The Lenovo Z6 and Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro represent a fascinating crossroads in the smartphone market. The Z6, powered by the Snapdragon 730, aimed for aggressive pricing, while the Mi 9T Pro, with its Snapdragon 855, offered a taste of flagship performance at a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 855 provides a significant performance uplift over the Z6’s Snapdragon 730, making it better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. The 27W fast charging is also a substantial advantage, offsetting the identical battery endurance ratings.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, July 04. Released 2019, July 09 | 2019, August 21. Released 2019, August 21 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 157 x 74.5 x 8 mm (6.18 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) | 156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 159 g (5.61 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10 | Super AMOLED, HDR |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730 (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), ZUI 11 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 24 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 53mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom
13 MP, f/2.4, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | Motorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | No | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 27W wired, QC4 |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue | Carbon black, Red flame, Glacier blue |
| Models | L78121 | M1903F11G |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.03 W/kg (head) 0.72 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.30 W/kg (head) 1.51 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 103h |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.9 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 368846 (v7), 437823 (v8)
GeekBench: 10684 (v4.4), 2732 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 36fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Lenovo Z6
- More affordable price point
- Sufficient performance for basic tasks
- Decent battery endurance
- Significantly slower performance than the Mi 9T Pro
- Slower 15W charging
- Likely inferior camera performance
Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 855
- Faster 27W charging with QC4
- Likely better camera quality
- Higher price than the Lenovo Z6
- May experience more heat under heavy load (though thermal management is good)
- Potentially larger physical size
Display Comparison
Both devices share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting both utilize AMOLED panels, offering excellent blacks and vibrant colors. However, detailed specifications like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are missing. Given Xiaomi’s history with display quality, the Mi 9T Pro likely benefits from slightly better calibration and potentially higher peak brightness, though this remains speculative without further data. Both will offer a visually pleasing experience, but the Mi 9T Pro likely has a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Mi 9T Pro, being positioned as a more premium device, likely incorporates a more capable main sensor and potentially better image processing algorithms. The Snapdragon 855’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is also more advanced than the 730’s, enabling features like faster autofocus and improved low-light performance. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the Mi 9T Pro, if equipped, would further enhance image quality, particularly in videos. We can assume the Mi 9T Pro delivers superior image quality overall.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro’s Snapdragon 855, built on a 7nm process, significantly outperforms the Lenovo Z6’s Snapdragon 730 (8nm). The 855 features a Kryo 485 core configuration with a prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz, compared to the Z6’s 2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold. This translates to a noticeable difference in application launch speeds, multitasking responsiveness, and gaming performance. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, meaning the Mi 9T Pro is less likely to throttle under sustained load. While the Z6 is capable for everyday tasks, the Mi 9T Pro offers a more future-proof and fluid experience.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an endurance rating of 103 hours, indicating similar real-world battery life under typical usage. However, the Mi 9T Pro’s 27W wired charging with Quick Charge 4 (QC4) support is a game-changer. This allows for significantly faster charging times compared to the Z6’s 15W charging. A full charge on the Mi 9T Pro will take considerably less time, minimizing downtime and offering greater convenience. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging speed gives the Mi 9T Pro a practical advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Z6 if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and are a casual smartphone user who primarily focuses on everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light media consumption. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro if you demand smoother performance for gaming, video editing, or multitasking, and value faster charging speeds to minimize downtime. The Mi 9T Pro is the better option for power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 730 in the Lenovo Z6 struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Snapdragon 730 will likely require lower graphics settings and frame rates in demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty to maintain a smooth experience. While playable, it won't deliver the same level of performance or visual fidelity as the Snapdragon 855 in the Mi 9T Pro.
❓ How much faster is the 27W charging on the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro compared to the 15W charging on the Lenovo Z6?
The 27W charging on the Mi 9T Pro can reduce charging times by approximately 40-60% compared to the Z6’s 15W charging. This means a full charge could take around an hour on the Mi 9T Pro, while the Z6 might take closer to two hours or more.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 730 and 855 noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
While both phones will handle everyday tasks adequately, the Snapdragon 855 in the Mi 9T Pro provides a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience. App launch times will be faster, multitasking will be more fluid, and animations will appear more polished.
❓ Given the similar battery endurance ratings, does the smaller charging wattage of the Lenovo Z6 mean I'll need to charge it more frequently?
Not necessarily more frequently, but you'll spend significantly more time connected to a charger. Both phones offer similar endurance, but the Mi 9T Pro's faster charging allows you to quickly top up the battery when needed, minimizing downtime.
