Xiaomi's Redmi Note 9 and Poco X3 NFC represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver excellent value, they cater to slightly different priorities. The Redmi Note 9 focuses on all-around usability and endurance, while the Poco X3 NFC prioritizes gaming performance and faster charging speeds. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Poco X3 NFC is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 732G chipset delivers noticeably smoother performance, especially in demanding games, and the 33W fast charging significantly reduces downtime. While the Redmi Note 9 offers respectable battery life, it can't match the X3 NFC's overall responsiveness.
| 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 12 | Available. Released 2020, September 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 77.2 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.04 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 | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | 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 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7150-AC Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1
|
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-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 | 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 | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.3, 29mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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 (market/region dependent)M2003J15SG (Yes); M2003J15SS (No) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, built-in antenna | FM radio, recording |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
9W reverse wired | 33W wired, 62% in 30 min, 100% in 65 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5020 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Forest Green, Midnight Grey, Polar White | Cobalt Blue, Shadow Gray |
| Models | M2003J15SC, M2003J15SG, M2003J15SS | M2007J20CG, M2007J20CT |
| Price | € 88.99 / $ 85.68 / £ 136.28 | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 0.84 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.61 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.80 W/kg (head) 1.14 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 125h |
Endurance rating 125h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1242:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1299:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-30.1 LUFS (Below average) |
-25.3 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 200414 (v8)
GeekBench: 1292 (v5.1) |
AnTuTu: 283750 (v8)
GeekBench: 1777 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9
- Excellent battery endurance (125h)
- 9W reverse wired charging for accessories
- More affordable price point (likely)
- Less powerful Helio G85 chipset
- Slower 18W charging
- Potentially lower peak display brightness
Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC
- Faster Snapdragon 732G chipset for gaming
- 33W fast charging (62% in 30 min)
- Slightly higher display contrast ratio
- Potentially slightly shorter battery life in demanding use cases
- Higher price compared to the Redmi Note 9
- No reverse wireless charging
Display Comparison
Both phones feature displays with a nominal contrast ratio of around 1242:1 for the Redmi Note 9 and 1299:1 for the Poco X3 NFC, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Poco X3 NFC’s display is likely to offer a slightly more vibrant image due to the higher contrast ratio. Both devices lack high refresh rate panels, a common omission in this price bracket. The Redmi Note 9 achieves a measured peak brightness of 370 nits, which is adequate for indoor use but may struggle in direct sunlight. Data on the Poco X3 NFC’s peak brightness is unavailable, but it’s reasonable to expect similar performance given the segment.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics, it's difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Poco X3 NFC’s higher processing power likely allows for more sophisticated image processing algorithms, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) in the Poco X3 NFC, if present (data unavailable), would be a significant advantage for capturing sharper photos and videos, especially in low-light conditions. It's safe to assume both phones include standard wide and macro lenses, but the quality of the macro lens is likely to be limited on both devices.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset. The Poco X3 NFC boasts the Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G (8nm), a significantly more powerful processor than the Redmi Note 9’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm). The Snapdragon 732G’s Kryo 470 Gold cores, clocked at 2.3 GHz, provide a performance advantage over the Helio G85’s 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 732G also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended gaming sessions. Both phones are available with 6GB of RAM, but the Poco X3 NFC also offers an 8GB variant for even smoother performance.
Battery Life
Both the Redmi Note 9 and Poco X3 NFC share an endurance rating of 125 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under typical usage. However, the Poco X3 NFC’s 33W fast charging is a game-changer. It can reach 62% charge in just 30 minutes and fully charge in 65 minutes, significantly reducing downtime compared to the Redmi Note 9’s slower 18W charging. The Redmi Note 9 also offers 9W reverse wired charging, a niche feature for topping up accessories, but the Poco X3 NFC’s faster charging speeds are more broadly beneficial.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 if you prioritize maximum battery endurance and a consistently reliable, if not blazing-fast, experience for everyday tasks. It's ideal for users who primarily browse, message, and occasionally snap photos. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC if you're a mobile gamer, frequently consume multimedia, or simply value faster charging and a more responsive user interface. The X3 NFC is the better option for power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco X3 NFC get noticeably hotter than the Redmi Note 9 during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 732G in the Poco X3 NFC is built on an 8nm process, which is more efficient than the 12nm process of the Helio G85 in the Redmi Note 9. This means the Poco X3 NFC is likely to generate less heat under load, reducing the risk of thermal throttling and maintaining consistent performance for longer periods.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Poco X3 NFC compatible with any standard USB-PD chargers?
While the Poco X3 NFC supports 33W charging, it utilizes Xiaomi's proprietary Quick Charge 3.0 protocol. While it *may* work with some USB-PD chargers, it's best to use the included charger or a compatible Quick Charge 3.0 charger to achieve the fastest charging speeds.
❓ Does the Poco X3 NFC support 90fps gameplay in popular titles like PUBG Mobile?
The Poco X3 NFC's Snapdragon 732G is capable of handling PUBG Mobile at high frame rates. While achieving a consistent 90fps may depend on the game settings and the specific device configuration, the X3 NFC offers a significantly smoother gaming experience compared to the Redmi Note 9.
