The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 4G and Poco M3 Pro 5G represent different approaches to the budget smartphone market. The Note 9, a well-established model, prioritizes affordability, while the M3 Pro introduces 5G connectivity and a newer chipset at a competitive price. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset delivers noticeably better performance than the Snapdragon 662 in the Redmi Note 9, and the inclusion of 5G future-proofs the device. While both offer similar battery life and charging speeds, the M3 Pro’s modern architecture provides a more compelling overall experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, November 26 | 2021, May 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, November 26 | Available. Released 2021, May 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.38 in) | 161.8 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm (6.37 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ), 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 14 | Android 11, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Green, Blue, Orange | Poco Yellow, Power Black, Cool Blue |
| Models | M2010J19SC | M2103K19PG, M2103K19PI, M2103K19PY |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.94 W/kg (head) 1.06 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.54 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 121h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1475:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.9 LUFS (Good)
|
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 4G
- Reverse wireless charging for topping up accessories.
- Proven reliability and established software support.
- Lower price point (potentially).
- Significantly slower performance compared to the M3 Pro 5G.
- Lacks 5G connectivity.
- Older chipset architecture.
Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds.
- More powerful Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset.
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- No reverse wireless charging.
- Potentially slightly higher price.
- Software experience may vary.
Display Comparison
Both devices feature similar contrast ratios around 1475:1, suggesting comparable image quality in terms of black levels. However, the Poco M3 Pro 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 536 nits, offering a brighter viewing experience, particularly outdoors, compared to the Redmi Note 9 4G, which lacks a published brightness figure. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the M3 Pro’s higher brightness provides a tangible advantage in usability.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are described as having Photo/Video capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the market positioning, it’s reasonable to assume both feature a primary camera and potentially ultra-wide and depth sensors. However, without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. The M3 Pro 5G’s newer image signal processor (ISP) within the Dimensity 700 chipset likely offers improved image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and low-light performance. The Redmi Note 9’s camera system is likely more basic.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco M3 Pro 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 700, built on a 7nm process, significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 9 4G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm). The Dimensity 700’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – provides a substantial uplift in single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Snapdragon 662’s 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the M3 Pro 5G.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 121 hours and 18W wired charging, suggesting similar real-world battery life. The Redmi Note 9 also offers 2.5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the M3 Pro 5G. However, the Dimensity 700’s 7nm process is more power-efficient than the Snapdragon 662’s 11nm process, potentially offsetting any minor differences in battery capacity and contributing to comparable longevity despite the more powerful chipset.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 4G if you primarily need a reliable, basic smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and 5G connectivity isn't a priority. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G if you want a faster, more future-proof device capable of handling more demanding apps and games, and you want to take advantage of 5G networks when available.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco M3 Pro 5G get noticeably hotter during gaming compared to the Redmi Note 9 4G?
While the Dimensity 700 is more powerful, its 7nm manufacturing process is more efficient than the Snapdragon 662’s 11nm process. This means the M3 Pro 5G is likely to generate less heat under sustained load, potentially resulting in less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. However, both phones are budget devices and may still experience some throttling.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Poco M3 Pro 5G actually useful, or is it just a marketing gimmick?
The usefulness of 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. If you live in an area with readily available 5G networks, the M3 Pro 5G will offer significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G. Even if 5G isn't available now, having a 5G-enabled device future-proofs your investment as 5G networks continue to expand.
❓ Does the Poco M3 Pro 5G support VoLTE and VoWiFi for improved call quality?
Support for VoLTE (Voice over LTE) and VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi) varies by carrier and region. It's crucial to check with your mobile carrier to confirm compatibility with the Poco M3 Pro 5G before purchasing, as these features significantly enhance call quality and reliability.
