Realme 6i vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Contenders
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing long-lasting battery life and a brighter display, the Realme 6i remains a solid choice. However, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T’s significantly faster Dimensity 800U chipset and 5G capabilities make it the superior option for those seeking future-proof performance and faster connectivity, despite its shorter battery life.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Realme 6i | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T |
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global | 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 / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 17. Released 2020, March 29 | 2021, January 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, January 18 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.4 x 9 mm (6.47 x 2.97 x 0.35 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 | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| - | Water-repellent coating | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC3 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 - 64GB UFS 2.2 - 128GB | |
| 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/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) 2 MP B/W, f/2.4 | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 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 | 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, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired 5W reverse wired | 18W wired, 33% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | White Milk, Green Tea, Blue Soda | Nightfall Black, Daybreak Purple |
| Models | RMX2040 | M2007J22G, J22 |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 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 186h | Endurance rating 118h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1610:1 (nominal) | Contrast ratio: 1226:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -30.5 LUFS (Below average) | -26.3 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 202275 (v8) GeekBench: 5890 (v4.4), 1349 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 288732 (v8) GeekBench: 1775 (v5.1) |
Realme 6i
- Exceptional battery life (186h endurance)
- Brighter display for outdoor use (528 nits)
- 5W reverse wired charging
- Older, less powerful Helio G80 chipset
- Limited to 4G connectivity
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T
- Faster Dimensity 800U chipset for improved performance
- 5G connectivity for future-proof networking
- Faster charging speed (33% in 30 mins)
- Significantly shorter battery life (118h endurance)
- Dimmer display (471 nits)
Display Comparison
The Realme 6i boasts a brighter display, reaching 528 nits compared to the Redmi Note 9T’s 471 nits, making it more usable in direct sunlight. While both displays have a nominal contrast ratio around 1600:1 (Realme 6i: 1610:1, Redmi Note 9T: 1226:1), the Realme 6i’s higher peak brightness provides a more vibrant and readable experience. Neither display is particularly cutting-edge in terms of panel technology, lacking features like high refresh rates or OLED, but the Realme 6i’s brightness advantage is noticeable.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer a standard photo/video camera setup, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics on sensor size or aperture, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Redmi Note 9T’s more powerful processor likely enables more sophisticated image processing algorithms, potentially leading to better low-light performance and dynamic range. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi Note 9T’s Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7nm) is a significant upgrade over the Realme 6i’s Helio G80 (12nm). The Dimensity 800U features more powerful Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz versus the G80’s 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. This translates to a noticeable performance boost in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The 7nm process also contributes to better power efficiency, though this is offset by the Redmi Note 9T’s smaller battery. The Redmi Note 9T’s 5G modem is a key advantage, offering access to next-generation networks, while the Realme 6i is limited to 4G.
Battery Life
Battery life is where the Realme 6i shines. Its endurance rating of 186 hours significantly surpasses the Redmi Note 9T’s 118 hours. This difference is due to the more efficient Helio G80 chipset and larger battery capacity (unspecified, but implied to be larger). While the Redmi Note 9T supports 18W charging with a claimed 33% charge in 30 minutes, the Realme 6i also supports 18W charging and 5W reverse wired charging, offering added convenience. The Redmi Note 9T’s faster processor demands more power, resulting in a shorter overall battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 6i if you need exceptional battery life and a brighter screen for outdoor visibility, and aren't heavily reliant on 5G connectivity. It's ideal for users who prioritize longevity and basic smartphone functionality. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T if you prioritize 5G access, faster processing speeds for gaming and multitasking, and are willing to trade some battery life for a more future-proof device. This phone is geared towards users who want a more responsive experience and access to next-generation networks.