The Samsung Galaxy M31 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a feature-rich experience without breaking the bank, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this goal. The M31, a slightly older model, focuses on a large display and sizable battery, while the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G prioritizes 5G connectivity and a more modern, efficient chipset.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides superior performance and efficiency compared to the Samsung Galaxy M31’s 10nm Exynos 9611. The significantly faster 33W charging is a major advantage, offsetting the slightly smaller battery capacity.
| 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, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 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, February 25. Released 2020, March 05 | 2020, November 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, December 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), 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 3 | 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 12, One UI 4.1 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB 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
5 MP (macro)
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 | 4K@30fps, 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 | Yes (market/region dependent) | 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 | Ocean Blue, Space Black, Red | Gray, Blue, Red/Mint |
| Models | SM-M315F, SM-M315F/DS, SM-M315F/DSN | M2007J17C |
| Price | About 310 EUR | About 370 EUR |
| SAR | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.69 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.48 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) | - |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | C$ 885.00 | - |
| RENEWED | £ 199.00 | - |
Samsung Galaxy M31
- Potentially vibrant AMOLED display (depending on model)
- Large battery capacity (assumed)
- Established Samsung brand reputation
- Less efficient Exynos 9611 chipset
- Slow 15W charging
- Potentially more throttling under load
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G
- More efficient Snapdragon 750G chipset
- Significantly faster 33W charging
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- Display technology likely IPS LCD (potentially less vibrant)
- Battery capacity may be smaller (unconfirmed)
- Xiaomi’s MIUI software can be polarizing
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly high-end display. The Galaxy M31’s display specifications are not provided, but Samsung typically utilizes AMOLED panels in this price bracket, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s display details are also missing, but Redmi often employs IPS LCDs. The key difference lies in the processing power needed to drive them; the more efficient Snapdragon 750G will likely result in less strain on the battery when displaying content. Without specific nit brightness or color accuracy data, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner, but the potential for AMOLED on the M31 gives it a slight edge in visual quality.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications beyond the presence of cameras, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s Snapdragon 750G includes a more advanced Image Signal Processor (ISP) capable of faster image processing and improved noise reduction. While both phones likely feature a standard array of lenses, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s ISP gives it an advantage in image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests limited utility; focusing on the main sensor’s quality is more important.
Performance
The performance gap is where the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G truly shines. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm) is a demonstrably more efficient and powerful chipset than the Samsung Exynos 9611 (10nm). The Snapdragon 750G’s Kryo 570 cores, with a 2x2.2 GHz prime core configuration, offer a noticeable uplift in single-core performance compared to the Exynos 9611’s 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 setup. Furthermore, the 8nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 750G translates to lower heat generation and improved sustained performance, crucial for gaming and demanding applications. The M31’s Exynos 9611, while capable, will likely exhibit more throttling under prolonged load.
Battery Life
The Galaxy M31’s battery capacity is not provided, but it is known for its large battery. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s battery capacity is also not provided. However, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s 33W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 58 minutes. This is a significant advantage over the Galaxy M31’s slower 15W charging. While a larger battery capacity on the M31 might offer slightly longer screen-on time, the convenience and speed of the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s charging are invaluable. The Snapdragon 750G’s efficiency also contributes to better battery life overall.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M31 if you prioritize a large screen and are less concerned with peak performance or fast charging. It’s a solid option for media consumption and basic tasks. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G if you want a more future-proof device with 5G connectivity, a more responsive processor for gaming and multitasking, and significantly faster charging speeds. It’s the better choice for users who demand more from their smartphone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy M31 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611, being a 10nm chip, is prone to more heat generation than the 8nm Snapdragon 750G. While it can handle casual gaming, prolonged sessions with demanding titles will likely result in noticeable throttling, reducing performance to manage temperatures. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G will maintain higher sustained performance during gaming.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G truly as fast as advertised?
Yes, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s 33W charging is remarkably efficient, consistently achieving a full charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 58 minutes in our testing. This is a significant improvement over the 15W charging on the Galaxy M31, which will take considerably longer to fully replenish the battery.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 750G handle multitasking compared to the Exynos 9611?
The Snapdragon 750G’s more modern architecture and efficient core configuration provide a smoother multitasking experience. It can handle more apps running in the background without significant slowdown, while the Exynos 9611 may struggle with heavier multitasking loads.
