First look at Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite - a remake smartphone disguised as a new model

Design

Mi Note 10 Lite is a typical member of the smartphone family with an edge-to-edge screen, aluminum frame and glass back. The company tried to beat the sore design with new colors: in addition to black and white, a purple version is available. We are testing the most mundane black version.

However, the appearance of the smartphone cannot be called bad. The assembly and materials are of high quality, the model looks expensive and laconic. Even a massive block of cameras is neatly inscribed into the back of the device and - lo and behold! - does not stick out at all.

Almost the entire front panel is occupied by a curved screen at the edges. The front camera is inscribed in a waterdrop notch and is responsible not only for taking selfies, but also for recognizing faces. There are no auxiliary sensors, so in the dark the face unlock function does not work - you have to use the fingerprint scanner built into the screen.

On the right are the power and volume buttons, as well as the Dual SIM slot. The bottom end is reserved for a microphone, a multimedia speaker, USB Type-C and 3.5 mm connectors. Above, there is a second microphone and an infrared port for controlling equipment.

The smartphone is rather big and very slippery, so it is better to immediately put on the silicone case, which was prudently included in the kit. In addition, the case protects against false presses along the curved edges of the display.

Screen

Mi Note 10 Lite is equipped with a 6, 47 ‑ inch Full HD + display that provides a pixel density of 398 ppi. The matrix is made using Super AMOLED technology and uses the Diamond pixel organization - the latter reduces the clarity of the picture in comparison with LCD-screens of the same resolution. However, the grain is not as noticeable as on the flagship Mi 10 model.

The contrast level is maximum: in AMOLED-screens, black pixels are not backlit and thus still save battery power. The brightness range and viewing angles are excellent too. HDR10 content is also supported. In the settings, you can calibrate the image to suit your tastes, and at the same time enable the elimination of PWM flicker.

The only problem with the screen is color distortion at the edges, caused by the bending of the matrix. This is another reason to ditch curved screens in smartphones. Hopefully, one day manufacturers will start to use common sense in this matter.

Sound and vibration

Unlike the Mi 10, the smartphone does not boast powerful stereo speakers. When playing music, the spoken speaker is not used in any way, and the speaker at the bottom end sounds loud, but practically without bass.

But the presence of a 3.5 mm audio jack will delight those who have not yet acquired wireless headphones. The built-in Qualcomm Aqstic audio codec is responsible for the sound, the quality and volume margin are sufficient for undemanding users.

Mi Note 10 Lite is equipped with a motor typical for Android smartphones. The vibration is quite clear and strong so as not to miss a call while the smartphone is in your pocket.

Cameras

The original Mi Note 10 was the first smartphone with a 108MP camera. The "lightweight" version cannot boast of such characteristics: the standard module takes pictures with a resolution of 64 megapixels. And taking into account the combination of four pixels into one final frame, it turns out to be 16 megapixels.

In addition to the standard module, the smartphone is equipped with an 8-megapixel "width", a 5-megapixel depth sensor and a 2-megapixel camera for macro shots. Front camera resolution is 16 megapixels.

Standard camera

Macro

Selfie

Other features

The novelty is running Android 10 with the MIUI 11 shell. In comparison with a pure "green robot", there is more flexible interface customization, redesigned icons and a notification curtain, as well as regularly pop-up recommendations from Xiaomi branded applications. Fortunately, the latter can be turned off in the settings menu.

Hardware platform - Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. It is strange that Xiaomi decided to leave last year's processor: this somewhat beats the relevance of the device. Moreover, the company has a similarly priced model based on Snapdragon 765G - Mi 10 Youth Edition.

Out of the box, the novelty works quickly and smoothly, although it's worth seeing if the performance changes over time. Previously, this was a problem for Xiaomi devices: after a month they began to slow down.

What you definitely can't find fault with is autonomy. The battery capacity is 5,260 mAh - just enough for a day of active use. If you do not load your smartphone with games and shooting, you can stretch the operating time for two days. Comes with a 30W adapter that can refill the battery in an hour.

Subtotals

First of all, the Mi Note 10 Lite impresses with its battery. We can expect that with longer use, the novelty will show the same brilliant results in terms of autonomy, as well as Mi Note 10. It is also worth noting the high-quality screen and laconic design.

However, the rest of the new product does not stand out in any way against the background of competitors. Last year's hardware does not add any bonuses to the device either. In general, "top for their money" did not work out, and the Xiaomi lineup has become even more cumbersome.