Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The TCL 403 and Xiaomi Redmi 9AT are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 9AT edges out the TCL 403 thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and octa-core CPU, offering a smoother overall experience. While both are budget options, the Redmi 9AT's improved performance and 10W charging give it a slight advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - T431D | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 - T431D | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - T431Q | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 05 | 2020, September 09. Released 2020, September 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 04 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 78.2 x 9.6 mm (6.27 x 3.08 x 0.38 in) | 164.9 x 77 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.03 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~179 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~74.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF
or
5 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm - T431Q only | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps or 720p@30fps (T431Q only) | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.8
or
2 MP, f/2.8 - T431Q only | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Prime Black, Mauve Mist | Carbon Gray, Sky Blue, Ocean Green |
| Models | T431D, T431U, T431Q, T431P, T431A, T431E | M2006C3LVG |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 80 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.87 W/kg (head) 1.01 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.78 W/kg (head) 1.03 W/kg (body) |
TCL 403
- Clean Android experience
- Large display
- Decent battery life
- Lower performance
- Slower charging
- Basic camera
Xiaomi Redmi 9AT
- Better performance (Helio G25)
- Octa-core CPU
- 10W charging
- Larger community support
- MIUI software (can be bloated)
- Basic camera
- Plastic build
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large, HD+ displays, likely around 6.5 inches. Expect similar viewing experiences – adequate for everyday use but not exceptional. Color accuracy and brightness will be typical for this price range. The TCL 403 might have slightly better color reproduction based on TCL's general display tuning, but it's a marginal difference.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar – expect a 13MP main camera on both, potentially with a depth sensor. Image quality will be decent in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance will be underwhelming on both. The Redmi 9AT might have a slight edge due to potential software optimizations.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 9AT takes a lead. The Helio G25's octa-core configuration provides more cores than the TCL 403's quad-core Helio A22. This translates to noticeably better performance in multitasking and handling slightly more demanding apps. The TCL 403 will feel a bit sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature a large 5000mAh battery, offering all-day battery life under moderate usage. The Redmi 9AT's inclusion of 10W wired charging is a small but welcome improvement over the TCL 403, which likely has slower charging.
Buying Guide
The TCL 403 is a good choice for users prioritizing a clean software experience and basic functionality. The Xiaomi Redmi 9AT is better suited for those needing a bit more processing power for light gaming or multitasking, and who appreciate a slightly faster charging speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi 9AT is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G25 chipset and octa-core CPU.
❓ Does the TCL 403 have NFC?
NFC availability varies by region for the TCL 403. Check the specific model number and regional specifications to confirm.
❓ What is the software experience like on each phone?
The TCL 403 typically offers a cleaner, more stock-like Android experience. The Redmi 9AT uses Xiaomi's MIUI, which can be more feature-rich but also comes with pre-installed apps (bloatware).
