Xiaomi Mi 9 SE vs Samsung Galaxy S22 5G: A Clash of Titans

The Xiaomi Mi 9 SE offered incredible value when it launched, packing a lot of features into a compact package. Now, it faces off against the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G, a flagship device boasting cutting-edge technology. Can the Mi 9 SE still compete, or is the S22 simply in a different league?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G is the clear winner, offering superior performance, a brighter display, a more versatile camera system, and faster charging. However, the Mi 9 SE remains a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers seeking a compact and reliable phone.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Mi 9 SE Samsung Galaxy S22 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - Global1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2019, February 20. Released 2019, March2022, February 09
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2022, February 25
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frame
Dimensions147.5 x 70.5 x 7.5 mm (5.81 x 2.78 x 0.30 in)146 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm (5.75 x 2.78 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight155 g (5.47 oz)167 g / 168 g (mmWave) (5.89 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~432 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~425 ppi density)
Size5.97 inches, 87.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.1 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, HDRDynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) - EuropeOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) - ROW
ChipsetQualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm)Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - EuropeQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) - ROW
GPUAdreno 616Xclipse 920 - EuropeAdreno 730 - ROW
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.0UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Single-10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, Dual Pixel PDAF
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Virtual proximity sensingSamsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)
Battery
Charging18W wired25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 3070 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 3700 mAh
Misc
ColorsViolet, Blue, GrayPhantom Black, White, Pink Gold, Green, Graphite, Sky Blue, Violet, Cream, Bora Purple
ModelsM1903F2GSM-S901B, SM-S901B/DS, SM-S901U, SM-S901U1, SM-S901W, SM-S901N, SM-S9010, SM-S901E, SM-S901E/DS
PriceAbout 460 EUR$ 172.63 / C$ 304.00 / £ 186.11 / € 198.01
SAR1.39 W/kg (head)     1.39 W/kg (body)1.03 W/kg (head)     1.15 W/kg (body)
SAR EU1.19 W/kg (head)     1.17 W/kg (body)1.21 W/kg (head)     1.59 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -93.5dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 73h Endurance rating 85h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker Voice 86dB / Noise 79dB / Ring 87dB -26.4 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 180057 (v7) GeekBench: 6017 (v4.4) GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 745496 (v8), 881428 (v9) GeekBench: 3682 (v5.1) GFXBench: 69fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)
OUR TESTS
Audio qualityNoise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -93.5dB-
Battery (old)Endurance rating 73hEndurance rating 85h
CameraPhoto / VideoPhoto / Video
Display637 nits max brightness (measured)982 nits max brightness (measured)
LoudspeakerVoice 86dB / Noise 79dB / Ring 87dB-26.4 LUFS (Good)
PerformanceAnTuTu: 180057 (v7) GeekBench: 6017 (v4.4) GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)AnTuTu: 745496 (v8), 881428 (v9) GeekBench: 3682 (v5.1) GFXBench: 69fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Mi 9 SE

  • Affordable
  • Compact size
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks
  • Good battery life

  • Outdated chipset
  • Less impressive camera
  • Slower charging
  • Lower display brightness

Samsung Galaxy S22 5G

  • Flagship performance
  • Stunning display
  • Excellent camera system
  • Fast charging
  • Premium design

  • Expensive
  • Can be bulky for some
  • Battery life could be better (though still good)

Display Comparison

The Galaxy S22 5G’s display is significantly brighter (982 nits vs 637 nits) and offers a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience. Both have excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal), but the S22’s higher resolution and dynamic AMOLED technology give it a noticeable edge. The Mi 9 SE’s display is perfectly adequate, but it can't match the flagship quality of the S22.

Camera Comparison

The Galaxy S22 5G’s camera system is far more advanced, offering better image quality, more features (like improved zoom and night mode), and more versatile video recording capabilities. While the Mi 9 SE takes decent photos in good lighting, it falls short in challenging conditions. The S22 consistently delivers superior results.

Performance

The Galaxy S22 5G’s Exynos 2200 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset (depending on region) blows the Mi 9 SE’s Snapdragon 712 out of the water. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the S22. The Mi 9 SE is still capable for basic tasks, but struggles with demanding applications.

Battery Life

Both phones offer a respectable endurance rating of 73h, indicating similar battery life in typical usage. However, the S22 5G supports faster wired (25W) and wireless (15W) charging, as well as reverse wireless charging, providing greater convenience.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Mi 9 SE is ideal for users prioritizing affordability, a smaller form factor, and decent performance for everyday tasks. The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G is perfect for those who demand top-tier performance, a stunning display, a flagship camera, and are willing to pay a premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xiaomi Mi 9 SE still worth buying in 2024?
If you're on a very tight budget and prioritize a compact phone, the Mi 9 SE can still be a decent option. However, newer and more capable budget phones are available.
❓ What is the biggest difference between the Mi 9 SE and the Galaxy S22?
The biggest difference is performance. The Galaxy S22 boasts a flagship chipset, while the Mi 9 SE uses an older, mid-range processor.