The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Redmi 9 and Tecno Spark 6 Go represent two popular choices, aiming to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value for users prioritizing performance, battery life, and overall usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 9 emerges as the superior choice. Its significantly more powerful Mediatek Helio G80 chipset and measured 328 nits brightness provide a smoother user experience and better visibility, justifying the potential slight price premium over the Tecno Spark 6 Go.
| 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, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 10 | 2020, November 22. Released 2020, November 23 |
| 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) | 165.6 x 76.3 x 9.1 mm (6.52 x 3.00 x 0.36 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 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) - 2GB, 3GB modelMediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) - 4GB model |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 10 (Go edition), HIOS 6.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| 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 | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| 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 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5020 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon Gray, Sunset Purple, Ocean Green, Pink/Blue | Ice Jadelite, Mystery White, Aqua Blue |
| Models | M2004J19G, M2004J19C | KE5j, KE5k |
| Price | $ 105.77 / £ 196.62 / € 115.51 | About 70 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
- Significantly more powerful processor (Helio G80)
- Brighter and higher contrast display (328 nits, 1624:1)
- Faster charging (18W)
- Potentially slightly higher price
- Camera details are limited
Tecno Spark 6 Go
- More affordable price point
- Decent battery life due to less powerful chipset
- Available in multiple RAM configurations (2GB, 3GB, 4GB)
- Significantly weaker processor (Helio A20/A25)
- Likely lower display quality
- Slower charging speeds
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Redmi 9 boasts a measured peak brightness of 328 nits and a 1624:1 contrast ratio, offering a noticeably more vivid and readable experience, especially outdoors. While the Tecno Spark 6 Go’s display specifications aren’t detailed, it’s likely to have lower brightness and contrast, resulting in a less engaging visual experience. The Redmi 9’s superior display makes it better suited for media consumption and general use in bright environments.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Given the price point, image quality will likely be similar in good lighting conditions. However, the Redmi 9’s more powerful ISP (integrated signal processor) within the Helio G80 chipset likely provides better image processing and noise reduction, especially in low-light scenarios. The presence of a dedicated camera module on the Redmi 9, even if basic, suggests a slightly more refined camera experience. We can assume the Tecno Spark 6 Go will rely heavily on software processing to compensate for its less capable hardware.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The Redmi 9’s Mediatek Helio G80, with its octa-core CPU (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55), is a far more capable processor than the Tecno Spark 6 Go’s options: either the Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) or the MT6762D Helio A25 (octa-core, but with less powerful Cortex-A53 cores). The Helio G80’s Cortex-A75 cores provide a significant boost in single-core performance, crucial for app responsiveness, while the GPU difference translates to a much smoother gaming experience. The Spark 6 Go is geared towards basic tasks, while the Redmi 9 can handle more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Redmi 9 achieves an impressive endurance rating of 131 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the Tecno Spark 6 Go’s battery capacity isn’t specified, its less powerful chipset should contribute to reasonable battery performance. However, the Redmi 9’s 18W wired charging is a significant advantage, allowing for faster top-ups compared to the likely slower charging speeds of the Spark 6 Go. The Redmi 9’s combination of efficiency and faster charging provides a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9 if you need a phone capable of handling moderate gaming, multitasking, and benefit from a brighter, more vibrant display. It’s ideal for users who want a responsive experience and aren’t willing to compromise on performance. Buy the Tecno Spark 6 Go if your primary needs are basic communication – calls, texts, and light social media – and you prioritize affordability above all else. It’s a suitable option for first-time smartphone users or those on a very tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Tecno Spark 6 Go struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the Tecno Spark 6 Go can run basic apps like WhatsApp and Facebook, its Helio A20/A25 chipset may result in noticeable lag and slower loading times, especially with multiple apps open. The Redmi 9’s Helio G80 provides a much smoother experience for these everyday tasks.
❓ Is the Redmi 9 a good option for casual gaming?
Yes, the Redmi 9’s Helio G80 chipset and integrated GPU are capable of handling many popular casual games at reasonable settings. While it won’t deliver high-end gaming performance, it offers a significantly better gaming experience than the Tecno Spark 6 Go.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Redmi 9 with the 18W charger?
While a precise 0-100% charge time isn't available, the Redmi 9's 18W charging should take approximately 2-3 hours for a full charge, significantly faster than the likely 5W or 10W charging on the Tecno Spark 6 Go.
