The Xiaomi Redmi 9 (India) and Realme Narzo 20A represent the fiercely competitive sub-₹10,000 smartphone segment. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Redmi 9 leans on MediaTek’s Helio G35, while the Narzo 20A opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 665. This comparison dives deep into the architectural differences and real-world implications of these chipsets, alongside other key areas like battery and camera performance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly more efficient processor, the Realme Narzo 20A emerges as the better choice. The Snapdragon 665, built on an 11nm process, offers a modest but noticeable advantage over the Redmi 9’s Helio G35 (12nm) in sustained tasks and gaming, despite both phones sharing 10W charging.
| 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 | 2020, August 27. Released 2020, August 31 | 2020, September 21. Released 2020, September 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | 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) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| 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 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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 | Black, Sky Blue, Sporty Orange | Glory Silver, Victory Blue |
| Models | M2004C3MI | 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 (India)
- Potentially lower price point.
- MediaTek Helio G35 offers adequate performance for basic tasks.
- Likely similar battery capacity to the Narzo 20A.
- Helio G35’s 12nm process is less efficient than the Snapdragon 665’s 11nm.
- Potentially more throttling under sustained load.
- Image processing may be less refined.
Realme Narzo 20A
- More efficient Snapdragon 665 chipset (11nm).
- Better sustained performance and less throttling.
- Superior image processing capabilities.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Redmi 9.
- 10W charging is slow on both devices.
- Similar camera sensor specs to the Redmi 9.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood. While specific display specs aren't provided, the focus here is on the chipset's ability to drive the display efficiently. The Snapdragon 665's Adreno 610 GPU will likely offer a smoother experience with slightly more complex UI elements and animations compared to the Helio G35's IMG PowerVR GE8320.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature a primary camera paired with auxiliary lenses of limited utility (often 2MP macro or depth sensors). The image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 665 generally offers superior image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction in photos and videos compared to the Helio G35’s ISP. The 11nm process also allows for more efficient processing of camera data.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme Narzo 20A’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm) benefits from a smaller fabrication process, generally translating to better power efficiency and thermal management. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 665 utilizes Qualcomm’s Kryo 260 cores – four performance cores (2.0 GHz) and four efficiency cores (1.8 GHz). The Redmi 9’s MediaTek Helio G35 employs Cortex-A53 cores at 2.3 GHz and 1.8 GHz. The higher clock speed of the Helio G35 doesn’t necessarily equate to better performance; the Snapdragon 665’s architecture is more modern and optimized. This means the Narzo 20A will likely exhibit less throttling under sustained load, making it preferable for gaming or prolonged app usage.
Battery Life
Both the Redmi 9 and Narzo 20A are equipped with 10W wired charging, indicating a similar charging experience – expect around 2.5 to 3 hours for a full charge. Battery capacity isn't specified, but given the segment, they are likely in the 5000mAh range. The Snapdragon 665’s superior power efficiency, due to the 11nm process, will likely translate to slightly longer battery life in real-world usage, especially with moderate to heavy use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9 (India) if you primarily need a phone for basic communication, light social media use, and occasional photography, and are highly sensitive to price. Buy the Realme Narzo 20A if you prefer a device capable of handling moderate multitasking, enjoy occasional gaming, and value a slightly more refined processor architecture for improved efficiency and responsiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Narzo 20A handle PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 665 in the Narzo 20A is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to stick to medium graphics settings and moderate frame rates for a consistently smooth experience. The Helio G35 in the Redmi 9 will struggle more with consistent frame rates at similar settings.
❓ Does the Redmi 9's processor get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The MediaTek Helio G35, being built on a 12nm process, is more prone to thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 665. Expect performance to decrease after prolonged gaming sessions on the Redmi 9 as the processor attempts to manage heat.
❓ Is the difference in performance between these two phones noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks, the difference will be minimal. However, the Snapdragon 665 in the Narzo 20A will feel more responsive when switching between apps or multitasking, thanks to its more efficient architecture.
❓ Which phone is better for watching videos?
Both phones will provide a similar viewing experience, assuming they have comparable display resolutions. However, the Snapdragon 665’s GPU might offer slightly smoother playback of higher-resolution videos.
