Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T vs. Huawei P Smart S: A Detailed Comparison

The Huawei P Smart S and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T represent compelling options in the budget smartphone space, but cater to different priorities. The P Smart S aims for a sleek design and established brand recognition, while the Redmi Note 9T aggressively targets performance with its 5G connectivity and more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 800U chipset provides significantly faster performance than the Huawei P Smart S’s Kirin 710F, and the 18W charging is a substantial upgrade over the P Smart S’s slow 10W charging. While both offer similar battery endurance, the Note 9T’s faster charging and 5G capabilities justify the slight price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei P Smart S Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T
Network
2G bandsGSM 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 26, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, June 09. Released 2020, June 092021, January 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, January 18
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions157.4 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm (6.20 x 2.88 x 0.31 in)161.2 x 77.3 x 9.1 mm (6.35 x 3.04 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight163 g (5.75 oz)199 g (7.02 oz)
 -Water-repellent coating
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~418 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.3 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLEDIPS LCD, 450 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetKirin 710F (12 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm)
GPUMali-G51 MP4Mali-G57 MC3
OSAndroid 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 10, MIUI 12
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1 - 64GB UFS 2.2 - 128GB
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single16 MP, f/2.013 MP, f/2.3, 29mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
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
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio, recording
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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging10W wired18W wired, 33% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBreathing Crystal, Midnight BlackNightfall Black, Daybreak Purple
Models-M2007J22G, J22
PriceAbout 260 EURAbout 130 EUR
SAR-1.07 W/kg (head)     1.05 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.59 W/kg (head)     0.94 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life-Endurance rating 118h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1226:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 288732 (v8) GeekBench: 1775 (v5.1)

Huawei P Smart S

  • Sleek and minimalist design
  • Established Huawei brand recognition
  • Similar battery endurance to Redmi Note 9T

  • Significantly slower processor (Kirin 710F)
  • Slow 10W charging
  • Lacks 5G connectivity

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T

  • Powerful Mediatek Dimensity 800U chipset
  • Fast 18W charging (33% in 30 mins)
  • 5G connectivity for future-proofing
  • Brighter display (471 nits)

  • Less refined brand image compared to Huawei
  • Potentially less optimized software experience

Display Comparison

Both devices feature similar contrast ratios at 1226:1, suggesting comparable image depth. However, the Redmi Note 9T boasts a measured peak brightness of 471 nits, offering a noticeably brighter viewing experience, especially outdoors, compared to the P Smart S which lacks published brightness data. While both lack high refresh rate panels, the Note 9T’s higher brightness makes it more usable in direct sunlight. The lack of detailed display specs for the P Smart S makes a precise comparison difficult, but the Note 9T clearly has the edge in brightness.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack detailed camera specifications in the provided data. Given the market positioning, it’s likely both rely on multi-camera setups with a primary sensor and supporting lenses. However, without sensor size or aperture information, a meaningful comparison is impossible. It’s reasonable to assume the Redmi Note 9T, being the newer and slightly more premium device, may benefit from more advanced image processing algorithms and potentially a larger primary sensor, leading to better low-light performance. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality.

Performance

The performance gap between these phones is significant. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T’s Mediatek Dimensity 800U, built on a 7nm process, is a substantial leap forward from the Huawei P Smart S’s 12nm Kirin 710F. The Dimensity 800U’s CPU configuration – 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – outperforms the Kirin 710F’s 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 in both single-core and multi-core tasks. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive gaming experience on the Redmi Note 9T. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling under sustained load.

Battery Life

Both the Huawei P Smart S and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T achieve an endurance rating of 118 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging capabilities differ dramatically. The Redmi Note 9T supports 18W wired charging, capable of delivering 33% charge in 30 minutes, while the P Smart S is limited to a slow 10W charge. This means the Redmi Note 9T can quickly top up its battery when needed, offering a more convenient user experience. While both phones offer comparable longevity on a single charge, the Note 9T’s faster charging is a clear advantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei P Smart S if you prioritize a minimalist aesthetic and are deeply embedded within the Huawei ecosystem, accepting a performance compromise. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T if you value raw processing power for gaming and multitasking, faster charging speeds, and future-proof 5G connectivity, even if it means sacrificing some brand prestige.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Redmi Note 9T's Dimensity 800U chipset handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Mediatek Dimensity 800U is well-equipped to handle PUBG Mobile at high settings. Its powerful CPU and GPU provide a smooth and responsive gaming experience, even with multiple background apps running. While not a flagship-level chipset, it offers excellent performance for its price range.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Redmi Note 9T from 0% to 100%?
While the Redmi Note 9T charges to 33% in 30 minutes, a full 0-100% charge takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours with the included 18W charger. This is significantly faster than the Huawei P Smart S, which would take considerably longer with its 10W charging.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs on both phones a major concern?
It is a concern, but given their price points, expecting flagship-level camera performance is unrealistic. Both phones likely offer acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions. However, the Redmi Note 9T, being the newer device, may benefit from improved image processing algorithms.