The Xiaomi Redmi 9 and Infinix Note 8i represent a fiercely competitive segment of the smartphone market – the sub-$150 price point. Both devices aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality without breaking the bank. This comparison dives deep into their specifications, focusing on where they excel and where compromises are made, to help you determine which best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-around usability, the Xiaomi Redmi 9 edges out the Infinix Note 8i. Its measured 328 nits of brightness and 131-hour endurance rating provide a tangible advantage in real-world scenarios, despite the shared Helio G80 chipset.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 10 | 2020, October 15. Released 2020, November 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, June 10 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 77 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.36 in) | 171.4 x 77.7 x 8.9 mm (6.75 x 3.06 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 720 x 1640 pixels (~264 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 480 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 10, XOS 7.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-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 | 48 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP |
| 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 | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio (no wired headphones required) | FM radio |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5020 mAh | 5200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon Gray, Sunset Purple, Ocean Green, Pink/Blue | Gray, Blue, Green |
| Models | M2004J19G, M2004J19C | X683, X683B |
| Price | $ 105.77 / £ 196.62 / € 115.51 | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | 0.91 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.71 W/kg (head) 1.06 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 131h | - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1624:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-26.9 LUFS (Good) | - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 201829 (v8)
GeekBench: 1325 (v5.1) | - |
Xiaomi Redmi 9
- Measured 328 nits brightness offers better outdoor visibility.
- 131-hour endurance rating indicates excellent battery life.
- 1624:1 contrast ratio suggests potentially better color reproduction.
- Camera specifications are vague, suggesting limited photographic capabilities.
- Performance will be limited by the Helio G80 chipset under heavy load.
Infinix Note 8i
- Shares the same Helio G80 chipset for comparable performance.
- Potentially lower price point compared to the Redmi 9.
- 18W fast charging is standard for this price range.
- Lack of published display brightness data raises concerns about outdoor visibility.
- Battery endurance is unknown, potentially shorter than the Redmi 9.
Display Comparison
Both the Redmi 9 and Note 8i lack detailed display specifications beyond the Redmi 9’s measured 328 nits of maximum brightness and 1624:1 contrast ratio. This brightness level suggests the Redmi 9 will offer better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Note 8i, which lacks published brightness data. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Redmi 9’s contrast ratio indicates potentially better color reproduction. The absence of high refresh rate technology on either device means scrolling and animations will feel standard, but this is typical for this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing algorithms. This suggests a focus on basic photography functionality rather than advanced features. The absence of information regarding Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) indicates that image stabilization will rely on software algorithms, which are less effective in low-light conditions. Given the price point, it’s reasonable to assume both devices will struggle in challenging lighting scenarios, and the inclusion of low-resolution auxiliary cameras (often 2MP macro lenses) is likely more for marketing than practical use.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This means performance will be virtually identical for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. The shared chipset implies similar thermal limitations; sustained heavy workloads will likely result in throttling on both devices. The lack of information regarding RAM type and speed prevents a deeper analysis of multitasking capabilities, but both are likely to utilize LPDDR4X RAM to keep costs down.
Battery Life
The Redmi 9 boasts an endurance rating of 131 hours, a significant metric indicating its battery life under typical usage conditions. The Note 8i’s battery capacity and endurance are not specified, making a direct comparison difficult. However, both devices support 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds. The Redmi 9’s higher endurance rating suggests a more efficient combination of battery capacity and power management, translating to longer usage between charges.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9 if you need a phone with a reliably brighter display for outdoor visibility and longer battery life for all-day use. Buy the Infinix Note 8i if you prioritize a similar performance level at potentially a lower price point, and are less concerned with display brightness or extended battery endurance. Both are viable options for basic smartphone tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G80 in either phone struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Helio G80 is a capable chipset for casual gaming, but it will likely struggle with demanding titles like PUBG Mobile at high settings. Expect to lower graphics settings and potentially experience frame drops during intense gameplay on both the Redmi 9 and Note 8i. Thermal throttling will also be a factor during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 18W charging on both phones truly 'fast charging'?
While 18W charging is marketed as 'fast charging,' it's relatively slow compared to modern standards. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours, depending on the battery capacity of the Note 8i (which is unspecified). It's sufficient for overnight charging but won't provide a significant boost in a short amount of time.
❓ How does the Redmi 9's display compare to more expensive phones?
The Redmi 9's display, while adequate for basic use, falls short of more expensive phones in several key areas. It lacks features like high refresh rates, HDR support, and higher peak brightness. The 328 nits brightness is acceptable, but significantly lower than flagship devices. Color accuracy is also likely to be less precise.
