The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro (India) and Samsung Galaxy M51 represent compelling options in the competitive Indian mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a strong user experience, they prioritize different strengths: the Redmi Note 9 Pro focuses on a balanced feature set, while the Galaxy M51 aggressively targets users prioritizing maximum battery life and fast charging. 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 rapid replenishment, the Samsung Galaxy M51 emerges as the winner. Its significantly larger battery capacity and 25W charging outweigh the Redmi Note 9 Pro’s slightly more efficient chipset and lower price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 400/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 12. Released 2020, March 17 | 2020, August 31. Released 2020, September 11 |
| 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 | 165.8 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.53 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 163.9 x 76.3 x 9.5 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 209 g (7.37 oz) | 213 g (7.51 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED Plus |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| 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 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | FM radio, RDS |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired, 100% in 115 min
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5020 mAh | Li-Po 7000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Black | Celestial Black, Electric Blue, White |
| Models | M2003J6A1I | SM-M515F, SM-M515F/DSN |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 470 EUR |
| SAR | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.48 W/kg (body) | 1.38 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.61 W/kg (head) 1.45 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 4GB RAM | ₹ 14,499 | - |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | ₹ 14,499 | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 127h
| Endurance rating 156h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1389:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-27.8 LUFS (Good)
|
-28.5 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 254000 (v8)
GeekBench: 1785 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 26fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 266620 (v8)
GeekBench: 1774 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro (India)
- More affordable price point
- Slightly faster peak CPU clock speeds
- 64MP main camera for detailed photos
- Significantly shorter battery life
- Slower 18W charging
- Less bright display
Samsung Galaxy M51
- Exceptional battery life (156h endurance)
- Faster 25W charging with full charge in 115 minutes
- Brighter and higher contrast AMOLED display
- Higher initial purchase price
- Potentially less efficient chipset compared to the 720G
- Camera specs lack detail
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy M51 boasts a notably brighter display, reaching a measured 677 nits, compared to the Redmi Note 9 Pro’s unspecified peak brightness. While the Redmi Note 9 Pro has a contrast ratio of 1389:1, the Galaxy M51 claims an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, likely due to its AMOLED panel. This translates to deeper blacks and more vibrant colors on the Samsung. Both displays are adequate for daily use, but the M51’s superior brightness and contrast will be more noticeable in direct sunlight and during media playback.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature a multi-camera setup, but detailed sensor information beyond 'Photo/Video' is lacking for the M51. The Redmi Note 9 Pro is known for its 64MP main sensor, which provides detailed images in good lighting conditions. The M51’s camera performance is likely competitive, but without specific sensor details, a direct comparison is difficult. It's important to note that both phones likely include lower-resolution auxiliary cameras (e.g., depth or macro sensors) that offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
Both phones utilize Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets built on an 8nm process, but differ in their specific models. The Galaxy M51 features the Snapdragon 730G, with a CPU configuration of 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver cores. The Redmi Note 9 Pro uses the Snapdragon 720G, clocked at 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver. While the Redmi Note 9 Pro has slightly faster peak CPU speeds, the 730G in the M51 generally offers better sustained performance and GPU capabilities, making it more suitable for demanding games. Both devices are paired with 4GB of RAM in the configurations listed, which is sufficient for multitasking but may show limitations with heavier applications.
Battery Life
The most significant difference lies in battery life. The Samsung Galaxy M51’s 156-hour endurance rating significantly surpasses the Redmi Note 9 Pro’s 127-hour rating. This is due to the M51’s larger battery capacity. Furthermore, the M51 supports 25W wired charging, achieving a full charge in 115 minutes, while the Redmi Note 9 Pro is limited to 18W charging. The M51 also offers reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Redmi Note 9 Pro, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro (India) if you need a well-rounded smartphone with a decent camera and a responsive processor for everyday tasks, and value a lower initial purchase price. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M51 if you prioritize exceptional battery endurance, fast charging capabilities, and a larger display for media consumption, even if it means a slightly higher upfront cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 730G in the Galaxy M51 get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the 720G in the Redmi Note 9 Pro?
While both chipsets are 8nm, the Snapdragon 730G generally operates at a higher performance level. This can lead to increased heat generation during prolonged gaming. However, Samsung typically implements thermal management solutions to mitigate throttling, so the experience may not be drastically different, but some performance loss is possible.
❓ Is the 25W charging on the Galaxy M51 compatible with standard 18W chargers?
Yes, the Galaxy M51 will charge with an 18W charger, but at a slower rate. Using the included 25W charger is recommended to achieve the advertised 115-minute full charge time. Using a lower wattage charger will still charge the device, but it will take considerably longer.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Samsung's One UI and Xiaomi's MIUI on these devices?
Samsung's One UI is generally considered cleaner and more polished, with a focus on usability and features. Xiaomi's MIUI is highly customizable but often includes pre-installed bloatware and can be more aggressive with battery optimization, potentially impacting background app performance. Both offer regular software updates, but Samsung typically provides longer software support.
