Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G vs Huawei Mate 30 Lite: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range 5G Contenders

The Huawei Mate 30 Lite 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 an accessible price point, they diverge significantly in their core hardware, particularly in their respective chipsets and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing fast charging and potentially broader 5G band support, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset, coupled with 33W charging, provides a more modern and convenient experience, despite the Kirin 810's respectable performance.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 30 Lite Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands-1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
AnnouncedNot announced yet2020, November 26
StatusCancelledAvailable. Released 2020, December 01
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5)
Dimensions156.1 x 73.9 x 8.3 mm (6.15 x 2.91 x 0.33 in)165.4 x 76.8 x 9 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight178 g (6.28 oz)215 g (7.58 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, HDR10, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570)
ChipsetKirin 810 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MP6Adreno 619
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1Android 10, MIUI 12
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens108 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
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioFM radioUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging20W wired33W wired, 100% in 58 min
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4820 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Aurora, Emerald GreenGray, Blue, Red/Mint
ModelsSPL-AL00, SPL-TL00M2007J17C
PriceAbout 400 EURAbout 370 EUR

Huawei Mate 30 Lite

  • Respectable performance from the Kirin 810 chipset.
  • Potentially lower price point (depending on market).
  • Established Huawei brand recognition.

  • Slower 20W charging.
  • Older chipset architecture.
  • Potential software limitations due to Huawei’s ecosystem.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G

  • Faster 33W charging with a 58-minute full charge.
  • More modern Snapdragon 750G chipset with 8nm process.
  • Potentially wider 5G band support.

  • Xiaomi’s MIUI software can be polarizing.
  • May be slightly more expensive than the Mate 30 Lite.
  • Build quality may not match higher-end devices.

Display Comparison

Context data lacks display specifics, but given the market positioning, both likely feature LCD panels. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G, being a newer device, may benefit from slightly improved color calibration and brightness. However, without detailed specs, a definitive comparison is impossible. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G's newer manufacturing process *could* translate to slightly better viewing angles.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera sensor information, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G, being a newer model, likely benefits from improved image processing algorithms. The absence of information regarding OIS on either device suggests both rely primarily on software stabilization. The focus should be on real-world image samples to assess the quality of each device's primary camera, as the chipset's ISP plays a crucial role in image processing.

Performance

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s Snapdragon 750G (8nm) holds a manufacturing process advantage over the Huawei Mate 30 Lite’s Kirin 810 (7nm). While both utilize octa-core configurations with similar core arrangements (2x high-performance, 6x efficiency), the Snapdragon 750G’s Kryo 570 cores are architecturally more modern. This translates to potentially better sustained performance and improved power efficiency, especially in graphically demanding tasks. The Kirin 810, while capable, may exhibit more thermal throttling under prolonged load. The 8nm process of the Snapdragon 750G allows for a higher transistor density, contributing to its performance edge.

Battery Life

The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s 33W charging is a significant advantage over the Mate 30 Lite’s 20W charging. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G boasts a full charge in just 58 minutes, while the Mate 30 Lite will require considerably longer. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging speed of the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery, offering more convenient top-ups throughout the day.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 30 Lite if you prioritize a slightly older, but still capable, chipset and are comfortable with the potential limitations of Huawei’s ecosystem. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G if you value faster charging speeds, a more modern 5G modem, and a potentially wider range of software features and updates, making it ideal for users who frequently stream content or game on the go.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 750G in the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G support more 5G bands than the Kirin 810 in the Mate 30 Lite?
Generally, Qualcomm chipsets like the Snapdragon 750G tend to offer broader 5G band support compared to Kirin chipsets, particularly in regions outside of China. This means the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is more likely to connect to 5G networks in a wider range of countries and with different carriers. However, specific band support varies by carrier and region, so it's crucial to check compatibility with your provider.
❓ Will the Kirin 810 in the Huawei Mate 30 Lite struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Kirin 810 is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you may need to lower graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 750G in the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G offers a performance advantage, allowing for higher graphics settings and potentially more stable frame rates, especially during extended gaming sessions. Thermal throttling could also be more pronounced on the Mate 30 Lite.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G compared to the 20W charging on the Mate 30 Lite in real-world usage?
The 33W charging on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G translates to a significantly faster charging experience. While the exact time depends on battery capacity, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G can reach 100% in approximately 58 minutes. The Mate 30 Lite, with its 20W charging, will likely take well over 90 minutes, potentially exceeding two hours, to fully charge. This difference is particularly noticeable for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.