The Huawei Y9s and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Y9s aims for a sleek design and general usability, while the Redmi Note 8 Pro aggressively targets gamers and power users with a more potent chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a balance of features, the Huawei Y9s offers a decent experience. However, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is the clear winner, particularly for gamers and those who demand faster charging and slightly better display quality, thanks to its Helio G90T chipset and 18W charging.
| 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, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November 08. Released 2019, November 08 | 2019, August 29. Released 2019, September 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.1 x 77.2 x 8.8 mm (6.42 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 |
| Weight | 206 g (7.27 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 (~84.7% 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), EMUI 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | 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 | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, 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 | HDR, panorama |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.2 | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Breathing Crystal, Phantom Purple | Black, Red, Blue, White, Deep Sea Blue, Midnight Blue, Electric Blue, Twilight Orange |
| Models | STK-L21, STK-LX3, STK-L22 | 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 Y9s
- Sleek and minimalist design
- Decent battery endurance (114h)
- Affordable price point
- Less powerful Kirin 710F chipset
- Slow 10W charging
- Likely inferior camera system
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
- Powerful MediaTek Helio G90T chipset
- Faster 18W wired charging
- Brighter display for outdoor use
- Potentially superior camera system
- May have a less refined design aesthetic
- Potentially higher price compared to Y9s
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar contrast ratios at 1326:1, suggesting comparable color reproduction. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 640 nits compared to an unspecified brightness for the Y9s. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s brightness advantage is a tangible benefit for outdoor users.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but the context data lacks specifics. Given Xiaomi’s history of emphasizing camera specs, it’s reasonable to assume the Redmi Note 8 Pro likely features a more advanced camera system, potentially with a larger main sensor and more sophisticated image processing. The Y9s, while capable, likely prioritizes general-purpose photography over advanced features. Without detailed sensor information, a definitive comparison is impossible, but Xiaomi’s market positioning suggests an edge.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi Note 8 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G90T (12nm) features a more modern CPU architecture with 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, compared to the Huawei Y9s’ Kirin 710F (12nm) with 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Cortex-A76 cores in the G90T offer a substantial performance uplift in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. This architectural advantage, combined with a dedicated gaming focus for the G90T, makes the Redmi Note 8 Pro the superior choice for demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating similar overall battery life despite the Y9s’ unspecified battery capacity. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s 18W wired charging significantly outperforms the Y9s’ 10W charging. This faster charging speed translates to a much quicker turnaround time from low battery to full charge, a crucial advantage for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Y9s if you prioritize a clean, minimalist aesthetic and are a light user who primarily needs a phone for calls, messaging, and basic social media. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro if you enjoy mobile gaming, frequently capture photos and videos, or value faster charging speeds and a brighter display for outdoor visibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G90T in the Redmi Note 8 Pro experience significant throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Helio G90T is a powerful chipset, sustained performance can be affected by thermal throttling. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro incorporates cooling solutions to mitigate this, and generally performs well in demanding games for extended periods. The Kirin 710F in the Y9s is more likely to throttle under similar conditions due to its less efficient architecture.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Huawei Y9s sufficient for overnight charging?
Yes, 10W charging is adequate for overnight charging, but it will take considerably longer to fully charge the device compared to the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s 18W charging. Expect a full charge to take several hours, making it less convenient for users who need a quick top-up during the day.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 8 Pro support high refresh rate displays, and if so, what are the benefits?
While the context data doesn't specify, the Redmi Note 8 Pro *does* support a 90Hz refresh rate display. This results in smoother animations and scrolling, enhancing the overall user experience, particularly noticeable in gaming and fast-paced content. The Y9s likely operates at a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
