Switching From Samsung A52s To Redmi Note 10s What Am I Missing

Moving from the Samsung Galaxy A52s to the Redmi Note 10S marks a shift in both brand philosophy and hardware priorities. While both phones sit in the mid-range segment, they serve different user needs. The A52s offers refined performance, superior build quality, and long-term software support, while the Redmi Note 10S focuses on battery life, value, and entry-level features. Understanding what you're gaining — and more importantly, what you might be giving up — helps set realistic expectations and optimize your experience.

Performance and Hardware: A Step Back in Power

The Samsung A52s is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G, one of the most efficient and capable mid-tier chips available. It delivers smooth multitasking, excellent gaming performance, and consistent responsiveness. In contrast, the Redmi Note 10S uses the MediaTek Helio G95 — a solid chip for basic tasks but noticeably slower under load.

While everyday activities like browsing, messaging, and media consumption will still run smoothly, demanding apps and games may stutter or require lower graphics settings. App launch times are longer, and background app retention is weaker due to only 4GB or 6GB of RAM (vs. up to 8GB on the A52s).

Tip: Close unused apps regularly on the Redmi Note 10S to free up memory and maintain responsiveness.

Key Performance Differences

Feature	Samsung A52s	Redmi Note 10S
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G	MediaTek Helio G95
RAM Options	6GB / 8GB	4GB / 6GB
Storage Type	UFS 2.2	eMMC 5.1
Benchmark (Antutu ~)	550,000	280,000

The storage type alone makes a noticeable difference: UFS 2.2 in the A52s is nearly twice as fast as eMMC 5.1 in the Note 10S, affecting app installs, file transfers, and overall system fluidity.

Display and Build Quality: From Premium to Practical

The A52s features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and buttery-smooth scrolling. The Redmi Note 10S has a 6.43-inch Super AMOLED panel too — a rare win at its price — but capped at 60Hz. This means animations feel less responsive, and scrolling isn’t as fluid.

Build quality is another area of compromise. The A52s has a glass back and IP67 rating, making it dustproof and water-resistant. The Note 10S uses plastic on both front and back, feels lighter (sometimes flimsier), and lacks any official water resistance. You’ll need to be more cautious around moisture or drops.

“Moving from a 120Hz display to 60Hz can feel jarring at first. It’s not just specs — it changes how the phone *feels* in daily use.” — Tech Analyst Raj Mehta, Mobile Insights Weekly

Battery and Charging: Where Redmi Shines

If there’s one area where the Redmi Note 10S clearly wins, it’s battery life. Its 5000mAh cell typically lasts a full day and a half with moderate use, outperforming the A52s’ already good 4500mAh battery. This is partly due to the less power-hungry 60Hz screen and MIUI’s aggressive background app management.

Charging speed is comparable — both support 33W fast charging — though Samsung includes the charger in the box, while Xiaomi often doesn’t (depending on region). Still, going from 0% to 100% takes about 60 minutes on both.

Tip: Enable \"Ultra Battery Saver\" mode on the Note 10S when traveling to extend uptime during emergencies.

Software Experience: One UI vs. MIUI – A Cultural Shift

Samsung’s One UI is polished, intuitive, and feature-rich. It includes advanced customization, robust security updates (4 years of OS upgrades), and seamless integration with other Samsung devices. Google apps are clean and unmodified.

Xiaomi’s MIUI, on the other hand, is packed with features but also bloatware. Pre-installed apps like Mi Video, GetApps, and Weather cannot be uninstalled. Ads appear in the default apps (app drawer, file manager, etc.), which can be disabled manually but require digging into settings.

Update frequency is significantly slower. While the A52s receives quarterly security patches and major Android updates for years, the Note 10S — launched with Android 11 — received only one major upgrade (to Android 12) and limited patch cycles. Long-term support is minimal.

Steps to Clean Up MIUI After Switching

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Manage Apps, and disable or force-stop bloatware (e.g., Mi Browser, Mi Community).
2. Open each preloaded app and look for ad toggles (Settings > Special permissions > Show on top / Display over other apps).
3. Disable “Get Started” and “Tips & Tricks” in the Home screen settings.
4. Install a lightweight third-party launcher if you prefer stock Android aesthetics.
5. Enable auto-security updates in Settings > About phone > MIUI version.

Camera Comparison: Trade-Offs Across Conditions

The A52s boasts a versatile quad-camera setup: 64MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 5MP macro, and 5MP depth. The main sensor captures detailed, well-balanced photos in daylight and handles low light with strong noise reduction. Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) ensures sharper shots and smoother video recording.

The Redmi Note 10S has a 64MP main sensor too, but without OIS. Its low-light performance is weaker, with grainier images and less dynamic range. The ultra-wide lens is downgraded to 8MP, and autofocus on the 2MP macro lens is slow and inconsistent. Video tops out at 1080p@30fps without stabilization, making footage shaky in motion.

In good lighting, both phones produce acceptable results, but the A52s consistently delivers more natural color science and better post-processing.

Real-World Example: Weekend Photography

Consider a user who frequently takes outdoor photos and shares them on social media. On a hiking trip, the A52s captures crisp landscape shots with accurate greens and sky tones. The same scene on the Note 10S appears slightly oversaturated, with blown-out highlights and less detail in shadows. When reviewing photos later, the user notices that portrait mode edges are less precise on the Redmi, with occasional hair-strand inaccuracies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I expect long-term software support on the Redmi Note 10S?

No. The Redmi Note 10S received only one major Android update (from Android 11 to 12) and limited security patches. Samsung guarantees four years of OS and security updates for the A52s, making it far more future-proof.

Is the fingerprint sensor faster on the A52s?

Yes. The optical fingerprint scanner on the A52s is noticeably quicker and more reliable than the one on the Note 10S, especially in low light or with slightly damp fingers.

Will my Samsung accessories work with the Redmi Note 10S?

Most wired accessories (headphones, chargers) will work, but Samsung-exclusive features like Smart Switch, Samsung DeX, or Galaxy Buds spatial audio won’t function. You’ll need to switch to generic or Xiaomi-compatible alternatives.

Checklist: What to Do After Switching Phones

• Transfer contacts, messages, and media using Google Sync or third-party tools.
• Install essential apps and disable unwanted pre-installed ones.
• Turn off ads in MIUI settings (Settings > Passwords & security > Privacy > Special permissions >显示在其他应用的上层).
• Set up biometric unlock and secure your lock screen.
• Enable automatic backups via Google Drive.
• Test camera performance in different lighting conditions.
• Adjust display brightness and navigation gestures to preference.

Final Thoughts: Making the Most of Your New Device

Switching from the Samsung A52s to the Redmi Note 10S involves trade-offs. You’re likely doing it for budget reasons, extended battery life, or regional availability. While you lose processing power, display smoothness, build quality, and long-term software support, you gain exceptional battery endurance and a decent AMOLED screen at a lower price point.

The key to satisfaction lies in adjusting expectations and optimizing the device for your habits. Disable bloatware, manage background processes, and consider using lightweight apps to compensate for hardware limitations. Treat the Redmi Note 10S as a reliable daily driver for communication, media, and light tasks — not a powerhouse for gaming or photography.

💬 Have you made the switch from Samsung to Xiaomi? Share your experience, tips, or surprises in the comments below — your insights could help others navigate the transition!