Xiaomi released several 5G devices this year, even in the affordable segment. If you want an affordable 5G phone you have a lot of choices and the latest one is the Redmi Note 9 5G. But is it also the best besides being the last? In order to establish this, we decided to compare the Redmi Note 9 5G with other Xiaomi affordable phones supporting 5G connectivity, in order to decrease the confusion around them. We chose the Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite and the Redmi 10X 5G because they belong to the same price segment. Note that the Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite is the only one available in the European market, while the Redmi devices are still Asia-exclusive.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 5G vs Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite vs Xiaomi Redmi 10X 5G
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 5G | Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G | Xiaomi Redmi 10X 5G | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | 162 x 77.3 x 9.2 mm, 199 grams | 165.4 x 76.8 x 9 mm, 214.5 g | 164.2 x 75.8 x 9 mm, 205 grams |
| DISPLAY | 6.53 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), 395 ppi, 19.5:9 ratio, IPS LCD | 6.67 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), IPS LCD | 6.57 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), 401 ppi, 20:9 ratio, AMOLED |
| PROCESSOR | Mediatek Dimensity 800U, octa-core 2.4 GHz | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G, octa-core 2.2 GHz | Mediatek Dimensity 820, octa-core 2.6 GHz |
| MEMORY | 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB – micro SD dedicated slot | 6 GB RAM, 64 GB – 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – micro SD dedicated slot | 6 GB RAM, 64 GB – 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB – micro SD slot |
| SOFTWARE | Android 10, MIUI | Android 10, MIUI | Android 10, MIUI |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS |
| CAMERA | Triple 48 + 8 + 2 MP f/1.8, f/2.2 and f/2.4 13 MP f/2.3 front camera |
Quad 64 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP, f/1.9 + f/2.2 + f/2.4 + f/2.4 16 MP f/2.5 front camera |
Triple 48 + 8 + 2 MP f/1.8, f/2.2 and f/2.4 16 MP f/2.3 front camera |
| BATTERY | 5000 mAh Fast charging 18W |
4820 mAh, fast charging 33W | 4520 mAh, Fast charging 22.5W |
| ADDITIONAL FEATURES | Dual SIM slot, 5G | Dual SIM slot, 5G | Dual SIM slot, 5G |
Design
The ugly shape of the camera module and the waterdrop notch do not make the Redmi 10X 5G the most modern and beautiful device of the trio. The Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite is definitely better with its glass back, punch-hole display, and overall better look with more attractive color variants. The Redmi Note 9 5G comes right after, but it has a plastic back instead of a glass cover. On the other hand, Redmi Note 9 5G and Redmi 10X 5G have water-repellent coatings, while the Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite does not. You should also consider that Redmi 10X 5G has an in-display fingerprint reader, while on the Mi 10T Lite it is side-mounted.
Display
The most impressive display belongs to the Redmi 10X 5G: it is the only one to feature an AMOLED panel showing better colors and deeper blacks. It even supports the HDR10+ certification allowing for better image quality. The second place goes to the Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite which sports an IPS display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. Redmi Note 9 5G has an IPS display with a standard 60 Hz refresh rate, really nothing special. Unfortunately, Redmi 10X 5G lacks stereo speakers, or it would have been a perfect multimedia phone.
Hardware/Software
The MediaTek Dimensity 820 chipset found on the Redmi 10X 5G is a more powerful processor than the Dimensity 800U and the Snapdragon 750G found on the Redmi Note 9 5G and the Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite. And this is not the only element that makes the Redmi 10X 5G the winner of the hardware comparison. Redmi 10X 5G also offers a higher amount of RAM: up to 8 GB instead of 6 GB like its two rivals. The software you get with these phones is the same, if we exclude the fact that Redmi 10X 5G ships with MIUI 11 out of the box, while the other twos run MIUI 12.
Camera
The most advanced camera is on board the Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite: we are talking about the 64 MP main sensor paired with an 8 MP ultrawide lens and two 2 MP sensors for macro and depth. With the Redmi Note 9 5G and the Redmi 10X 5G you get the same rear cameras, but the front camera is better on the Redmi 10X 5G.
Battery
The Redmi Note 9 5G packs a bigger battery and its battery life is longer. But the Redmi 10X 5G and the Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite are still great battery phones with their above-average batteries. The Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite wins the fast charging comparison with its 33W power.
Price
Redmi 10X 5G is priced at about €205/$248 in China, Redmi Note 9 5G goes for €170/$205, and Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite costs €249/$300 globally. Technically, the most convincing phone of this trio is the Redmi 10X 5G due to its stronger chipset and AMOLED display. But some may prefer the Mi 10T Lite due to its Snapdragon chipset, faster charging, and better camera. Redmi Note 9 5G can let you save a lot of money, but it is inferior.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 5G vs Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite vs Xiaomi Redmi 10X 5G: PRO and CONS
Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G
PROS
- 120 Hz display
- Great camera
- Stereo speakers
- Wider display
- Faster charging
CONS
- Dimensions
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 5G
PROS
- Very affordable
- Compact
- Stereo speakers
- Water-repellent
CONS
- Inferior display
Xiaomi Redmi 10X 5G
PROS
- AMOLED display
- HDR10+
- Great hardware
- Water-repellent
CONS
- Smaller battery
