[REVIEW] Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite is the most interesting smartphone up to 250 € with an excellent camera

Xiaomi brings a new lightweight model with very good photography features. It is called Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite, and this is the model we’ll be introducing in today’s review.

Surely many Xiaomi fans will recognize the model Xiaomi Mi Note 10, whose review we also brought to you on our site. You can find it at the link below. The “Lite” branding stands for a more affordable, cheaper alternative to the tempting photo-focused smartphone. Does it offer too many compromises? The answer is in the lines below.

Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite: Where to buy?

For testing, we received the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite in the Glacier White color, with a configuration of 6 GB RAM + 128 GB internal storage. We ordered it from the seller Banggood.com on June 12, and it arrived at our place on June 29—after 17 calendar days.

Buy Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite

Box contents: Including accessories

The new Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite model arrives in an elegant dark box that evokes the Mi series flagship devices. There’s also the Note 10 label in a gradient finish, along with some technical specifications.

After unboxing, you’ll immediately find the smartphone itself on top, protected by a screen film. Under that there’s a paper envelope with accessories. These include a SIM ejector pin, a paper manual, and a practical, clear silicone case to protect the phone’s body.

Further down, you’ll find a USB Type-C cable for charging or connecting to a computer. There’s also a local European plug for a fast—up to 30W—charger. The package is therefore quite generous, and even in this price category, the manufacturer definitely deserves praise.

Layout of elements

The dimensions of this smartphone come in at 157,8 x 74,2 x 9,7 mm, while the device weighs up to 204 grams. However, the higher weight is the price you pay for the unusually high-capacity battery.

On the front you get a large, up to 6,47” AMOLED display with a teardrop-shaped notch at the top, plus impressive curvature on both sides of the screen.

Around the display there are truly thin bezels, which are especially highlighted by the chrome color on the edges of the unit we tested. This is available only for the white version of the smartphone.

Above the display there’s the necessary sensor cluster, as well as a speaker for calls. This time, it doesn’t serve as a secondary support speaker for the main one, which sits along the bottom edge. The stylish rounding is also protected by a thick silicone protective case included in the box. This time, the manufacturer hasn’t applied a screen protector film.

The left side of the device is empty and only has plastic parts for signal routing across the phone’s aluminum construction. The front and the back panel are rounded and effectively taper the phone’s side edges.

The right edge houses a pair of buttons. There’s a button for turning the device on/off, as well as one used to control volume. The buttons are well-made and positioned for easy reach with your right hand. Below them there’s also a slot for inserting two nanoSIM cards, which does not include a microSD memory card slot.

The top edge includes a secondary microphone that can be used, for example, for recording video. You’ll also find an infrared port for controlling home electronics (it’s complemented by Xiaomi’s Mi Remote app software), and on this edge there’s also a plastic part for signal passage.

USB Type-C and 4 rear cameras

The bottom edge includes a primary microphone for calls, offering standard quality. One loudspeaker is also included, though the bass component is slightly missing. Right next to it, you’ll find a USB Type-C port, as well as a 3,5 mm audio jack for connecting standard headphones.

The back is made of glass, covered with tempered protective glass featuring a gradient surface finish. In the top section, there are up to four rear cameras, which are fairly recessed into the device body by today’s standards and only protrude minimally. The same module also houses a quad Quad-LED flash, which will definitely help.

Below you’ll find just the manufacturer’s logo and the required recycling information. The construction is made very well, and the phone feels premium—on par with its more expensive flagship siblings. The manufacturer definitely deserves praise for the build. On the other hand, the lack of an IP certification for enhanced resistance to both water and dust is a drawback.

Display: 6.47″ AMOLED

When it comes to the display panel, we can say without hesitation that you’re dealing with flagship-level equipment. You get a large 6.47″ AMOLED panel, which is also curved at the sides and seamlessly transitions to the smartphone’s side edges.

The display has an aspect ratio of 19,5:9, and thanks to its minimal bezels it takes up nearly 88% of the area on the front. The display resolution is 2340 x 1080 pixels (or Full HD+), and the sharpness stops at 398 ppi.

Standard is 16 million colors, along with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protective glass. Brightness goes up to 430 nits, and there’s also the HDR10 function. The colors on this display can be further calibrated in the settings, but even out of the box they’re bright and vivid—it’s a display that’s very comfortable to look at.

We didn’t notice any issues with automatic brightness control either—the maximum brightness was sufficient even outdoors, and the minimum brightness didn’t bother your eyes even indoors in maximum darkness. Your eyes will also appreciate the optional flicker-free mode, which you can find in the smartphone settings. We were genuinely very satisfied with the display.

Performance: Snapdragon 730G

As for performance, Xiaomi decided to keep the exact same processor as in the significantly more expensive Mi Note 10 device, which this Lite version builds on.

Specifically, it’s an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G (2 x 2,2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold + 6 x 1,8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) processor made using 8 nm technology. If you want to compare the chip with your model, you can use the results from AnTuTu performance tests. You can view them in the picture below.

User experience with this processor is absolutely not bad—we didn’t notice any slowdown either during active camera use or during simple multitasking.

The processor is also paired with a graphics accelerator labeled Adreno 618, which you can see in many devices in the mid-range to upper mid-range segment. This chip can handle even more graphically demanding games from the Play Store.

Memory: 64/128 GB

In this case, the device memory can’t be expanded with a microSD memory card. This is something you should consider before buying the device itself.

You can get versions with 6 GB of RAM + 64 GB of internal storage, 6 GB of RAM + 128 GB of internal storage, and in selected markets even 8 GB of RAM + 128 GB of internal storage.

For testing, we received the mid configuration with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, specifically the UFS 2.1 type. After the first boot, Android will take more than 13 GB.

