The Honor Play4 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at accessible price points, they take fundamentally different approaches to achieving this, centering around chipset choice and charging implementation. This comparison dissects those differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw processing power and faster charging, the Honor Play4 Pro, with its Kirin 990, is the better choice. However, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s Snapdragon 750G offers a more efficient architecture and a longer, though slower, battery life, making it ideal for everyday users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 03. Released 2020, June 10 | 2020, November 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, December 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) |
| Dimensions | 162.7 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.35 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 | 213 g (7.51 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 (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.57 inches, 104.2 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.09 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.86 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Kirin 990 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP16 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 3.1, no Google Play Services | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 40 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom | - |
| Features | Laser AF, 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 |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, 1080p@960fps, OIS, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
8 MP, (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | Panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | 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, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | No | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired, 70% in 30 min
Reverse wired | 33W wired, 100% in 58 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4200 mAh | Li-Po 4820 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Light Blue | Gray, Blue, Red/Mint |
| Models | OXP-AN00 | M2007J17C |
| Price | About 360 EUR | About 370 EUR |
Honor Play4 Pro
- Faster 40W charging for quick power boosts
- More powerful Kirin 990 chipset for demanding tasks
- Potentially better image processing with Kirin 990's NPU
- Kirin 990 may generate more heat under sustained load
- Likely shorter battery life compared to the Redmi
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G
- More power-efficient Snapdragon 750G chipset
- Likely longer battery life due to 8nm process
- Potentially more consistent performance under load
- Slower 33W charging
- Less raw processing power compared to the Kirin 990
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market positioning, both likely feature LCD panels. The Honor Play4 Pro, benefiting from Honor’s display expertise, *may* offer slightly better color accuracy. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G, typical of Xiaomi’s approach, likely prioritizes screen size and refresh rate (though unconfirmed).
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, analysis is limited. However, the chipset plays a role. The Kirin 990 includes a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for enhanced image processing, potentially leading to better low-light performance and AI-powered scene recognition on the Honor Play4 Pro. The Snapdragon 750G’s Spectra 330 ISP is also capable, but the Kirin 990 has a processing advantage. The absence of information regarding sensor size and OIS makes a definitive camera comparison impossible.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Play4 Pro’s Kirin 990 (7nm) boasts a more complex CPU configuration – octa-core with 2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 and 2x2.09 GHz Cortex-A76, plus 4x1.86 GHz Cortex-A55 – designed for peak performance. Conversely, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G utilizes the Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm). While the Snapdragon 750G has a simpler octa-core setup (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570), its 8nm process offers superior power efficiency. This translates to less thermal throttling under sustained load for the Snapdragon, despite the Kirin 990’s higher clock speeds. Gamers seeking maximum framerates might lean towards the Honor, while those prioritizing consistent performance during extended use will appreciate the Redmi.
Battery Life
The Honor Play4 Pro’s 40W wired charging is significantly faster, achieving 70% charge in just 30 minutes. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s 33W charging takes 58 minutes for a full charge. While the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s battery capacity is unknown, the Snapdragon 750G’s efficiency suggests it will likely offer longer overall battery life despite the slower charging speed. The Honor Play4 Pro prioritizes quick top-ups, while the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G focuses on maximizing runtime between charges.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play4 Pro if you need a phone capable of handling demanding tasks like video editing or graphically intensive games, and value the speed of 40W charging. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G if you prioritize all-day battery life, a more power-efficient chipset for consistent performance, and are comfortable with a slightly slower charging experience. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is the better option for users who don't push their phones to the limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kirin 990 in the Honor Play4 Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Kirin 990 is a powerful chip, and while it offers excellent performance, its 7nm process is less efficient than the Snapdragon 750G's 8nm process. This means the Honor Play4 Pro is more likely to experience thermal throttling during extended gaming, potentially leading to reduced performance over time. However, the severity will depend on the game and ambient temperature.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 750G in the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G powerful enough for demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 750G is capable of running popular games like PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings. While it won't match the peak performance of the Kirin 990, its efficient architecture ensures a smoother and more consistent gaming experience without significant overheating.
❓ How much faster is the 40W charging on the Honor Play4 Pro compared to the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G in real-world use?
The Honor Play4 Pro's 40W charging is noticeably faster, reaching 70% charge in 30 minutes. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G takes 58 minutes for a full charge. This means you can get a substantial charge on the Honor Play4 Pro in a very short amount of time, ideal for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
