The Oppo A53 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they diverge significantly in their core hardware. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on the impact of their respective chipsets and display characteristics on everyday use.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 720G chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Oppo A53’s Snapdragon 460, translating to smoother multitasking and a better gaming experience. While both offer similar battery life and charging speeds, the Redmi Note 9S’s stronger processor justifies the potential price difference.
| 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, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 20. Released 2020, August 25 | 2020, March 23. Released 2020, April 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 165.8 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.53 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5020 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Fairy White, Electric Black, Fancy Blue | Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Gray |
| Models | CPH2127, CPH2131 | M2003J6A1G |
| Price | £ 158.16 / € 169.99 | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | 0.96 W/kg (head) 0.40 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.72 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 127h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1389:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.8 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 254000 (v8)
GeekBench: 1785 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo A53
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Decent battery life for basic use
- Significantly weaker performance
- Less capable camera system
- Lower peak display brightness
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 720G
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Likely better camera quality
- May be slightly more expensive
- Larger size and weight (likely)
- Software can include bloatware
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S boasts a measured peak brightness of 575 nits and a 1389:1 contrast ratio, offering a visibly more vibrant and readable display in bright conditions compared to the Oppo A53, which lacks published brightness data. While both share the same nominal contrast ratio, the Redmi Note 9S’s higher peak brightness is a tangible advantage for outdoor visibility. The panel technology on both is assumed to be IPS LCD, typical for this price range, and neither is expected to offer high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is missing. However, given the Redmi Note 9S’s positioning, it’s likely to feature a more capable primary sensor and potentially better image processing algorithms. The Snapdragon 720G’s image signal processor (ISP) is more advanced than the one found in the Snapdragon 460, enabling better noise reduction and dynamic range. While both likely include standard features like HDR, the Redmi Note 9S is expected to deliver superior image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The presence of a dedicated night mode on the Redmi Note 9S is also probable, further enhancing its low-light performance.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Oppo A53 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm) while the Redmi Note 9S features the Snapdragon 720G (8nm). This is a significant gap. The 720G’s Kryo 465 Gold cores, clocked at 2.3 GHz, offer substantially more processing power than the A53’s 1.8 GHz Kryo 240 cores. The 8nm process node of the 720G also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to a smoother experience with multitasking and more demanding applications. The Redmi Note 9S is the clear winner for users who play mobile games or frequently switch between apps.
Battery Life
Both the Oppo A53 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S share an endurance rating of 127 hours and 18W wired charging. This suggests comparable battery life in typical usage scenarios. However, the Snapdragon 720G’s improved efficiency could slightly offset the power demands of more intensive tasks, potentially extending the Redmi Note 9S’s usable battery life. The 18W charging, while not exceptionally fast, should provide a reasonable 0-100% charge time of around 2-3 hours for both devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A53 if your primary needs are basic communication, light social media use, and a simple, uncluttered experience. It’s a suitable option for first-time smartphone users or those on an extremely tight budget. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S if you prioritize performance for gaming, streaming, or running demanding apps. Its more powerful processor and potentially better camera system make it a more versatile device for a wider range of users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi Note 9S handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 720G in the Redmi Note 9S is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with a stable frame rate. While it won't deliver a flagship-level gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience compared to the Oppo A53's Snapdragon 460.
❓ Is the camera on the Redmi Note 9S noticeably better for taking photos in low light?
Yes, the Redmi Note 9S is expected to perform better in low-light conditions. The Snapdragon 720G’s advanced ISP and likely larger sensor size contribute to better noise reduction and detail preservation in dimly lit environments. It likely includes a dedicated night mode for further improvements.
❓ Does the Oppo A53 struggle with multitasking or running multiple apps simultaneously?
The Oppo A53’s Snapdragon 460 is a budget-oriented chipset and can exhibit noticeable lag when multitasking or running several apps concurrently. Users who frequently switch between applications or use resource-intensive apps may find the experience frustrating.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge both phones with the 18W charger?
Both the Oppo A53 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S, utilizing 18W charging, are expected to take approximately 2 to 3 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%. While not the fastest charging available, it's adequate for overnight charging or topping up throughout the day.
