The Huawei Y8p and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they take distinctly different approaches. The Y8p relies on Huawei’s in-house Kirin chipset, while the Redmi Note 9S leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 720G. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 720G chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Huawei Y8p’s 12nm Kirin 710F. Coupled with 18W fast charging, the Redmi Note 9S offers a more future-proof and convenient experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 26, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, May 18. Released 2020, June 15 | 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 | 157.4 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm (6.20 x 2.88 x 0.31 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 | 163 g (5.75 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 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED | 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, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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, 27mm (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 | 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 | 5.0, 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, 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 | Breathing Crystal, Midnight Black | Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Gray |
| Models | AQM-LX1 | M2003J6A1G |
| Price | About 240 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) |
Huawei Y8p
- Potentially cleaner software experience (depending on user preference)
- Sleek design (subjective)
- Competitive price point
- Less powerful Kirin 710F chipset
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited gaming performance
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S
- More powerful Snapdragon 720G chipset
- Faster 18W charging
- Better camera image processing
- MIUI software can be bloated
- Potentially higher price (depending on region)
- Larger size compared to some competitors
Display Comparison
Both devices feature similar contrast ratios at 1389:1, suggesting comparable image quality in terms of black levels. However, the Redmi Note 9S boasts a measured peak brightness of 575 nits, which is crucial for outdoor visibility, a scenario where the Y8p’s brightness is not specified and likely lower. While both lack high refresh rate panels, the Redmi Note 9S’s higher brightness provides a more usable experience in bright conditions.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are advertised with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specifics are lacking. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 720G ISP generally offers superior image processing capabilities compared to the Kirin 710F’s ISP. This translates to better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Redmi Note 9S is likely to offer a more consistent and reliable camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm) significantly outperforms the Huawei Y8p’s Kirin 710F (12nm). The 8nm process allows for greater transistor density and improved thermal efficiency, translating to sustained performance under load. The Snapdragon 720G’s CPU configuration – 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver – offers a clock speed advantage over the Y8p’s 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53. This means faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Redmi Note 9S.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 127 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the Redmi Note 9S’s 18W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Y8p’s slow 10W charging. This means the Redmi Note 9S can be topped up much faster, reducing downtime and providing greater convenience. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed effectively mitigates any potential capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Y8p if you prioritize a clean, minimalist software experience and are comfortable with the limitations of the Kirin 710F chipset for basic tasks. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S if you value performance for gaming and multitasking, faster charging speeds, and a more versatile camera system, even if it means navigating Xiaomi’s MIUI software.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 710F struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Kirin 710F is likely to struggle with PUBG Mobile at higher settings. While playable at low settings, users may experience frame drops and stuttering, especially during intense firefights. The Snapdragon 720G in the Redmi Note 9S provides a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 18W charging on the Redmi Note 9S compared to the Y8p's 10W charging?
The 18W charging on the Redmi Note 9S can reduce charging times by approximately 40-50% compared to the Y8p’s 10W charging. This means a full charge can be achieved in around 2-2.5 hours on the Redmi Note 9S, while the Y8p could take upwards of 4 hours.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs on both phones a concern?
Yes, the lack of specific sensor information makes it difficult to assess camera performance accurately. However, the Snapdragon 720G’s image signal processor (ISP) generally provides a processing advantage, suggesting the Redmi Note 9S will likely produce better images overall, even with similar sensors.
