Just like that, the first quarter of 2019 has already ended. By now, we’ve already seen the first set of flagship smartphones for 2019 from some of the top manufacturers in the industry.
For one, Xiaomi has unveiled their top-of-the-line device, the Xiaomi Mi 9, back in February. In typical Xiaomi fashion, the Mi 9 boasts a lot of proper high-end specs at almost half the cost of what the other brands are offering.
To further insult one of its biggest competitors, Xiaomi launched the Mi 9 just a few moments before Samsung introduced theirs. On the same day, the South Korean tech giant launched their first flagship offering for 2019 — the Samsung Galaxy S10.
Just like their previous releases, the Galaxy S10 highlights top-caliber camera features, powerful performance, and other neat tricks up its sleeves.
With that, here in our Xiaomi MI 9 vs Samsung Galaxy S10 specs comparison, we shall see if settling for the more economical option is actually the better option, or are you better off spending more on a pricier handset.
Xiaomi Mi 9 | Samsung Galaxy S10 | |
---|---|---|
Operating System | Android 9 Pie MIUI 10 | Android 9.0 Pie Samsung One UI |
SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby Hybrid |
Display | 6.39-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED 2340 x 1080 pixel resolution ~403ppi 90.7% screen-to-body ratio HDR10 Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | 6.1-inch WQHD+ Dynamic Super AMOLED 3040 x 1440 pixel resolution ~551ppi 93.2% screen-to-body ratio Always On Display Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
Processor | 2.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 octa-core | 2.7GHz Exynos 9820 octa-core |
RAM | 6GB/8GB/12GB | 8GB |
GPU | Adreno 640 | Mali-G76 |
Storage | 64GB/128GB non-expandable | 128GB expandable via microSD up to 512GB |
Front camera | 20-megapixel f/2.0 | 10-megapixel Dual-pixel AF f/1.9 |
Rear Camera | 48-megapixel (Sony IMX586, f/1.7) + 16-megapixel (ultra wide-angle) + 12-megapixel (2x optical zoom) PDAF LED flash 960fps slow-mo | 12-megapixel (OIS, f/1.5-2.4) + 16-megapixel (ultra wide) + 12-megapixel (OIS, telephoto) PDAF LED flash 960fps slow-mo HDR 10 video recording |
Audio | Headphone jack Single loudspeaker | Headphone jack Dolby Atmos AKG stereo speakers |
Security | In-display fingerprint scanner Face unlock | Ultrasonic fingerprint scanner Face unlock |
Connectivity | HSPA+, 4G LTE WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, 2×2 MIMO Bluetooth 5.0 GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo NFC IR Blaster USB Type-C | HSPA+, 4G LTE WiFi 802.11 ab/g/n/ac/ax, dual-band Bluetooth 5.0 GPS, Galileo, Glonass, BeiDou ANT+ NFC USB Type-C |
Dimensions | 157.5 x 74.67 x 7.61mm | 149.9 x 70.4 x 7.8mm |
Weight | 173g | 157g |
Colors | Lavander Violet Ocean Blue Piano Black | Prism Black Prism Black Prism Green Prism Blue Flamingo Canary Yellow |
Battery | 3,300mAh 27W Quick Charge 4 20W fast wireless charging | 3,400mAh Fast wireless charge 2.0 |
Price | 6GB/64GB: Php22,990 6GB/128GB: Php24,990 | Php49,990 |
If we digest the table above, it’s easy to say that the Xiaomi Mi 9 is the more logical option between the two. But to give the Samsung Galaxy S10 a tap on the back, it does have some features that you can’t find on the former.
The Galaxy S10 offers a more premium and flagship smartphone feel. It has a lighter and sleeker design, and a jam-packed display features with a sharper 6.1-inch WQHD+ screen.
Also, despite having inferior camera specs on paper, you can actually get even better images with the Galaxy S10’s 12-megapixel primary shooter. Its aperture physically changes to a wide f/1.5 for brighter and bokeh-licious image, and a narrower f/2.4 for better group photos and what not.
See also: Samsung Galaxy S10, S10 Plus, and S10e Globe Postpaid Plans
It also boasts a faster WiFi 802.11ax and a marginally bigger 3,400mAh. There’s also the stereo speakers, which I think should be a standard inclusion to most smartphones today.
But then again, if you want the more practical and logical option, then you might want to go with the Xiaomi Mi 9 instead.
For almost half the price, you’re already getting a device with a powerful Snapdragon 855 processor. The most interesting part is, it was able to overtake both the Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus in the latest AnTuTu top list.
It may have an inferior screen over the Galaxy S10, but I doubt that most people would notice the difference between a FHD+ and WQHD+ panels. Actually, having a lower resolution screen is better for battery efficiency.
To wrap it up, the Xiaomi Mi 9 was able to satisfy all of the requirements we’re looking for on a proper high-end and flagship smartphone. It has a decent screen, capable cameras, powerful processor, and more. Those are virtually all the things you’d need to have an enjoyable smartphone experience.
The Samsung Galaxy S10 was able to provide all of those, but with a few extras like having a better design and camera performance. However, is the price of Php49,990, which is almost twice the SRP of the Mi 9 at Php22,990, justifiable? You decide.
Samsung is a much better smartphone brand. However the price is on the higher side, so it really depends what budget you are looking for. For me, I will always go for Samsung.