The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Micromax In 2b and the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Prime. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the champion.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 9 Prime takes the crown thanks to its superior processor, faster charging, and generally more refined software experience. While the Micromax In 2b offers decent value, the Redmi 9 Prime provides a more well-rounded and enjoyable user experience for a similar price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 30. Released 2021, August 06 | 2020, August 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, August 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 75.7 x 8.6 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 163.3 x 77 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 198 g (6.98 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 10, MIUI 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Unspecified | 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 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Wireless FM radio (no wired headphones required) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5020 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black, Green | Space Blue, Mint Green, Matte Black, Sunrise Flare |
| Models | E7544 | M2004J19PI |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 0.85 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) | 0.85 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) |
Micromax In 2b
- Clean Android experience
- Decent battery life
- Affordable price
- Underpowered processor
- Slow charging
- Mediocre camera
Xiaomi Redmi 9 Prime
- Better performance (Helio G80)
- Faster charging (18W)
- Versatile quad-camera
- Refined software
- Can feel slightly bloated with Xiaomi's MIUI
- HD+ resolution may not appeal to everyone
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.53-inch HD+ display, offering adequate viewing for everyday use. However, the Redmi 9 Prime's slightly better color accuracy and brightness give it a marginal edge. The In 2b's display is perfectly serviceable, but not exceptional.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 9 Prime boasts a quad-camera setup (13MP main + 8MP ultrawide + 2MP macro + 2MP depth), offering more versatility than the In 2b's dual-camera system (13MP main + 2MP depth). Image quality on the Redmi 9 Prime is generally better, with more detail and accurate colors, especially in well-lit conditions. The In 2b's camera is adequate for casual snapshots.
Performance
The Redmi 9 Prime's MediaTek Helio G80 chipset significantly outperforms the Unisoc T610 in the In 2b. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance. The In 2b can handle basic tasks, but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Redmi 9 Prime's 5020mAh battery provides excellent battery life, easily lasting a full day of moderate use. The In 2b's 5000mAh battery offers comparable endurance, but the Redmi 9 Prime's faster 18W charging significantly reduces charging times.
Buying Guide
The Micromax In 2b is a good option for users prioritizing a clean Android experience and basic functionality on a tight budget. The Xiaomi Redmi 9 Prime is ideal for those seeking better performance, faster charging, and a more feature-rich experience without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi 9 Prime is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G80 chipset.
❓ Does the Micromax In 2b receive regular software updates?
Micromax's update track record is not as consistent as Xiaomi's. Expect fewer and potentially slower updates on the In 2b.
❓ Which phone has better call quality?
Both phones offer acceptable call quality. However, Xiaomi's MIUI often has slightly better call handling features.
