The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T and Oppo A32 represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, they diverge significantly in their core hardware, particularly in the chipset department. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T emerges as the stronger choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 800U chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Oppo A32’s Snapdragon 460, making it better suited for gaming and demanding applications. While battery life is comparable, the Note 9T’s faster charging offers a convenience advantage.
| 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, 34, 38, 39, 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, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 10. Released 2020, September 10 | 2021, January 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, January 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.33 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 | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| 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 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC3 |
| OS | Android 10, ColorOS 7.2 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 - 64GB
UFS 2.2 - 128GB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (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, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired, 33% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mint Green, Electric Black, Fancy Blue | Nightfall Black, Daybreak Purple |
| Models | PDVM00 | M2007J22G, J22 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | 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) |
Oppo A32
- Potentially lower price point
- Efficient Snapdragon 460 chipset for basic tasks
- Acceptable battery life
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the Redmi Note 9T
- Less capable for gaming and demanding apps
- Slower charging speeds
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T
- Powerful Mediatek Dimensity 800U chipset
- Faster charging (33% in 30 minutes)
- Higher display brightness for outdoor visibility
- May be slightly more expensive
- Similar battery life to the Oppo A32 despite more powerful chipset
- Potentially more heat generation under heavy load
Display Comparison
Both the Redmi Note 9T and Oppo A32 feature displays with a 1226:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Redmi Note 9T boasts a measured peak brightness of 471 nits, which is a tangible advantage in outdoor visibility compared to the Oppo A32, whose brightness is not specified. While both likely utilize IPS LCD technology, the Redmi Note 9T’s higher brightness makes it the more practical choice for users who frequently use their phones in sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but the context data lacks specifics to make a definitive judgment. Given the market positioning, it’s likely both rely on similar sensor sizes and image processing techniques. Without detailed sensor specifications (megapixel count, aperture), it’s difficult to assess image quality differences. However, the Redmi Note 9T’s more powerful chipset could potentially enable more sophisticated image processing algorithms, leading to better low-light performance and dynamic range. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device is unknown, but would be a significant advantage.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is significant. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T’s Mediatek Dimensity 800U, built on a 7nm process, is a far more capable chipset than the Oppo A32’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm). The Dimensity 800U’s octa-core configuration, featuring 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, delivers substantially higher CPU and GPU performance. The Snapdragon 460’s 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 and 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240 cores are geared towards efficiency, but lack the raw power for demanding tasks. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Redmi Note 9T.
Battery Life
Both the Oppo A32 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T achieve an endurance rating of 118 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Redmi Note 9T offers 18W wired charging with a reported 33% charge in 30 minutes, providing a faster top-up compared to the Oppo A32’s standard 18W charging. This faster charging speed is a practical benefit for users who need to quickly replenish their battery throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A32 if you prioritize a consistently smooth experience for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and are on a very tight budget. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T if you want a phone capable of handling more demanding apps, enjoy mobile gaming, or value faster charging speeds and 5G connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 800U in the Redmi Note 9T get hot during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 800U is a powerful chipset, it's also relatively efficient. However, prolonged gaming will inevitably generate heat. The Redmi Note 9T's thermal management system is adequate for moderate gaming, but extended, high-graphics sessions may lead to some throttling to prevent overheating. It's not a severe issue, but users should be aware of it.
❓ Is the 18W charging on both phones truly fast, or is it just marketing?
18W charging is a step up from slower charging standards, but it's not exceptionally fast by today's standards. The Redmi Note 9T's claim of 33% charge in 30 minutes is a more concrete indicator of its charging speed. The Oppo A32's 18W charging will take longer to fully replenish the battery, but is still a reasonable charging speed for a budget device.
❓ Will the Redmi Note 9T receive software updates for a long period?
Xiaomi generally provides decent software support for its Redmi Note series, but it's not on par with flagship devices. Expect at least one major Android version update and several security patches. However, long-term support cannot be guaranteed. Check Xiaomi's official website for the latest update schedule.
