The Xiaomi Mi 9T and Samsung Galaxy A70s represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, both aiming to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag. Released around the same time, they compete directly for the attention of budget-conscious consumers. This comparison dissects their key differences, focusing on performance, display quality, and charging capabilities to determine which device offers the most value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall performance and display quality, the Xiaomi Mi 9T emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 730 chipset, built on a more efficient 8nm process, provides a noticeable performance edge over the A70s’ Snapdragon 675. While the A70s boasts faster 25W charging, the Mi 9T’s brighter display and superior processing power make it the better all-rounder.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June 12. Released 2019, June 12 | 2019, September. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.35 in) | 164.3 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm (6.47 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, HDR | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730 (8 nm) | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 612 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.0 | UFS 2.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| 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), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon black, Red flame, Glacier blue | Prism Crush Red, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Black |
| Models | M1903F10G | SM-A707F, SM-A707FN, SM-A707GM, SM-A707MN, SM-A7070, SM-A707W |
| Price | About 460 EUR | About 380 EUR |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 1.34 W/kg (head) 1.51 W/kg (body) | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -93.8dB | - |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 100h | - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-25.3 LUFS (Very good) | - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 211915 (v7), 257146 (v8)
GeekBench: 6863 (v4.4), 1703 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Xiaomi Mi 9T
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 730
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- More efficient 8nm chipset for better thermal management
- Slower 18W charging
- Battery capacity not specified
Samsung Galaxy A70s
- Faster 25W wired charging
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Solid performance for everyday tasks
- Less powerful Snapdragon 675 chipset
- Likely lower display brightness
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Mi 9T features a display capable of reaching 646 nits of peak brightness, a significant advantage over what’s typically found in this price bracket. While both phones likely utilize similar LCD panel technology given their market segment, the higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. Contrast ratio is listed as infinite (nominal) for the Mi 9T, suggesting a good level of black reproduction for an LCD. The A70s’ display specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison difficult, but it’s reasonable to assume it offers a standard viewing experience for its class.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are equipped with photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without information on sensor sizes, apertures, or image processing algorithms, a definitive comparison is challenging. It’s likely both devices rely on software processing to enhance image quality. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact overall camera performance, serving more as a marketing feature than a substantial upgrade. The focus should be on the main sensor’s capabilities, which remain unspecified.
Performance
The core difference between these two devices lies in their chipsets. The Mi 9T’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 (8nm) boasts a more modern architecture and a smaller fabrication process compared to the A70s’ Snapdragon 675 (11nm). This 8nm process allows for greater transistor density and improved thermal efficiency, meaning the Mi 9T is less likely to throttle under sustained load. The Mi 9T’s CPU configuration – octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) – also offers a slight clock speed advantage over the A70s’ (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver). This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking.
Battery Life
The Mi 9T boasts an endurance rating of 100 hours, indicating solid battery life. While the actual mAh capacity isn’t provided, this rating suggests efficient power management coupled with the Snapdragon 730’s 8nm process. The A70s compensates for a potentially smaller battery with its 25W wired charging, significantly faster than the Mi 9T’s 18W charging. This means the A70s can replenish its battery much quicker, a crucial advantage for users who prioritize convenience. However, the Mi 9T’s overall endurance rating suggests it may last longer on a single charge despite the slower charging speed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Mi 9T if you need a phone that can handle demanding apps and games with relative ease, and if a brighter, more vibrant display is a priority. It’s ideal for media consumption and users who want a smoother, more responsive experience. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A70s if faster charging is paramount, and you primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media. It’s a solid choice for those who value convenience over raw power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 675 in the Galaxy A70s struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG?
The Snapdragon 675 is capable of running PUBG, but you may need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The Mi 9T’s Snapdragon 730 offers a more comfortable gaming experience with higher settings and less frame rate fluctuation due to its more powerful GPU and efficient thermal design.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Galaxy A70s with the 25W charger?
With the 25W charger, the Galaxy A70s can typically charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on usage during charging. This is significantly faster than the Mi 9T’s 18W charging, which would likely take closer to 2 hours.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Snapdragon 730 and 675 noticeable in everyday use?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference may be subtle. However, when multitasking, launching demanding apps, or editing photos/videos, the Snapdragon 730 in the Mi 9T will provide a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience.
