The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 and Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Helio G85 chipset, while not a powerhouse, offers a more efficient architecture than the Exynos 9611, and the measured 370 nits brightness provides a more usable outdoor experience. The Redmi Note 9 also boasts 18W charging, a slight edge over the M31 Prime's 15W.
| 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, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Class 10 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 30 | 2020, October 14. Released 2020, October 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, May 12 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 77.2 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 159.2 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 10, One UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | Yes |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 3.15 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.3, 29mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 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 | Yes (market/region dependent)M2003J15SG (Yes); M2003J15SS (No) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, built-in antenna | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 |
|---|
| Games | - | Downloadable |
| Java | - | Yes |
| Messaging | - | SMS, MMS, Email, Push Email, IM |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
9W reverse wired | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 150 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 1 h 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5020 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Forest Green, Midnight Grey, Polar White | Ocean Blue, Space Black, Iceberg Blue |
| Models | M2003J15SC, M2003J15SG, M2003J15SS | SM-M315F/DS |
| Price | € 88.99 / $ 85.68 / £ 136.28 | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | 0.84 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) | 0.38 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | 0.80 W/kg (head) 1.14 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 125h | - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1242:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-30.1 LUFS (Below average) | - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 200414 (v8)
GeekBench: 1292 (v5.1) | - |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9
- Faster charging (18W vs 15W)
- More efficient chipset (Helio G85)
- Brighter display (370 nits measured)
- Camera details are limited
- Software experience may not appeal to all
Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime
- Samsung ecosystem integration
- Potentially better software optimization
- Brand recognition
- Less efficient chipset (Exynos 9611)
- Slower charging (15W)
- Potential for thermal throttling
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 9 features a display capable of 370 nits of peak brightness, a crucial metric for usability in sunlight. This contrasts with the M31 Prime, where brightness data is unavailable, but Samsung typically prioritizes color accuracy over peak brightness in this segment. The Redmi Note 9’s 1242:1 contrast ratio is respectable, indicating good black levels. While neither phone boasts high refresh rates, the Redmi Note 9’s measured brightness gives it an edge for outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics on sensor size or aperture, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are largely marketing features with limited real-world utility. Image processing will likely be the differentiating factor, with Samsung typically leaning towards vibrant, saturated colors, while Xiaomi often aims for a more natural look. Further testing would be needed to assess image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Redmi Note 9 utilizes the Mediatek Helio G85 (12nm) with an octa-core configuration (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55), while the Galaxy M31 Prime is powered by the Samsung Exynos 9611 (10nm). The Exynos 9611’s CPU configuration (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) appears faster on paper, but the Helio G85’s newer architecture and more efficient 12nm process could translate to better sustained performance and thermal management. The Exynos 9611, while capable, is known to throttle under prolonged load, potentially impacting gaming performance.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 9 boasts an endurance rating of 125 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the M31 Prime’s battery capacity is unknown, the Redmi Note 9’s 18W wired charging is faster than the M31 Prime’s 15W. This means the Redmi Note 9 will reach a full charge more quickly, minimizing downtime. The 9W reverse wired charging on the Redmi Note 9 is a unique feature, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 if you prioritize a more responsive user experience for everyday tasks and light gaming, and value a brighter display for outdoor visibility. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime if you prefer the Samsung ecosystem and potentially benefit from its software optimizations, though you'll trade some performance and charging speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy M31 Prime tend to overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is known to exhibit thermal throttling under sustained load. While it can handle casual gaming, demanding titles played for extended periods may experience performance drops as the chip heats up. The Redmi Note 9’s Helio G85, with its more efficient 12nm process, is likely to manage heat better.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited utility. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. They are often included as a marketing feature rather than a genuinely useful photographic tool. Expect soft, grainy results.
❓ Can the Redmi Note 9 effectively run PUBG Mobile at high frame rates?
The Helio G85 in the Redmi Note 9 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but achieving consistently high frame rates (60fps) will depend on the graphics settings. Expect to play at medium settings for a smoother experience. The Exynos 9611 in the M31 Prime may struggle to maintain stable frame rates due to potential throttling.
