The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T and vivo Y30 represent two distinct approaches: the Redmi Note 9T prioritizes performance with a modern chipset and faster charging, while the vivo Y30 aims for simplicity and affordability with a more basic feature set. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 800U chipset provides a dramatically faster experience than the vivo Y30’s Helio P35, and the 18W charging is a significant upgrade over the Y30’s 10W. While the Y30 is cheaper, the performance gap is too large to ignore for all but the most basic users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, May 07. Released 2020, May 09 | 2021, January 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, January 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162 x 76.5 x 9.1 mm (6.38 x 3.01 x 0.36 in) | 161.2 x 77.3 x 9.1 mm (6.35 x 3.04 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 197 g (6.95 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC3 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 10.0 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 - 64GB
UFS 2.2 - 128GB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.3, 29mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired, 33% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dazzle Blue, Moonstone White | Nightfall Black, Daybreak Purple |
| Models | 1938 | M2007J22G, J22 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.07 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.94 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 118h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1226:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.3 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 288732 (v8)
GeekBench: 1775 (v5.1) |
vivo Y30
- Significantly faster processor for smoother performance
- 18W fast charging reduces charging time
- More capable chipset for gaming and demanding apps
- Potentially slightly higher price
- May not offer significantly better camera performance
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T
- Lower price point for budget-conscious buyers
- Decent battery life (118h endurance)
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Slow Helio P35 processor struggles with demanding tasks
- Extremely slow 10W charging
- Limited gaming capabilities
Display Comparison
Both phones offer a similar display experience, with the Redmi Note 9T boasting a measured peak brightness of 471 nits and a 1226:1 contrast ratio. While the vivo Y30’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s likely to be comparable in quality, though potentially lower in peak brightness. Neither device is expected to offer high refresh rates or advanced panel technologies like LTPO, focusing instead on cost-effectiveness. The similar contrast ratios suggest comparable viewing angles and black levels.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Given the price points, image quality is unlikely to be a standout feature on either device. The Redmi Note 9T likely benefits from the more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) integrated within the Dimensity 800U, potentially leading to better image processing and low-light performance. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Redmi Note 9T’s chipset gives it an edge.
Performance
The performance difference is the most significant disparity between these two devices. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T’s Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7nm) is a substantial leap forward from the vivo Y30’s Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm). The Dimensity 800U features a more modern CPU architecture – Cortex-A76 cores versus the Y30’s Cortex-A53 – resulting in significantly faster processing speeds (2.4 GHz vs 2.35 GHz peak). The 7nm process node also contributes to better power efficiency and thermal management, meaning the Redmi Note 9T is less likely to throttle under sustained load. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Redmi Note 9T.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 118 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the lack of specific mAh ratings. However, the Redmi Note 9T’s 18W wired charging is a game-changer compared to the Y30’s slow 10W charging. The Redmi Note 9T can achieve a 33% charge in just 30 minutes, significantly reducing downtime. While both phones may last a full day on a single charge with moderate use, the Redmi Note 9T offers far greater convenience when it comes to topping up the battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y30 if you need a very basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and prioritize absolute affordability above all else. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T if you want a phone capable of handling more demanding apps, occasional gaming, and appreciate faster charging speeds, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T a good choice for playing PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Redmi Note 9T’s Dimensity 800U chipset is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with reasonable frame rates. While it won’t deliver a flagship-level gaming experience, it’s a significant improvement over the Helio P35 in the vivo Y30, which would likely struggle with smooth gameplay.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the vivo Y30?
With only 10W charging, the vivo Y30 will take a considerable amount of time to fully charge – likely over 3 hours. This is a major drawback compared to the Redmi Note 9T’s 18W fast charging, which can add a substantial amount of charge in just 30 minutes.
❓ Will the Redmi Note 9T overheat during extended use?
The Dimensity 800U’s 7nm process node is relatively efficient, and the Redmi Note 9T is unlikely to overheat significantly during typical use. However, prolonged gaming or demanding tasks may cause some warming, but it shouldn’t reach critical levels.
❓ Is the camera on either phone suitable for taking clear photos in low light?
Neither phone is expected to excel in low-light photography. The Redmi Note 9T may have a slight advantage due to its more powerful chipset and image processing capabilities, but don't expect flagship-level results. Both phones will likely produce noisy or blurry images in very dark environments.
