The Xiaomi Mi CC9 and Samsung Galaxy A80 represent interesting points in the mid-range smartphone landscape. The CC9, focused on a streamlined experience, contrasts with the A80’s innovative rotating camera mechanism. Both devices utilized Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7-series, but with key differences in chipset generation and implementation, making a direct comparison crucial for potential buyers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Samsung Galaxy A80 is the stronger choice. While both phones offer comparable battery endurance (90h), the A80’s Snapdragon 730 provides a performance edge, and its 25W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the CC9’s 18W charging. The A80’s display is also brighter.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, July. Released 2019, July | 2019, April 10. Released 2019, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 156.8 x 74.5 x 8.7 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.34 in) | 165.2 x 76.5 x 9.3 mm (6.50 x 3.01 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 220 g (7.76 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| 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 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, HDR, 430 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM710 Snapdragon 710 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Adreno 618 |
| 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) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
TOF 3D, f/1.2, (depth) |
| 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 | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@480fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | - |
| Triple | - | Motorized pop-up rotating main camera module |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| 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+
Bixby natural language commands and dictation |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4030 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3700 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Angel Gold, Ghost White, Phantom Black |
| Models | - | SM-A805F, SM-A8050, SM-A805X, SM-A805N |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 380 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.30 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.22 W/kg (head) 1.43 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 90h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 69dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 79dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 207502 (v7)
GeekBench: 6934 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Mi CC9
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Compact and lightweight design
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Less powerful processor (Snapdragon 710)
- Likely lower display brightness
Samsung Galaxy A80
- Faster charging speed (25W)
- More powerful processor (Snapdragon 730)
- Brighter and potentially higher quality display
- Innovative rotating camera design
- Potentially higher price
- Larger and heavier form factor
- Rotating camera mechanism could be a point of failure (long-term reliability)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A80 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 607 nits, compared to the Mi CC9 (brightness unspecified, but likely lower given the chipset and price point). The A80’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio, while a marketing term, suggests a superior AMOLED panel. Both likely utilize AMOLED technology, but the A80’s higher brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. The A80’s larger screen size also provides a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. The Galaxy A80’s rotating camera mechanism is its standout feature, allowing the main sensor to be used for both front and rear photography. While sensor size and aperture are unknown, the A80’s more advanced image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 730 likely delivers superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The Mi CC9’s camera system is likely more focused on software enhancements to compensate for potentially less capable hardware.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A80’s Snapdragon 730 (8nm) represents a clear upgrade over the Xiaomi Mi CC9’s Snapdragon 710 (10nm). The 8nm process node allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, resulting in sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling. While both CPUs feature a 2x2.2 GHz Kryo Gold and 6x Silver configuration, the Kryo 470 cores in the 730 offer architectural improvements. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the A80.
Battery Life
Both the Xiaomi Mi CC9 and Samsung Galaxy A80 achieve an endurance rating of 90 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the A80’s 25W wired charging is a significant advantage over the CC9’s 18W charging. This means the A80 can replenish its battery much faster, minimizing downtime. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed effectively mitigates any potential capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Mi CC9 if you prioritize a more compact form factor and are on a tighter budget. It’s a solid option for everyday tasks and casual gaming. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A80 if you value a larger, brighter display, faster charging, and a slightly more powerful processor for smoother multitasking and gaming, and are intrigued by its unique rotating camera design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 730 in the Galaxy A80 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 730 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at high settings with stable frame rates. The improved GPU and thermal management compared to the Snapdragon 710 in the Mi CC9 contribute to a smoother gaming experience, though sustained performance will still depend on cooling and game settings.
❓ Is the rotating camera mechanism on the Galaxy A80 durable and reliable?
The durability of the rotating camera is a valid concern. While Samsung likely performed extensive testing, any mechanical component introduces a potential point of failure. Long-term reliability remains to be seen, and users should handle the mechanism with care to avoid damage.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Xiaomi Mi CC9 with the 18W charger?
Based on typical 18W charging speeds and a likely battery capacity around 4000mAh, a full charge from 0% to 100% on the Mi CC9 will likely take around 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours.
❓ What kind of storage options were available for the Samsung Galaxy A80?
The Samsung Galaxy A80 was typically available with 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. Importantly, it did *not* offer microSD card expansion, so choosing the right storage capacity at purchase was crucial.
