The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two strong contenders against each other: the Sharp Aquos Sense4 Plus and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro. Both offer compelling features, but which one comes out on top?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi Note 9 Pro edges out the Aquos Sense4 Plus thanks to its faster charging and potentially slightly better camera versatility. However, the Aquos Sense4 Plus might appeal to those prioritizing a cleaner Android experience and a more compact design. Ultimately, it depends on your priorities.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 11. Released 2020, September 11 | 2020, April 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, May 05 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 166 x 78 x 8.8 mm (6.54 x 3.07 x 0.35 in) | 165.8 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.53 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| | IPX5/IP6X/IPX8 water/dust resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, MIUI 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP, f/2.4, 40mm (telephoto macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wired | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4120 mAh | Li-Po 5020 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Deep Fog Black, Cloud White | Tropical Green, Glacier White, Interstellar Gray |
| Models | - | M2003J6B2G |
| Price | About 600 EUR | € 136.00 / £ 164.28 |
| SAR | - | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.66 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 123h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1285:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.6 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 279625 (v8)
GeekBench: 1785 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sharp Aquos sense4 plus
- Near-stock Android experience
- Compact design
- IGZO display technology (potential power efficiency)
- Sharp's display quality
- Slower charging
- Less versatile camera
- Potentially less battery life
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro
- Fast charging (30W)
- Versatile camera system
- Excellent battery life
- Good value for money
- MIUI software (can be divisive)
- Larger size
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.67-inch display with a 1285:1 contrast ratio, indicating good black levels. The Aquos Sense4 Plus is known for its IGZO display technology, which can offer better power efficiency and potentially slightly more vibrant colors. The Redmi Note 9 Pro's display is generally well-regarded for its clarity and brightness. While specs are similar, subjective viewing experience may vary.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi Note 9 Pro typically boasts a more versatile camera system, often including a dedicated macro lens and potentially a higher resolution main sensor. While both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, the Redmi Note 9 Pro's hardware generally provides more options and potentially better image quality in various scenarios. The Aquos Sense4 Plus camera is still capable, but may lack some of the Redmi's features.
Performance
Both devices share the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G chipset and CPU configuration. Performance will be largely comparable for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Don't expect flagship-level performance from either phone, but they should handle most apps smoothly. The Aquos Sense4 Plus might have a slight edge in responsiveness due to potentially more optimized software.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 9 Pro has a significant advantage in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 123h. While the Aquos Sense4 Plus has a decent battery, it doesn't match the Redmi's longevity. Coupled with the Redmi's 30W fast charging, it offers a superior charging experience.
Buying Guide
The Sharp Aquos Sense4 Plus is ideal for users who prefer a near-stock Android experience, a more compact phone, and appreciate Sharp's display technology. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is a better choice for those prioritizing fast charging, a versatile camera system, and a larger battery for extended use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software?
The Sharp Aquos Sense4 Plus generally offers a cleaner, near-stock Android experience, while the Redmi Note 9 Pro uses Xiaomi's MIUI, which is feature-rich but can be more cluttered.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 9 Pro worth buying in 2024?
Despite being an older model, the Redmi Note 9 Pro still offers excellent value for money, especially if you prioritize battery life and a versatile camera. However, newer models with improved processors and features are available at a similar price point.
