Released in 2019, the Xiaomi Mi CC9 and Samsung Galaxy A70s represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market. Both devices aimed to deliver a balance of features and performance without breaking the bank. However, they took different approaches, primarily centered around their respective chipsets – the Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 in the Mi CC9 and the Snapdragon 675 in the A70s. This comparison dissects these differences to help you determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing faster charging and potentially slightly better sustained performance in demanding tasks, the Samsung Galaxy A70s is the better choice. Its 25W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the Snapdragon 675, built on an 11nm process, offers a slight edge in efficiency. However, the Mi CC9 remains a viable option for those seeking a more compact form factor and a potentially lower price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, July. Released 2019, July | 2019, September. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.8 x 74.5 x 8.7 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.34 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 | 179 g (6.31 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 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, HDR, 430 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM710 Snapdragon 710 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Adreno 612 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 11 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | 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@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 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 |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 4030 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Prism Crush Red, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Black |
| Models | - | SM-A707F, SM-A707FN, SM-A707GM, SM-A707MN, SM-A7070, SM-A707W |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 380 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Mi CC9
- Potentially more compact form factor.
- Snapdragon 710 offers solid performance for everyday tasks.
- Likely a lower price point at launch.
- Slower 18W charging.
- Snapdragon 710 may throttle more under sustained load.
- Potentially inferior image processing compared to the 675.
Samsung Galaxy A70s
- Faster 25W wired charging.
- Snapdragon 675 offers better efficiency and sustained performance.
- Improved image processing capabilities thanks to the ISP.
- Potentially larger and less pocketable design.
- May have been slightly more expensive at launch.
- Larger size may not appeal to all users.
Display Comparison
While specific display specs beyond resolution are unavailable, both phones likely featured LCD panels common in this price bracket. The Galaxy A70s, with its larger overall size, likely offered a more immersive viewing experience. However, the real differentiator lies under the hood. The Snapdragon 675’s image signal processor (ISP) likely contributes to slightly better image processing from the camera, impacting the visual experience when reviewing photos and videos on either display. Bezels were likely comparable, typical of 2019 designs.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Snapdragon 675’s ISP generally offers superior image processing capabilities compared to the 710’s. This means the A70s likely produced images with better dynamic range and noise reduction, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. Both phones likely included multiple rear cameras, but the image processing pipeline of the 675 would have been the deciding factor in overall image quality. The inclusion of a dedicated AI engine in the 675 further enhances scene recognition and optimization.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Mi CC9’s Snapdragon 710 (10nm) features a dual-core Kryo 360 Gold setup clocked at 2.2 GHz, paired with six Kryo 360 Silver cores at 1.7 GHz. The Samsung Galaxy A70s utilizes the Snapdragon 675 (11nm), with a similar dual-core Kryo 460 Gold configuration at 2.0 GHz and six Kryo 460 Silver cores at 1.7 GHz. The 11nm process of the 675 offers a slight efficiency advantage, potentially leading to better thermal management and sustained performance under load. While clock speeds are slightly higher on the 710, the architectural improvements and process node of the 675 likely translate to a more consistent user experience during demanding tasks like gaming. The 675 also benefits from an improved GPU.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified, but the Galaxy A70s’s 25W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Mi CC9’s 18W charging. This translates to substantially faster charging times, reducing downtime and increasing usability. While the Mi CC9 might have had a slightly larger battery capacity, the A70s’s faster charging effectively mitigates any potential battery life disadvantage. The 11nm process of the Snapdragon 675 also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially extending battery life during typical usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Mi CC9 if you prioritize a more compact device and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s ideal for users who primarily browse, use social media, and engage in light gaming. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A70s if you value faster charging, potentially better sustained performance during extended gaming sessions, and a larger display for media consumption. This phone is geared towards users who demand more from their smartphone throughout the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 675 in the Galaxy A70s handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 675 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The 11nm process and improved GPU contribute to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of significant throttling during extended gaming sessions. However, don't expect flagship-level performance.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Mi CC9 slow compared to modern standards?
Yes, 18W charging is relatively slow by today's standards. It will take considerably longer to fully charge the Mi CC9 compared to the Galaxy A70s's 25W charging. Expect a full charge to take well over two hours, potentially closer to three, depending on battery capacity.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 710 in the Mi CC9 suffer from significant thermal throttling during prolonged use?
The Snapdragon 710, built on a 10nm process, is more prone to thermal throttling under sustained load compared to the 11nm Snapdragon 675. While it can handle everyday tasks without issue, demanding applications like games or video editing may experience performance drops after extended use.
