Xiaomi Redmi 11 Prime 5G vs Realme 9 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Performance
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and slightly better efficiency, the Realme 9 5G is the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 695, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a small but noticeable advantage in sustained tasks and gaming, despite both phones sharing 18W charging.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Redmi 11 Prime 5G | Realme 9 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 06 | 2022, May 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 09 | Available. Released 2022, June 09 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 2.2 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Thunder Black, Chrome Silver, Meadow Green | Meteor Black, Stargaze White |
| Models | - | RMX3474 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 190 EUR |
Xiaomi Redmi 11 Prime 5G
- Potentially wider availability through Xiaomi's retail network.
- MediaTek Dimensity 700 is a proven performer in this segment.
- Likely competitive pricing.
- 7nm process is less efficient than the Snapdragon 695's 6nm.
- Image processing may not be as refined as the Realme 9 5G.
Realme 9 5G
- More efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset (6nm).
- Potentially better thermal management for sustained performance.
- Qualcomm's ISP offers advanced image processing features.
- Realme's software can be polarizing for some users.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Redmi 11 Prime 5G.
Display Comparison
Both devices are expected to feature similar LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are not provided. The focus here is on the internal hardware. The absence of high refresh rate panels is standard, prioritizing battery life. Bezels are likely comparable, and color accuracy will depend on software calibration, a known strength of Realme's UI.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature a primary camera sensor paired with depth and macro lenses (the usefulness of the latter is questionable). The image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 695 generally offers more advanced features and better noise reduction capabilities compared to the Dimensity 700's ISP. This translates to potentially better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The Realme's image processing algorithms are also known for a more vibrant, social-media-ready aesthetic.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 9 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm), featuring 2x 2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold and 6x 1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver cores. The Redmi 11 Prime 5G employs the MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7nm) with 2x 2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The 6nm process of the Snapdragon 695 offers a theoretical efficiency advantage over the 7nm Dimensity 700, translating to less heat generation under sustained load. While both CPUs have similar peak clock speeds, the Snapdragon's architecture is generally considered more refined for sustained performance. This benefits users engaging in prolonged gaming or multitasking.
Battery Life
Both devices are equipped with 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds (approximately 2-3 hours for a full charge). Battery capacity is not specified, but given the market segment, both are likely in the 5000mAh range. The Snapdragon 695's improved efficiency could lead to slightly longer battery life in real-world usage, offsetting any potential difference in battery capacity. Users prioritizing all-day battery life will find both phones adequate, but the Realme 9 5G has a slight edge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 11 Prime 5G if you prioritize a potentially wider availability through Xiaomi's established channels and are comfortable with a chipset that, while capable, is slightly older. Buy the Realme 9 5G if you prefer a more modern chipset architecture with potentially better thermal management and a slight edge in gaming performance, and value Qualcomm's optimizations.