Features

Xiaomi 11T Pro vs Mi 10T Pro: 11 changes in 1 year

Xiaomi keeps on getting better

Published

on

The first Xiaomi smartphones I’ve reviewed are the Mi 9T and Mi 9T Pro way back in 2019. One year passed by, I’ve had enough time to test the Mi 10T Pro.

Another year later, I got to test another Xiaomi T successor in the line. The Xiaomi 11T Pro (yes, without the ‘Mi’ branding anymore) is a capable smartphone that can surely hold the “flagship killer” title. But what does it look like against its older sibling?

Well, here are 11 changes I’ve listed down for you to know.

1. Design

From afar, the Xiaomi 11T Pro looks more premium and elegant compared to the Mi 10T Pro. Not only does it have that brushed metal back design, it also looks more well-crafted and thought out.

While both have glass backs, the Mi 10T Pro doesn’t radiate elegance — especially in this less fancy Cosmic Black colorway that I have versus the 11T Pro’s Meteorite Gray colorway.

The camera cutout looks cleaner and less pronounced. The new Xiaomi logo also looks more modern compared to that old “Mi” branding.

2. Build Quality

While the Mi 10T Pro has a Gorilla Glass 5 protection, the Xiaomi 11T Pro’s front display features a tougher Gorilla Glass Victus. It wasn’t mentioned though if Xiaomi also placed one on its back.

Both Mi phones also have an aluminum frame but the Xiaomi 11T Pro has a matte-textured frame compared to Mi 10T Pro’s glossy a la stainless steel.

3. Display

Xiaomi has finally come to their senses by bringing an AMOLED display to the Xiaomi 11T Pro. Having an AMOLED display not only brings you better dynamic range and contrast especially with Dolby Vision, it also means you get an Always-On Display for notifications. That’s something the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro doesn’t have.

While they’ve reduced the refresh rate from the Mi 10T Pro’s 144Hz down to 120Hz, it still is a better display as the IPS-LCD is lackluster especially in displaying deeper blacks and whiter whites. Besides, 120Hz still looks as smooth as the higher 144Hz.

Brightness levels on the Xiaomi 11T Pro’s display are also higher at around 800 to 1000 nits versus the measly 500 to 650 nits on the Mi 10T Pro. This means better sunlight legibility that I truly attest.

4. Biometrics

Despite having an AMOLED display, the Xiaomi 11T Pro still has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor on its power button. But instead of the Mi 10T Pro’s recessed scanner (which kind of feels a little bit cheap and flimsy), the 11T Pro has a raised power button with greater tactile response.

Based on experience, the 11T Pro’s fingerprint scanner feels faster and more responsive even with wet hands. The Mi 10T Pro’s sensor had lapses when unlocking the phone even when my fingers are dry.

5. Speakers

Both phones have stereo speakers but one distinct feature that the Xiaomi 11T Pro has is the Harman/Kardon-powered speakers. Not only it’s better sounding with fuller and richer stereo sound, you also get better experience especially because its paired with Dolby Atmos. These features are something that the old Mi 10T Pro doesn’t have.

6. Rear cameras

While both phones have a “108MP camera” plastered on each of their camera bumps, the Xiaomi 11T Pro looked like it has a downgraded 108MP camera with an f/1.8 aperture (versus f/1.7 on the Mi 10T Pro) as well as the lack of OIS.

The ultra-wide camera changed too. From a 13MP f/2.4 with 123-degree FoV to an 8MP f/2.2 120-degree lens. Both lack a telephoto zoom lens but still keeps the 5MP f/2.4 macro lens.

7. Punch-hole cameras

If you’ll compare these two Mi phones side-by-side, you’d easily identify which is which based on the placement of each punch-hole cutouts.

The Mi 10T Pro has it on the left side, while the Xiaomi 11T Pro’s front camera was moved at the center. This is a bold move considering past Xiaomi smartphones including the Mi 11 and the Mi 11 Ultra used the former layout. It would cause a confusion when let’s say you put it beside a Samsung Galaxy A72 for that matter.

Also, the selfie cameras are different. The Mi 10T Pro has a 20MP f/2.2 camera while the Xiaomi 11T Pro has a 16MP f/2.5 sensor. That sounded like another downgrade from last year but you have to see my camera shootout to find out.

