Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G vs. vivo Y20s [G]: Which Budget 5G Phone Wins?

Both the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G and the vivo Y20s [G] target the increasingly competitive budget 5G market. However, they approach this segment with different philosophies. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G prioritizes connectivity and faster charging, while the Y20s [G] aims for a balance of features at an even lower price point. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset, built on an 8nm process, offers superior efficiency and 5G capabilities compared to the vivo Y20s [G]'s Helio G80. The significantly faster 33W charging is also a major advantage.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Y20s [G] Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 411, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands-1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, April 102020, November 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 10Available. Released 2020, December 01
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5)
Dimensions164.4 x 76.3 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)165.4 x 76.8 x 9 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight192.3 g (6.77 oz)215 g (7.58 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, HDR10, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570)
ChipsetMediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11, Funtouch 11Android 10, MIUI 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDRDual-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
Single8 MP, f/1.8, (wide)-
Triple13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth)-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/1.8, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jack-Yes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioFM radioUnspecified
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging18W wired33W wired, 100% in 58 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4820 mAh
Misc
ColorsObsidian Black, Purist BlueGray, Blue, Red/Mint
ModelsV2038M2007J17C
PriceAbout 170 EURAbout 370 EUR

vivo Y20s [G]

  • Faster 33W charging significantly reduces downtime.
  • More efficient Snapdragon 750G chipset for better performance and battery life.
  • 5G connectivity for future-proofed data speeds.

  • Potentially higher price point than the vivo Y20s [G].
  • May not offer significant camera improvements over the Y20s [G] without further specs.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G

  • Lower price point makes it accessible to budget-conscious buyers.
  • Functional 5G connectivity.
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks.

  • Slower 18W charging.
  • Less efficient Helio G80 chipset may lead to throttling under heavy load.

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are absent, the focus here is on the underlying processing power impacting UI smoothness. The difference in chipsets won't directly affect display quality, but a faster processor will ensure a more fluid user experience when navigating the interface and apps.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Snapdragon 750G typically includes a more capable Image Signal Processor (ISP), enabling better image processing and potentially superior low-light performance. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G likely benefits from Qualcomm’s computational photography algorithms. The Y20s [G] will likely rely more heavily on software processing to compensate for a potentially less advanced sensor and ISP.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm) is a significant step up from the vivo Y20s [G]’s MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm). The 8nm process inherently offers better power efficiency, translating to less heat generation and potentially less throttling during prolonged use. While both CPUs feature a similar core configuration (2x high-performance + 6x efficiency cores), the Snapdragon 750G’s Kryo 570 cores are architecturally more advanced, delivering a performance advantage. This benefits gamers and users running multiple applications simultaneously.

Battery Life

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 substantial improvement over the vivo Y20s [G]’s 18W charging, which will take considerably longer. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Snapdragon 750G’s superior efficiency means the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G will likely offer comparable or even better real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the Y20s [G].

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Y20s [G] if you need a functional 5G smartphone on an extremely tight budget and aren't heavily reliant on demanding applications or extended gaming sessions. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G if you prefer a more responsive experience, faster charging, and a chipset designed for sustained performance and 5G connectivity, even if it means spending a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 750G in the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 750G is a capable chipset for gaming. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it can comfortably run PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The 8nm process also helps mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, providing a more consistent experience than the Helio G80.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G compared to the 18W charging on the vivo Y20s [G] in real-world use?
The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G's 33W charging can fully charge the device in approximately 58 minutes. The vivo Y20s [G]'s 18W charging will likely take well over 2 hours to achieve a full charge. This difference is significant for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
Yes, the Snapdragon 750G supports carrier aggregation, which allows the phone to combine multiple 5G channels for faster and more reliable data speeds. This is a key advantage for users in areas with strong 5G coverage.