The Xiaomi Redmi Note series consistently delivers impressive value, but navigating the options can be tricky. We're pitting the Redmi Note 9, a long-standing favorite, against the Redmi Note 10 Lite, a newer contender aiming to refine the formula. This comparison focuses on the core differences – chipset performance, display quality, and battery endurance – to determine which phone offers the best experience for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Redmi Note 10 Lite is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 720G chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Note 9’s Helio G85, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While both offer similar battery life and charging speeds, the 10 Lite’s more efficient processor gives it a slight edge in sustained performance.
| 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 | 2021, October 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, May 12 | Available. Released 2021, October 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 77.2 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 165.8 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.53 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | Water-repellent coating |
| 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 (~84.5% 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 (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 10, MIUI 11 |
| 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, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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/1.9, 26mm (wide), 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.3, 29mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent)M2003J15SG (Yes); M2003J15SS (No) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio, built-in antenna | FM radio, 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 |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
9W reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5020 mAh | Li-Po 5020 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Forest Green, Midnight Grey, Polar White | Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Black, Champagne Gold |
| Models | M2003J15SC, M2003J15SG, M2003J15SS | M2002F4LG |
| Price | € 88.99 / $ 85.68 / £ 136.28 | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | 0.84 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) | 1.17 W/kg (head) 0.86 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.80 W/kg (head) 1.14 W/kg (body) | 1.01 W/kg (head) 1.39 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
- Excellent battery endurance (125h)
- Lower price point (likely)
- 9W reverse wired charging
- Less powerful Helio G85 chipset
- Potentially slower app loading times
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite
- More powerful Snapdragon 720G chipset
- Improved power efficiency
- Smoother multitasking and gaming
- Battery life potentially slightly lower (though likely comparable)
- Higher price point
Display Comparison
Both phones feature displays adequate for their price point, but the Redmi Note 9’s 1242:1 contrast ratio suggests a slightly more vibrant image. However, neither Xiaomi provided detailed color accuracy data. The Note 9’s measured 370 nits of max brightness is a key specification; the Note 10 Lite’s brightness is unknown, but likely similar given the market segment. The absence of high refresh rate panels on either device means scrolling won’t be as fluid as on more expensive phones, but this is expected at this price point.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. It’s reasonable to assume both phones utilize similar camera setups geared towards casual photography. The absence of details suggests neither phone is a standout performer in the camera department, and users shouldn’t expect flagship-level image quality. The 2MP macro cameras often found on these devices are generally of limited utility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi Note 10 Lite’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) is a significant upgrade over the Redmi Note 9’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm). The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 720G inherently offers better power efficiency and thermal management. While both CPUs feature an octa-core configuration with similar Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, the Snapdragon 720G’s Kryo 465 Gold cores (2x2.3 GHz) outperform the Helio G85’s Cortex-A75 cores (2x2.0 GHz) in both single-core and multi-core benchmarks. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother animations, and improved gaming performance.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 9 boasts an endurance rating of 125 hours, a solid figure for all-day use. The Redmi Note 10 Lite’s battery life is not specified, but the more efficient Snapdragon 720G chipset should result in comparable, if not slightly better, endurance. Both phones support 18W wired charging, and 9W reverse wired charging on the Note 9. While 18W isn’t particularly fast by today’s standards, it’s sufficient for topping up the battery overnight. The efficiency gains of the Snapdragon 720G may offset any potential battery capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 if you prioritize maximizing battery life and are on an extremely tight budget, and your usage primarily involves basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite if you value smoother performance for gaming and multitasking, and are willing to spend a little more for a more responsive user experience. The Snapdragon 720G offers a tangible upgrade for power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 720G in the Redmi Note 10 Lite handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 720G is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship gaming experience, it provides a significant improvement over the Helio G85 in the Redmi Note 9, reducing stuttering and improving overall responsiveness.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 10 Lite get noticeably warmer than the Redmi Note 9 during extended gaming sessions?
The Redmi Note 10 Lite is likely to run cooler during prolonged gaming due to the Snapdragon 720G’s 8nm manufacturing process. The more efficient chipset generates less heat compared to the Helio G85’s 12nm process, minimizing thermal throttling and maintaining consistent performance.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the two phones noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the Snapdragon 720G in the Redmi Note 10 Lite will provide a snappier and more responsive experience for everyday tasks. App loading times will be faster, scrolling will be smoother, and multitasking will feel less sluggish compared to the Redmi Note 9.
