The Infinix Hot 9 and Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point, but they differ in their core processing power and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone offers the best experience for everyday users.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport emerges as the slightly better choice. While both phones share a similar price bracket, the Redmi 9i Sport’s Helio G25 chipset, with its higher clocked CPU cores, provides a noticeable performance edge in app loading and multitasking, justifying its slight premium.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 23. Released 2020, April | 2021, September 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, September 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 165.4 x 76.8 x 8.8 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, XOS 6.0 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Triple-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Quad | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses
or
16 MP, (wide), PDAF (64/128 GB models only)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| 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 |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Quetzal Cyan, Violet, Ocean Wave | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Blue |
| Models | X655C, X655, X655D | - |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 100 EUR |
Infinix Hot 9
- Potentially longer battery life due to less powerful chipset.
- May be available at a slightly lower price point.
- Large display for media consumption.
- Slower performance compared to the Redmi 9i Sport.
- Likely slower charging speeds.
- May struggle with multitasking.
Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport
- Faster CPU clock speed for improved responsiveness.
- 10W charging for quicker top-ups.
- Slightly better gaming performance.
- Potentially shorter battery life due to more powerful chipset.
- May be slightly more expensive.
- Still limited to 10W charging.
Display Comparison
Neither Infinix nor Xiaomi provide display specifications beyond size in their marketing materials. Given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels with 720p+ resolution. The focus here isn't on display quality, but rather the overall user experience. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, impacting the screen-to-body ratio. Color accuracy and brightness are likely to be average, suitable for indoor use but potentially washed out in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are expected to feature a multi-camera setup, but detailed sensor information is scarce. The marketing focuses on megapixel counts rather than sensor size or aperture. It's safe to assume both will include a primary camera, a depth sensor, and potentially a macro lens. The image processing capabilities of both devices will likely be similar, prioritizing scene recognition and basic enhancements. Users shouldn't expect exceptional low-light performance or detailed images from either phone. The Redmi 9i Sport's slightly more powerful chipset *may* allow for marginally faster image processing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi 9i Sport features the Mediatek Helio G25, boasting a CPU clocked up to 2.0 GHz, while the Infinix Hot 9 uses the Helio A25 with a peak clock speed of 1.8 GHz. Both are octa-core CPUs using the same Cortex-A53 architecture, but the 200 MHz clock speed difference in the G25 translates to faster processing for tasks like launching apps and switching between them. The 'G' in Helio G25 suggests a slight optimization for gaming, though neither chipset is designed for demanding titles. The A25 in the Hot 9 will likely exhibit more noticeable lag during intensive multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified in the provided data. However, given the segment, both phones likely house a 5000mAh battery. The Redmi 9i Sport benefits from 10W wired charging, while the Infinix Hot 9’s charging speed is unknown but likely similar or slower. While 10W charging isn’t fast by modern standards, it’s a welcome addition on the Redmi 9i Sport, offering a quicker top-up compared to potentially slower charging on the Hot 9. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but both phones should comfortably last a full day with moderate use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 9 if your primary need is a large-screen device for basic tasks like calling, messaging, and light social media use, and you prioritize maximizing battery life over raw performance. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport if you prefer a slightly more responsive experience for everyday tasks, enjoy occasional casual gaming, and value the convenience of faster charging, even if it's still limited to 10W.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 9i Sport handle games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty?
While the Helio G25 is optimized for gaming, don't expect a high-framerate experience. PUBG Mobile will likely be playable at low to medium settings with reduced graphics. Call of Duty may require significant compromises in settings to achieve playable frame rates. Both phones are better suited for casual gaming rather than demanding titles.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Redmi 9i Sport with the 10W charger?
With a 5000mAh battery and 10W charging, a full charge from 0% will likely take around 3.5 to 4.5 hours. This isn't fast charging by today's standards, but it's sufficient for overnight charging.
❓ Is the difference in CPU clock speed (1.8 GHz vs 2.0 GHz) really noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 200 MHz difference, combined with the 'G' series optimization in the Helio G25, translates to a more responsive experience when launching apps, switching between tasks, and browsing the web. It won't be a dramatic difference, but it's perceptible.
❓ Which phone is better for watching videos and streaming content?
Both phones will provide a similar viewing experience, assuming they both have 720p+ displays. The Redmi 9i Sport's slightly faster processor might result in smoother video playback and quicker loading times for streaming apps.