8. Performance

Both the Xiaomi 11T Pro and Mi 10T Pro are equipped with the latest Snapdragon chipsets during their time of announcement. The Mi 10T Pro has a Snapdragon 865 chipset — which is a flagship processor last 2020. Meanwhile, the Xiaomi 11T Pro is equipped the latest Snapdragon 888 processor.

On paper, they’re both capable 5G octa-core chipsets. The differentiating factor other than the clock speeds are the Adreno 660 vs 650 from last year. The Xiaomi 11T Pro also offers a 12GB RAM aside from the 8GB variant. The Mi 10T Pro was only offered with 8GB of memory.

9. Battery life

While both possess a 5000mAh battery, battery life seems to be different due to the difference in chipset. The Xiaomi 11T Pro runs a more efficient processor so it makes sense that it lasts longer.

The Mi 10T Pro can still last longer than most smartphones out there but its 7nm+ chipset prevents in from performing better than the newer premiere model in the Xiaomi T line.

10. Charging

One big leap that Xiaomi did in a span of a year is the 120W turbo charging in the Xiaomi 11T Pro. The Mi 10T Pro only had a 33W turbo charger which is fast but not as close as what the 11T Pro has to offer today.

On paper, Xiaomi promises 17 minutes of charge from zero to 100 percent. You have to check my Mi 11T Pro review to find that claim.

11. Pricing

It would be amiss not to point out how their launch prices also changed.

The Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro was launched for PhP 24,990. Meanwhile, the base variant of Xiaomi 11T Pro starts at PhP 27,990. If you’ll do the math, that’s a PhP 3000 increase. But if we’ll consider the Mi 9T Pro in this segment, that phone retailed for only PhP 18,990. That’s almost a PhP 10,000 increase in just two years!

If Xiaomi keeps doing this on their T series lineup, their loyal fanbase might look elsewhere — including their Redmi and POCO sub-brands.

SEE ALSO: Xiaomi 11T Pro review: Is it really “Pro” enough?

Tutorials

How to set up Apple Pay on your iPhone

It’s as easy as a single tap.

Published

on

Apple Pay is officially in the Philippines!

Pushing the country forward into a cashless and cardless future, Apple has now brought its contactless payment system to the Philippines. As with other countries, Apply Pay will work seamlessly and easily even for those who have problems with technology.

Now, despite how easy it is, sometimes we need to be pointed in the right direction. Here’s how you can set up Apple Pay on your iPhone:

Everything starts with the Wallet app. First, open your Wallet app. Tap the “+” button on the top and select “Debit or Credit Card.”

Normally, this is where you can input your card details (which you can still do, by the way), but the default method now is to just tap your card on the back of your iPhone. Your phone does the rest. You might need to confirm with your bank, but it’s as easy as a single tap.

Pick which cards to use. Once you have your cards online, you might need to change which one is the default card. Again, it’s easy. Just drag your preferred card to the front.

Afterwards, you can tap to pay in supported stores by priming the Wallet app for use. Tapping to pay is also available for Apple Watch. Meanwhile, online transactions can also work on MacBook.

Secure, all the time. If you’re worried about your security especially with online transactions, Apple keeps your information only between you and the seller. They don’t store your data.

Also, it’s not easy to make a transaction without your consent. You need Face ID, Touch ID, or your password. If you lose your phone, you can easily shut your phone down with the Find My app to prevent malicious parties from making transactions.

Continue Reading

Accessories

DJI Osmo Mobile 8P: From a videographer’s perspective

Better tracking, fewer buttons

Published

on

DJI’s smartphone gimbals have always chased one goal: delivering cinema-smooth footage without forcing you to carry a heavy rig.

The Osmo Mobile 8P (OM 8P) makes its priorities clear right out of the box. This is not a simple refresh. DJI rebuilt how you control the gimbal, and that decision shapes the entire shooting experience.

Freedom behind the lens

The biggest change is the FrameTap remote, and it’s the kind of upgrade that fixes a problem you didn’t realize was slowing you down until it’s gone.

On the standard OM 8, adjusting your framing meant reaching for your phone every time, which broke the flow of shooting and pulled you out of the moment.

FrameTap puts that control back in your hand. You can reframe shots and manage the gimbal without touching your phone at all, and for anyone shooting solo, that alone changes how usable the whole setup feels. Tracking has taken a real step forward too.

