The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S and Honor 30i represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this goal, primarily through chipset choice and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 720G chipset, coupled with 18W fast charging and a comparable battery endurance rating, provides a noticeable performance and usability advantage over the Honor 30i’s Kirin 710F and slower 10W charging.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 11. Released 2020, September 12 | 2020, March 23. Released 2020, April 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 157.2 x 73.2 x 7.7 mm (6.19 x 2.88 x 0.30 in) | 165.8 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.53 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 171.5 g (6.07 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| 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 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 600 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710F (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 2.1 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| 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/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro), AF
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@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, 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@30/120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| 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 | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5020 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ultraviolet Sunset, Turquoise, Midnight Black | Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Gray |
| Models | LRA-LX1 | M2003J6A1G |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.96 W/kg (head) 0.40 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.72 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 127h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1389:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.8 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 254000 (v8)
GeekBench: 1785 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor 30i
- Potentially lower initial cost
- Comparable battery endurance rating
- Acceptable performance for basic tasks
- Slower 10W charging
- Less powerful Kirin 710F chipset
- Likely inferior gaming performance
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S
- Faster 18W charging
- More powerful Snapdragon 720G chipset
- Better gaming performance
- More efficient 8nm process
- Potentially higher initial cost
- Similar battery endurance to Honor 30i
- Display specifications are standard for the price range
Display Comparison
Both devices offer a similar display experience, with the Redmi Note 9S boasting a measured peak brightness of 575 nits and a 1389:1 contrast ratio. While the Honor 30i’s display specifications aren’t provided, the Redmi Note 9S’s brightness is sufficient for comfortable outdoor visibility. The identical contrast ratios suggest similar panel technology, likely IPS LCDs, meaning viewing angles and color reproduction will be comparable. Neither device is expected to compete with higher-end OLED panels in terms of color vibrancy or black levels.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Redmi Note 9S’s Snapdragon 720G ISP (Image Signal Processor) generally offers more advanced image processing capabilities than the Kirin 710F’s ISP. This could result in better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality in various lighting conditions. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are largely marketing features and unlikely to deliver substantial photographic improvements.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm), featuring a Kryo 465 octa-core CPU with a 2x2.3 GHz Gold and 6x1.8 GHz Silver configuration. This 8nm process node provides superior power efficiency compared to the Honor 30i’s Kirin 710F (12nm). The Kirin 710F’s CPU, with its 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, will likely trail the Snapdragon 720G in both single-core and multi-core performance. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive gaming experience on the Redmi Note 9S. The Snapdragon 720G’s Adreno 618 GPU also offers a significant advantage in graphics performance.
Battery Life
Both the Honor 30i and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S achieve an endurance rating of 127 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the Redmi Note 9S’s 18W wired charging significantly outperforms the Honor 30i’s 10W charging. This means the Redmi Note 9S can replenish its battery much faster, reducing downtime and improving usability. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed provides a tangible benefit, especially for users who frequently use their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 30i if you prioritize a potentially lower initial purchase price and are willing to accept compromises in charging speed and overall processing power. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S if you value faster charging, a more modern chipset offering better gaming performance, and a generally smoother user experience, even if it means spending slightly more upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 720G in the Redmi Note 9S handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 720G is well-equipped to handle PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. Its Adreno 618 GPU provides sufficient graphical power for a smooth gaming experience, and the 8nm process helps prevent excessive throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Redmi Note 9S from 0% to 100% with the 18W charger?
With the included 18W charger, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S typically takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%, depending on usage during charging. This is significantly faster than the Honor 30i’s estimated 3+ hours with its 10W charger.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Kirin 710F and Snapdragon 720G noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
While both chipsets can handle everyday tasks, the Snapdragon 720G offers a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience. App loading times are faster, multitasking is more fluid, and animations feel less laggy. The difference is subtle for basic usage, but becomes apparent with more demanding apps or frequent switching between tasks.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 9S support any form of fast charging protocols beyond the standard 18W?
The Redmi Note 9S supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0, meaning you can potentially achieve even faster charging speeds with a compatible charger, although the included 18W charger is sufficient for most users.
