The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro and Poco X3 NFC represent two compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver excellent value, they approach it with slightly different philosophies. The Note 9 Pro prioritizes a well-rounded experience, while the Poco X3 NFC leans towards gaming and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Poco X3 NFC emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 732G chipset offers a noticeable performance edge, and the 33W fast charging significantly reduces downtime. While the Redmi Note 9 Pro remains a capable device, the X3 NFC’s improvements justify the slight price difference.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 30 | 2020, September 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, May 05 | Available. Released 2020, September 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.8 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.53 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 209 g (7.37 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7150-AC Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 11 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1
|
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro), AF
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/120fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | FM radio, recording |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 33W wired, 62% in 30 min, 100% in 65 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5020 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Tropical Green, Glacier White, Interstellar Gray | Cobalt Blue, Shadow Gray |
| Models | M2003J6B2G | M2007J20CG, M2007J20CT |
| Price | € 136.00 / £ 164.28 | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.61 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.66 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) | 0.56 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | - | € 259.00 |
| 128GB 8GB RAM | - | Rp 2,800,000 |
| 64GB 6GB RAM | - | € 229.00 |
| RENEWED | - | £ 119.00 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 123h |
Endurance rating 125h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1285:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1299:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.6 LUFS (Average) |
-25.3 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 279625 (v8)
GeekBench: 1785 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 283750 (v8)
GeekBench: 1777 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro
- Reliable and consistent performance for everyday tasks.
- Well-established brand reputation within the Xiaomi ecosystem.
- Competitively priced within the budget segment.
- Slightly slower chipset compared to the Poco X3 NFC.
- Slower charging speeds.
- Lacks a high refresh rate display.
Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC
- More powerful Snapdragon 732G chipset for improved gaming.
- Significantly faster 33W wired charging.
- Available with up to 8GB of RAM for enhanced multitasking.
- Poco branding may not have the same recognition as Redmi.
- Slightly higher price point (though still very affordable).
- Lacks a high refresh rate display.
Display Comparison
Both the Redmi Note 9 Pro and Poco X3 NFC feature displays with a nominal contrast ratio of around 1285:1 and 1299:1 respectively, suggesting similar black levels and color reproduction. However, the Poco X3 NFC’s slightly higher contrast ratio may translate to marginally deeper blacks. Neither device specifies panel technology (IPS, AMOLED), but given the price point, both are likely IPS LCDs. The lack of high refresh rate support on either device is a notable omission compared to some competitors, but both offer a standard 60Hz experience. Bezels are comparable, and without specific brightness data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner in terms of outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but detailed sensor information is missing. Without specifics on megapixel counts, sensor sizes, or aperture values, a direct comparison is challenging. However, given Xiaomi’s typical approach, the Poco X3 NFC likely benefits from slightly more advanced image processing algorithms. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device is unknown, but its absence would be a significant drawback for low-light photography. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both is largely a marketing gimmick and offers limited practical value.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Redmi Note 9 Pro utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm), while the Poco X3 NFC boasts the Snapdragon 732G (8nm). While both are 8nm chips, the 732G represents an incremental upgrade, featuring Kryo 470 cores versus the 720G’s Kryo 465 cores. Both CPUs share the same 2x2.3 GHz + 6x1.8 GHz configuration, but the 732G’s architectural improvements result in a roughly 10-15% performance boost in benchmarks and real-world gaming. This translates to smoother multitasking and higher frame rates in demanding titles. Both devices are available with 6GB of RAM, but the Poco X3 NFC also offers an 8GB variant, providing an additional performance buffer.
Battery Life
The Poco X3 NFC holds a slight edge in battery endurance with a rating of 125 hours compared to the Redmi Note 9 Pro’s 123 hours. This difference is minimal in real-world usage. However, the Poco X3 NFC’s 33W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving 62% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 65 minutes. The Redmi Note 9 Pro’s 30W charging is respectable, but noticeably slower. This faster charging capability significantly reduces downtime and makes the Poco X3 NFC more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro if you prioritize a consistently smooth experience for everyday tasks and value a slightly more established brand reputation. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC if you’re a mobile gamer, frequently consume media, or simply want the fastest possible charging speeds in this price bracket. The X3 NFC is the clear winner for power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 732G in the Poco X3 NFC get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the 720G in the Redmi Note 9 Pro?
While both chipsets are 8nm, the 732G's increased performance can lead to slightly higher temperatures under sustained load. However, Xiaomi typically implements thermal throttling to prevent overheating, so the difference in temperature shouldn't be drastic. The Poco X3 NFC's larger chassis may also aid in heat dissipation.
❓ Is the 64GB storage option on the Poco X3 NFC sufficient for most users, or is the 128GB version a better investment?
64GB is becoming increasingly restrictive, especially with modern app sizes and media files. We recommend opting for the 128GB version of the Poco X3 NFC, particularly if you plan to install many apps, record a lot of videos, or download games. The extra storage provides peace of mind and avoids the need for frequent file management.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Redmi Note 9 Pro and the Poco X3 NFC? Are there significant differences in bloatware or update frequency?
Both devices run Xiaomi's MIUI software, but the Poco X3 NFC typically receives updates slightly faster due to its position as a more enthusiast-focused brand. Both phones come with pre-installed apps (bloatware), but the amount is generally comparable and can be uninstalled. The core MIUI experience is largely the same on both devices.
