The Lenovo K13 Note and Xiaomi Redmi 9T represent compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone space. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at a low price point, but they diverge in their core hardware choices. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on how the Snapdragon 662 in the Redmi 9T stacks up against the Snapdragon 460 powering the K13 Note, and how those chipset choices impact the overall user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 9T emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 662 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the K13 Note’s Snapdragon 460, and the 18W charging is a significant convenience. While the K13 Note is cheaper, the Redmi 9T’s extra power justifies the slight price premium.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 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 | 2021, June 22 | 2021, January 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 22 | Available. Released 2021, January 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) | 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 198 g (6.98 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 - 64GB
UFS 2.2 - 128GB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.1, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Gray, Pearl Sakura | Carbon Gray, Twilight Blue, Sunrise Orange, Ocean Green |
| Models | - | J19S, M2010J19SG, M2010J19SY |
| Price | About 120 EUR | € 87.56 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.81 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | - | Rp 2,272,000 |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 168.78 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 150h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1594:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.6 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 177917 (v8)
GeekBench: 1400 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Lenovo K13 Note
- Potentially lower price point
- Simpler software experience (likely)
- May be more readily available in certain markets
- Significantly weaker processor
- Slower charging speed (10W)
- Likely inferior camera performance
Xiaomi Redmi 9T
- More powerful Snapdragon 662 chipset
- Faster 18W charging with reverse charging
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Slightly higher price
- May have more pre-installed bloatware
- Potentially larger physical size
Display Comparison
Both devices share a contrast ratio of 1594:1, suggesting similar panel characteristics in terms of black levels. However, the Redmi 9T boasts a measured peak brightness of 437 nits, which will translate to better visibility outdoors compared to the K13 Note, for which brightness data is unavailable. While neither phone is likely to offer a premium display experience, the Redmi 9T’s higher brightness provides a tangible advantage in real-world usage.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the Redmi 9T’s positioning, it’s reasonable to assume a more refined camera experience with potentially better image processing algorithms. The presence of a dedicated camera module on the Redmi 9T suggests a greater emphasis on photography than the K13 Note.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi 9T’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) represents a clear step up in processing power compared to the Lenovo K13 Note’s Snapdragon 460 (11 nm). The 662 features Kryo 260 Gold cores clocked at 2.0 GHz alongside Kryo 260 Silver cores at 1.8 GHz, while the 460 utilizes Kryo 240 cores at 1.8 GHz and 1.6 GHz. This architectural difference, combined with the higher clock speeds, results in faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Redmi 9T. The 662’s GPU also offers a more capable gaming experience, though neither phone is designed for demanding titles.
Battery Life
The Redmi 9T has an endurance rating of 150 hours, indicating solid battery life. While the K13 Note’s battery capacity is unknown, the Redmi 9T’s 18W wired charging significantly outperforms the K13 Note’s 10W charging. This translates to substantially faster recharge times, a crucial benefit for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day. The Redmi 9T also offers 2.5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the K13 Note, allowing it to top up accessories like earbuds.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo K13 Note if your primary need is absolute affordability and you prioritize minimal software overhead. It’s a suitable option for basic communication and light tasks. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9T if you value smoother multitasking, slightly better gaming performance, and faster charging. The Redmi 9T is the better all-rounder for users who want a phone that can handle more than just the essentials.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 9T handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 662 can run PUBG Mobile, you'll likely need to use lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it's significantly more capable than the K13 Note's Snapdragon 460 for gaming.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Redmi 9T with the 18W charger?
Using the included 18W charger, the Redmi 9T should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. This is considerably faster than the Lenovo K13 Note, which will take significantly longer with its 10W charging.
❓ Is the 64GB storage on the base Redmi 9T model enough?
64GB can fill up quickly with apps, photos, and videos. If you plan to store a lot of media or download many apps, we recommend opting for the 128GB model, especially considering the Redmi 9T supports microSD card expansion.
❓ Does the Redmi 9T have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Xiaomi Redmi 9T retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing you to connect wired headphones or speakers without needing an adapter.
