The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Vodafone Smart X9 and the Xiaomi Redmi 9A. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 9A edges out the Vodafone Smart X9 thanks to its slightly faster processor, more modern chipset fabrication (12nm vs 14nm), and a dedicated charging brick. While both are budget options, the Redmi 9A offers a more polished experience for the price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, December. Released 2018, December | 2020, June 30. Released 2020, July 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 148.2 x 71.3 x 8 mm (5.83 x 2.81 x 0.31 in) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 153 g (5.40 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Asahi Dragontrail Glass | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~427 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 82.7 cm2 (~78.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, AF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3100 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Carbon Gray (Midnight Black), Sky Blue (Sea Blue), Ocean Green (Nature Green) |
| Models | VFD 820 | M2006C3LG, M2006C3LI, M2006C3LC, M2004C3L |
| Price | About 110 EUR | € 64.30 / $ 56.50 / £ 95.56 |
| SAR | - | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.40 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) | 0.40 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) |
Vodafone Smart X9
- Larger screen (6.2 inches)
- Potentially better display (though specifics are limited)
- Generally reliable brand
- Older chipset (Snapdragon 450)
- 14nm fabrication process
- Charging speed likely slower
- Camera specs less clear
- May not include a charger
Xiaomi Redmi 9A
- Slightly faster processor (Helio G25)
- More modern 12nm fabrication process
- Includes 10W wired charger
- Reliable brand
- Good value for money
- Smaller screen (6.53 inches)
- Camera performance typical for budget phones
- Basic features
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, but the Vodafone X9 boasts a 6.2-inch screen compared to the Redmi 9A's 6.53-inch. Display quality is likely similar – both are expected to be IPS LCD panels with HD+ resolution. Color accuracy and brightness are likely average for this price range. The slightly larger screen on the X9 might be preferable for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 9A typically features a 13MP main camera, while the X9's camera specs are less readily available, but likely around 13MP as well. Image quality will be comparable, with both phones struggling in low-light conditions. Both likely include basic features like HDR and portrait mode.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi 9A holds a slight advantage here. While both utilize Cortex-A53 cores, the Redmi 9A's Helio G25 chipset has a dual-cluster design (4x2.0 GHz & 4x1.5 GHz) offering potentially better performance than the X9's single-speed Octa-core Snapdragon 450. The 12nm fabrication process on the Redmi 9A also contributes to improved efficiency.
Battery Life
Both phones offer substantial battery life, likely in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The Redmi 9A includes a 10W wired charger, which is a significant advantage over the X9, which may not include a charger or have a slower charging speed.
Buying Guide
The Vodafone Smart X9 is a decent choice for users prioritizing a larger screen and potentially a slightly better display (though specifics are limited). The Xiaomi Redmi 9A is ideal for those seeking a reliable, everyday smartphone with a bit more processing power and a more modern chipset, especially if you value a dedicated charging brick.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi 9A is slightly better for gaming due to its more modern chipset and dual-cluster CPU design.
❓ Does the Vodafone Smart X9 come with a charger?
It's unclear if the Vodafone Smart X9 includes a charger. It's best to check the specific retailer's listing.
