The Xiaomi Redmi 9AT and Samsung Galaxy A02s represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at a minimal cost, but they achieve this with different approaches to chipset design and feature prioritization. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 9AT emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G25 chipset, built on a more modern 12nm process, offers a modest performance advantage over the Samsung Galaxy A02s’ older 14nm Snapdragon 450, despite similar CPU core counts. While both offer comparable battery endurance, the Redmi 9AT’s slightly newer architecture provides a small edge in efficiency.
| 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, September 09. Released 2020, September 09 | 2020, November 24. Released 2021, January 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 77 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.03 x 0.35 in) | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| 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 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF | 3.15 MP |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| 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 |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 530 h (2G) / Up to 530 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 6 h 12 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 18 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon Gray, Sky Blue, Ocean Green | Black, White, Red, Blue |
| Models | M2006C3LVG | SM-A025F, SM-A025F/DS, SM-A025G, SM-A025G/DS, SM-A025M, SM-A025M/DS, SM-A025U, SM-A025V, SM-A025A, SM-A025U1, SM-A025AZ, SM-S124DL |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 0.87 W/kg (head) 1.01 W/kg (body) | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.79 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.78 W/kg (head) 1.03 W/kg (body) | 0.40 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -81.4dB / Crosstalk -80.5dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1765:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.8 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 90811 (v8)
GeekBench: 495 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi 9AT
- Slightly more efficient chipset (12nm)
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Competitive price point
- Lower charging wattage (10W)
- Display specs are not explicitly stated
Samsung Galaxy A02s
- Brighter display (406 nits)
- Faster charging (15W)
- Samsung brand recognition
- Older chipset (14nm)
- Potentially lower performance
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A02s boasts a measured peak brightness of 406 nits and a 1765:1 contrast ratio, providing a reasonably viewable experience indoors. While the Redmi 9AT’s display specifications aren’t explicitly stated, it’s likely to be in a similar range given its market positioning. The contrast ratio is likely comparable. Neither device is expected to offer exceptional color accuracy or viewing angles, but the A02s’ higher measured brightness gives it a slight advantage in direct sunlight. Both displays are likely LCD panels, lacking the advanced features like OLED or AMOLED found in higher-end devices.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature basic camera setups, likely prioritizing affordability over image quality. Detailed sensor information is lacking, but both are expected to include a primary camera and potentially a depth sensor. The focus should be on the primary sensor; any 2MP macro or auxiliary lenses are unlikely to deliver significant value. Image processing will likely be heavily reliant on software algorithms to enhance detail and reduce noise, with the Samsung potentially leveraging its established image processing pipeline. Expect similar results in good lighting conditions, with both struggling in low-light scenarios.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi 9AT utilizes the Mediatek Helio G25, fabricated on a 12nm process, featuring an octa-core CPU split into 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Galaxy A02s employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450, built on a less efficient 14nm process, with an octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. While both CPUs share the same core architecture, the G25’s newer process node and slightly higher clock speeds suggest a performance edge, particularly in sustained workloads. The Snapdragon 450’s Adreno 506 GPU is likely comparable to the Helio G25’s IMG PowerVR GE8320, but the 12nm process gives the Redmi 9AT a slight advantage in thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
Both the Redmi 9AT and Galaxy A02s achieve an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage. However, the Redmi 9AT supports 10W wired charging, while the Galaxy A02s offers 15W wired charging. This means the A02s will theoretically charge faster, potentially offsetting the slightly smaller battery capacity (if any difference exists). The more efficient 12nm process of the Helio G25 in the Redmi 9AT may contribute to slightly longer real-world battery life, but the difference is likely to be minimal.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9AT if you prioritize a slightly more responsive user experience for basic tasks and occasional gaming. Its newer chipset offers a small but noticeable performance boost. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A02s if you value a slightly brighter display and prefer the Samsung brand ecosystem, understanding that performance will be comparatively less snappy. Both are excellent choices for first-time smartphone users or those needing a reliable backup device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 450 in the Galaxy A02s struggle with multitasking?
The Snapdragon 450 is a capable processor for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media. However, it may exhibit noticeable slowdowns when running multiple apps simultaneously or handling demanding applications. The Redmi 9AT’s Helio G25, while not a powerhouse, should offer a slightly smoother multitasking experience due to its newer architecture.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Galaxy A02s a significant advantage over the Redmi 9AT’s 10W charging?
While 15W is faster than 10W, the difference in charging times won't be dramatic. Expect the Galaxy A02s to charge approximately 20-30% faster, but both phones will still require several hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%. The impact is more noticeable for topping up the battery quickly rather than a full charge.
❓ Can either of these phones handle popular mobile games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
Both phones can *run* these games, but expect to play at the lowest graphics settings and potentially experience frame rate drops. The Helio G25 in the Redmi 9AT might offer slightly better performance, but neither device is designed for serious mobile gaming. Lowering the resolution and graphics settings is crucial for a playable experience.
