The Realme 9 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India) represent compelling options in the competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they diverge significantly in their core strengths – the Realme 9 prioritizing efficiency and the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G focusing on faster charging and 5G connectivity. This comparison dissects these differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and future-proofing with 5G, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India) is the better choice. Its 67W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the Snapdragon 695 offers a performance edge. However, the Realme 9 remains a solid option for those on a tighter budget or prioritizing longer battery endurance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE-A (CA), 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 07 | 2022, March 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 12 | Available. Released 2022, March 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back |
| Dimensions | 160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) | 164.2 x 76.1 x 8.1 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 700 nits, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, dual pixel PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 31 min, 100% in 75 min | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 50% in 15 min, 100% in 42 min (advertised) |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Meteor Black, Sunburst Gold, Stargaze White | Mirage Blue, Phantom White, Stealth Black |
| Models | RMX3521 | 2201116SI |
| Price | About 660 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | 1.16 W/kg (head) 0.59 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 156h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-30.4 LUFS (Below average)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 290097 (v9)
GeekBench: 1601 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.3fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Realme 9
- Good battery endurance (156h rating)
- Efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Potentially lower price point
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Slower 33W charging
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India)
- Faster 67W charging
- 5G connectivity with Snapdragon 695
- Potentially better performance due to newer architecture
- Potentially shorter battery life
- May be more expensive
Display Comparison
Both devices lack detailed display specifications beyond brightness. The Realme 9 boasts a measured peak brightness of 647 nits, which is respectable for outdoor visibility. The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G’s display specs are not provided, but given Xiaomi’s typical approach, it likely offers similar brightness levels. Without information on panel type (AMOLED vs. LCD) or refresh rate, the Realme 9’s measured brightness gives it a slight edge in known specifications. Contrast ratios are listed as 'Infinite (nominal)' for the Realme 9, a common marketing term that doesn't reveal much about actual performance.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering minimal insight. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India) often features higher-resolution sensors in its Pro+ models, suggesting a potential advantage in image detail. The absence of information on Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is a significant omission; its presence would be a major differentiator. We can assume both phones will include standard features like portrait mode and night mode, but the quality will depend heavily on the underlying hardware and software tuning.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 9 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with a 2.4 GHz prime core. The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India) steps up to the Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm), also octa-core, but with a slightly lower peak clock speed of 2.2 GHz. While the clock speed is lower, the Snapdragon 695 benefits from a newer architecture (Kryo 660 vs Kryo 265) and integrated 5G modem. This translates to better overall performance, particularly in tasks leveraging 5G connectivity and more efficient multi-tasking. The 6nm process node is shared, suggesting similar thermal efficiency, but the 695’s architectural improvements likely give it a slight advantage in sustained performance.
Battery Life
The Realme 9 has an endurance rating of 156 hours, indicating good battery life. The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India) battery capacity is not provided, but its standout feature is the 67W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% in 15 minutes and 100% in 42 minutes (advertised). In contrast, the Realme 9’s 33W charging takes 31 minutes for 50% and 75 minutes for a full charge. This charging speed difference is substantial. While the Realme 9 may offer slightly longer overall battery life due to potentially larger capacity, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G’s faster charging mitigates any endurance disadvantage, offering more convenience for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 9 if you need a reliable, efficient phone with good battery life and aren't concerned about 5G connectivity or extremely fast charging. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India) if you prefer quicker charging speeds, want access to 5G networks, and are willing to trade a bit of battery endurance for enhanced performance and future-proofing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India) offer a noticeable gaming improvement over the Snapdragon 680 in the Realme 9?
Yes, the Snapdragon 695, with its newer Kryo 660 cores and improved GPU, provides a more fluid gaming experience, especially in demanding titles. While neither chipset is a flagship performer, the 695 will handle higher graphics settings and maintain more stable frame rates.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India) in real-world usage compared to the 33W charging on the Realme 9?
The 67W charging on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India) is significantly faster. While the Realme 9 takes 75 minutes for a full charge, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India) advertises a full charge in 42 minutes. This translates to roughly 30-40 minutes saved per charge cycle, a substantial convenience for frequent users.
❓ Is the lack of 5G on the Realme 9 a significant drawback in 2024?
The significance of lacking 5G depends on your location and carrier. If 5G coverage is limited in your area, it's less of a concern. However, as 5G networks expand, the Realme 9 will become increasingly limited in its connectivity options, potentially impacting future-proofing.
