands, the so-called Chinese, are refining their weapons, offering valid devices at even more competitive prices than Redmi. But above all at the same selling price we have for example Realme 8 or OPPO A74 which I consider much better than this Redmi Note 10S. Of course, the selling price can be tempting and in a certain sense also quite honest, but to understand if it really suits you you should ask yourself and answer: "if I had a limited budget, I would spend it in an All You Can Eat restaurant, chilling myself in hope not to feel bad or would I be on the safe side, giving up a few dishes and spending my money on a lunch that is less rich but of a certain origin and quality? " To you the considerations of the case.
