The vivo Y51s and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a solid user experience without breaking the bank, but they achieve this through different approaches to chipset selection and feature implementation. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing faster charging and potentially slightly better sustained performance, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is the stronger choice. Its 33W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the Snapdragon 750G offers a proven track record for efficient 5G connectivity and gaming. However, the vivo Y51s remains a viable option for those seeking a more streamlined software experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 41, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G (3.6+ Gbps DL) | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 24. Released 2020, July 29 | 2020, November 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, December 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) |
| Dimensions | 162 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm (6.38 x 3.02 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.4% 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 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A77 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Exynos 880 (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP5 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 10.5 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | 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, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 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, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired, 100% in 58 min |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4820 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Gray, Blue, Red/Mint |
| Models | V2002A | M2007J17C |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 370 EUR |
vivo Y51s
- Potentially cleaner software experience (depending on FunTouch OS version)
- Integrated 5G modem may offer slight power efficiency gains
- Sleek design (subjective)
- Significantly slower 18W charging
- Exynos 880 may exhibit more thermal throttling under sustained load
- Less established software support community
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G
- 33W fast charging (full charge in 58 minutes)
- Snapdragon 750G offers better GPU performance and thermal management
- Larger software support community and custom ROM availability
- MIUI can be resource-intensive and include bloatware
- Potentially less efficient 5G modem (separate component)
- Design may be less visually appealing to some
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are absent, both utilize 8nm chipsets suggesting a focus on efficiency over pushing display boundaries. Bezels are likely comparable given the market segment. The real difference will come down to software calibration, which is a known strength for Xiaomi's MIUI, potentially offering more vibrant colors and customizable settings.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning suggests both phones will feature a primary sensor around the 48MP-64MP range. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), known for its strong dynamic range and noise reduction capabilities. The Exynos 880 also has a capable ISP, but Qualcomm generally holds an edge in computational photography. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on both devices is largely a marketing gimmick and should be disregarded by serious photographers.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s Snapdragon 750G (8nm) features Kryo 570 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, offering a slight clock speed advantage over the vivo Y51s’ Exynos 880 (8nm) with its 2.0 GHz Cortex-A77 cores. While both are 8nm, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon typically demonstrates superior GPU performance and more efficient thermal management. This translates to potentially longer gaming sessions with less throttling on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G. The Exynos 880, however, benefits from integrated 5G, potentially simplifying the modem design and improving power efficiency in 5G scenarios. Both devices likely utilize LPDDR4X RAM, a standard for this price point.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s 33W wired charging is a significant advantage, achieving a full charge in just 58 minutes. The vivo Y51s, with its 18W charging, will take considerably longer to reach 100%. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. This means less time tethered to a charger and more time using the phone.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y51s if you prioritize a potentially cleaner software experience and are less concerned with rapid charging. It's a good fit for users who primarily use their phones for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light photography. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G if you value faster charging speeds, potentially better sustained gaming performance, and a more established ecosystem of custom ROMs and accessories. This phone is ideal for users who frequently game, stream videos, or rely heavily on 5G connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 880 in the vivo Y51s overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 880, while capable, is known to throttle under sustained load more readily than the Snapdragon 750G. Expect performance dips after 30-45 minutes of demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is better equipped to maintain consistent performance over longer periods.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
Generally, no. 2MP macro cameras produce images with limited detail and often suffer from poor image quality. They are primarily a marketing feature and are unlikely to deliver satisfying results for serious photography. Focus on the main camera for the best image quality.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G support 90fps gameplay in PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 750G is capable of running PUBG Mobile at high frame rates. While achieving a consistent 90fps depends on the specific graphics settings and in-game conditions, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is more likely to deliver a smoother experience than the vivo Y51s due to its superior GPU.
❓ How does the software experience differ between FunTouch OS (vivo) and MIUI (Xiaomi)?
FunTouch OS is often described as more streamlined and less intrusive, though it can be heavily customized. MIUI, while feature-rich, is known for its bloatware and aggressive battery management. Xiaomi's MIUI also has a larger and more active community for custom ROM development.
