The vivo Y9s and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. Both aim to deliver a balanced experience, but they take different approaches to achieving it. The Y9s leans on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 665 for efficiency, while the Redmi Note 8 Pro aggressively targets gamers with MediaTek’s Helio G90T. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a smooth, reliable experience and efficient power management, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Helio G90T chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift, particularly in gaming, and the 640 nits peak brightness offers a superior viewing experience, despite both phones sharing the same 18W charging.
| 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December. Released 2019, December | 2019, August 29. Released 2019, September 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.3 x 75.2 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) | 161.4 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.35 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186.7 g (6.60 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD, HDR, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CC Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, 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 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Fancy Sky, Knight Black, Nebula Blue | Black, Red, Blue, White, Deep Sea Blue, Midnight Blue, Electric Blue, Twilight Orange |
| Models | V1945A, V1945T | 2015105, M1906G7I, M1906G7G |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.47 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -91.9dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 114h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1326:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 64dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 82dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 224759 (v7), 279355 (v8)
GeekBench: 6999 (v4.4), 1622 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Y9s
- Potentially better power efficiency with Snapdragon 665
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Competitive price point
- Less powerful chipset for gaming
- Likely a less impressive camera system
- Display brightness likely lower than Redmi Note 8 Pro
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
- Superior gaming performance with Helio G90T
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Potentially better camera quality
- Helio G90T may consume more power
- Potentially more thermal throttling under sustained load
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar contrast ratios at 1326:1, suggesting comparable color reproduction. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 640 nits compared to an unspecified value for the Y9s. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors and a more immersive viewing experience, especially for HDR content. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s brightness gives it a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s market positioning suggests a more robust camera system, potentially with a higher resolution main sensor. The Y9s, being a more budget-focused device, likely features a more basic camera setup. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s brand reputation leans towards better image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi Note 8 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G90T (12nm) utilizes a more modern architecture – Cortex-A76 cores – compared to the Snapdragon 665’s (11nm) Cortex-A55 based design. The G90T’s two high-performance A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz provide a substantial boost in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. While the Snapdragon 665’s octa-core configuration is efficient, it can’t match the G90T’s raw processing power. This difference is particularly noticeable in demanding games and multitasking scenarios.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Y9s and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro share the same 18W wired charging capability. Both also have an endurance rating of 114 hours. This suggests similar battery life performance despite the differing chipsets. The Snapdragon 665’s efficiency may partially offset the Helio G90T’s higher power consumption, resulting in comparable real-world usage times. However, the G90T’s performance advantage may lead to faster battery drain during intensive gaming sessions.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y9s if you prioritize a consistently stable and power-efficient experience for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light photography. It’s a solid choice for users who value longevity and aren’t demanding gamers. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro if you’re a mobile gamer, frequently consume media, or need a brighter, more vibrant display. The Helio G90T’s performance advantage and higher peak brightness make it the better option for power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G90T in the Redmi Note 8 Pro get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G90T is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 665. While Xiaomi implemented cooling solutions, prolonged gaming at maximum settings can lead to thermal throttling, reducing performance slightly. However, the performance uplift is still significant compared to the Y9s.
❓ Is the camera on the Redmi Note 8 Pro significantly better for low-light photography?
While specific sensor details are missing, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s camera system is likely more capable in low-light conditions due to a potentially larger sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms. Expect better detail and reduced noise compared to the vivo Y9s.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 665 in the vivo Y9s struggle with demanding apps or multitasking?
The Snapdragon 665 is adequate for everyday tasks and light multitasking. However, it may exhibit slowdowns when running multiple demanding apps simultaneously or when switching between them frequently. It's not designed for heavy workloads.
❓ What type of charging protocol do both phones support?
Both phones support 18W wired charging, but the specific charging protocol isn't specified. They likely use standard USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) or Quick Charge, but compatibility with specific chargers may vary.
