The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Lava Blaze Nxt and the Xiaomi Redmi 9 (India). Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 9 (India) edges out the Lava Blaze Nxt thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset (Helio G35 vs G37) and generally better software support. While both offer similar core features, the Redmi 9 provides a marginally smoother experience and potentially longer software updates.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, November 25 | 2020, August 27. Released 2020, August 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 02 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 76.3 x 8.9 mm (6.49 x 3.00 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 | 203.5 g (7.20 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.6% 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 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP
VGA | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 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 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glass Blue, Glass Red, Glass Green | Black, Sky Blue, Sporty Orange |
| Models | - | M2004C3MI |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.51 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) |
Lava Blaze Nxt
- Stylish Design
- Potentially better camera hardware
- Affordable Price
- Slightly weaker chipset
- Potentially shorter software support
- 10W charging is slow
Xiaomi Redmi 9 (India)
- Slightly better performance (Helio G35)
- Better software support (Xiaomi's track record)
- Widely available accessories
- Less striking design
- Camera performance can vary
- 10W charging is slow
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.53-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles and adequate brightness for everyday use. Color accuracy is typical for this price range, leaning towards slightly oversaturated hues. Neither display stands out significantly, making it a draw.
Camera Comparison
The Lava Blaze Nxt often boasts a more impressive camera setup on paper, potentially including a higher resolution main sensor. However, image processing and software optimization are crucial. The Redmi 9's camera, while potentially lower resolution, might offer better dynamic range and color accuracy due to Xiaomi's experience. Real-world testing is needed for a definitive verdict, but the Redmi 9 likely has a slight edge.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi 9 (India) holds a slight advantage here. While both utilize the same Cortex-A53 cores, the Helio G35 chipset generally performs better than the Helio G37. Expect slightly smoother multitasking and app loading on the Redmi 9. Gaming performance will be adequate on both, but don't expect high frame rates on demanding titles.
Battery Life
Both phones feature a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life under moderate usage. Charging speeds are identical at 10W, meaning a full charge will take around 2-3 hours. Battery life is a draw.
Buying Guide
The Lava Blaze Nxt is a good choice for users prioritizing a stylish design and a slightly more modern aesthetic on a very tight budget. The Xiaomi Redmi 9 (India) is ideal for those seeking a reliable, slightly more performant device with a better track record for software updates and a wider availability of accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Xiaomi Redmi 9 (India) generally offers slightly better gaming performance due to its marginally more powerful chipset.
❓ How long does the battery last on each phone?
Both phones offer all-day battery life with moderate usage thanks to their 5000mAh batteries.
❓ Which phone will receive more software updates?
The Xiaomi Redmi 9 (India) is likely to receive more frequent and longer-lasting software updates due to Xiaomi's established update track record.
