The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T and Honor 10X Lite represent compelling options in the crowded budget 5G smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they diverge significantly in their core hardware. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on performance, display quality, and battery life to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T emerges as the stronger choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 800U chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Honor 10X Lite’s Kirin 710A, translating to smoother multitasking and a better gaming experience. While the Honor 10X Lite offers comparable battery endurance, the Redmi Note 9T’s faster 5G connectivity and more powerful processor make it the more future-proof option.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 29. Released 2020, October 29 | 2021, January 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, January 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 76.9 x 9.3 mm (6.52 x 3.03 x 0.37 in) | 161.2 x 77.3 x 9.1 mm (6.35 x 3.04 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 206 g (7.27 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G57 MC3 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 3.1, no Google Play Services | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 - 64GB
UFS 2.2 - 128GB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.3, 29mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, built-in antenna | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired, 46% in 30 min | 18W wired, 33% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Icelandic Frost, Midnight Black, Emerald Green | Nightfall Black, Daybreak Purple |
| Models | DNN-LX9 | M2007J22G, J22 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.07 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.94 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 114h | Endurance rating 118h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1260:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1226:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-29.4 LUFS (Average) |
-26.3 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 172910 (v8)
GeekBench: 1346 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 288732 (v8)
GeekBench: 1775 (v5.1) |
Honor 10X Lite
- Faster 22.5W wired charging
- Excellent battery endurance (114h)
- Competitive price point
- Less powerful Kirin 710A chipset
- Lower peak display brightness
- Potentially slower 5G speeds
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T
- Significantly more powerful Dimensity 800U chipset
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Faster 5G connectivity
- Slower 18W wired charging
- Slightly lower battery endurance rating
- Image processing may be overly aggressive
Display Comparison
Both the Honor 10X Lite and Redmi Note 9T feature displays with similar contrast ratios around 1260:1, indicating comparable black levels and overall image depth. However, the Redmi Note 9T boasts a noticeably brighter panel at 471 nits compared to the Honor 10X Lite’s 426 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While neither display is exceptional, the Redmi Note 9T’s higher brightness provides a more comfortable viewing experience in various lighting conditions. Both devices lack high refresh rate panels, limiting smoothness during scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer a standard photo/video camera setup, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics on sensor size or aperture, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, given Xiaomi’s generally more aggressive image processing algorithms, the Redmi Note 9T is likely to produce more vibrant, albeit potentially less natural-looking, photos. The presence of 5G connectivity on the Redmi Note 9T also opens up possibilities for higher-resolution video recording and faster uploads, assuming the camera software supports it. The lack of detail regarding camera capabilities makes this a relatively even match, leaning slightly towards the Redmi Note 9T due to brand reputation.
Performance
The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T’s Mediatek Dimensity 800U, built on a 7nm process, significantly outperforms the Honor 10X Lite’s Kirin 710A (14nm). The Dimensity 800U’s Cortex-A76 cores, clocked at 2.4 GHz, deliver a substantial CPU performance boost over the Kirin 710A’s Cortex-A73 cores at 2.0 GHz. This advantage extends to GPU performance, making the Redmi Note 9T the clear winner for gaming and graphically intensive applications. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. The Redmi Note 9T’s architecture is simply more modern and capable.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 9T and Honor 10X Lite offer very similar battery endurance, with ratings of 118 hours and 114 hours respectively. This suggests comparable real-world battery life, capable of lasting a full day for most users. However, the Redmi Note 9T’s 18W charging is significantly slower than the Honor 10X Lite’s 22.5W charging. While the Honor 10X Lite can gain 46% charge in 30 minutes, the Redmi Note 9T only manages 33%. This difference in charging speed could be a deciding factor for users who prioritize quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 10X Lite if your primary concern is maximizing battery life and you primarily engage in light tasks like browsing and social media. Its endurance rating of 114 hours is excellent for casual users. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T if you prioritize performance, enjoy mobile gaming, or frequently stream video content. The Dimensity 800U offers a significant performance advantage, and the faster charging is a welcome bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 800U in the Redmi Note 9T handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Dimensity 800U is capable of running PUBG Mobile at high settings with stable frame rates. Its Mali-G57 MC3 GPU provides a significant performance boost over the Kirin 710A, resulting in a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience. While it won't match flagship-level performance, it's more than adequate for most mobile gamers.
❓ How does the 5G connectivity on the Redmi Note 9T compare to the Honor 10X Lite in real-world scenarios?
The Redmi Note 9T’s Dimensity 800U supports a wider range of 5G bands compared to the Kirin 710A in the Honor 10X Lite. This translates to better 5G coverage and potentially faster download and upload speeds, especially in areas with newer 5G infrastructure. If you live in an area with robust 5G coverage, the Redmi Note 9T will provide a more consistent and reliable 5G experience.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between the two phones significant for everyday use?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. While both phones will fully charge overnight, the Honor 10X Lite’s 22.5W charging allows for a 46% charge in 30 minutes, providing a substantial boost when you’re short on time. The Redmi Note 9T’s 18W charging only delivers 33% in the same timeframe. This can be crucial for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery during the day.
