The Xiaomi Mi 9T and Realme X7 Max 5G represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Mi 9T, while older, offers a proven track record of solid endurance, while the X7 Max 5G aims to disrupt with its significantly more powerful Dimensity 1200 chipset and blazing-fast 50W charging. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme X7 Max 5G is the superior choice. Its Dimensity 1200 chipset delivers a substantial performance uplift over the Snapdragon 730 in the Mi 9T, making it ideal for gaming and demanding applications. The 50W charging is a game-changer, offsetting the slightly lower endurance rating.
| 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, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June 12. Released 2019, June 12 | 2021, May 31 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 04 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.35 in) | 158.5 x 73.3 x 8.4 mm (6.24 x 2.89 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 179 g (6.31 oz) |
| | - | Splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Dragontrail Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, HDR | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730 (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G77 MC9 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.0 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/480fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| 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
| 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 50W wired, 50% in 16 min
2.5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon black, Red flame, Glacier blue | Mercury Silver, Asteroid Black, Milky Way |
| Models | M1903F10G | - |
| Price | About 460 EUR | About 310 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 | - |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 100h |
Endurance rating 110h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-25.3 LUFS (Very good) |
-25.1 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 211915 (v7), 257146 (v8)
GeekBench: 6863 (v4.4), 1703 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 605819 (v8), 680671 (v9)
GeekBench: 13105 (v4.4), 2614 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 44fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Mi 9T
- Slightly higher peak display brightness (646 nits)
- Proven endurance rating of 100 hours
- More affordable price point (likely, given its age)
- Significantly less powerful Snapdragon 730 chipset
- Slow 18W charging
- Lacks 5G connectivity
Realme X7 Max 5G
- Powerful Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chipset
- Ultra-fast 50W charging (50% in 16 minutes)
- 5G connectivity
- 2.5W reverse wired charging
- Slightly lower peak display brightness (640 nits)
- Slightly lower endurance rating (110 hours)
Display Comparison
Both the Xiaomi Mi 9T and Realme X7 Max 5G feature displays with an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks. However, the Mi 9T edges out the X7 Max 5G in peak brightness with 646 nits measured, compared to the X7 Max 5G’s 640 nits. While the difference is minimal, it could be noticeable in direct sunlight. Neither manufacturer specifies panel technology (OLED/LCD) or refresh rates, but given the market segment, both are likely AMOLED panels. Bezels are comparable, and without detailed color accuracy data, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner beyond the slight brightness advantage of the Mi 9T.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a detailed camera comparison is impossible. It’s reasonable to assume the X7 Max 5G, being a newer device, benefits from more advanced image processing algorithms. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality, serving primarily as a marketing feature. The lack of detail necessitates caution when evaluating camera performance based solely on these specifications.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Realme X7 Max 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Xiaomi Mi 9T’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 (8nm). The Dimensity 1200 boasts a prime Cortex-A78 core clocked at 3.0 GHz, alongside three additional A78 cores at 2.6 GHz, and four efficiency cores at 2.0 GHz. This contrasts with the Mi 9T’s dual 2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold cores and six 1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver cores. The 6nm process node of the Dimensity 1200 also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, potentially leading to sustained performance under load. The X7 Max 5G will demonstrably outperform the Mi 9T in CPU-intensive tasks and graphically demanding games.
Battery Life
The Realme X7 Max 5G offers a 110-hour endurance rating, slightly exceeding the Xiaomi Mi 9T’s 100-hour rating. However, the real advantage lies in charging speed. The X7 Max 5G supports 50W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 16 minutes, a massive improvement over the Mi 9T’s 18W charging. The X7 Max 5G also includes 2.5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Mi 9T. While the Mi 9T’s endurance is respectable, the X7 Max 5G’s faster charging mitigates any concerns about slightly lower battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Mi 9T if you prioritize long-term battery life and a consistently reliable experience, and are less concerned with peak performance. It's a solid option for everyday tasks and media consumption. Buy the Realme X7 Max 5G if you demand faster processing speeds for gaming, multitasking, or content creation, and value the convenience of incredibly rapid charging. It's the better choice for power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 1200 in the Realme X7 Max 5G get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 1200 is built on a 6nm process, which generally offers better thermal efficiency than the 8nm process used in the Snapdragon 730. While some heat generation is inevitable during prolonged gaming, the X7 Max 5G is likely to manage temperatures more effectively, minimizing throttling and maintaining consistent performance.
❓ How much faster is the 50W charging on the Realme X7 Max 5G compared to the 18W charging on the Xiaomi Mi 9T in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The X7 Max 5G can reach 50% charge in approximately 16 minutes, while the Mi 9T will take well over an hour to achieve the same level. This means you can quickly top up the X7 Max 5G during short breaks, whereas the Mi 9T requires a much longer charging period.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Realme X7 Max 5G useful if 5G coverage is limited in my area?
Even with limited 5G coverage, the X7 Max 5G will fall back to 4G LTE networks. The 5G modem also often provides improvements in 4G connectivity and signal strength. Investing in a 5G phone future-proofs your device for when 5G infrastructure expands.
