The Realme 6S and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S represent a critical battleground in the budget smartphone space. Both devices aimed to deliver impressive features without breaking the bank, but they took different approaches. The Realme 6S prioritized gaming performance with its MediaTek Helio G90T, while the Redmi Note 9S focused on a balanced experience centered around a more efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G and solid battery life. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and consistent performance, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S is the better choice. While the Realme 6S offers a noticeable gaming performance boost, the Snapdragon 720G’s efficiency and the Redmi Note 9S’s comparable endurance make it a more practical daily driver.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, May 26. Released 2020, June 02 | 2020, March 23. Released 2020, April 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm (6.38 x 2.94 x 0.35 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 | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker | Water-repellent coating |
| 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 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, 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@30/120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| 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, 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 100% in 55 min | 18W wired |
| Type | 4300 mAh | Li-Po 5020 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Eclipse Black, Lunar White | Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Gray |
| Models | RMX2002 | M2003J6A1G |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 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) |
Realme 6S
- Faster 30W charging for quick top-ups
- Potentially higher gaming performance with Helio G90T
- Aggressive pricing often available
- Helio G90T can throttle under sustained load
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to Redmi Note 9S
- Less efficient chipset
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S
- More efficient Snapdragon 720G for sustained performance
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Balanced feature set for everyday use
- Slower 18W charging
- Gaming performance slightly lower than Realme 6S
- May not appeal to hardcore gamers
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar contrast ratios at 1389:1, suggesting comparable image quality in terms of black levels. However, the Redmi Note 9S boasts a measured peak brightness of 575 nits, providing a noticeably brighter viewing experience outdoors, especially under direct sunlight. While Realme doesn't provide brightness data, the Redmi Note 9S’s higher measured value gives it an edge for outdoor visibility. The panel technology is assumed to be IPS LCD on both, typical for this price point, and neither is expected to offer high refresh rates.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are advertised with capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is lacking. The focus should be on image processing and real-world results. Given the market positioning, it’s likely both rely on a primary sensor around 48MP. The Snapdragon 720G’s image signal processor (ISP) is generally regarded as superior, offering better dynamic range and noise reduction. While both phones likely offer similar video capabilities, the Redmi Note 9S’s ISP is expected to deliver more polished results. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on both is largely a marketing gimmick and shouldn’t heavily influence purchasing decisions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 6S’s MediaTek Helio G90T (12nm) utilizes a dual-cluster configuration with two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. This architecture prioritizes peak performance for gaming. Conversely, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) employs a Kryo 465 Gold (2x2.3 GHz) and Kryo 465 Silver (6x1.8 GHz) setup. The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 720G offers superior power efficiency, translating to less heat generation and sustained performance. While the G90T may win in burst performance, the 720G is likely to maintain higher average frame rates over extended gaming sessions due to better thermal management. The Snapdragon 720G also benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software and modem.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 127 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Realme 6S supports 30W wired charging, achieving a 100% charge in just 55 minutes. The Redmi Note 9S is limited to 18W charging, requiring a longer time to fully replenish the battery. This faster charging capability is a significant advantage for the Realme 6S, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. The Snapdragon 720G’s efficiency also contributes to the Redmi Note 9S’s respectable endurance despite the slower charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 6S if you are a mobile gamer who prioritizes raw performance and doesn't mind potentially shorter battery life. The Helio G90T will deliver higher frame rates in demanding titles. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S if you value all-day battery life, a consistently smooth experience across various tasks, and a more balanced feature set. It’s ideal for everyday users, content consumers, and casual gamers.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G90T in the Realme 6S overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The MediaTek Helio G90T is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 720G. While it delivers strong initial performance, it's prone to thermal throttling during extended gaming, leading to frame rate drops. The Redmi Note 9S’s Snapdragon 720G maintains more consistent performance over longer periods.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Redmi Note 9S noticeably slower than the 30W charging on the Realme 6S?
Yes, the difference is significant. The Realme 6S can charge from 0-100% in approximately 55 minutes, while the Redmi Note 9S will take considerably longer, likely exceeding 1.5 hours. This makes the Realme 6S a better choice for users who need a quick power boost.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 720G handle popular games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile?
The Snapdragon 720G is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile at high settings with stable frame rates. While it may not achieve the absolute highest frame rates possible on the Realme 6S, the experience will be smoother and more consistent due to better thermal management.
❓ Are the 2MP macro cameras on either phone worth using?
Generally, no. The image quality from these 2MP macro cameras is typically low, lacking detail and sharpness. They are primarily a marketing feature and shouldn't be a deciding factor in your purchase.
