The Realme Q2 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G represent a sweet spot in the market – affordable 5G connectivity without sacrificing core performance. Both devices aim to deliver a smooth experience, but they achieve this through different silicon and charging strategies. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and slightly faster charging, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 750G, built on an 8nm process, offers a slight edge in efficiency and gaming, while the 33W charging completes a full charge in a competitive 58 minutes.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G 2.3 Gbps DL | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 13. Released 2020, October 19 | 2020, November 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, December 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 75.1 x 9.1 mm (6.39 x 2.96 x 0.36 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 | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | 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 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, HDR10, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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 | - | 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 |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| 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/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 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 | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | - | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | No | 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 | 33W wired, 100% in 58 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4820 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Violet | Gray, Blue, Red/Mint |
| Models | RMX2117 | M2007J17C |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 370 EUR |
Realme Q2
- Potentially lower price point
- Capable Dimensity 800U chipset
- 30W fast charging
- 7nm process may lead to more thermal throttling
- Potentially less efficient than Snapdragon 750G
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G
- More efficient Snapdragon 750G chipset (8nm)
- Faster 33W charging (58 minutes to 100%)
- Potentially smoother gaming experience
- May be slightly more expensive
- Software optimization is key to camera performance
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given their market positioning, both likely feature LCD panels with 120Hz refresh rates. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G, historically, has leaned towards slightly more color-accurate displays. Without specific nit brightness or color gamut data, it's reasonable to assume similar visual experiences, with Xiaomi potentially having a slight edge in color fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a definitive comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor, ultrawide, and macro lens. The absence of sensor size or aperture information prevents a detailed analysis. Given Xiaomi’s history, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G might prioritize higher megapixel counts, while Realme often focuses on computational photography. The real-world image quality will depend heavily on software processing, which is currently unknown.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme Q2’s Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7nm) features a dual-cluster CPU configuration with 2x 2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G utilizes the Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm) with 2x 2.2 GHz Kryo 570 cores and 6x 1.8 GHz Kryo 570 cores. The Snapdragon 750G’s 8nm process generally translates to better power efficiency and thermal management compared to the Dimensity 800U’s 7nm node. While the Cortex-A76 cores in the Dimensity 800U are theoretically faster, the Snapdragon 750G’s architecture and efficiency gains provide a more consistent experience, particularly during prolonged gaming sessions. The Snapdragon 750G also benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software and gaming features.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G boasts 33W wired charging, achieving a 100% charge in 58 minutes. The Realme Q2 offers 30W wired charging, which will likely take slightly longer to fully charge. While the battery capacity of both devices is unknown, the faster charging speed of the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G provides a significant convenience factor. Users who frequently top up their phones will appreciate the quicker recharge times.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Q2 if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are comfortable with a chipset that, while capable, may exhibit slightly more thermal throttling under extended heavy loads. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G if you value a more efficient chipset, faster charging speeds, and a potentially smoother gaming experience, even if it comes at a small price premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 800U in the Realme Q2 struggle with graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Dimensity 800U is capable, it may exhibit more noticeable frame drops and thermal throttling during extended Genshin Impact sessions compared to the Snapdragon 750G. Lowering graphics settings is recommended for a smoother experience.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G compared to the 30W charging on the Realme Q2 in real-world use?
The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G's 33W charging is confirmed to reach 100% in 58 minutes. The Realme Q2's 30W charging will likely take approximately 10-15 minutes longer for a full charge, offering a noticeable convenience benefit to the Xiaomi device.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 750G offer better 5G connectivity than the Dimensity 800U?
Both chipsets support 5G connectivity, but Qualcomm's Snapdragon modems generally have a slight edge in terms of signal strength and stability, potentially leading to a more reliable 5G experience in areas with weaker coverage.
