Mi 10i: And Xiaomi has developed a solid presence at the mid-segment of the phone world, and the Mi 10i is one of the most balanced and attractive of devices the company has ever launched in India.
Pack ina 108MP camera, a Snapdragon 750G soc, and 5G capabilities, and you have a phone that packs in features that are usually associated with higher-end phones wrapped in a sexy design with an enticing price.
But in a market that is chock-a-block with options, does the Mi 10i deliver the performance and value it claims to? So what does it actually offer?
Design: Sturdy Build with a Premium Feel
The Mi 10i seems sharp and well built at first glance. The phone has the Gorilla Glass 5 back and front to feel luxurious in hand. It’s not the lightest at 215 grams, but it’s well distributed.
It looks unlike other Xiaomi devices and has a circular rear camera module which makes it stand out from Xiaomi’s other phones.
Mi 10i comes in colours such as Pacific Sunrise, Atlantic Blue, and Midnight Black and offers appeal to both audacious and understated sensibilities.
It also has IP53 splash resistance, which provides a level of protection against light rain and dust.
Display: Good, But Not Amoled
The 10i is equipped with a 6.67-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display that comes with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support.
This adaptive refresh rate (which ranges between 30Hz and 120Hz, depending on the content) also contributes to conserving battery life.
It’s not an AMOLED panel but characterises punchy colours bright enough colours and smooth transitions due to the high refresh rate.
Content consumption on Netflix and YouTube is a treat on the big screen, and Widevine L1 certification ensures that streaming is available in HD quality.
Performance: Sleek and Fast
Performance is solid from the Mi 10i, thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G, a mid-range 5G-capable processor. Be it multitasking, gaming or using productivity apps, the phone doesn’t lag or heat up under normal usage conditions.
It has 6/8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of storage (UFS 2.2) for fast read/write speeds and snappy app loading too.
Gaming titles like Call of Duty Mobile and Asphalt 9 play smoothly on the high settings, though you won’t be getting flagship performance. For the typical user it’s going to feel fast and responsive for day to day use.
Camera: 108MP Steals the Show
The star feature of the Mi 10i is its 108MP Samsung HM2 primary sensor. This sensor takes very crisp and colorful shots in well-lit situations.
Even not in full-res mode, images are crisp with nice dynamic range.
This is joined by an 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro and 2MP depth sensor. The ultra-wide is also adequate in daylight but softens in low light.
The macro and depth cameras are rudimentary and largely included to check the boxes on a spec sheet.
Selfies are handled by the 16MP front camera, which delivers good-looking results like natural skin tones and passable edge detection in portrait mode.
Battery and Charging: Battery for All Day Power
BATTERY AND SOUND The device is backed by a 4820mAh battery and even with moderately heavy usage, it is enough to juice you up for a whole day.
Whether browsing, gaming or streaming, your battery is no longer a source of anxiety How it works: The Samsung Galaxy Note10 Lite is packed with power.
The phone provides 33W fast charging, and the charger is included in the box by Xiaomi. It requires a mere 55 minutes to go from 0 to 100%, which is quite good for the users on-the-go.
Software: MIUI is Fine, But Could Be Better
The Mi 10i ships with MIUI 12 based on Android 10 out of the box and updates are expected to be released gradually.
MIUI is feature-rich, offering a customizable UI, floating windows, and game turbo mode among other features, but it’s also laden with bloatware and ads, which can be frustrating for some users. But lots of these can be disabled or uninstalled.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
108MP primary camera is really good
Well built with Gorilla Glass protection
Refresh rate of 120Hz for smooth animations
Unstoppable Snapdragon 750G performance
5G-enable with long battery and fast charging
Design and IP53 rating are an eye-catcher
Cons:
No AMOLED panel
Bloatware and Ads MIUI 9.5 runs ads and bloatware out of the box.
Cameras are slightly better in low-light conditions
A bit bulky and heavy
No microSD card slot for expandable memory
Mi 10i Final Verdict
If 5G is what you are looking for and don’t want to break the bank, the Mi 10i has a good deal to offer.
With a standout camera, trusted and solid hardware, premium design and an impressive display, the phone offers one of the best mid-range value of its day.
If you can do without an AMOLED screen and don’t mind the MIUI jank, the Mi 10i would be a great option for those who want premium features at a less-than-premium price.
