The vivo Y51 (2020) and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G represent distinct approaches to the budget and mid-range smartphone market. The Y51, released in December 2020, aimed for affordability with a reliable Qualcomm Snapdragon 665. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G, arriving later, brought 5G connectivity and a more powerful Snapdragon 750G to the table, signaling a shift towards future-proofing and enhanced performance. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing future-proof connectivity and noticeably faster performance, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset and 33W fast charging significantly outperform the vivo Y51's Snapdragon 665 and 18W charging, justifying the potential price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, December 03. Released 2020, December 07 | 2020, November 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, December 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 165.4 x 76.8 x 9 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-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 |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| 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, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, 70% in 67 min | 33W wired, 100% in 58 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4820 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Sapphire, Crystal Symphony | Gray, Blue, Red/Mint |
| Models | V2030 | M2007J17C |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 370 EUR |
vivo Y51 (2020, December)
- More affordable price point.
- Reliable Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 for basic tasks.
- Decent battery life for light usage.
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Redmi.
- Slower 18W charging.
- Lacks 5G connectivity.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G
- Faster Snapdragon 750G 5G chipset.
- Significantly faster 33W charging.
- 5G connectivity for future-proofed data speeds.
- Potentially higher price.
- May experience more heat under sustained load (though 8nm helps).
- Software bloatware (typical of Xiaomi).
Display Comparison
While both devices likely feature LCD panels (data not provided), the core difference lies in processing power, impacting UI responsiveness. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s more powerful chipset will translate to smoother scrolling and app transitions. Display quality details like resolution and refresh rate are missing, but the chipset difference suggests a more fluid experience on the Redmi.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G, being a 'Pro' model, likely features a more capable primary sensor. The Snapdragon 750G also includes a more advanced Image Signal Processor (ISP) than the 665, enabling better image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range. While both phones likely include multiple lenses, the Redmi’s ISP will likely deliver superior image quality overall.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s Snapdragon 750G (8nm) represents a substantial upgrade over the vivo Y51’s Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The 8nm process node is more efficient, leading to better thermal management and sustained performance. The CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570 on the Redmi versus 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver on the vivo – indicates a significant performance advantage for the Redmi, particularly in multi-threaded tasks and gaming. Users who frequently switch between apps or play demanding games will see a noticeable difference.
Battery Life
The battery capacity is not provided for either device. However, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s 33W wired charging (100% in 58 minutes) is a significant advantage over the vivo Y51’s 18W charging (70% in 67 minutes). Even if the Y51 had a slightly larger battery, the Redmi’s faster charging would minimize downtime. This is crucial for users who rely heavily on their smartphones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y51 (2020, December) if you need a highly affordable smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and 5G isn't a priority. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G if you prioritize 5G connectivity, smoother multitasking, improved gaming performance, and significantly faster charging speeds, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 750G, built on an 8nm process, is more thermally efficient than the Snapdragon 665. While some heat is inevitable during gaming, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is less likely to experience significant throttling compared to the vivo Y51, allowing for longer, more consistent gaming performance.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G actually useful?
The usefulness of 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. However, purchasing a 5G-enabled phone like the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G future-proofs your investment. Even if 5G isn't readily available now, it will likely become more widespread in the coming years, offering significantly faster data speeds when available.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G compared to the vivo Y51?
The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G charges to 100% in 58 minutes with its 33W charger, while the vivo Y51 only reaches 70% in 67 minutes with its 18W charger. This means the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G will fully charge in significantly less time, offering a more convenient charging experience.
