Xiaomi consistently delivers compelling value in the mid-range segment, but choosing between models like the Mi Note 10 Lite and the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G can be tricky. The Mi Note 10 Lite, while offering a strong foundation with the Snapdragon 730G, faces a newer contender in the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G, which brings 5G connectivity and a slightly updated chipset to the table. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is the better buy. Its Snapdragon 750G offers a modest performance uplift, and the inclusion of 5G future-proofs the device. The faster 33W charging also provides a significant convenience advantage, offsetting the slightly lower measured display brightness of the Mi Note 10 Lite.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 30. Released 2020, May 09 | 2020, November 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, December 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) |
| Dimensions | 157.8 x 74.2 x 9.7 mm (6.21 x 2.92 x 0.38 in) | 165.4 x 76.8 x 9 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204 g (7.20 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~87.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, HDR10, 430 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, HDR10, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 E | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 108 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| 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, aptX Adaptive | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | Unspecified |
| 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, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 33W wired, 100% in 58 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5260 mAh | Li-Po 4820 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Glacier White, Nebula Purple | Gray, Blue, Red/Mint |
| Models | M2002F4LG, M1910F4G | M2007J17C |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 370 EUR |
| SAR | 1.17 W/kg (head) 0.86 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 1.01 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | - |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | € 367.55 | - |
| 64GB 6GB RAM | $ 249.99 | - |
| RENEWED | € 229.00 | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 117h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-29.2 LUFS (Average)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 253271 (v8)
GeekBench: 1694 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite
- Excellent 117-hour battery endurance
- Slightly brighter display (596 nits)
- Potentially lower price point
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Slower 30W charging
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Faster 33W charging (100% in 58 mins)
- More modern Snapdragon 750G chipset
- Potentially slightly lower display brightness
- Battery endurance not specified
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite boasts a measured peak brightness of 596 nits, providing a vibrant viewing experience in most conditions. While the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s display brightness isn’t specified, it’s reasonable to assume it’s comparable, though likely slightly lower. Both devices feature an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of AMOLED panels. The lack of high refresh rate panels on either device means scrolling and animations won’t be as fluid as on higher-end phones, but this is a common trade-off in this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are described as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s camera system is likely to be more advanced, given its newer release. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. It’s safe to assume both phones will offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance will likely be a differentiating factor, favoring the device with a larger sensor and wider aperture. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device is unknown, but would significantly improve image and video stability.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Mi Note 10 Lite utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G (8nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver cores. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G steps up to the Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm), also octa-core, but with 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570 cores. While clock speeds are identical, the Kryo 570 cores in the 750G represent an architectural improvement, offering slightly better performance per clock cycle. The 750G’s integrated 5G modem is a key advantage, enabling faster data speeds where available. Both phones likely share similar RAM configurations, but the 750G’s GPU will provide a small boost in gaming performance.
Battery Life
The Mi Note 10 Lite achieves an impressive endurance rating of 117 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. While the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s battery capacity isn’t specified, its 33W wired charging capability – achieving 100% charge in 58 minutes – is a significant advantage over the Mi Note 10 Lite’s 30W charging. The faster charging mitigates any potential battery life disadvantage, allowing for quicker top-ups throughout the day. The 8nm process node of both chipsets contributes to improved power efficiency, extending battery life during demanding tasks.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite if you prioritize a slightly brighter display and are less concerned with 5G connectivity. It remains a capable all-rounder, especially at its lower price point. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G if you want 5G support, faster charging speeds, and a more modern chipset, making it a better long-term investment for those in areas with 5G coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 750G in the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G offer a noticeable gaming improvement over the 730G in the Mi Note 10 Lite?
While both chipsets are capable, the Snapdragon 750G’s Kryo 570 cores and improved GPU architecture provide a modest, but noticeable, uplift in gaming performance. Expect slightly higher frame rates and smoother gameplay in demanding titles, though neither phone will deliver a flagship-level gaming experience.
❓ How important is 5G connectivity on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G, and will I actually see a benefit?
The benefit of 5G depends entirely on your location and carrier coverage. If you live in an area with robust 5G infrastructure, you’ll experience significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G. However, if 5G coverage is limited, the advantage will be minimal. It's a future-proofing feature that will become increasingly valuable as 5G networks expand.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between 30W and 33W charging really that significant?
Yes, the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is noticeably faster, achieving a full charge in 58 minutes. While 3W may seem like a small difference, it translates to a quicker top-up when you're short on time, offering a more convenient user experience.
