Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi 9T vs. Asus ROG Phone 5
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 9T | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-18 | 2021-04-26 | Asus ROG Phone 5 is a bit newer, which may translate to longer software support (not guaranteed) |
| Dimensions | 162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm | 172.8 × 77.3 × 10.3 mm | ROG Phone 5 is larger & bulkier, may be less comfortable in hand/pocket |
| Weight | 198g | 238g | Redmi 9T is significantly lighter, easier for prolonged use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.78" | ROG Phone 5 has a slightly larger display, offering a more immersive viewing experience |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2448 | Similar sharpness; differences are minor and not noticeable in daily use |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Identical pixel density, both offer a sharp image |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | ROG Phone 5 offers richer blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency (esp. with dark mode) |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | ROG Phone 5 provides significantly smoother animations and scrolling, ideal for gamers |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is unknown for both; difficult to gauge visibility in bright conditions |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | ROG Phone 5 has a vastly more powerful chipset, resulting in much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance |
| AnTuTu Score | 174,500 | 883,000 | ROG Phone 5 performs exponentially better, suitable for demanding tasks and high-end gaming |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 660 | ROG Phone 5 has a much faster GPU, providing better graphics in games and other applications |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 6000mAh | Both have similar battery capacity; suggesting similar battery life under same conditions. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 65W fast charging | ROG Phone 5 charges much faster, reducing downtime significantly |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging, 22.5W charger | Bypass charging, Reverse Charging | ROG Phone 5 can bypass battery for direct power, beneficial during prolonged gaming. Redmi 9T includes a charger in box. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" sensor | ROG Phone 5 has higher resolution and larger sensor, suggesting better low-light performance. Redmi 9T has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm pixel size | 24MP, f/2.45, 0.90µm pixel size | ROG Phone 5 has much higher resolution but smaller pixel size. Redmi 9T has wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" sensor | 13MP, f/2.5 | ROG Phone 5 has higher resolution. Redmi 9T has a wider aperture |
| Depth Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Redmi 9T has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, ROG Phone 5 relies on software for depth effects. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.0 | ROG Phone 5 has higher resolution and wider aperture, generally resulting in better macro shots |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | ROG Phone 5 offers vastly superior video recording capabilities, with higher resolution and frame rates, including slow motion at up to 480fps |
| Camera Features | Quad Camera, Digital Image Stabilization | Triple camera, OIS, PDAF, Night Mode | ROG Phone 5 includes Optical zoom, OIS and better autofocus and Night mode, while Redmi 9T has a Quad camera setup |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | ROG Phone 5 has a more recent Android version and a clear upgrade path, while Redmi 9T is on older version |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6, 802.11ad | ROG Phone 5 supports faster and more reliable Wi-Fi standards |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 | ROG Phone 5 has a newer Bluetooth version with more codec support, improving audio quality and connectivity |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | ROG Phone 5 supports more satellite systems, potentially leading to more accurate location services |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | ROG Phone 5 offers significantly more storage options, suitable for storing large files and numerous games |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB/18GB | ROG Phone 5 has much more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and handling of demanding applications |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | DTS/DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers, 4 mics | ROG Phone 5 offers more advanced audio features, including virtual surround sound, better call quality and audio immersion. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Basic fingerprint sensor | Redmi 9T fingerprint scanner is more convenient than ROG Phone 5's scanner |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass 6 | ROG Phone 5 offers superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | ROG Phone 5 has a more robust sensor suite, particularly better for gaming. Redmi 9T has virtual proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi 9T Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable for extended use and easier to carry around.
- Included Charger: Comes with a 22.5W charger in the box, saving additional costs.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint: Arguably more convenient for quick unlocking.
- Lower Price: Generally more affordable, making it a budget-friendly option.
Asus ROG Phone 5 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides significantly faster performance for demanding tasks and games.
- High Refresh Rate AMOLED Display: Offers smoother visuals, vibrant colors, and deeper blacks.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Superior Camera Quality: Better image quality in various conditions, with higher resolution and more advanced features.
- Better Video Recording Capabilities: Offers higher resolution and frame rates, including 8K recording.
- Advanced Audio Features: Enhanced sound with DTS/DTS X, noise cancellation and four microphones.
- More Storage and RAM Options: Available with up to 512GB of storage and 18GB of RAM.
- Future-Proofing: Better processor and faster RAM offers better future-proofing.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Redmi 9T: Trade-offs include slower performance, a less vibrant display, and basic camera capabilities for lower price.
- ROG Phone 5: Trade-offs include being bulkier, heavier, more expensive, and the lack of expandable storage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi 9T - Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritizing affordability and long battery life over top-tier performance.
- Casual users: Primarily using their phones for basic tasks, social media, and media consumption.
- Users needing good battery life: Users who are on the go and need a phone that lasts all day with a single charge.
Users who prefer a lighter device: Those who find larger phones uncomfortable.
- Use Case: A student who needs a reliable phone for daily tasks, web browsing, and occasional media consumption, while on a budget.
- Use Case: An individual who prefers a simple, no-frills device for basic communication and media, primarily concerned about cost and battery life.
Asus ROG Phone 5 - Ideal User:
- Gamers: Demanding top-tier performance, smooth graphics, and fast refresh rate.
- Power users: Those who multitask heavily and need plenty of RAM and storage.
- Mobile photographers/videographers: Those who require high-quality camera performance and advanced video recording capabilities.
- Users who value premium features: Those who want the best display, performance, and audio capabilities available.
Users who prefer high-end features: Those who value things like advanced audio features and future-proofing.
- Use Case: A mobile gamer who needs a high-performance phone with a smooth display and excellent audio for competitive gaming.
- Use Case: A content creator or mobile photographer that need top quality image and video for mobile content creation
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? Redmi 9T is the more affordable option.
- How important is performance for you? ROG Phone 5 is significantly faster and more suitable for demanding tasks.
- Do you prioritize display quality and refresh rate? ROG Phone 5 has an AMOLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget is the Primary Concern: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi 9T for its affordability and great battery life.
- High Performance is Essential (Gaming/Heavy Use): The Asus ROG Phone 5 is the clear choice for its superior processing power and advanced features.
- Balanced Use, Some Gaming, and Photography: The ROG Phone 5 offers better overall balance with a higher price.
- Simplicity and Affordability: The Redmi 9T is a great option for basic users who want a durable and functional phone with great battery.
- Battery and portability: The Redmi 9T is lighter, with great battery life, so is an easy choice for many.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would personally opt for the Asus ROG Phone 5. My primary reasons are:
- Performance: The significant performance advantage offered by the Snapdragon 888 chipset is a major draw. I regularly engage in demanding tasks and gaming, and the ROG Phone 5 would handle these workloads far more effectively and smoothly than the Redmi 9T.
- Display: The 144Hz AMOLED display is a game-changer. The smoother animations and vibrant colors significantly enhance the user experience, which is important to me since I spend a lot of time using my phone for content consumption and gaming.
- Camera: While I’m not a professional photographer, I still value a good camera. The superior camera setup of the ROG Phone 5 with the larger sensor, 8K video, OIS, and features like the night mode provides much better quality and more flexibility for a better overall experience than the Redmi 9T.
- Future-Proofing: The ROG Phone 5 has a more recent chipset, more storage and RAM which offers better future-proofing. It's important for me to have a phone that will remain relevant and powerful for a few years, and the ROG Phone 5 aligns better with this goal.
While I acknowledge that the Redmi 9T is a more practical choice for budget-conscious users, the performance, display, and features of the ROG Phone 5 justify its higher price for me personally. The weight, size, and higher price would be a trade-off, but for me the experience would be worth it.
