The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Infinix Note 7 Lite offered a compelling value proposition upon release, but the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T entered the scene with a significantly more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two devices, focusing on performance, display quality, and battery life to determine which offers the best experience for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 800U chipset delivers substantially better performance, making it ideal for gaming and demanding applications. While the Infinix Note 7 Lite remains a viable option for basic tasks, the Note 9T’s faster charging and overall responsiveness justify the potential price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 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 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 06. Released 2020, July | 2021, January 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, January 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.4 x 76.8 x 8.8 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 161.2 x 77.3 x 9.1 mm (6.35 x 3.04 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EEMC2 | Mali-G57 MC3 |
| OS | Android 10, XOS 6.0 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 - 64GB
UFS 2.2 - 128GB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.3, 29mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired, 33% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Forest Green, Violet, Space Gray | Nightfall Black, Daybreak Purple |
| Models | X656 | M2007J22G, J22 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 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) |
Infinix Note 7 Lite
- More affordable price point
- Acceptable performance for basic tasks
- Decent battery endurance
- Significantly weaker chipset compared to the Redmi Note 9T
- Slower charging speed (10W)
- Dimmer display
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T
- Powerful Mediatek Dimensity 800U chipset
- Faster 18W wired charging
- Brighter display for better visibility
- Potentially higher price
- Similar battery endurance to the Note 7 Lite
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar contrast ratios at 1226:1, suggesting comparable color reproduction. However, the Redmi Note 9T boasts a measured peak brightness of 471 nits, offering a noticeably brighter and more visible display in outdoor conditions. While neither phone specifies panel technology, the brighter display of the Redmi Note 9T provides a better viewing experience, especially for media consumption. The Note 7 Lite’s display, while adequate, will appear dimmer in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is absent. Given the market positioning, it’s likely both rely on similar budget sensors. However, the Redmi Note 9T’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Dimensity 800U chipset will likely result in better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The absence of details makes a definitive comparison impossible, but the chipset advantage favors the Redmi Note 9T.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi Note 9T’s Mediatek Dimensity 800U, built on a 7nm process, represents a significant leap over the Infinix Note 7 Lite’s Mediatek Helio G70 (12nm). The Dimensity 800U’s Cortex-A76 cores, clocked at 2.4 GHz, outperform the Note 7 Lite’s Cortex-A75 cores (2.0 GHz) in both single-core and multi-core benchmarks. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended use.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 118 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life under typical usage. However, the Redmi Note 9T’s 18W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Note 7 Lite’s 10W charging. The Redmi Note 9T can achieve a 33% charge in just 30 minutes, significantly reducing downtime. While the battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging speed of the Redmi Note 9T provides a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Note 7 Lite if you prioritize extreme affordability and only need a phone for basic communication, social media, and light web browsing. Its Helio G70 is sufficient for these tasks. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T if you value performance, enjoy mobile gaming, or frequently multitask. The Dimensity 800U provides a smoother, more responsive experience, and the 18W charging is a significant convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi Note 9T handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Mediatek Dimensity 800U in the Redmi Note 9T is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The chipset’s processing power and GPU performance are significantly higher than the Helio G70 in the Note 7 Lite, resulting in a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Redmi Note 9T from 0%?
While the Redmi Note 9T charges 33% in 30 minutes, a full 0-100% charge will take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is considerably faster than the Infinix Note 7 Lite, which would take over 3 hours with its 10W charging.
❓ Is the camera on the Redmi Note 9T a significant upgrade over the Infinix Note 7 Lite?
Without detailed sensor specifications, it's difficult to quantify the camera difference. However, the Redmi Note 9T benefits from the Dimensity 800U’s superior image signal processor (ISP), which should result in better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions, and improved dynamic range.
