The Huawei Y9 Prime (2019) and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Y9 Prime aimed for a broad appeal with its pop-up camera, while the Redmi Note 8 Pro aggressively targeted gamers with its MediaTek Helio G90T chipset. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its Helio G90T chipset delivers significantly better gaming performance than the Y9 Prime’s Kirin 710F, and the comparable battery life and display quality make it a well-rounded package. However, the Y9 Prime remains a viable option for those prioritizing a lower price point and less demanding usage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August 01. Released 2019, August 05 | 2019, August 29. Released 2019, September 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.9 mm (6.44 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 161.4 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.35 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196.8 g (6.95 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710F (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CC Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Magic UI 2.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0 | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| 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 | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Emerald Green, Midnight Black, Sapphire Blue | Black, Red, Blue, White, Deep Sea Blue, Midnight Blue, Electric Blue, Twilight Orange |
| Models | STK-L21, STK-L22, STK-LX3 | 2015105, M1906G7I, M1906G7G |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.47 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -91.9dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 114h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1326:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 64dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 82dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 224759 (v7), 279355 (v8)
GeekBench: 6999 (v4.4), 1622 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei Y9 Prime (2019)
- Potentially lower price point
- Large display for media consumption
- Acceptable battery life for basic use
- Inferior chipset for gaming and demanding tasks
- Likely lower display brightness
- Less refined camera system
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
- Superior gaming performance with Helio G90T
- Brighter display for better visibility
- Faster 18W charging
- May be slightly more expensive
- Similar battery life to Y9 Prime, but faster charging is key
- Software experience can be heavily customized
Display Comparison
Both devices feature similar contrast ratios at 1326:1, suggesting comparable color reproduction. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 640 nits, significantly exceeding what’s expected from the Y9 Prime, resulting in better outdoor visibility. While neither phone utilizes advanced panel technology like LTPO, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s brighter display provides a more enjoyable viewing experience in various lighting conditions.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but details beyond that are limited. Without specific sensor size or aperture information for the Y9 Prime, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s focus on camera performance, often seen in Xiaomi’s marketing, suggests a more refined image processing pipeline. The inclusion of features like Night Mode and potentially better dynamic range are likely advantages. The presence of a 64MP main sensor (common in the Note 8 Pro line) would significantly outperform any sensor likely found in the Y9 Prime.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi Note 8 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G90T (12nm) utilizes a combination of 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, offering a substantial performance advantage over the Huawei Y9 Prime’s Kirin 710F (12nm) with its 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 configuration. The Cortex-A76 cores in the G90T are architecturally superior, translating to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. Gamers will particularly benefit from the G90T’s more powerful GPU, enabling higher frame rates and better graphics settings.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating similar real-world battery life. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro supports 18W wired charging, allowing for faster replenishment of the battery compared to the Y9 Prime, which lacks specific charging speed information. This faster charging capability is a significant convenience factor for users who frequently use their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Y9 Prime (2019) if you need a large-screen phone for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and casual video consumption, and are on a very tight budget. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro if you prioritize gaming performance, demand a more responsive user experience, and appreciate a brighter, more vibrant display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s Helio G90T chipset handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high settings?
Yes, the Helio G90T is specifically designed for gaming. It can comfortably run PUBG Mobile at high settings with stable frame rates, offering a significantly smoother experience than the Kirin 710F in the Y9 Prime. Expect to be able to push graphics settings higher without significant performance drops.
❓ Does the Huawei Y9 Prime (2019) suffer from significant throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Kirin 710F, while capable, is more prone to thermal throttling under sustained load compared to the Helio G90T. This means that performance may decrease over time during long gaming sessions as the phone heats up. The Redmi Note 8 Pro’s more efficient chipset and potentially better thermal design mitigate this issue.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Redmi Note 8 Pro a substantial improvement over the Y9 Prime’s charging speed?
Yes, 18W charging on the Redmi Note 8 Pro will noticeably reduce charging times compared to the Y9 Prime, which lacks specific charging speed information. While a full charge still takes time, the faster charging allows for quicker top-ups throughout the day, minimizing downtime.
