Xiaomi launches the Mi Note 10 Lite: A cheaper Mi Note 10 with worse cameras

The Mi Note 10 was the first mainstream production phone to launch with a 108 MP sensor, and was hailed for its photography chops as it debuted at the top of DxOMark's leaderboard. Six months later, Xiaomi is back with another phone in this series—the Mi Note 10 Lite. This time, though, the camera hardware isn't that impressive.

The Mi Note 10 Lite sports the same 6.47-inch FHD+ AMOLED display on the regular Mi Note 10. That's a theme with the phone, in fact, as it shares virtually identical hardware with the Mi Note 10. The same Snapdragon 730G, 5260 mAh battery, and 30 W fast charging.

Where the Mi Note Lite does differ from the Mi Note 10 is in the most important department: cameras. While the Mi Note 10 features a huge 1/1.33" 108 MP ISOCELL Bright HMX, the Mi Note 10 Lite goes with the smaller, lower-res 1/1.7" 64 MP IMX686. The ultra-wide-angle shooter is downgraded from a 20 MP unit to an 8 MP sensor, and the two telephoto lenses are ditched in favor of a 5 MP macro lens and 2 MP depth sensor. 

The 6/64 model carries an RRP of €349 (US$382), while the 6/128 SKU will cost €399 (US$437). Those are fair prices for the features the phone delivers, but the existence of this device still seems a bit pointless considering the 6/128 GB Mi Note 10 can be had these days for around US$400.

The Mi Note 10 will come in color options of Nebula Purple, Glacier White and Midnight Black. Availability is scheduled for mid-May.

Buy Xiaomi Mi Note 10 now on Amazon