The Redmi Note 9 Pro Max is one of two phones that were launched in India last week. It packs pretty great specs for its price but its closest competitor is another phone from the “Xiaomi family” – the POCO X2. Both phones share similar specs in some areas and also have their individual strengths. If you are having a hard time deciding which you should go for, then you should read this post written to help you in making a decision.
While this post is supposed to help you decide which phone you should purchase, it will also be a comparison between the two devices, which of course shouldn’t be surprising. We will compare the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max and the POCO X2 based on the following – Design, Display, Performance, Cameras, Battery Capacity, Fast Charging, and of course, Price.
Design
Design is based on personal preference. Some might like the centered punch hole of the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max and others might prefer the pill-shaped punch hole of the POCO X2. The two phones also have very different rear designs.
In terms of quality, both phones are similar. Their displays are protected by Gorilla Glass 5 and there is also Gorilla Glass on the back.
With respect to weight and dimensions, the two phones are also nearly identical. The POCO X2 weighs 208 grams and measures 165.3 x 76.6 x 8.8 millimeters while the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max weighs 209 grams and measures 165.5 x 76.7 x 8.8 millimeters.
Display
The POCO X2 has a punch-hole in the top right corner for dual selfie cameras. The LCD display is 6.67-inches with a 2400 x 1080 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.
The Redmi Note 9 Pro Max, on the other hand, has a centered punch-hole display but it is the same screen size and resolution as that of the POCO X2. However, it skips on the high refresh rate of the POCO X2. The spec sheet also says the POCO X2 has a brighter display (500 nits) against the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max’s 450 nits.
The POCO X2 does win in this category thanks to its 120HZ refresh rate and higher brightness level.
Performance
The Snapdragon 730G is the processor inside the POCO X2. It is a pretty powerful chipset with gaming features. However, benchmark results have shown that the newer Snapdragon 720G processor, which first appeared in the Realme 6 Pro and powers the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max too, is a more powerful chipset than the Snapdragon 730G.
Do read our special post on the two chips for more details.
EDITOR’S PICK: China may not get the Redmi Note 9 series
Cameras
The two phones each have a 64MP primary rear camera but the POCO X2 comes with the Sony IMX686 sensor while the Redmi Note 9 Pro has the Samsung GW1 sensor. The aperture size and pixel size for the two sensors are the same. We are yet to see real-life camera samples of the Redmi Note 9 Pro but below are those of the POCO X2. Until a camera comparison, we won’t say outright which is better.
Now I see what all the fuss is about!#POCOX2 camera is really impressive.
These are all one shot takes – I took out the phone, clicked a photo, kept it back in. No edits, no adjustments. And the photos have come out focused and well saturated. pic.twitter.com/RiQeZzKNH3
— Joel Joseph (@Jopoepl) March 14, 2020
However, we have not yet seen reviews of the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max but the POCO X2 does take some really great shots. So expect even brighter shots from the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max.
Both phones also have the same 8MP ultrawide angle camera with the same sensor size and aperture. They also have the same 2MP depth sensor. However, the Redmi has a higher resolution 5MP macro camera compared to the POCO X2’s macro camera.
Coming to the selfie cameras, the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max has a single 32MP camera. This is not the first Xiaomi phone with a 32MP camera. The Mi A3 has a 32MP camera too but it has a smaller sensor size than that of the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max which means the latter should take brighter selfies.
The POCO X2 has a 20MP selfie camera paired with a 2MP secondary depth camera for better portrait images. For regular selfies, the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max should churn out better photos but the POCO X2 should be better at portrait because it has a dedicated depth sensor and isn’t just using software to blue the background.
Battery capacity and Fast Charging
It is best to compare these two features of both phones. On paper, the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max is the better device with its 5020mAh battery capacity and 33W fast charger compared to the POCO X2’s 4500mAh battery capacity and 27W fast charging technology.
Not only does it have a bigger battery and a faster charging technology, but the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max should also have better battery life. It has the same screen as the POCO X2 but skips the high refresh rate which actually reduces battery life.
Others
The Redmi Note 9 Pro Max has some other advantages over the POCO X2 such as having a dedicated MicroSD card slot. This means you don’t have to sacrifice a SIM slot for a MicroSD card as in the case of the POCO X2.
Another merit is the support for NavIC, India’s navigation and positioning system. Sadly, the Snapdragon 730G chip in the POCO X2 doesn’t support it.
Price
The Redmi Note 9 Pro costs INR 14,999 (~$202) for the 6GB RAM + 64GB version while the POCO X2 is INR 15,999 (~$215) for the same configuration.
The 6GB RAM + 128GB version of the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max is INR 16,999 (~$229) which is the same price for the same configuration for the POCO X2.
The Redmi Note 9 Pro also comes in an 8GB RAM + 128GB version that is priced at INR 18,999 (~$255). The POCO X2 also has an 8GB RAM version but with 256GB of storage for INR 19,999 (~$269).
Conclusion
If you don’t care about a high refresh rate but want a phone that will take great pictures and also last you well more than a day alongside being able to recharge it faster, the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max is the one to buy. You also save money which can be used to purchase a MicroSD card for more storage.
However, if having a 120Hz refresh rate, a more than decent camera including great portrait selfies, then the POCO X2 is the device to choose.
Correction: The primary sensor for the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max has been corrected. The original article said it is a Sony IMX686 sensor but it is actually the Samsung GW1.
UP NEXT: Xiaomi to announce Redmi Note 9S in Malaysia on March 23
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