The Realme 6 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G represent compelling options in the competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a feature-rich experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches to achieving this goal. The Realme 6 prioritizes raw gaming power with its Helio G90T, while the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G focuses on 5G connectivity and a more efficient chipset.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and consistent performance, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 750G offers a more efficient architecture and 5G support, despite slightly slower charging than the Realme 6. Gamers seeking maximum frame rates on a budget may still find value in the Realme 6.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 05. Released 2020, March 11 | 2020, November 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, December 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) |
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm (6.38 x 2.94 x 0.35 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 | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, HDR10, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 100% in 55 min | 33W wired, 100% in 58 min |
| Type | 4300 mAh | Li-Po 4820 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Comet Blue, Comet White | Gray, Blue, Red/Mint |
| Models | RMX2001 | M2007J17C |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 370 EUR |
| SAR | 1.14 W/kg (head) 0.59 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.71 W/kg (head) 0.57 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 106h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1315:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.7 LUFS (Average)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 288931 (v8)
GeekBench: 7815 (v4.4), 1726 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Realme 6
- Faster charging (55 minutes)
- Potentially higher peak gaming performance
- Established gaming chipset (Helio G90T)
- Less efficient chipset (12nm)
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Potential for thermal throttling during extended gaming
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- More efficient chipset (8nm Snapdragon 750G)
- Better sustained performance and thermal management
- Slightly slower charging (58 minutes)
- Potentially lower peak gaming performance compared to Realme 6
Display Comparison
The Realme 6 boasts a contrast ratio of 1315:1 and a measured peak brightness of 451 nits. While respectable, this is a fairly standard LCD panel for the price point. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s display specifications are not provided, but given Xiaomi’s typical approach, it likely features a similar LCD panel. The Realme 6’s brightness is adequate for indoor use, but may struggle in direct sunlight. Without further data on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s display, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but both likely offer a comparable visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing information, a meaningful comparison is impossible. It’s reasonable to assume both phones will offer a versatile camera system for everyday photography, but the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s image processing, leveraging Qualcomm’s ISP, may offer slightly better dynamic range and noise reduction. The absence of detail makes this a tie.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 6 utilizes the Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This chipset is known for its strong GPU performance, making it suitable for gaming. However, the 12nm process node is less efficient than the 8nm process used in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G. The Snapdragon 750G also has an octa-core CPU (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) and benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized architecture, leading to better sustained performance and thermal management. The Snapdragon 750G also unlocks 5G connectivity, a significant advantage for future-proofing.
Battery Life
The Realme 6 has an endurance rating of 106 hours, indicating solid battery life. It supports 30W wired charging, achieving a 100% charge in 55 minutes. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G offers 33W wired charging, completing a full charge in 58 minutes. While the Realme 6 charges slightly faster, the Snapdragon 750G’s superior efficiency in the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G likely translates to comparable, or even better, real-world battery endurance despite potentially having a similar capacity battery. The faster charging speed of the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is a slight advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 6 if you are a mobile gamer who prioritizes peak performance in demanding titles and doesn't mind potentially shorter battery life due to the more power-hungry chipset. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G if you want a phone with 5G connectivity, a more efficient processor for all-day use, and a balanced experience that doesn't compromise significantly on gaming, while offering faster network speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G90T in the Realme 6 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G90T is known to generate significant heat under sustained load. While it delivers strong initial performance, it's prone to thermal throttling, which can reduce frame rates and overall performance during extended gaming sessions. The 8nm Snapdragon 750G in the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is more efficient and less likely to throttle.
❓ How much faster is the 5G connectivity on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G compared to 4G?
The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G offers significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G, provided you have access to a 5G network. Real-world speeds will vary depending on network conditions and carrier, but 5G can deliver speeds several times faster than 4G, enabling quicker downloads, smoother streaming, and lower latency for online gaming.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G support carrier aggregation for improved 5G performance?
While not explicitly stated in the provided data, the Snapdragon 750G typically supports carrier aggregation, which combines multiple frequency bands to increase data speeds and improve network reliability. This is a crucial feature for maximizing 5G performance in real-world scenarios.
