The Xiaomi Redmi 9 series offered a compelling value proposition in the budget smartphone space. The Redmi 9 Activ and Redmi 9 Prime represent slightly different approaches within that series, with the Activ focusing on affordability and the Prime aiming for a more balanced feature set. This comparison dissects the key differences, particularly the chipset and charging capabilities, to determine which device delivers the best experience for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Redmi 9 Prime is the better choice. Its Helio G80 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Activ’s Helio G35, making it more capable for gaming and multitasking. The 18W charging is also a significant advantage, reducing downtime compared to the Activ’s slower 10W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 24 | 2020, August 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 24 | Available. Released 2020, August 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 163.3 x 77 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 198 g (6.98 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 10, MIUI 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 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 |
| 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 |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Wireless FM radio (no wired headphones required) |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5020 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Purple | Space Blue, Mint Green, Matte Black, Sunrise Flare |
| Models | - | M2004J19PI |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 0.51 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) | 0.85 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Redmi 9 Activ
- Lower price point makes it very accessible.
- Decent battery life for basic usage.
- Suitable for users with minimal smartphone needs.
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the Prime.
- Slow 10W charging.
- Limited gaming capabilities.
Xiaomi Redmi 9 Prime
- Faster and more responsive performance thanks to the Helio G80.
- 18W fast charging reduces charging times.
- Better suited for gaming and multitasking.
- Slightly higher price than the Activ.
- May still struggle with very demanding games at high settings.
- Camera performance is likely average for the price range.
Display Comparison
Both devices likely feature similar LCD panels, given their market positioning. However, detailed display specs like resolution and brightness are not provided. The focus here is on internal performance, not display quality. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of budget devices. Color accuracy is unlikely to be a strong point on either model, prioritizing cost over calibration.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Redmi 9 Prime likely benefits from the more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Helio G80, potentially leading to better image processing and dynamic range. The presence of a more capable chipset often allows for more sophisticated computational photography features. The 2MP macro cameras found on both devices are unlikely to deliver significant detail and are primarily for marketing purposes.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi 9 Prime’s MediaTek Helio G80 (MT6769V/CU) is a significant step up from the Redmi 9 Activ’s Helio G35 (MT6765G). The G80 utilizes a more modern CPU architecture with 2x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, compared to the G35’s 4x 2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The G80’s GPU is also more powerful, enabling higher frame rates in demanding games. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural improvements of the G80 provide a clear advantage.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 5000mAh, based on the series). However, the Redmi 9 Prime’s 18W wired charging is a substantial advantage over the Redmi 9 Activ’s 10W charging. This means the Prime can be charged from 0-100% significantly faster, reducing downtime. While a larger battery capacity is beneficial, faster charging often has a greater impact on user experience, especially for those who frequently use their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Activ if you prioritize absolute affordability and your smartphone usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media. It’s a suitable option for first-time smartphone users or those on a very tight budget. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Prime if you want a more responsive experience, enjoy mobile gaming occasionally, or value faster charging. The Prime offers a better balance of performance and features for a slightly higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 9 Prime handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Redmi 9 Prime’s Helio G80 chipset is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you’ll likely need to use medium or low graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Helio G35 in the Activ will struggle with these titles, even on the lowest settings.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Redmi 9 Prime compared to the Activ?
The Redmi 9 Prime’s 18W charging is significantly faster than the Activ’s 10W charging. While exact 0-100% times will vary, expect the Prime to charge in around 2.5-3 hours, while the Activ could take 4+ hours.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio G35 and Helio G80 noticeable in everyday tasks?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Helio G80 provides a smoother and more responsive experience when opening apps, browsing the web, and multitasking. The G35 can feel sluggish, especially when running multiple apps simultaneously.