ActiveTrack 8.0, paired with Module 2, held onto its subject even after they stepped out of frame for a moment, then picked them back up without much fuss.

It also lets you sit off-center in the shot instead of forcing you into the middle every time, which gives you more room to compose something that doesn’t look like every other gimbal video.

None of that would matter much if the gimbal itself wasn’t solid, and it still is. The OM 8P holds onto the same foldable design, magnetic phone clamp, and built-in tripod that made the OM 8 easy to live with.

And it remains one of the better compact options for stabilization, tracking, and portability in one package.

The tripod legs are a touch wider this time, and that extra width does make a noticeable difference on uneven ground.

The trade-offs in touch

The trade-off for all that new remote functionality is a control scheme that takes more getting used to. More of the gimbal’s functions now live on the FrameTap touchscreen, the joystick is smaller, and switching between shooting modes takes a few extra taps compared to the OM 8. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a learning curve you’ll need to budget time for.

DJI also removed the zoom and focus wheel, so if you leaned on that dial for quick adjustments, you’ll feel its absence here. Module 2 no longer lets you plug a DJI wireless mic in directly either.

You’ll need to connect it to your phone instead, which adds a step to a setup that used to be simpler. Phone compatibility is still a limiting factor as well. DJI lists support for phones up to around 300g and 11mm thick, so bigger phones or ones in chunky cases may not clamp in properly.

Finding your ideal workflow

The OM 8P makes the most sense for solo creators who want dependable tracking and the freedom of remote framing without stepping up to a dedicated camera like the DJI Osmo Pocket.

If you’re already shooting on a phone with a solid camera, this fills the gap nicely. It’s a tougher sell if you prefer physical buttons over touchscreen menus, or if your phone runs on the larger and heavier side, since fitting it onto the clamp might be a problem before you even get to shooting.

Price, availability

DJI is offering the OM 8P in three combos, so how much you pay depends on how much of the ecosystem you actually need.

  • Standard Combo (PhP 7,499): the gimbal itself, with 8th-gen stabilization and the detachable FrameTap remote included.
  • Advanced Tracking Combo (PhP 9,199): adds the Multifunctional Module 2 for the improved subject tracking we tested.
  • Creator Combo (PhP 11,099): the full kit, built for creators who want everything DJI bundles in from the start.

Is the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P your GadgetMatch?

The DJI Osmo Mobile 8P asks you to relearn a few habits in exchange for a gimbal that finally lets go of your phone. If hands-free framing and steadier tracking matter more to you than a dedicated zoom dial, this is worth the adjustment.

If you’d rather keep things exactly as they were on the OM 8, that learning curve might be the deciding factor.

Swipe right if you shoot alone often and have been waiting for a gimbal remote that actually works. The FrameTap remote alone justifies the upgrade if reaching for your phone mid-shot has been slowing you down.

Consider this if reliable tracking matters to you, especially if you’ve had a subject wander out of frame and stay lost on older gimbals.

And of course, get this if you already own a capable phone under the weight and thickness limits, and you’d rather invest in a smartphone rig than jump to a dedicated camera like the Osmo Pocket.

Swipe left if you lean on physical dials for zoom and focus, and moving those functions to a touchscreen sounds like a downgrade rather than an upgrade.

This is not for you if you use a DJI wireless mic and want it plugged directly into the module without routing through your phone first. Or, your phone runs heavier or bulkier than DJI’s limits allow, since no amount of enthusiasm fixes a clamp that won’t close.

Continue Reading

Features

GadgetSnaps: Westminster Abbey

A thousand years of history, unfolded with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

Published

on

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Westminster Abbey isn’t just another stop on the London tourist trail.

It’s the stage for coronations, royal weddings, and burials that span nearly a thousand years, all still playing out under the same vaulted ceilings that have been standing since before most countries had names.

Once you get past the crowds and the audio guides, a quieter version of the abbey starts to show itself: worn stone steps, poets resting a few feet from kings, light that shifts across the nave like it’s in on the performance too.

While losing track of time in Poets’ Corner (yes, me, playing amateur historian for an afternoon), I unfolded the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and decided the abbey deserved more than a quick tourist snap.


All photos captured using the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.

Continue Reading

Trending