The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 and Huawei P smart 2021 represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device offers the best overall experience for the price-conscious consumer.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Huawei P smart 2021 emerges as the slightly better choice. Its brighter display (442 nits vs 370 nits) and faster 22.5W charging significantly enhance the daily user experience, offsetting the marginally shorter battery endurance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 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, 3, 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 28. Released 2020, September 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, May 12 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 77.2 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 165.7 x 76.9 x 9.3 mm (6.52 x 3.03 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Kirin 710A (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| 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, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro), AF
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.3, 29mm (standard), 1/3.1", 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 | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent)M2003J15SG (Yes); M2003J15SS (No) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, built-in antenna | FM radio, built-in antenna |
| 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 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
9W reverse wired | 22.5W wired, 46% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5020 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Forest Green, Midnight Grey, Polar White | Crush Green, Blush Gold, Midnight Black |
| Models | M2003J15SC, M2003J15SG, M2003J15SS | PPA-LX1, PPA-LX2 |
| Price | € 88.99 / $ 85.68 / £ 136.28 | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | 0.84 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.80 W/kg (head) 1.14 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 125h | Endurance rating 119h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1242:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1252:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-30.1 LUFS (Below average) |
-28.8 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 200414 (v8)
GeekBench: 1292 (v5.1) |
AnTuTu: 169253 (v8)
GeekBench: 1334 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9
- Longer battery endurance (125h)
- Potential for custom ROM support
- Slightly better single-core CPU performance
- Dimmer display (370 nits)
- Slower charging (18W)
Huawei P smart 2021
- Brighter display (442 nits)
- Faster charging (22.5W, 46% in 30min)
- Potentially more refined camera processing
- Shorter battery endurance (119h)
- Kirin chipset may have limited software updates
Display Comparison
The Huawei P smart 2021 boasts a noticeably brighter display, reaching 442 nits compared to the Redmi Note 9’s 370 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors and a more engaging viewing experience. Both displays share a similar 1242-1252:1 contrast ratio, indicating comparable black levels and color depth. However, the brightness advantage of the P smart 2021 is a significant differentiator for users who frequently use their phones in sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics on sensor size or aperture, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market positioning, it’s safe to assume both rely on budget-friendly sensors. Focusing on the overall system, image processing will likely be the key differentiator, with Huawei historically emphasizing vibrant colors and aggressive sharpening. The Redmi Note 9 may offer a more natural look, but this is speculative without sample images.
Performance
Under the hood, the Redmi Note 9 features the Mediatek Helio G85, built on a 12nm process, while the P smart 2021 utilizes the Kirin 710A, fabricated on a less efficient 14nm node. Despite the process difference, the CPUs are relatively comparable: the Redmi Note 9’s octa-core configuration (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) is matched against the P smart 2021’s (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53). The Cortex-A75 cores in the Redmi Note 9 *should* offer a slight edge in single-core performance, but real-world differences will likely be minimal for everyday tasks. The 14nm Kirin 710A may exhibit slightly higher power consumption under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 9 claims an endurance rating of 125 hours, slightly exceeding the P smart 2021’s 119 hours. This suggests the Redmi Note 9 will last longer on a single charge under similar usage conditions. However, the P smart 2021 compensates with significantly faster charging – 22.5W wired, achieving 46% charge in just 30 minutes, compared to the Redmi Note 9’s 18W charging. This faster charging capability is a major convenience factor, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 if you prioritize maximum battery endurance and a proven track record with a wide range of custom ROM support. It’s ideal for users who heavily rely on their phone throughout the day and prefer a more open software ecosystem. Buy the Huawei P smart 2021 if you value a brighter, more vibrant display and faster charging speeds, making it a better fit for media consumption and users who want a quick power boost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 710A chipset in the Huawei P smart 2021 receive regular software updates and security patches?
Huawei's software update situation has been complex in recent years. While the P smart 2021 launched with Android 10, the availability of future major Android version updates is uncertain. Security patches are typically provided, but the frequency may be less consistent than with Xiaomi devices.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Redmi Note 9 sufficient for quick top-ups, or is it noticeably slow compared to the P smart 2021's 22.5W?
18W charging on the Redmi Note 9 is adequate for overnight charging, but it's significantly slower than the P smart 2021's 22.5W. The P smart 2021 can gain a substantial amount of charge in a short period, making it more convenient for users who need a quick power boost throughout the day.
❓ Given the lack of detailed camera specs, how do the photo and video capabilities likely differ between these two phones?
Without knowing sensor sizes or apertures, it's difficult to say definitively. However, Huawei typically employs more aggressive image processing, resulting in vibrant, sometimes over-sharpened photos. The Redmi Note 9 is likely to offer a more natural look, but this is speculative. Video quality will likely be similar, limited by the budget chipsets.
