Released in different markets and targeting slightly different price points, the Sharp Aquos R3 and Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite represent compelling options for users seeking a balance between performance and affordability. The R3, with its flagship Snapdragon 855, aims for raw power, while the Mi 9 Lite prioritizes efficiency and a well-rounded experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and demanding tasks like gaming, the Sharp Aquos R3 is the clear winner thanks to its Snapdragon 855. However, the Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite offers a more balanced package with comparable battery life and a respectable experience for everyday use, making it the better choice for the average user.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 38 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat15 1024/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August. Released 2019, August | 2019, September 16. Released 2019, September 16 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 156 x 74 x 8.9 mm (6.14 x 2.91 x 0.35 in) | 156.8 x 74.5 x 8.7 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 179 g (6.31 oz) |
| | IPX5/IP6X/IPX8 water/dust resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~554 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 94.4 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IGZO IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision | Super AMOLED, HDR, 430 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SDM710 Snapdragon 710 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 616 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
20 MP, f/2.4, 125˚ (ultrawide), AF, OIS | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0 | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0 | 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 (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wired, PD
Wireless | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 3200 mAh | Li-Po 4030 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Classic Black | Pearl White, Aurora Blue, Onyx Grey |
| Models | - | M1904F3BG |
| Price | About 750 EUR | About 320 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.15 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.42 W/kg (head) 1.40 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -90.3dB / Crosstalk -93.1dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 106h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.2 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 175478 (v7), 215277 (v8)
GeekBench: 5989 (v4.4), 1518 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sharp Aquos R3
- Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 855)
- Wireless and PD fast charging
- Potentially superior camera hardware
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load
- Limited availability in some markets
Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite
- Excellent display brightness (597 nits)
- More affordable price point
- Good battery life (106h endurance)
- Less powerful processor (Snapdragon 710)
- Slower charging speed (18W)
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite boasts a measured peak brightness of 597 nits, providing excellent visibility in outdoor conditions. While the Aquos R3’s display specifications are not provided, Sharp historically focuses on color accuracy. The Mi 9 Lite’s ‘infinite’ contrast ratio (typical for AMOLED panels) delivers deep blacks and vibrant colors. The absence of detailed display specs for the R3 makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Mi 9 Lite’s brightness advantage is a significant benefit for outdoor usability.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for both. The absence of specifics makes a detailed comparison challenging. However, the flagship positioning of the Aquos R3 suggests a potentially more advanced camera system with features like larger sensors and optical image stabilization (OIS), which are often found in higher-end devices. The Mi 9 Lite likely relies on software processing to enhance image quality. Without concrete sensor details, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the R3’s likely hardware advantage gives it an edge.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Aquos R3 features the Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7nm), while the Mi 9 Lite utilizes the SDM710 Snapdragon 710 (10nm). The 855’s Kryo 485 cores, with a prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz, offer significantly higher processing power than the 710’s Kryo 360 Gold cores peaking at 2.2 GHz. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance on the R3. The 7nm process of the 855 also contributes to better thermal efficiency compared to the 10nm 710, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Mi 9 Lite’s Snapdragon 710 is still capable, but it’s a step down in terms of raw horsepower.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 106 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite the Aquos R3’s more power-hungry chipset. This implies efficient power management on the R3. The Mi 9 Lite supports 18W wired charging, while the Aquos R3 offers both wired charging with Power Delivery (PD) and wireless charging. The inclusion of PD and wireless charging on the R3 provides greater convenience and flexibility, offsetting the potential battery drain from the Snapdragon 855.
Buying Guide
Buy the Sharp Aquos R3 if you absolutely need the fastest possible performance for gaming, video editing, or other demanding applications and are willing to potentially sacrifice some battery life. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite if you prioritize a well-rounded experience with good battery life, a bright display, and a more affordable price point, and your usage is primarily focused on social media, browsing, and casual gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 855 in the Aquos R3 get noticeably hotter than the Snapdragon 710 in the Mi 9 Lite during extended gaming sessions?
Yes, the Snapdragon 855 is a more powerful chip and will generate more heat under sustained load. While the 7nm process helps mitigate this, the Aquos R3 is likely to experience more thermal throttling during prolonged gaming compared to the Mi 9 Lite. However, the R3 will maintain higher frame rates before throttling kicks in.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Mi 9 Lite sufficient for quick top-ups, or is it significantly slower than faster charging solutions?
18W charging is considered relatively standard and will provide a reasonable charging speed. While not as fast as some of the 30W or 65W solutions available on other devices, it will still charge the Mi 9 Lite from 0-100% in approximately 1.5-2 hours. The Aquos R3’s PD support offers potentially faster wired charging speeds depending on the charger used.
❓ Given the similar battery endurance ratings, does the Aquos R3's wireless charging capability come at the expense of battery life compared to the Mi 9 Lite?
Not necessarily. The similar endurance ratings suggest that the Aquos R3's power management is efficient enough to offset the potential battery drain from the Snapdragon 855 and the added functionality of wireless charging. However, frequent use of wireless charging, which is generally less efficient than wired charging, could slightly reduce overall battery life.
