The sub-$250 5G smartphone market is heating up, and the vivo Y31s and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 5G are two key contenders. Both aim to deliver 5G connectivity without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The Y31s leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 480, while the Redmi Note 9 5G opts for MediaTek’s Dimensity 800U. This comparison dissects the core differences to determine which phone offers the best experience for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Dimensity 800U chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage in both CPU and GPU tasks, making it better suited for gaming and demanding applications. While both phones share 18W charging, the Redmi Note 9 5G’s superior processing power justifies its slight price premium.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 12 | 2020, November 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, January 15 | Available. Released 2020, December 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 75.4 x 8.4 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) | 162 x 77.3 x 9.2 mm (6.38 x 3.04 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185.5 g (6.56 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G57 MC3 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 10.5 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | 500 entries |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | VGA |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (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 | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | - | Downloadable |
| Java | - | No |
| Messaging | - | SMS(threaded view) |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 300 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 3 h 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Red, Gray, Aurora | Gray, Green, Violet |
| Models | V2054A, V2068A | M2007J22C |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 170 EUR |
vivo Y31s
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 offers reliable 5G connectivity.
- Potentially cleaner software experience (depending on vivo’s Funtouch OS version).
- Competitive price point.
- Snapdragon 480 is less powerful than the Dimensity 800U.
- May struggle with demanding games and multitasking.
- Limited performance headroom for future software updates.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 5G
- MediaTek Dimensity 800U provides significantly better performance.
- Superior GPU for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks.
- More efficient 7nm process potentially improves battery life.
- Xiaomi’s MIUI can be resource-intensive and include bloatware.
- Slightly higher price compared to the vivo Y31s.
- Potential for more aggressive background app management.
Display Comparison
Neither vivo nor Xiaomi provide display specifications beyond the basic information. Assuming typical LCD panels for this price bracket, the display experience will likely be similar. However, the Dimensity 800U’s more powerful ISP *could* translate to slightly better image processing for photos viewed on either screen. Bezels are likely comparable, and color accuracy will be standard for budget devices.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Dimensity 800U’s more advanced image signal processor (ISP) gives the Redmi Note 9 5G an edge in image processing capabilities. This means potentially better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The ISP’s capabilities are more impactful than sensor size differences typically found in this price range. Expect both phones to include standard features like portrait mode and basic scene detection.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 5G’s MediaTek Dimensity 800U, fabricated on a 7nm process, boasts a more powerful CPU configuration – 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 cores versus the vivo Y31s’ 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 cores on the Snapdragon 480 (8nm). This translates to approximately 15-20% faster CPU performance in benchmarks. The Dimensity 800U’s Mali-G57 MC4 GPU also significantly outperforms the Snapdragon 480’s Adreno 619, making the Redmi Note 9 5G the clear winner for gaming. While both phones likely feature similar RAM configurations, the Dimensity 800U’s superior processing power will better utilize available memory.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds – approximately 2-2.5 hours for a full charge. Battery capacity is not specified, but given the target market, both are likely in the 5000mAh range. The Dimensity 800U’s more efficient 7nm process *could* lead to slightly better battery life under heavy load, but real-world usage will depend on individual habits and app usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y31s if you prioritize a streamlined software experience and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Its Snapdragon 480 is sufficient for everyday operations. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 5G if you value performance, enjoy mobile gaming, or frequently multitask. The Dimensity 800U offers a significant boost in processing power, making it a more future-proof option.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi Note 9 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 800U is a powerful chip, MediaTek has made strides in thermal management. The 7nm process helps with efficiency, and the Redmi Note 9 5G likely incorporates thermal throttling mechanisms to prevent overheating. Expect some warmth during extended gaming, but it shouldn't reach critical levels.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 480 in the vivo Y31s support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds?
The Snapdragon 480 does support carrier aggregation, but the extent of its support depends on the specific carrier and network configuration. While it offers 5G connectivity, it may not achieve the peak speeds possible with higher-end chipsets and more extensive carrier aggregation support.
❓ Is the software on the Redmi Note 9 5G heavily customized with bloatware?
Xiaomi’s MIUI is known for its customization options, but it also comes pre-installed with several apps that some users consider bloatware. Fortunately, many of these apps can be uninstalled or disabled, allowing you to tailor the software experience to your preferences.
❓ How does the Dimensity 800U handle multitasking compared to the Snapdragon 480?
The Dimensity 800U’s more powerful CPU and GPU, combined with its efficient architecture, provide a significantly smoother multitasking experience. It can handle more apps running in the background without noticeable slowdowns, making it ideal for users who frequently switch between applications.
