The Honor 30i and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G represent two approaches to the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. The Honor 30i, while older, may appeal to those seeking a familiar brand, while the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G offers a more modern chipset and significantly faster charging capabilities. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Honor 30i’s Kirin 710F, and the 33W fast charging is a game-changer compared to the Honor’s sluggish 10W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 11. Released 2020, September 12 | 2020, November 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, December 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) |
| Dimensions | 157.2 x 73.2 x 7.7 mm (6.19 x 2.88 x 0.30 in) | 165.4 x 76.8 x 9 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 171.5 g (6.07 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~418 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 600 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, HDR10, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710F (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 2.1 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| 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 (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 33W wired, 100% in 58 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4820 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ultraviolet Sunset, Turquoise, Midnight Black | Gray, Blue, Red/Mint |
| Models | LRA-LX1 | M2007J17C |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 370 EUR |
Honor 30i
- Potential brand loyalty for Honor users
- May be available at a lower price point (depending on market)
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Significantly slower charging (10W)
- Less powerful Kirin 710F chipset
- Likely inferior camera performance
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G
- Faster Snapdragon 750G chipset for improved performance
- 33W fast charging for quick top-ups
- Likely better camera capabilities
- Xiaomi’s MIUI software can be polarizing
- May be slightly more expensive than the Honor 30i
- Potential for bloatware
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s positioning, it likely features a higher resolution and potentially a higher refresh rate display than the Honor 30i. The Honor 30i, being an older model, may utilize an LCD panel, while the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G could incorporate AMOLED technology for richer colors and deeper blacks. Bezels are likely comparable, reflecting the mid-range nature of both devices.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G, being a 'Pro' model, likely features a larger main sensor and more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The Honor 30i, while potentially offering acceptable image quality in good lighting, will likely struggle in low-light conditions compared to the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s 5G modem also suggests a more modern ISP (Image Signal Processor) for improved image and video processing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm) demonstrably outperforms the Honor 30i’s Kirin 710F (12nm). The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 750G translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling under sustained loads. The Snapdragon 750G’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570 – offers a more balanced approach than the Kirin 710F’s 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53, particularly in multi-threaded tasks. Gamers and power users will see a clear benefit from the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s 33W wired charging is a massive advantage. Completing a full charge in just 58 minutes significantly reduces downtime compared to the Honor 30i’s slow 10W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the Snapdragon 750G’s superior power efficiency means the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G will likely offer comparable or better battery life despite potentially having a similar or smaller battery capacity. The convenience of fast charging is a key differentiator for users who frequently use their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 30i if you prioritize brand familiarity and are on an extremely tight budget, accepting significant compromises in performance and charging speed. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G if you value faster performance for gaming and multitasking, and appreciate the convenience of rapid 33W charging, making it ideal for users who rely heavily on their smartphones throughout the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 750G in the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G capable of handling demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 750G is a capable chipset for gaming. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it can comfortably run PUBG Mobile at high settings with stable frame rates. The 8nm process also helps to minimize thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, providing a more consistent experience than the Kirin 710F.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G compared to the 10W charging on the Honor 30i in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G can charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 58 minutes. The Honor 30i, with its 10W charging, will likely take over 3 hours to achieve a full charge. This means you can quickly top up the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G during short breaks, while the Honor 30i requires a much longer charging period.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
Yes, the Snapdragon 750G supports carrier aggregation, which allows it to combine multiple 5G channels for faster and more reliable 5G connectivity. This is a significant advantage over older 5G modems that lack this feature, resulting in noticeably faster download and upload speeds in areas with 5G coverage.
