The Samsung Galaxy F41 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, they diverge significantly in their core hardware, particularly in their chipsets and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and convenience, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset, built on a more efficient 8nm process, delivers noticeably better performance, and its 33W fast charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Galaxy F41’s 15W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 08. Released 2020, October 16 | 2020, November 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, December 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.35 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 | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, HDR10, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 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 |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 33W wired, 100% in 58 min |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 4820 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Fusion Black, Fusion Blue, Fusion Green | Gray, Blue, Red/Mint |
| Models | SM-F415F/DS, SM-F415F | M2007J17C |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 370 EUR |
| SAR | 0.38 W/kg (head) | - |
Samsung Galaxy F41
- Potentially more refined Samsung software experience
- Established Samsung brand reputation
- May be available at a lower price point in some regions
- Slower Exynos 9611 chipset
- Significantly slower 15W charging
- Less efficient 10nm process
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G
- Faster Snapdragon 750G chipset (8nm)
- 33W fast charging (100% in 58 minutes)
- Potentially better image processing
- Xiaomi’s MIUI software can be polarizing
- May have more pre-installed bloatware
- Build quality may not match Samsung’s premium offerings
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are absent, the core difference lies in the underlying processing power impacting display responsiveness. The Snapdragon 750G’s superior GPU could translate to smoother scrolling and animations, though this is difficult to quantify without direct testing. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket, and will offer adequate viewing angles and color reproduction for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Snapdragon 750G’s integrated ISP (Image Signal Processor) generally offers more advanced image processing capabilities than the Exynos 9611’s ISP. This could result in better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality in challenging lighting conditions. The presence of a more modern ISP in the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G suggests a potential edge in computational photography features. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are largely marketing features with limited practical utility.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm) is a clear upgrade over the Samsung Galaxy F41’s Exynos 9611 (10nm). The 8nm process node inherently offers better power efficiency, leading to less thermal throttling during sustained workloads. The Snapdragon 750G’s Kryo 570 cores, with a 2x2.2 GHz prime core configuration, provide a performance advantage over the Exynos 9611’s 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 setup, particularly in multi-threaded tasks. Gamers and power users will find the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G a more responsive and capable device.
Battery Life
While both phones likely feature similar battery capacities (typical of this segment), the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s 33W wired charging is a game-changer. A full charge in 58 minutes is significantly faster than the Galaxy F41’s 15W charging, which will require considerably longer to reach 100%. This faster charging is particularly beneficial for users who frequently find themselves needing to top up their battery throughout the day. The Snapdragon 750G’s improved power efficiency also contributes to potentially longer real-world battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy F41 if you prioritize a potentially more refined software experience within the Samsung ecosystem and are less concerned with raw processing power or fast charging. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G if you value faster performance for gaming and multitasking, and appreciate the convenience of significantly quicker charging times, making it ideal for users on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy F41 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611, being built on a 10nm process, is more prone to thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 750G (8nm). While it won't necessarily overheat to the point of being unusable, expect performance to decrease over extended gaming sessions as the chip attempts to manage its temperature.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G utilizes Xiaomi’s proprietary 33W charging protocol. While it *may* work with some PD chargers, it’s not guaranteed to achieve the full 33W charging speed. It’s best to use the charger included in the box or a Xiaomi-certified 33W PD charger for optimal results.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 750G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 750G is well-equipped to handle PUBG Mobile. Users can expect smooth gameplay at high settings, though maintaining a consistently high frame rate may require adjusting graphics settings depending on the specific device configuration and game updates. The Adreno 619 GPU provides a significant performance boost over the GPU found in the Exynos 9611.
❓ Are there significant software differences between Samsung's One UI and Xiaomi's MIUI?
Yes. Samsung’s One UI is generally considered to be cleaner and more polished, with a focus on usability and features. Xiaomi’s MIUI is highly customizable but can be more resource-intensive and includes more pre-installed apps (bloatware). User preference plays a large role in which software experience is preferred.
