Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro vs Mi 9T Pro: A Deep Dive into Xiaomi's 2019 Flagships

Released in 2019, the Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro and Mi 9T Pro represent a pivotal moment for Xiaomi, bringing flagship-level performance to a more accessible price point. While both devices share the same Snapdragon 855 chipset, subtle variations in their design and feature sets cater to different user priorities. This comparison dissects these nuances to determine which phone offers the best value in today's market.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user, the Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro emerges as the slightly better choice. While both phones deliver identical performance thanks to the Snapdragon 855, the K20 Pro's marginally higher measured display brightness provides a better viewing experience in direct sunlight, making it more versatile for outdoor use.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2019, May 28. Released 2019, June 012019, August 21. Released 2019, August 21
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.35 in)156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight191 g (6.74 oz)191 g (6.74 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, HDR10Super AMOLED, HDR
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 640Adreno 640
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 53mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.4, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 53mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.4, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µmMotorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYes (China only)Yes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioYesYes
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging27W wired, QC427W wired, QC4
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsCarbon black, Flame red, Glacier blue, Summer Honey, Pearl WhiteCarbon black, Red flame, Glacier blue
ModelsM1903F11IM1903F11G
PriceAbout 400 EURAbout 150 EUR
SAR1.03 W/kg (head)     0.72 W/kg (body)1.03 W/kg (head)     0.72 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.30 W/kg (head)     1.51 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB
Battery lifeEndurance rating 103hEndurance rating 103h
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker Voice 71dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 84dB -26.9 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 368846 (v7), 437823 (v8) GeekBench: 10684 (v4.4), 2732 (v5.1) GFXBench: 36fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 368846 (v7), 437823 (v8) GeekBench: 10684 (v4.4), 2732 (v5.1) GFXBench: 36fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro

  • Slightly brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
  • Potentially more robust build quality.
  • Identical flagship-level performance to the Mi 9T Pro.

  • May be harder to find at a competitive price.
  • Software experience can vary depending on regional ROM.

Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro

  • Potentially more readily available and affordable.
  • Identical flagship-level performance to the K20 Pro.
  • May offer a more refined software experience (depending on ROM).

  • Display is less bright, impacting outdoor usability.
  • Potentially less robust build quality.

Display Comparison

Both the Redmi K20 Pro and Mi 9T Pro feature displays with an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, indicative of AMOLED technology. However, the Redmi K20 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 643 nits, a crucial advantage for outdoor legibility. While both likely utilize similar AMOLED panels, this difference suggests a more aggressive calibration or potentially a slightly different panel generation in the K20 Pro. The lack of information regarding refresh rates suggests both are standard 60Hz panels, common for the time.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Given the era, both likely feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor, ultrawide, and depth sensor. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is impossible. However, Xiaomi’s image processing algorithms were generally consistent across devices in 2019, suggesting similar image quality. The absence of details regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is a significant omission; its presence would be a key differentiator.

Performance

At the heart of both devices lies the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm), paired with an identical octa-core CPU configuration: 1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485, and 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485. This guarantees virtually identical performance in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The absence of information regarding RAM specifications (LPDDR4X is likely) means thermal management will be the key differentiator. Both phones are susceptible to throttling under sustained load, but the K20 Pro’s potentially more robust cooling solution (based on teardowns) might offer slightly better sustained performance.

Battery Life

Both the Redmi K20 Pro and Mi 9T Pro share an endurance rating of 103 hours, indicating comparable battery life. Both support 27W wired charging with Quick Charge 4 (QC4) compatibility, promising similar 0-100% charging times. The identical endurance ratings suggest that despite potential differences in battery capacity (not specified), power efficiency is comparable due to the same chipset and display technology.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro if you prioritize a slightly brighter display for better outdoor visibility and potentially a more robust build quality (based on market perception). Buy the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro if you prefer a potentially more refined software experience (depending on regional ROM variations) and are looking for a phone that may be easier to find at a lower price point, given its wider initial distribution.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will either of these phones struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 855 is capable, both the K20 Pro and Mi 9T Pro will likely exhibit some degree of throttling during extended gaming sessions. Expect frame rate drops after 30-45 minutes of continuous play, particularly with high graphics settings. Lowering the graphics settings will mitigate this issue.
❓ Are there significant differences in the software experience between the K20 Pro and Mi 9T Pro?
The software experience can vary depending on the regional ROM installed. The Mi 9T Pro was often the first to receive updates in certain markets. However, both phones ran MIUI, and the core functionality and features were largely identical. Check the specific ROM version available in your region before making a decision.
❓ Do either of these phones support expandable storage via microSD card?
Neither Xiaomi explicitly advertised microSD card support for these models. It's highly unlikely that either phone features a microSD card slot, so choose a storage configuration that meets your needs upfront.