Realme 9 5G Speed vs Xiaomi 11T Pro: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range and Flagship Power

The Realme 9 5G Speed and Xiaomi 11T Pro represent distinct approaches to the 5G smartphone market. The Realme aims for aggressive value with a capable mid-range chipset, while the Xiaomi, now older but still potent, brings a former-flagship experience with a focus on speed and rapid charging. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing value and efficient performance, the Realme 9 5G Speed is the better choice. While the Xiaomi 11T Pro boasts a more powerful Snapdragon 888, the Realme’s Snapdragon 778G offers a compelling balance of power and efficiency, coupled with a more attractive price point.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme 9 5G Speed Xiaomi 11T Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bands1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
  SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - International-
Launch
Announced2022, March 102021, September 15
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, March 14Available. Released 2021, October 05
Body
BuildGlass front (Panda Glass), plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions164.4 x 75.8 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)164.1 x 76.9 x 8.8 mm (6.46 x 3.03 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)204 g (7.20 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
ProtectionPanda GlassCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 144Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM)AMOLED, Dolby Vision, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 660
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.2UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens108 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto macro), 1/5.0", 1.12µm, AF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960, HDR10+, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panorama-
Single16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audioTuned by Harman Kardon 24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging30W wired, 50% in 25 min120W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 72% in 10 min, 100% in 17 min
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsStarry Glow, Azure GlowMeteorite Gray, Moonlight White, Celestial Blue
ModelsRMX34612107113SG, 2107113SI, 2107113SR
PriceAbout 240 EUR€ 139.00 / $ 185.21 / £ 189.99 / ₹ 39,999
SAR-0.78 W/kg (head)     0.49 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 92h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.3 LUFS (Good)

Realme 9 5G Speed

  • Excellent value for money
  • Efficient Snapdragon 778G processor
  • Potentially better thermal management

  • Less powerful processor than the Xiaomi 11T Pro
  • Slower charging speed

Xiaomi 11T Pro

  • Flagship-level Snapdragon 888 performance
  • Blazing-fast 120W charging
  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility

  • Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi 11T Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 837 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Realme 9 5G Speed. This makes the Xiaomi more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. Both displays feature an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of AMOLED panels. However, without refresh rate or panel technology details for the Realme, the Xiaomi 11T Pro clearly leads in display specifications, offering a superior viewing experience in bright conditions.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for both. Without specifics, it's difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Xiaomi 11T Pro, being a former flagship, likely features a more sophisticated camera system with potentially larger sensors and better image processing algorithms. The Realme 9 5G Speed will likely focus on providing a good all-around camera experience, but may not match the Xiaomi’s potential for low-light performance or dynamic range. We can assume the Xiaomi will have more advanced video recording capabilities.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi 11T Pro’s Snapdragon 888 (5nm) is a flagship-level processor with a Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz, offering a substantial performance advantage over the Realme 9 5G Speed’s Snapdragon 778G (6nm). The 778G, while excellent for its class, features a Cortex-A78 prime core at 2.4 GHz. The 5nm process of the 888 *should* offer better efficiency, but its known thermal throttling issues under sustained load could negate this advantage. The Realme’s 6nm process is generally more efficient, leading to less throttling in prolonged gaming sessions. The Xiaomi's raw power will benefit users engaged in demanding tasks like video editing or high-end gaming, while the Realme provides a smoother experience for everyday use.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 92 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the Xiaomi 11T Pro having an unspecified mAh capacity and the Realme 9 5G Speed also lacking this information. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Xiaomi 11T Pro’s 120W charging is incredibly fast, reaching 72% in 10 minutes and 100% in 17 minutes. The Realme 9 5G Speed’s 30W charging takes 25 minutes to reach 50%. This difference is significant for users who prioritize minimizing downtime. While the Xiaomi's battery may degrade faster due to the higher charging rate, the convenience is undeniable.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme 9 5G Speed if you need a reliable daily driver with good performance for social media, streaming, and casual gaming, and you want to maximize value for your money. Buy the Xiaomi 11T Pro if you prioritize raw processing power for demanding tasks like video editing or graphically intensive games, and you absolutely need the fastest possible charging speeds, even if it means potentially shorter battery longevity due to the older chipset's thermal characteristics.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 888 in the Xiaomi 11T Pro prone to overheating during extended gaming sessions?
Yes, the Snapdragon 888 is known to generate significant heat under sustained load. While the Xiaomi 11T Pro likely incorporates cooling solutions, users may experience thermal throttling, leading to reduced performance during prolonged gaming or demanding tasks. The Realme 9 5G Speed's Snapdragon 778G, with its more efficient 6nm process, is less susceptible to this issue.
❓ How does the 30W charging on the Realme 9 5G Speed compare to the charging speeds of other phones in its price range?
30W charging is fairly standard for phones in the Realme 9 5G Speed's price bracket. While not as fast as the Xiaomi 11T Pro's 120W charging, it's still reasonably quick and will fully charge the device in a little over an hour. It's a practical compromise to keep the cost down.
❓ Will the Xiaomi 11T Pro's battery health degrade faster due to the 120W charging?
Potentially, yes. While modern battery management systems mitigate the impact, consistently using extremely fast charging can contribute to faster battery degradation over time compared to slower charging methods. The Realme 9 5G Speed's 30W charging is less likely to have this effect.