Xiaomi’s budget lineup is fiercely competitive, and the Poco M2 and Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G represent distinct approaches to value. The Poco M2, while older, offers a compelling price point, while the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G brings 5G connectivity and faster charging to the table. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best experience for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and faster charging, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset and 33W charging significantly outperform the Poco M2’s Helio G80 and 18W charging, justifying the slight price premium.
| 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, 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, September 08 | 2020, November 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, September 15 | Available. Released 2020, December 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 77 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.36 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 | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, HDR10, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 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 | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 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 |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio (no wired headphones required) | Unspecified |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired, 100% in 58 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4820 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Brick Red, Pitch Black, Slate Blue | Gray, Blue, Red/Mint |
| Models | MZB9919IN, M2004J19PI | M2007J17C |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 370 EUR |
| SAR | 0.85 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) | - |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | ₹ 10,499 | - |
| 64GB 6GB RAM | ₹ 10,799 | - |
Xiaomi Poco M2
- More affordable price point
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Reliable MediaTek Helio G80 chipset
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Older chipset architecture
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G
- Faster 33W charging
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- More powerful Snapdragon 750G chipset
- Slightly higher price
- May not offer a dramatically better camera experience
- Battery capacity not specified
Display Comparison
Both devices lack detailed display specifications in the provided data, but given their price points, we can assume they utilize IPS LCD panels. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G, being a newer model, likely benefits from a slightly higher peak brightness and potentially improved color calibration. However, without specific nit ratings or color gamut coverage, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. Bezels are likely comparable, typical of this price segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of a chipset, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G, as a more recent release, likely incorporates improved image processing algorithms and potentially a larger primary sensor. The Poco M2’s camera performance will be adequate for casual photography, but the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G should deliver more detailed images, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are largely marketing features with limited practical utility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm) is a significant upgrade over the Poco M2’s MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm). The 8nm process node inherently offers better power efficiency and thermal performance, meaning the Snapdragon 750G will likely sustain peak performance for longer periods without throttling. While both CPUs feature a 2x2.0/1.8 GHz core configuration, the Snapdragon’s Kryo 570 cores are architecturally superior to the Cortex-A75/A55 in the Helio G80, resulting in faster single-core and multi-core performance. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and a better gaming experience on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G.
Battery Life
The battery capacity isn't specified for either device, but the charging speeds are a clear differentiator. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s 33W wired charging, capable of a full charge in 58 minutes, is significantly faster than the Poco M2’s 18W charging. This faster charging is a substantial convenience factor, especially for users who frequently find themselves needing to top up their battery quickly. Even if the Poco M2 has a slightly larger battery capacity, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G’s faster charging will likely result in less downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco M2 if you need a highly affordable device for basic tasks and light gaming, and 5G isn't a priority. It's ideal for first-time smartphone users or those on a very tight budget. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G if you prefer a more future-proof device with 5G connectivity, faster charging speeds, and a more powerful processor for smoother multitasking and gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 750G in the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 750G is a capable chipset for gaming. It can comfortably run PUBG Mobile at high settings with stable frame rates. The 8nm process also helps to minimize thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, providing a more consistent experience compared to the Poco M2’s Helio G80.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G compared to the 18W charging on the Poco M2 in real-world usage?
The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G can charge from 0-100% in approximately 58 minutes. The Poco M2, with its 18W charging, will likely take well over 2 hours to achieve a full charge. This difference is particularly noticeable for users who need a quick top-up before leaving the house.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G actually useful right now?
5G availability varies greatly depending on your location. However, purchasing a 5G-enabled phone like the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G future-proofs your investment. As 5G networks expand, you’ll be ready to take advantage of faster data speeds without needing to upgrade your device.
