The Oppo A91 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a feature-rich experience without breaking the bank, they take fundamentally different approaches to performance and connectivity. The A91 relies on MediaTek’s Helio P70, while the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G leverages Qualcomm’s 5G-enabled Snapdragon 750G. This comparison dissects these key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and smoother performance, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset, built on a more efficient 8nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift and 5G connectivity. While the Oppo A91 offers respectable performance for basic tasks, it falls behind in demanding scenarios and lacks 5G support.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December 20. Released 2019, December | 2020, November 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, December 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) |
| Dimensions | 160.2 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) | 165.4 x 76.8 x 9 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~408 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.4 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 430 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, HDR10, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771V Helio P70 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, ColorOS 11 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP B/W, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.75µm
Auxiliary lens | 108 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired, 50% in 30 min | 33W wired, 100% in 58 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4025 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4820 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lightening Black, Unicorn White, Blazing Blue, Red | Gray, Blue, Red/Mint |
| Models | PCPM00, CPH2001, CPH2021 | M2007J17C |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 370 EUR |
Oppo A91
- Potentially lower price point.
- Reliable performance for basic tasks.
- Established brand reputation.
- Older chipset with lower performance.
- Lacks 5G connectivity.
- Slower charging speed.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing.
- More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 750G chipset.
- Faster 33W charging.
- May be slightly more expensive.
- Xiaomi’s MIUI software can be polarizing.
- Potentially larger physical size.
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market positioning, both likely feature LCD panels. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G, being a newer device, may benefit from slightly improved color accuracy and brightness. The absence of high refresh rate panels is expected in this price bracket, focusing instead on power efficiency.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G, being a more recent model, likely incorporates more advanced image processing algorithms. The Snapdragon 750G’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally more capable than the Helio P70’s, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and low-light performance. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G, a common feature in Xiaomi’s Pro models, would further enhance image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm) significantly outperforms the Oppo A91’s MediaTek Helio P70 (12nm). The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 750G translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. The Snapdragon 750G’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570 – offers a more balanced and powerful architecture compared to the Helio P70’s 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53. This means faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G boasts a significant advantage in charging speed with its 33W wired charging, achieving 100% charge in 58 minutes. The Oppo A91’s 20W charging, while respectable, is considerably slower, reaching only 50% in 30 minutes. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 750G’s superior efficiency means the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is likely to offer comparable or even better battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the A91.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A91 if you need a reliable smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and social media, and are less concerned with demanding gaming or 5G connectivity. It’s a solid choice for users on a very tight budget. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G if you prioritize future-proof connectivity with 5G, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive gaming experience. It’s ideal for users who want a phone that can handle more than just basic tasks and anticipate using 5G networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 750G in the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Snapdragon 750G is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it’s not a flagship-level gaming chip, its Adreno 619 GPU provides a significant performance boost over the Helio P70, resulting in a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience. Expect playable frame rates even with extended gaming sessions due to the 8nm process’s thermal efficiency.
❓ Is the lack of 5G on the Oppo A91 a significant drawback in 2024?
Yes, the absence of 5G is a considerable limitation. While 5G coverage isn’t ubiquitous, it’s rapidly expanding. Choosing a 5G-enabled device like the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G future-proofs your investment and allows you to take advantage of faster data speeds as 5G networks become more prevalent in your area. The A91 will be limited to 4G, which may become increasingly slower as more users connect to the network.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G compared to the 20W charging on the Oppo A91 in real-world use?
The 33W charging on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is substantially faster. While the Oppo A91 only reaches 50% charge in 30 minutes, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G can fully charge in 58 minutes. This means you can get a significant charge boost in a shorter amount of time, reducing downtime and keeping you connected for longer.