When it comes to the right version to buy, for the vast majority of users, the cheapest 64 GB version should be sufficient. However, if you have room to pay extra for 128 GB of storage, you definitely won’t regret that decision.

A modern in-display fingerprint reader

The smartphone also includes another element found in flagship, more expensive, and better-equipped siblings. This time, it’s a fingerprint reader placed on the front side, below the display level—specifically in its lower half.

We can only guess why the manufacturer didn’t apply a protective film to the display, but besides the rounded edges, a certain reason could also be the sensor under the display, or possibly a combination of these factors.

The reader is reliable, responds quickly, and in most cases even recognizes the fingerprint on the first try. Its placement is suitable; the only issue is too much oiliness or moisture on your fingers.

No, the reader doesn’t reach the speed of standard sensors placed on the back. On the other hand, compared to the flagship model, the user experience is very comparable.

Android + MIUI

As for the smartphone’s software, Android 10 (QKQ1.190825.002) is available. This system is traditionally complemented by the visually heavy MIUI overlay in version 11.0.10.0 (Stable version – QFNEUXM).

Good news is also that there is a security update from Google that is current as of 01.06.2020. Only the July security patch is missing, which we expect to arrive during the next software update.

The system together with the MIUI overlay is really a well-known and proven combination. Optimized software responds quickly and smoothly; it doesn’t lack a dark mode, nor an improved font and other practical features like Digital Balance and parental control. It monitors your usage and lets you set different rules or restrictions.

All your apps are laid out across the home screens, and the most practical solution is mainly to place them into folders. On the far-left screen, you also have an overview from Google’s workshop.

Camera: 64 MPx main sensor

The smartphone offers a very strong setup also when it comes to the rear cameras. The full-fledged Mi Note 10 version was popular thanks to four cameras, with the main one delivering up to 108 MPx.

This time, with the Mi Note 10 Lite, the 64 MPx (f/1.9) sensor with laser autofocus plays the main role.

The main sensor is then complemented by three more, which share a single module on the back. Specifically, you get a 8 MPx (f/2.2) ultra-wide sensor, a 2 MPx (f/2.4) sensor primarily designed for “macro” shots, and a 5 MPx (f/2.4) depth sensor, whose job is mainly to blur the background and create a “bokeh” effect.

In addition, the main sensor can record video up to 4K (30 fps), but for better stabilization we recommend using resolution 1080p (60 fps). You also won’t miss the ultra-slow-motion video mode in resolution 720p (960 fps). The front camera sits in a drop-shaped cutout and offers 16 MPx (f/2.5) resolution and 1080p video.

Using it in standard daylight conditions outdoors, the smartphone delivered very good results. There was a real color range without excessive saturation, along with good depth of field and a strong level of detail. What’s more, artificial intelligence helps as it can recognize the scene, adjust it slightly, but doesn’t deform it.

Original photos in full resolution are available at the following link.

The phone handled worse lighting conditions too, but as we can see in the photo gallery, sharpness and detail levels were slightly reduced. It doesn’t reach the quality of a flagship smartphone for night photography, but within this price category it’s a satisfying result.

Photo processing is truly fast and instantaneous—you don’t have to wait, unlike with the original Mi Note 10. The ultra-wide sensor also pleasantly surprised, delivering usable shots even at just 8 MPx resolution.

He wasn’t embarrassed even by the 2x zoom either, where you could also read distant text in the photo. The plus is also a module that almost doesn’t stick out of the body, and for the given price it’s a solid camera setup.

Connectivity: NFC is also included

As for connectivity, there’s also a very good setup available. For stable mobile connection, 4G connectivity is available together with LTE-A technology (LTE channels: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41).

Dual-band Wi‑Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac is also included, with support for Wi‑Fi Direct. There’s also Bluetooth 5.0 A2DP LE, with support for aptX HD and also aptX Adaptive.

Additional features include GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS, but you’ll also find an infrared port to control your home electronics, plus an NFC chip for mobile payments via Google Pay, and standard FM radio with recording.

For charging or connecting to a computer, there’s a USB Type-C connector. You’ll also appreciate the standard 3,5 mm audio connector (24-bit / 192kHz) for wired headphones.

Battery: an unbelievable 5260 mAh

This smartphone is truly a champion when it comes to single-charge battery life. It’s equipped with an exceptionally high-capacity battery of up to 5260 mAh. It can easily keep the smartphone running for up to two days.

Let’s go through it step by step. Along with very solid battery life at 75% brightness and standard usage, the screen-on time value didn’t hesitate to jump all the way to 7 – 8 hours.

In our case, it involved standard use—mainly active social media browsing—as well as one-hour calls, one hour of watching Full HD videos, occasional photography, and occasional gaming of more graphically demanding 3D games.

However, if even this battery life isn’t enough, there are several power-saving modes from the manufacturer right onboard. You also get an AMOLED display, which—when you use a dark theme—further gently improves overall battery performance.

Another strong point of this smartphone is fast charging. Inside the box you’ll find a 30W adapter for fast wired charging, so even a large battery won’t feel it. This is a value-add the manufacturer includes in the smartphone’s price, which is a definite plus. On the other hand, wireless charging is missing—you’ll need to rely on the USB Type-C connector.

Final rating: The flagship smartphone doesn’t have much missing

During use of the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite we repeatedly ran into performance comparable to top-tier devices. It offers a quality AMOLED panel, a very good camera, and a truly above-average battery capacity.

The current and fully updated software, along with the bonus of fast charging and smooth responses, created a really compelling bundle of features. Premium processing still calls for at least slightly better protection against dust and water, which it lacks.

For a price around 250 euros, we definitely recommend this smartphone. If you want to buy it, don’t hesitate to use some of our discount coupons—GET THE DISCOUNT.