The Xiaomi Redmi 9 Activ and Realme Narzo 20A represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The key differentiator lies in their chipsets: MediaTek’s Helio G35 in the Redmi 9 Activ versus Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 665 in the Narzo 20A. This comparison will dissect these differences and determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly more refined software experience, the Realme Narzo 20A emerges as the better choice. While both phones offer 10W charging and similar battery capacities, the Snapdragon 665’s more efficient 11nm process and superior CPU architecture translate to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user interface.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 24 | 2020, September 21. Released 2020, September 30 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 24 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 164.4 x 75.4 x 8.9 mm (6.47 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 480 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm | - |
| Triple | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 480p@120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Purple | Glory Silver, Victory Blue |
| Models | - | RMX2050 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 0.51 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) | 1.18 W/kg (head) 0.63 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Redmi 9 Activ
- Potentially lower price point
- Reliable for basic tasks
- Large community support (Xiaomi)
- Less powerful chipset (Helio G35)
- Less efficient processor
- Potentially slower software updates
Realme Narzo 20A
- More powerful and efficient chipset (Snapdragon 665)
- Smoother multitasking experience
- Better gaming performance (for the price)
- May be slightly more expensive
- Realme UI can be divisive
- 10W charging is slow
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. However, the lack of specific display specs (resolution, brightness) necessitates a focus on the chipset’s impact on UI smoothness. A more powerful chipset like the Snapdragon 665 will contribute to a more fluid scrolling experience, even on a basic LCD panel.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of cameras, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset plays a role in image processing speed. The Snapdragon 665’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally more capable than the Helio G35’s, leading to faster image capture and potentially better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The prevalence of 2MP macro/depth sensors on both devices suggests these are largely marketing features and shouldn't be a primary consideration.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme Narzo 20A’s Snapdragon 665, built on an 11nm process, offers a significant advantage over the Redmi 9 Activ’s MediaTek Helio G35 (12nm). While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 665 utilizes Qualcomm’s Kryo cores – 4x2.0 GHz Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Silver – which are architecturally more advanced than the Cortex-A53 cores in the Helio G35 (4x2.3 GHz & 4x1.8 GHz). This translates to better single-core performance and improved efficiency. The 11nm process further enhances efficiency, meaning the Narzo 20A is less likely to throttle under sustained load. Gamers will find the Snapdragon 665 capable of handling less demanding titles at medium settings, while the Helio G35 will struggle with anything beyond basic games.
Battery Life
Both phones feature 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds. While battery capacity isn't specified, both likely house around a 5000mAh battery, standard for this segment. The Snapdragon 665’s superior power efficiency will likely result in slightly longer battery life on the Narzo 20A, despite similar capacity, as it consumes less power during typical usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Activ if you need a phone primarily for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and are extremely budget-constrained. Its lower price point makes it appealing for first-time smartphone users or as a reliable backup device. Buy the Realme Narzo 20A if you prefer a phone capable of handling moderate multitasking, occasional gaming, and benefit from Qualcomm’s generally more optimized software support and slightly better overall performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 9 Activ struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the Redmi 9 Activ can run these apps, expect occasional lag and slowdowns when multitasking or using them heavily. The Helio G35 is designed for basic tasks, and these apps can become demanding with frequent updates and features.
❓ Can the Realme Narzo 20A handle games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Narzo 20A can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you’ll need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low and accept occasional frame drops. It’s not a gaming powerhouse, but it offers a playable experience for casual gamers.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge either phone with the 10W charger?
Expect a full charge to take approximately 3-4 hours with the included 10W charger. 10W charging is a slow standard, and these phones don't support faster charging protocols.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates?
Realme generally provides more consistent software updates and security patches compared to Xiaomi for their budget devices. While neither guarantees long-term support, the Narzo 20A is likely to receive updates for a longer period.
