Xiaomi 10S Review: Performance, Design, and Real-World Usage

Xiaomi 10S reviewXiaomi 10S pros and consMIUI 12.5 experienceXiaomi 10S vs Redmi K40Xiaomi 10S green tint issue

Published·Jun 12, 2021Modified·Jun 12, 2021

My Xiaomi 9 SE has been in service for over two years. Last month, I flashed the European version of MIUI 12.5. While the system is much cleaner, there is still noticeable lag. Taking advantage of the 618 promotion, I purchased the Xiaomi 10S from JD.com to share my usage experience.

Configuration

The Xiaomi 10S comes in three colors (Black, White, Blue) and three versions:

8GB + 128GB
8GB + 256GB
12GB + 256GB

I have extracted some key specifications as shown below:

For more detailed parameters, please search online.

Why I Chose the Xiaomi 10S

During the purchasing period, I considered the iPhone 12 but was conflicted. After looking at the price and configuration of the iPhone, I decided to stick with Android. Excluding the Snapdragon 888 due to its high heat generation, I ruled out the Xiaomi 11. Before buying, I visited a Xiaomi store and was most interested in the following three models:

Redmi K40 (Excellent value for money): https://u.jd.com/8qV4Udu
Xiaomi 11 Youth Edition (Lightweight, good feel): https://u.jd.com/8xXdnMf
Xiaomi 10S (Balanced in all aspects): https://u.jd.com/8DV5SW3

I did not choose the Redmi K40 because I felt, subjectively, that Redmi's build quality and quality control are slightly inferior to Xiaomi's (this is a personal opinion and may not be accurate). I did not choose the 11 Youth Edition because the CPU is slightly weaker, and the standby time is shorter, although the feel is excellent and it suits girls well. Ultimately, I decided on the Xiaomi 10S.

Price

I purchased the 8GB + 256GB White version from JD.com. After using various coupons, the final price was 2958 RMB. This might not be the cheapest; reportedly, there are 10% off coupons in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, which could make it even cheaper.

Xiaomi 10S Purchase Link: https://u.jd.com/8vVUl8Y

Feel and Ergonomics

The Xiaomi 10S is relatively heavy and thick with a large screen. I don't know why Android screens keep getting larger; I personally don't like such large screens, but there are too few small-screen options available. The feel of the Xiaomi 10S is not great, at least significantly worse than my previous Xiaomi 9 SE.

Common Issues

Since the Xiaomi 10S uses a curved screen, there is a slight green tint on the edges when viewed from the front. This is a known issue with the 10S, and most users on forums report the same problem.

System Experience

MIUI, often jokingly called ADUI, is notorious for its ads. I experienced this early on. It bundled over 10 third-party apps upon startup. When I complained to customer service, they claimed this was normal. I thought I had bought a second-hand phone. I reset the system, but the third-party apps were still pre-installed. Checking the pre-installed app information confirmed the presence of third-party applications. Some screenshots are shown below:

Although these third-party apps can be uninstalled, the experience is poor. It seems the phone price is kept low to recover costs through ad revenue and pre-installed apps, sacrificing user experience. I also noticed that newer versions of MIUI come with even more pre-installed third-party apps, getting worse by the day.

Pros and Cons

Cons:

The phone is heavy and thick with a large screen, resulting in a poor feel.
Slight green tint on the edges (does not affect actual usage).
Many system ads and a large number of pre-installed third-party apps.

Pros:

Large battery capacity with satisfactory standby time.
Supports wireless charging (requires purchasing a wireless charger separately).
Harman Kardon tuning (I am not a music enthusiast, so the difference is not very noticeable).
High cost-performance ratio (purchased during the 618 promotion at a reasonable price).

Conclusion

If you want a hassle-free experience and have a sufficient budget, just go for an iPhone. If you pursue cost-performance, can tolerate MIUI's downsides, and need to change phones urgently, the Xiaomi 10S is worth a look during the 618 promotion. Of course, everyone's needs are different; it is recommended to compare more before buying, and if possible, experience it offline first. One last sentence: There is no perfect phone in the world; finding the right one is what matters.