Xiaomi has globally launched its new mid-range smartphones under the Redmi family, the Redmi Note 9, Redmi Note 9S, and Redmi Note 9 Pro. Although they’re from the same series, the devices are different from each other to cater to different kinds of users. So, which Redmi Note 9 smartphone is for you? Let’s find out.
| Redmi Note 9 | Redmi Note 9S | Redmi Note 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 6.53-inch FHD+ (2340 x 1080) DotDisplay | 6.67-inch FHD+ (2400 x 1080) DotDisplay | 6.67-inch FHD+ (2400 x 1080) DotDisplay |
| Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| MediaTek Helio G85 2.0GHz octa-core CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G 2.3GHz octa-core CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G 2.3GHz octa-core CPU |
| Mali-G52 MC2 GPU | Adreno 618 GPU | Adreno 618 GPU |
| 3GB, 4GB RAM | 4GB, 6GB LPDDR4x RAM | 6GB LPDDR4x RAM |
| 64GB, 128GB storage | 64GB, 128GB UFS 2.1 | 64GB, 128GB UFS 2.1 |
| microSD up to 512GB (dedicated slot) | microSD up to 512GB (dedicated slot) | microSD up to 512GB (dedicated slot) |
| Quad rear cameras: • 48MP F1.79 4-in-1 Super Pixel (main) • 8MP F2.2 (ultra-wide) • 2MP F2.4 (macro) • 2MP F2.4 (depth) | Quad-rear cameras: • 48MP F1.79 4-in-1 Super Pixel (main) • 8MP F2.2 (ultra-wide) • 5MP F2.4 (macro) • 2MP F2.4 (depth) | Quad-rear cameras: • 64MP F1.89 4-in-1 Super-Pixel (main) • 8MP F2.2 (ultra-wide) • 5MP F2.4 (macro) • 2MP F2.4 (depth) |
| 13MP F2.25 front camera | 16MP F2.48 front camera | 16MP F2.48 front camera |
| Dual-SIM (nano) | Dual-SIM (nano) | Dual-SIM (nano) |
| 4G LTE | 4G LTE | 4G LTE |
| WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS |
| NFC (select markets) | NFC | |
| IR Blaster | IR Blaster | IR Blaster |
| USB Type-C | USB Type-C | USB Type-C |
| 3.5mm audio jack | 3.5mm audio jack | 3.5mm audio jack |
| 1216 X max0.5mm high amplitude ultra-linear speaker | 1216 X max0.5mm high amplitude ultra-linear speaker | 1216 X max0.5mm high amplitude ultra-linear speaker |
| Smart PA 10V | Smart PA 10V | Smart PA 10V |
| Fingerprint scanner (rear) | Fingerprint scanner (side-mounted) | Fingerprint scanner (side-mounted) |
| MIUI 11 (Android 10) | MIUI 11 (Android 10) | MIUI 11 (Android 10) |
| Splash-proof nano-coating | Splash-proof nano-coating | Splash-proof nano-coating |
| 5,020mAh battery w/ 18W fast charging (22.5W charger included) | 5,020mAh battery w/ 18W fast charging (22.5W charger included) | 5,020mAh battery w/ 30W fast charging (33W charger included) |
| 162.3 x 77.2 x 8.9 mm | 165.75 x 76.68 x 8.8 mm | 165.75 x 76.68 x 8.8 mm |
| 199 g | 209 g | 209 g |
| Forest Green, Polar White, Midnight Grey | Interstellar Grey, Aurora Blue, Glacier White | Glacier White, Interstellar Black, Aurora Blue |
Table of Contents
Display
The three devices port almost the same specs with a DotDisplay design and Full HD+ resolution. However, the hole-punch location on the Note 9 is placed on the upper left side, while the Note 9S and Note 9 Pro are at the upper center. The Note 9 also has a slightly smaller screen at 6.53-inch compared to its siblings with 6.67-inch. All of them use Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for protection.
Processor
The Redmi Note 9 series are powered by different chipsets. The Note 9 uses the MediaTek Helio G85 with Mali-G52 GPU, while the Note 9S and Note 9 Pro uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G with Adreno 618 GPU. Both are new chipsets announced just this year. While we can expect good performance on all three devices, we can only determine which chipset is better once we have benchmarked all three.
Memory
Memory configuration is different in all three. In terms of RAM, the Note 9 has 3GB and 4GB options, the Note 9S has 4GB and 6GB, while the Note 9 Pro only has 6GB. Storage-wise, all three offer 64GB and 128GB options with support for microSD cards up to 512GB.
Cameras
The camera configuration is pretty easy to understand in the three devices. The Note 9 and Note 9S have the same rear camera configuration. The Note 9 Pro is just different for having a higher main camera resolution.
When it comes to selfies, the Note 9S and Note 9 Pro have the same 16MP camera. The Note 9 is the odd one this time for having a lower-res 13MP shooter.
Features
When it comes to features, all three are pretty much identical. They have 4G LTE, WiFi ac, Bluetooth 5.0, SatNavs, IR Blaster, USB Type-C, splash-proofing, powered speakers, and 3.5mm audio jacks. However, the Note 9 Pro has NFC, while the Note 9 will depend on the market. No mention of NFC on the Note 9S.
All three also have fingerprint scanners, but the placement is different. The Note 9S and Note 9 Pro have it on the side on the power button, while the Note 9 has it on the rear.
Battery
All three devices have the same battery capacity at 5,020mAh, but with some differences when it comes to charging. The Note 9 and Note 9S supports 18W fast charging and comes with a 22.5W charger, which is not bad. The Note 9 Pro, however, has 30W charging and comes with a 30W charger.
Which one to get?
Xiaomi has already released the pricing of the Redmi Note 9 series, but in different currencies – USD for the Note 9 and Note 9 Pro, and MYR/SGD/THB for the Note 9S. But based on the specs, the Note 9 should be the least expensive, the Note 9 Pro will be the most expensive in the lineup, while the Note 9S sits in the middle.
If you’re on a tight budget, you’re better off getting the base Redmi Note 9 at USD 199. But if you can stretch it, we suggest adding an extra USD 100 and go for the Note 9 Pro 6GB + 128GB for USD 299, skipping the Note 9S, as well as the Note 9 and Note 9 Pro models in between. That should put more bang for your buck.
What do you guys think? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
Note 9 Pro is the best ?
Note 9 Pro is the best ?
You do note 9 is the liaris dapeyk
You do note.
the pro will function with all carrier and celltower in the PH but lacks NFC. the S will not function with some Globe cellsite (band 41) but has NFC.
Note 9 Pro is what I like.