The Honor Play9T and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. Both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and solid performance without breaking the bank, but they achieve this through different approaches to chipset selection and feature prioritization. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and 5G capabilities, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Play9T’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, despite the latter’s more efficient 4nm fabrication.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, September 06 | 2020, November 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, September 06 | Available. Released 2020, December 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) |
| Dimensions | 166.9 x 76.8 x 8.1 mm (6.57 x 3.02 x 0.32 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 | 197 g or 199 g (6.95 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1610 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~261 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.77 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, HDR10, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 613 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 14, Magic OS 8 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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, proximity (ultrasound), compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 35W wired | 33W wired, 100% in 58 min |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 4820 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Green | Gray, Blue, Red/Mint |
| Models | ALT-AN00 | M2007J17C |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 370 EUR |
Honor Play9T
- Potentially better battery life due to the 4nm process.
- Faster charging wattage (35W).
- More affordable price point (likely).
- Less powerful chipset (Snapdragon 4 Gen 2).
- Potentially lower gaming performance.
- Likely less sophisticated camera system.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G
- More powerful chipset (Snapdragon 750G).
- Better 5G performance and modem integration.
- Likely superior gaming experience.
- Potentially shorter battery life.
- Slightly slower charging time (58 minutes).
- May be slightly more expensive.
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given their price points, we can anticipate both utilize LCD panels. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G, historically, has favored higher refresh rate displays in this segment, which would be a significant advantage for smoother scrolling and gaming. The absence of LTPO technology on either device suggests standard refresh rate control.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera sensor details, a detailed comparison is challenging. However, Xiaomi’s Redmi Note series typically emphasizes camera capabilities. We can reasonably expect the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G to feature a higher resolution main sensor and potentially more advanced image processing algorithms. The Play9T likely focuses on providing a functional camera experience, but may not match the Redmi’s image quality in challenging lighting conditions. The absence of information regarding OIS on either device suggests neither prioritizes optical image stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s Snapdragon 750G (8nm) features Kryo 570 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and 1.8 GHz, offering a more robust CPU and GPU compared to the Honor Play9T’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm). While the 4nm process of the Play9T’s chip *should* translate to better thermal efficiency, the 750G’s architectural advantages – specifically the Kryo 570 cores – provide a performance edge. The 750G also includes an integrated 5G modem, ensuring seamless 5G connectivity. The Play9T’s Cortex-A78 cores are a step up from the A55 cores found in the 4 Gen 2, but the 750G’s overall architecture is more capable.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G boasts 33W wired charging, achieving a full charge in 58 minutes. The Honor Play9T counters with 35W wired charging, potentially offering slightly faster charging speeds, though real-world differences may be minimal. Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but the Snapdragon 750G’s 8nm process may consume slightly more power than the 4nm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, potentially offsetting the Redmi’s slightly slower charging speed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play9T if you prioritize power efficiency and are primarily focused on everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light multimedia consumption. Its Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 excels in minimizing power draw. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G if you’re a more demanding user who enjoys mobile gaming, frequently streams video, or needs a phone that can handle multitasking without slowdowns. The Snapdragon 750G offers a significant performance boost for these use cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 750G in the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G handle demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 750G is capable of running Genshin Impact, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The 750G’s Adreno 619 GPU provides a significant step up from the Play9T’s GPU, making it the better choice for mobile gaming.
❓ How much of a real-world difference will the 4nm process of the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 make in battery life on the Honor Play9T?
The 4nm process *should* contribute to improved power efficiency, potentially resulting in slightly longer battery life during everyday tasks like browsing and social media. However, the difference will likely be noticeable only in moderate usage scenarios. The Snapdragon 750G’s 8nm process is still relatively efficient, and the larger battery capacity (if present) on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G could offset the efficiency gains.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds?
Yes, the Snapdragon 750G supports carrier aggregation, allowing it to combine multiple 5G channels for significantly faster download and upload speeds where available. This is a key advantage for users in areas with strong 5G coverage.
