The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Coolpad Cool 20 and the Xiaomi Redmi 9. Both pack a Helio G80 chipset, but which phone delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 9 edges out the Coolpad Cool 20 thanks to its slightly better software support, proven reliability, and exceptional battery life. While both offer similar performance, the Redmi 9's overall package feels more polished and offers better long-term value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 26. Released 2021, June 01 | 2020, June 10 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, June 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 75.7 x 8.7 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 163.3 x 77 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199.6 g (7.05 oz) | 198 g (6.98 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP3 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, CoolOS 2 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | Wireless FM radio (no wired headphones required) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5020 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Carbon Gray, Sunset Purple, Ocean Green, Pink/Blue |
| Models | - | M2004J19G, M2004J19C |
| Price | About 90 EUR | $ 105.77 / £ 196.62 / € 115.51 |
| SAR | - | 0.91 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.71 W/kg (head) 1.06 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 131h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1624:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.9 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 201829 (v8)
GeekBench: 1325 (v5.1) |
Coolpad Cool 20
- Clean Android experience
- Potentially more modern design
- Decent performance for the price
- Less established brand reputation
- Potentially weaker battery life
- Camera performance may be inconsistent
Xiaomi Redmi 9
- Excellent battery life
- Reliable brand reputation
- Well-optimized software (MIUI)
- Good value for money
- MIUI can be a bit bloated
- Design may feel dated to some
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar LCD displays, but the Redmi 9's contrast ratio (1624:1) and measured brightness (328 nits) suggest a slightly better viewing experience. The Coolpad Cool 20's display is likely adequate, but may lack the vibrancy and clarity of the Redmi 9.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is difficult to definitively assess without detailed testing. Both phones likely offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions. The Redmi 9 might have a slight advantage due to Xiaomi's generally better camera software processing. Expect both to struggle in low-light scenarios.
Performance
Powered by the same Helio G80 chipset and CPU configuration, expect comparable performance in everyday tasks and gaming. However, software optimization can play a significant role; Xiaomi's MIUI is generally well-optimized, potentially giving the Redmi 9 a slight edge in responsiveness.
Battery Life
The Redmi 9 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 131 hours, indicating significantly better battery life than the Coolpad Cool 20. This is a major advantage for users who prioritize all-day (or multi-day) battery performance.
Buying Guide
The Coolpad Cool 20 is a good option for users prioritizing a clean Android experience and a potentially more modern design. The Xiaomi Redmi 9 is ideal for those seeking outstanding battery life, a reliable brand reputation, and a well-rounded feature set at an affordable price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Xiaomi Redmi 9 generally receives more frequent and longer-term software updates due to Xiaomi's established support system.
❓ Is the Coolpad Cool 20 worth considering?
Yes, if you prioritize a clean Android experience and are willing to accept potential trade-offs in battery life and brand reputation. However, the Redmi 9 offers a more well-rounded package.
