The Tecno Phantom 9 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro represent compelling options in the budget to mid-range smartphone space. While both aim to deliver a solid experience, they diverge significantly in their core strengths. The Phantom 9 focuses on affordability, while the Redmi Note 8 Pro prioritizes gaming performance and camera capabilities, making a direct comparison crucial for discerning buyers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its Helio G90T chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Phantom 9’s Helio P35, translating to smoother gaming and faster app loading. While battery life is comparable, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s 18W charging offers a quicker top-up.
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, July. Released 2019, July | 2019, August 29. Released 2019, September 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 158.5 x 75.3 x 7.9 mm (6.24 x 2.96 x 0.31 in) | 161.4 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.35 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 164.4 g (5.78 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | IPS LCD, HDR, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CC Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@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 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lapland Aurora | Black, Red, Blue, White, Deep Sea Blue, Midnight Blue, Electric Blue, Twilight Orange |
| Models | AB7 | 2015105, M1906G7I, M1906G7G |
| Price | About 15000 INR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.47 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -91.9dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 114h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1326:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 64dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 82dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 224759 (v7), 279355 (v8)
GeekBench: 6999 (v4.4), 1622 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Phantom 9
- Extremely affordable price point
- Decent battery endurance (114h)
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Outdated Helio P35 chipset
- Limited gaming performance
- Likely inferior camera quality
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
- Powerful Helio G90T chipset for gaming
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Faster 18W charging
- Slightly higher price than the Phantom 9
- Battery life is comparable, not superior
- May not be the best choice for extremely budget-conscious users
Display Comparison
Both devices feature similar contrast ratios at 1326:1, suggesting comparable color reproduction. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 640 nits, compared to the Phantom 9’s unspecified brightness. This higher peak brightness on the Redmi Note 8 Pro ensures better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While neither display is explicitly stated to have high refresh rates, the brighter panel of the Redmi Note 8 Pro provides a more pleasant viewing experience overall.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but details are sparse. The Redmi Note 8 Pro’s camera system likely benefits from the more powerful ISP within the Helio G90T, enabling faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. Without specific sensor details for the Phantom 9, it’s difficult to assess its camera quality, but given its focus on cost reduction, it likely utilizes a less sophisticated sensor. The Redmi Note 8 Pro’s camera system is likely to offer more features and better overall image quality.
Performance
The performance gap between these two phones is substantial. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G90T, with its 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, is a generation ahead of the Tecno Phantom 9’s Helio P35. The G90T’s Cortex-A76 cores offer significantly improved single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and smoother multitasking. The P35’s 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 configuration, while octa-core, relies on older, less efficient core designs. This translates to a noticeable difference in gaming performance, with the Redmi Note 8 Pro capable of handling more demanding titles at higher settings.
Battery Life
Both the Tecno Phantom 9 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro includes 18W wired charging, allowing for a significantly faster recharge compared to the Phantom 9, which lacks any specified fast charging capabilities. This faster charging speed is a practical advantage, minimizing downtime and ensuring the phone is ready to go when needed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Phantom 9 if you prioritize extreme affordability and basic smartphone functionality. It’s a suitable option for users who primarily need a phone for calls, texts, and light social media use. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro if you enjoy mobile gaming, value a better camera experience, and appreciate faster performance for everyday tasks. It’s the clear choice for those seeking a more versatile and capable device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi Note 8 Pro run demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Helio G90T chipset in the Redmi Note 8 Pro is specifically designed for gaming. It can handle PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates, offering a significantly better gaming experience than the Tecno Phantom 9.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Redmi Note 8 Pro with the 18W charger?
While a precise time isn't available, the Redmi Note 8 Pro's 18W charging will likely take around 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours for a full charge from 0%, significantly faster than the Phantom 9 which lacks fast charging support.
❓ Is the camera on the Redmi Note 8 Pro good for taking photos in low light?
The Redmi Note 8 Pro’s camera, powered by the Helio G90T’s image signal processor, is expected to perform better in low-light conditions than the Phantom 9. While specific sensor details are missing, the G90T’s processing capabilities will help reduce noise and improve image clarity.
