The Redmi Note 9 Pro Max launched in India back in March but will just go on sale for the first time today at 12 noon (IST). A lot of folks already have their minds made up on purchasing the device. However, there are others that are still sitting on the fence. This post should help you make up your mind with respect to purchasing it or not.
Before we dive in, let us revisit the specifications of the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max.
- 6.67-inch FHD+ 2400 x 1080 display with a punch-hole
- Snapdragon 720G
- 6GB or 8GB RAM
- 64GB or 128GB of storage
- Dedicated MicroSD card slot
- 64MP + 8MP + 5MP + 2MP quad rear cameras
- 32MP selfie camera
- Side-mounted fingerprint scanner
- 5020mAh battery
- 33W fast charging with 33W charger in the box
- Audio Jack, IR Blaster, Bluetooth 5.0
- MIUI 11 based on Android 10
The Redmi Note 9 Pro Max is priced at INR 14,999 (~$193) for the 6+64GB version, INR 17,999 (~$237) for the 6+128GB version, and INR 19,999 (~$263) for the 8+128GB version.
Looking at the specs, the phone is an easy sell. For $200, you get a device that has 64MP quad rear cameras, 33W fast charging that is faster than even that of the Mi 10 flagship, and a pretty big 5020mAh battery.
However, the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max has got some close competitors that may sway buyers to their side with what they have to offer. Two of such devices are the Realme 6 Pro and the POCO X2 which have a better display and better cameras but for a slightly higher starting price tag.
Not the best display in its class
If your budget is INR 20,999 and you want a phone with a high refresh rate, then the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max isn’t the device you should be looking at.
The Realme 6 Pro has a 90Hz refresh rate while the POCO X2 packs a 120Hz refresh rate. A higher refresh rate means a better user experience when it comes to games and general usage.
These two phones also have brighter screens than the Redmi Note 9 Pro. The Realme 6 Pro has a peak brightness of 480 while the POCO X2 has a peak brightness of 500. The Redmi Note 9 Pro Max’s brightness peaks at 450 nits.
Doesn’t take the best photos
While all three phones have 64MP primary rear cameras, they are not the same. The POCO X2 uses the Sony IMX686 sensor while the Redmi Note 9 Pro and Realme 6 Pro both feature the inferior Samsung GW1. So when it comes to clicking shots, the POCO X2 comes out on top.
The Realme 6 may have the same primary camera as the Redmi Note 9 Pro but one of its other rear cameras is better than that of the Redmi Note 9 Pro and even POCO X2.
Rather than the 2MP depth camera on the Redmi and POCO, the Realme 6 Pro has a 12MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom. So you not only take better photos of distant objects with the Realme 6 Pro, but you also take better portrait photos.
The Realme 6 Pro and POCO X2 also have the upper hand when it comes to taking selfies as they both feature dual cameras in front unlike the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max that has just 1.
While none of their primary selfie cameras is as high as that of the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max, the Realme 6 Pro’ second selfie camera has an ultrawide angle lens so you can fit more friends or that awesome background in your selfies. The POCO X2’s second selfie camera is a depth sensor for better portrait selfies.
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To get these features, you have to pay more. The POCO X2 is currently priced at INR 16,999 (~$224) for the 6+64GB version, INR17,999 (~$237) for the 6+128GB version, and INR 20,999 (~$276) for the 8+256GB version.
The Realme 6 Pro is INR17,999 (~$237) for its 6+64GB version, INR18,999 (~$250) for the 6+128GB version, and INR 19,999 (~$263) for the 8+128GB version.
Conclusion
If you do not care for a higher refresh rate and you are fine with having a single front-facing camera, and acceptable rear cameras, then the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max is the device to get.
You can’t go wrong with the big battery and the 33W fast charging support. The Snapdragon 720G that powers it is also more powerful than the Snapdragon 730G inside the POCO X2.
However, if you want to pick an alternative, the POCO X2 will be the one we will recommend for its higher refresh rate, better primary rear camera, and price tag which is lower than that of the Realme 6 Pro. To be honest, if you are not purchasing the base model of the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max, the POCO X2 is the one you should buy as the 6+128GB version sells for the same price as that of the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max.
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