Xiaomi launches the 5G-ready Mi 10 flagship series smartphone in Malaysia
By Tan Jee Yee April 23, 2020
- The debut of Xiaomi’s 5G-ready devices in Malaysia, price start from RM2,799
- Features 108MP quad-camera setup, symmetrical dual speakers, Snapdragon 865
We’re already starting to see 5G-ready flagship devices slowly filling the shelves (metaphorically, speaking). The latest one would be Xiaomi’s new Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro devices, which will arrive in Malaysia 1 May 2020 and will be 5G-ready out of the box.
“The Mi 10 series is the latest premium smartphones from Xiaomi, officially marking our first tap into the high-end smartphone segment,” says Xiaomi Malaysia & Singapore country manager Nicolas Shi. True enough, the Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro do edge closer to the prices of the high-end devices of other brands – prices for the Mi 10 starts at US$636.20 (RM2,799).
Shi adds that the Mi 10 sales in China has surpassed one million units as of 21 April 2020. “This number was achieved despite the COVID-19 outbreak that has dented some of our manufacturing capacity for about a month,” he says.
The Mi 10 marks the first of Xiaomi’s 5G-enabled products in Malaysia, which Shi says is in line with their “5G+AIoT” strategy set up earlier this year. “This is a revolutionary combination that will fundamentally change all of our products, catalysing the next stage of our growth in 2020 and beyond. The 5G technology promises to change people's lives including Malaysians and we would like to be part of this initiative even in this early stage,” he elaborates.
Every part the flagship
5G-readiness isn’t the only selling point of the Mi 10 devices, which now comes in the more basic Mi 10 and the highest-end Mi 10 Pro. Both will feature a quad-camera setup and a 108MP primary sensor similar to the Mi Note 10, but otherwise differ in the camera offerings.
The Pro model, being the higher-end device, will sport a 20MP ultra-wide-angle lens alongside a 12MP telephone camera with 2x optical zoom and an 8MP telephoto camera capable of 10x hybrid zoom with OIS.
The base Mi 10 models will have a lower-resolution 13MP ultra-wide-angle shooter and will eschew the telephoto cameras. Instead, it has a 2MP depth sensor and 2MP macro lens. The Mi 10 Pro also offers UHD 8K 30fps video recording.
Both versions sport a 3D curved front and back design, with smooth contoured edges and slim side bezels. The display is fitted with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and back. The Pro has an anti-glare finish and frosted glass rear panel, while the Mi 10 has a glossy back. The front camera – a 20MP selfie shooter for both – is fitted on the top left corner.
Both devices also sport a 6.67-inch AMOLED display pushing Full HD+ resolution with a 90Hz refresh rate, though the base Mi 10 device has slightly lower brightness (1,120 nits compared to the pro’s 1,200 nits).
Packing power
A fascinating addition to the Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro is a symmetrical dual-speaker system on the top and bottom of the phone. The setup uses two 1216 super-linear speakers and a 1.2cc/1.0cc-equivalent speaker chamber with up to 0.65mm/0.5mm speaker amplitude respectively. This combines to a DxOMark Audio score of 76, which Xiaomi says ranks at number one globally.
As for the innards, the Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro sports a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G Mobile Platform, which 7nm chipset delivers a max clock speed of 2,84GHz. In addition to that, they feature LiquidCool 2.0, which is an advanced cooling system consisting of a large vapour chamber, multi-layer graphite and graphene stacks that help dissipate heat during long-term use.
The setup, Xiaomi notes, earned the Mi 10 Pro an AnTuTu benchmark score of 602,660.
Both devices have differing battery capacities, however. The Mi 10 Pro features a smaller 4,500mAh battery but makes up for it by having super-fast 50W fast charging, as well as 30W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
The base Mi 10, however, has a slightly larger 4,780mAh battery with 30W wired and wireless charging, plus reverse wireless charging. The Mi 10 Pro and Mi 10 also offer multifunctional NFC and IR blaster for swift payment transactions and quick remote control of home appliances.
These flagship devices will be available in Malaysia starting from 1 May 2020 via the official Xiaomi Malaysia Lazada store as well as offline at Authorised Mi Stores in Malaysia (provided the COVID-19 movement control order is not extended).
The Mi 10 will be available in two versions. The 8GB RAM + 128GB ROM variant retails for RM2,799, while the 8GB + 256GB version will go for RM2,999. In terms of colours, they will be available in Twilight Grey and Coral Green.
[RM1 = US$0.23]
The Mi 10 Pro, on the other hand, comes with 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM, and prices at RM3,899. Designs wise, it will be available in Alpine White and Solstice Grey.
There is a pre-order promotion for both devices. From 22 to 30 April 2020, each pre-order of the Mi 10 come with a free Mi Band 4, while the Mi 10 Pro will offer a free Mi True Wireless Earphones.
Related stories:
Xiaomi launches the Redmi Note 9S, available in Malaysia on 27 March
Xiaomi brings 5-camera, 108MP smartphone to market amidst challenges
