Xiaomi Mi 9T vs Google Pixel 3a XL: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Champions

The Xiaomi Mi 9T and Google Pixel 3a XL represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, even years after their initial release. While both aimed for affordability, they took different approaches. The Mi 9T prioritized a vibrant display and faster processing, while the Pixel 3a XL focused on Google’s renowned camera software and clean Android experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which remains the better buy in today’s landscape.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi Mi 9T emerges as the stronger choice. Its significantly brighter 646-nit display and more powerful Snapdragon 730 chipset offer a more responsive and visually engaging experience, outweighing the Pixel 3a XL’s software advantages. However, Pixel purists will still appreciate the streamlined Android experience.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi Mi 9T	Google Pixel 3a XL

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/75 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
	-	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

Launch
Announced	2019, June 12. Released 2019, June 12	2019, May 07. Released 2019, May 15
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame	Glass front (Asahi Dragontrail), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions	156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.35 in)	160.1 x 76.1 x 8.2 mm (6.30 x 3.00 x 0.32 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM
Weight	191 g (6.74 oz)	167 g (5.89 oz)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 5	Asahi Dragontrail Glass
Resolution	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)	1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size	6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio)	6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~76.3% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, HDR	OLED
	-	Always-on display

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver)	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver)
Chipset	Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730 (8 nm)	Qualcomm SDM670 Snapdragon 670 (10 nm)
GPU	Adreno 618	Adreno 615
OS	Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.1	Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM	64GB 4GB RAM
	UFS 2.0	eMMC 5.1

Main Camera
Features	Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama	Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, HDR, panorama
Single	-	12.2 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
Triple	48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 53mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.4, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm	-
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	Motorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

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	5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
Radio	FM radio	No
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, barometer

Battery
Charging	18W wired	18W wired, PD2.0
Type	Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable	Li-Po 3700 mAh, non-removable

Misc
Colors	Carbon black, Red flame, Glacier blue	Just Black, Clearly White, Purple-ish
Models	M1903F10G	G020C, G020G, G020F, G020A, G020B, G020D
Price	About 460 EUR	About 290 EUR
SAR	1.19 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body)	-
SAR EU	1.34 W/kg (head) 1.51 W/kg (body)	-

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -93.8dB	Noise -90.8dB / Crosstalk -94.8dB
Battery life	Endurance rating 100h	Endurance rating 98h
Camera	Photo / Video	-
Display	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)	Contrast ratio: infinite
Loudspeaker	-25.3 LUFS (Very good)	Voice 79dB / Noise 77dB / Ring 91dB
Performance	AnTuTu: 211915 (v7), 257146 (v8) GeekBench: 6863 (v4.4), 1703 (v5.1) GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 159110 (v7), 176612 (v8) GeekBench: 5176 (v4.4), 1307 (v5.1) GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Mi 9T

Brighter and more vibrant display (646 nits)
More powerful Snapdragon 730 chipset
Better value for money

MIUI software can be bloated
Camera software not as refined as Pixel

Google Pixel 3a XL

Clean and bloatware-free Android experience
Excellent computational photography
PD2.0 charging support

Dimmer display (451 nits)
Less powerful Snapdragon 670 chipset

Display Comparison

The most immediately noticeable difference lies in the displays. The Xiaomi Mi 9T boasts a peak brightness of 646 nits, making it significantly more usable outdoors and in bright environments compared to the Pixel 3a XL’s 451 nits. Both feature an 'infinite' contrast ratio, typical of AMOLED panels, but the Mi 9T’s higher brightness translates to a more dynamic and vivid image. While neither display is confirmed to have high refresh rates, the brightness difference is a substantial advantage for the Mi 9T, especially for users who frequently consume video content or use their phones outdoors.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable cameras, but approach image processing differently. The Pixel 3a XL leverages Google’s renowned computational photography algorithms to produce excellent images, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. However, the Mi 9T, while lacking the same software prowess, benefits from a potentially larger sensor (details not provided in context data) and a more versatile camera system. The Pixel 3a XL’s strength lies in its consistent image quality and ease of use, while the Mi 9T offers more flexibility for creative shooting. Without specific sensor size data, it's difficult to definitively declare a camera winner, but the Pixel's software is a significant advantage.

Performance

Under the hood, the Xiaomi Mi 9T’s Snapdragon 730 (8nm) offers a clear performance advantage over the Pixel 3a XL’s Snapdragon 670 (10nm). The 730’s Kryo 470 cores, clocked at up to 2.2 GHz, outperform the 670’s Kryo 360 cores (2.0 GHz). The 8nm process node of the SDM730 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. While both phones are capable of handling everyday tasks, the Mi 9T will exhibit smoother performance in demanding applications and games. The SDM670's 10nm process, while theoretically more efficient, is offset by the architectural improvements in the 730.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve similar endurance ratings – 100 hours for the Mi 9T and 98 hours for the Pixel 3a XL. This suggests comparable real-world battery life despite the lack of specific mAh capacities. Both support 18W wired charging, but the Pixel 3a XL adds support for PD2.0, potentially offering slightly faster charging with compatible chargers. The Mi 9T’s slightly higher endurance rating likely stems from the more efficient Snapdragon 730 chipset and optimized power management.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Mi 9T if you need a brighter, more vibrant display for media consumption, demand smoother performance for gaming and multitasking, and prioritize value for money. Buy the Google Pixel 3a XL if you prefer a clean, bloatware-free Android experience with Google’s exceptional computational photography, and are less concerned with raw processing power or display brightness.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 730 in the Mi 9T handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile well?

Yes, the Snapdragon 730 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't match the performance of flagship chipsets, it provides a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience for most users. The 8nm process also helps mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.

❓ Is the Pixel 3a XL still receiving software updates and security patches?

As of late 2023/early 2024, the Pixel 3a XL has reached its end-of-life for guaranteed software updates from Google. While it may still function with existing software, it will no longer receive security patches, making it potentially vulnerable to security threats. This is a significant consideration for users prioritizing security.

❓ How does the difference in chipset manufacturing process (8nm vs 10nm) affect real-world performance and battery life?

Generally, a smaller manufacturing process (like 8nm) leads to greater transistor density and improved power efficiency. While the Pixel 3a XL's Snapdragon 670 uses a 10nm process, the architectural improvements in the Snapdragon 730 (8nm) ultimately result in better performance and thermal management, contributing to the Mi 9T's slightly higher endurance rating.