The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T and Realme 6i (India) represent compelling options in the budget smartphone space, but cater to different priorities. The Note 8T, a mainstay for its endurance, faces off against the newer 6i, which aims to deliver a more potent gaming experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a reliable experience, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T is the better choice. However, gamers and those who value rapid charging will find the Realme 6i’s Helio G90T and 30W charging a more compelling package.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November 06. Released 2019, November 08 | 2020, July 24. Released 2020, July 31 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 161.1 x 75.4 x 8.6 mm (6.34 x 2.97 x 0.34 in) | 162.1 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm (6.38 x 2.94 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| | - | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 | Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 30W wired, PD, 100% in 55 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starscape Blue, Moonlight White, Moonshadow Grey | Eclipse Black, Lunar White |
| Models | M1908C3XG | RMX2002 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | 1.02 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.74 W/kg (head) 1.30 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -93.7dB | - |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 108h | - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1360:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 78dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 79dB | - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 141077 (v7), 167395 (v8)
GeekBench: 5620 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 5.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T
- Exceptional battery life (108h endurance)
- Reliable and stable performance for everyday tasks
- More affordable price point (likely)
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Less capable chipset for demanding games
Realme 6i (India)
- Faster and more powerful Helio G90T chipset
- Ultra-fast 30W charging with PD
- Better suited for mobile gaming
- Potentially shorter battery life
- May experience thermal throttling during prolonged gaming
Display Comparison
Both phones lack detailed display specifications beyond basic measurements. The Redmi Note 8T boasts a 1360:1 contrast ratio and 450 nits of peak brightness. While adequate for everyday use, this brightness level may struggle in direct sunlight. The Realme 6i’s display specs are absent, but given its market positioning, it likely offers similar brightness. Neither phone is expected to feature high refresh rate panels or advanced display technologies like LTPO, focusing instead on cost-effectiveness.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Realme 6i’s focus on gaming often correlates with improved image signal processing (ISP) capabilities within the chipset, potentially leading to better dynamic range and low-light performance. The Redmi Note 8T, while capable, likely relies more on software processing to enhance image quality. The absence of details suggests neither phone will excel in photography compared to higher-tier devices.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 6i utilizes the Mediatek Helio G90T (12nm), featuring a combination of 2x Cortex-A76 and 6x Cortex-A55 cores clocked up to 2.05 GHz. This architecture is designed for gaming, offering a performance uplift over the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm) in the Redmi Note 8T, which employs 4x Kryo 260 Gold and 4x Kryo 260 Silver cores at 2.0 GHz. The 12nm process of the Helio G90T, while newer, isn’t necessarily more efficient than the 11nm Snapdragon 665; the G90T prioritizes raw performance. This translates to smoother gameplay in demanding titles for the Realme 6i, but potentially at the cost of thermal throttling during extended sessions.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 8T shines with an impressive endurance rating of 108 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the Realme 6i’s battery capacity is unknown, its 30W wired charging with PD support is a significant advantage, achieving a full charge in just 55 minutes. This rapid charging capability offsets any potential battery capacity deficit. The Note 8T’s 18W charging is considerably slower, requiring more time to replenish the battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T if you need a phone that will comfortably last a full day on a single charge and prioritize a stable, well-rounded experience. Buy the Realme 6i (India) if you prefer a phone geared towards mobile gaming, demand significantly faster charging speeds, and are willing to trade some battery endurance for performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Realme 6i's Helio G90T chipset overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G90T is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 665. While it offers superior gaming performance, prolonged gaming at maximum settings may lead to thermal throttling, reducing sustained performance. Proper ventilation and managing game settings can mitigate this issue.
❓ How much faster is the 30W charging on the Realme 6i compared to the 18W charging on the Redmi Note 8T?
The Realme 6i’s 30W charging can fully charge the device in approximately 55 minutes, while the Redmi Note 8T’s 18W charging will take considerably longer – likely over 2 hours. This difference is substantial, offering a significant convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 8T still a good option for light gaming?
Yes, the Redmi Note 8T can handle light gaming and casual titles without issue. However, it will struggle with more demanding games at higher settings. The Snapdragon 665 is sufficient for less graphically intensive games, but the Helio G90T in the Realme 6i provides a noticeably smoother experience for heavier titles.
