Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite review: the long-running hit
A TEST REPORT from Nils Ahrensmeier 
on August 20, 2020, 10:00 am | 🔥 popular | Write a comment
The Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite is the affordable version of the first 108 megapixel camera smartphone, the Xiaomi Mi Note 10. The Lite version also came onto the German market in May. Many newer smartphones compete in this price range, such as the OnePlus Nord, Moto g 5G Plus or even the in-house Poco F2 Pro. You can find out how the smartphone performed in our test in this review.
The Mi Note 10 Lite comes in a more classic design. The front camera is built into a small "waterdop notch", the sides are rounded and the cameras on the back do not protrude from the housing. The workmanship of the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite is very high quality for the low price. Gorilla Glass 5 was installed, which is supposed to withstand falls from up to 1.2 meters. This glass back also magically attracts fingerprints.
-
- The Mi Note 10 Lite is of high quality. (Picture: TechnikNews)
-
- The Mi Note 10 Lite arrived in the color "Nebula Purple". (Picture: TechnikNews)
Display
A 6,47 inch AMOLED display was installed as the display. However, this does not support 90 or 120 Hz. The display still cuts a really good figure, even without a 90 Hertz refresh rate. It is nice and sharp with a resolution of Full HD + and the maximum brightness is enough for a bit of sunlight. The sides are slightly rounded, but this did not lead to any incorrect entries.
-
- The display of the Mi Note 10 Lite is very high quality for the price. (Picture: TechnikNews)
-
- The front camera sits in a "waterdrop notch". (Picture: TechnikNews)
Hardware & Specs
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G processor is used. This is not the newest in the 700 series (765G would be the newest), but can handle everyday tasks without any problems. Together with 6 GB RAM and 64 or 128 GB internal memory, enough apps and files can be stored. We got the version with 64 GB memory, but we recommend the 128 GB version. 64 GB memory is no longer really future-proof for many people and costs only 20 euros more in price comparison.
The rest of the hardware doesn't have to hide either: WLAN 5 (ac), Bluetooth 5, NFC and of course the 5.260 mAh battery. I will go into the latter in more detail later.
| Display | 6,47 inch 19,5: 9 Full HD + (2340 x 1080 pixels) AMOLED display (398 PPI), Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 730G @ 2,2 GHz |
| graphics chip | Qualcomm Adreno 618 |
| RAM | 6 / 8 GB LPDDR4X |
| Internal memory | 64 / 128 GB UFS 2.1 |
| camera | 64 megapixels + 8 megapixels ƒ / 2.4 ultra-wide + 2 MP portrait camera + 5 MP macro camera |
| Front camera | 16 megapixels with ƒ / 2.0 |
| Battery | 5.260 mAh with 30W Quick Charge |
| connectivity | AC WLAN, Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C, GPS / GLONASS / BDS, Dual-SIM, LTE Band 20, NFC |
| Features | Fingerprint sensor in the display, 3.5 mm jack |
| Operating system | MIUI 11 based on Android 10 |
| Mass weight | 157,8 x 74,2 x 9,67 mm / 204 g |
camera
The Mi Note 10 Lite has 4 cameras on the back. (Picture: TechnikNews)
The Mi Note 10 Lite has four cameras on the back and a 16 MP selfie camera. The main sensor on the back has a resolution of 64 MP, plus there is a lens with 8 MP ultra wide angle, 2 MP macro and a lens for depth information, which has a resolution of 5 megapixels. If you compare that with its big brother, the Mi Note 10, the cameras of the Lite sound rather weak.
Xiaomi MiNote 10 Lite
| Xiaomi Mi Note 10
|
So far we have not been able to test a “normal” Mi Note 10, so we can only compare the devices on paper and based on our experience with other devices.
Test images Mi Note 10 Lite
-
- The Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite takes good pictures for its comparatively low price. (Image: TechnikNews)
-
- I traditionally used the Mi Note 10 Lite with the Xiaomi Mi Band. (Picture: TechnikNews)
-
- The Mi Note 10 Lite displays colors very naturally. (Image: TechnikNews)
Compared to test images from the OnePlus Nord, the Mi Note 10 Lite's camera does really well:
Test images OnePlus Nord
-
- The OnePlus Nord costs 100 euros more, but the camera is not much better. (Image. TechnikNews)
-
- The ultra wide angle is about the same. (Picture. TechnikNews)
-
- Picture: TechnikNews
Battery
The absolute highlight of the Mi Note 10 Lite is the battery. At 5.260 mAh, it is very large - and the device still doesn't seem too heavy. I did notice the extra weight, but it wasn't a negative. The battery lasts an average of 6 hours of SOT (screen-on time) and usually has 44 percent left at the end of the day. But that's with connectivity such as WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, mobile data and more activated all the time. So if you're frugal, you'll easily get through two days. Otherwise, the device is recharged from 30 to 70 percent in 0 minutes with a whopping 100 watts.
-
- At the end of a very intensive day, 44 percent of the battery is still available. (Image: TechnikNews)
-
- With the Mi Note 10 Lite, about 7-8h SOT are easily in there. (Picture: TechnikNews)
Software
MIUI 10, which is based on Android 11, is installed on the Mi Note 10 Lite. An update to MIUI 12 should follow soon. Personally, I don't like MIUI 11 that much. This is simply because a lot is “inspired” by Apple's iOS, which I personally don't particularly like. But that's a matter of taste and those who want to switch from iOS to Android will feel right at home with MIUI.
MIUI 12, which I am currently on the Poco F2 Pro I like it much better. The software offers many setting options. Whether the "theme" should be adjusted, the background changed or Mi Share (AirDrop for Xiaomi devices) activated.
MIUI unfortunately also has a major disadvantage: the advertising. Whether in system apps or when installing a new app. Advertisements are shown over and over again. That seems to be one of the reasons why Xiaomi can sell their devices so cheaply. It didn't bother me very much, but I would like to mention it here.
-
- The Mi Note 10 Lite received two software updates during the trial period. Unfortunately not the update to MIUI 12. (Image: TechnikNews)
-
- The MIUI software is sometimes very reminiscent of iOS. But that can also be an advantage. (Picture: TechnikNews)
Conclusion
The Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite is a great smartphone. For a current price of 277 euros (64 GB) or 299 euros (128 GB), it offers a lot of good hardware at an affordable price. Ultimately, there is no such thing as “one smartphone” in this price range. You have to decide what to prioritize.
It doesn't have to be the latest processor, but you do need a great battery? The Note 10 Lite is for you. Do you want 90 Hz, 5G or don't really like MIUI? The OnePlus Nord is available for 100 euros more. The Mi Note 10 Lite offers a great display, a strong battery and good cameras. I would like to see improvements in performance, software and extras like 90 Hz or 5G.
Many thanks to Xiaomi Germany for providing the loaner. This did not affect the item in any way.