Released in 2019, the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro and Oppo Reno2 Z represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market. While both aimed to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they took distinctly different approaches. The Mi 9T Pro prioritized raw processing power with the Snapdragon 855, while the Reno2 Z focused on a balance of features and a more streamlined design, powered by the MediaTek Helio P90. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 855 chipset delivers significantly faster processing speeds and superior gaming capabilities compared to the Oppo Reno2 Z’s Helio P90. While both offer comparable battery endurance, the Mi 9T Pro’s faster 27W charging provides a more convenient user experience.
| 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 | 2019, August 28. Released 2019, September | 2019, August 21. Released 2019, August 21 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 162.4 x 75.8 x 8.7 mm (6.39 x 2.98 x 0.34 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 | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED, HDR |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GM9446 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, ColorOS 11 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP B/W, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.75µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 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 (gyro-EIS) | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 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, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | FM radio | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C | 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 27W wired, QC4 |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sky White, Luminous Black | Carbon black, Red flame, Glacier blue |
| Models | PCKM70, PCKT00, PCKM00, CPH1945, CPH1951, PCKM80 | M1903F11G |
| Price | About 330 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) |
Oppo Reno2 Z
- Sleek and stylish design
- Balanced feature set for everyday use
- Competitive price point
- Inferior processing power compared to the Mi 9T Pro
- Slower charging speeds
Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro
- Flagship-level Snapdragon 855 processor
- Faster 27W charging with QC4
- Superior gaming performance
- Potentially less refined design compared to the Reno2 Z
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
Both the Oppo Reno2 Z and Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro boast displays with an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting excellent black levels. However, detailed display specifications like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are missing. Given the Mi 9T Pro’s positioning, it likely featured a higher peak brightness for better outdoor visibility. Both devices likely utilized AMOLED panels, common for the price point, offering vibrant colors and efficient power consumption. The lack of high refresh rate technology (90Hz or 120Hz) is a commonality, reflecting the era of their release.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the main sensors, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Mi 9T Pro’s higher processing power likely allows for more sophisticated image processing algorithms, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and low-light performance. The Reno2 Z’s quad-camera setup may offer versatility, but the Helio P90’s image signal processor (ISP) is less capable than the Snapdragon 855’s. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) details for either phone suggests it wasn’t a primary focus, relying more on software stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm) is a flagship-level processor, featuring an octa-core configuration with a prime Kryo 485 core clocked at 2.84 GHz. This architecture provides a substantial performance advantage over the Oppo Reno2 Z’s MediaTek Helio P90 (12nm). The Helio P90, while capable, is a mid-range chip with a focus on AI processing. Its CPU configuration (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) simply cannot match the Snapdragon 855’s raw processing power or GPU performance. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and significantly better gaming performance on the Mi 9T Pro. The 7nm process node of the Snapdragon 855 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 103 hours, indicating similar real-world battery life. However, the Mi 9T Pro’s 27W wired charging with Quick Charge 4 (QC4) support provides a significant advantage over the Reno2 Z’s 20W charging. QC4 allows for faster and more efficient charging, reducing the time required to replenish the battery from 0-100%. While both offer adequate battery life, the Mi 9T Pro’s faster charging is a more convenient feature for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo Reno2 Z if you prioritize a sleek design and a balanced feature set for everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and casual photography. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro if you are a gamer, a power user who frequently multitasks, or someone who wants a phone that will remain responsive and capable for years to come. The Mi 9T Pro’s superior chipset makes it the better choice for demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Mi 9T Pro’s Snapdragon 855 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 855 can generate heat under heavy load, the Mi 9T Pro incorporates thermal management solutions to mitigate throttling. The 7nm process node is more efficient than the Helio P90’s 12nm, and the phone’s cooling system should allow for sustained gaming performance, though some throttling may occur during extremely demanding titles.
❓ Is the Helio P90 in the Reno2 Z sufficient for playing popular mobile games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Helio P90 can run PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The experience won’t be as fluid or visually impressive as on the Mi 9T Pro, which can handle these games at higher settings without significant performance drops.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro support 90fps gameplay in PUBG Mobile?
The Mi 9T Pro *can* support 60fps gameplay in PUBG Mobile, but achieving a consistent 90fps depends on the specific device configuration and game settings. While the Snapdragon 855 is capable, PUBG Mobile’s optimization and the phone’s thermal management will be key factors.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the Oppo Reno2 Z with the 20W charger?
Based on the 20W charging speed, a full charge from 0-100% on the Oppo Reno2 Z will likely take around 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on usage during charging.
