The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro (India) and Realme 8 Pro represent compelling options in the competitive mid-range smartphone market. Both leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G chipset, but diverge significantly in their approach to battery technology and charging speeds, creating a clear trade-off for potential buyers. This comparison dives deep into these differences, and other key areas, to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity and overall endurance, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro (India) emerges as the winner. Its significantly higher endurance rating of 127 hours, despite slower charging, provides a more reliable experience. However, the Realme 8 Pro’s 50W charging is a game-changer for those who frequently need a quick power boost.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 12. Released 2020, March 17 | 2021, March 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.8 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.53 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 160.6 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.32 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 209 g (7.37 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro), AF
Auxiliary lens | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 50W wired, 50% in 17 min, 100% in 47 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5020 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Black | Infinite Blue, Infinite Black, Punk Black, Illuminating Yellow |
| Models | M2003J6A1I | RMX3081 |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| SAR | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.48 W/kg (body) | 1.10 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 4GB RAM | ₹ 14,499 | - |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | ₹ 14,499 | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 127h
|
Endurance rating 116h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1389:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-27.8 LUFS (Good)
|
-28.2 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 254000 (v8)
GeekBench: 1785 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 26fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 286666 (v8)
GeekBench: 1678 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro (India)
- Superior battery endurance (127h)
- Reliable performance with Snapdragon 720G
- Competitive pricing
- Slower 18W charging
- Display contrast ratio is lower than advertised on competitors
Realme 8 Pro
- Ultra-fast 50W charging (0-100% in 47 mins)
- Potentially enhanced camera processing
- Modern design aesthetic
- Lower battery endurance (116h)
- Reliance on fast charging to mitigate battery life
Display Comparison
Both devices utilize displays with a nominal contrast ratio, however, Realme 8 Pro advertises an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, likely referring to marketing hyperbole rather than a fundamentally different panel technology. The Redmi Note 9 Pro’s contrast ratio is specified at 1389:1, providing a quantifiable metric for black levels and color depth. While neither device boasts high refresh rates, the display quality will likely be similar in everyday use, with the Realme’s marketing potentially suggesting a slightly more vibrant image, though this is unconfirmed without direct testing.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a camera, but the provided data lacks specifics beyond that. The Realme 8 Pro’s marketing often emphasizes its camera capabilities, suggesting a potentially more advanced image processing pipeline or larger sensor. However, without sensor size, aperture, or OIS details, a definitive comparison is impossible. It’s crucial to note that the inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and low image quality. The focus should be on the main camera performance.
Performance
Both the Redmi Note 9 Pro (India) and Realme 8 Pro are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with the same Kryo 465 Gold and Silver core arrangement. This means performance in CPU-bound tasks and gaming will be virtually identical. The absence of information regarding RAM speed (LPDDR4x vs LPDDR5) makes it difficult to assess potential differences in multitasking responsiveness, but given the price point, LPDDR4x is the more likely standard. Thermal management will likely be similar, relying on the Snapdragon 720G’s inherent efficiency.
Battery Life
The most significant difference lies in battery endurance and charging. The Redmi Note 9 Pro (India) boasts an endurance rating of 127 hours, indicating superior battery life compared to the Realme 8 Pro’s 116 hours. This translates to longer usage between charges. However, the Realme 8 Pro compensates with its 50W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 17 minutes and 100% in 47 minutes. The Redmi Note 9 Pro’s 18W charging is considerably slower, requiring significantly more time to fully replenish the battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro (India) if you need a phone that will reliably last through a full day – and potentially longer – on a single charge, and aren't overly concerned with the fastest possible charging speeds. Buy the Realme 8 Pro if you prioritize rapid charging and frequently find yourself needing to top up your battery throughout the day, even if it means slightly shorter overall battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 720G in either phone struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 720G is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings, but may experience occasional frame drops during intense firefights. Both phones will offer a similar gaming experience, as they share the same chipset. Optimizing in-game settings is crucial for smooth gameplay.
❓ Is the 50W charging on the Realme 8 Pro likely to degrade the battery health faster than the 18W charging on the Redmi Note 9 Pro?
While faster charging generates more heat, modern smartphones employ battery management systems to mitigate degradation. The Realme 8 Pro’s 50W charging is unlikely to significantly reduce battery lifespan compared to the Redmi Note 9 Pro’s 18W charging, provided both phones are used and charged responsibly.
❓ How does the camera perform in low-light conditions on each device?
Without detailed camera specifications, it's difficult to definitively say. However, a larger sensor and wider aperture generally improve low-light performance. Realme's marketing suggests a focus on camera capabilities, potentially indicating better low-light performance, but this requires independent testing.
