Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi 9T vs. Blackview A96
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 9T | Blackview A96 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm | 161.8 x 74.2 x 8.6 mm | Blackview A96 is slightly more compact and thinner, making it potentially more pocketable and comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 198g | 193.9g | Negligible difference in weight; both feel similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.5" | Both offer comparable screen real estate for everyday use, with the Redmi 9T having a slightly larger display. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both have a sharp display for comfortable viewing, with Blackview having marginally more pixels vertically. |
| PPI | 395 | 405 | Both phones offer similar pixel density, leading to almost identical sharpness. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both have standard LCD panels; expect similar viewing angles and color reproduction. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Blackview A96 has much smoother scrolling and animations; better for gaming and overall snappier feel. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Neither have a known peak brightness value; actual readability in different lighting conditions is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) | Blackview A96's chipset is significantly more powerful, leading to better app performance and gaming capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 174,500 | 423,393 | Blackview A96 offers far superior performance, loading apps and performing complex tasks much faster. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Blackview A96’s GPU is better for graphically intensive tasks and gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 4380mAh | Xiaomi Redmi 9T has a larger battery, promising longer battery life; can go for a day or more with moderate use. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Both support 18W charging, which is decent for a quick top-up. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 22.5W charger | None | Xiaomi Redmi 9T can charge other devices, and includes faster charger in box. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard (Rear) | 48MP, f/1.79 | 48MP, f/1.6 | Blackview A96 has a slightly wider aperture, which should allow more light to reach the sensor, especially useful in low light |
| Selfie | 8MP, f/2.0 | 16MP | Blackview A96’s front camera has higher resolution, likely resulting in sharper selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.4 | Xiaomi Redmi 9T has a slightly wider aperture, capturing better low light, but neither have the best wide angle camera |
| Portrait (depth) | 2MP | None | Xiaomi Redmi 9T can better blur backgrounds for portrait photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both have similar macro capabilities for close up shots. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps; Slow-motion 120fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps; Slow-motion 30fps | Blackview A96 has superior video recording capabilities with 1440p resolution; Xiaomi Redmi 9T has higher fps slow motion. |
| Camera Features | 4K, Digital Stabilization, Quad | PDAF, Front Flash, Triple Cam | Xiaomi Redmi 9T has 4k recording and Digital stabilization, while Blackview A96 has a front flash for selfies and PDAF for faster focus |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 13 | Blackview A96 has a newer OS, offering improved features, security, and likely longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both have dual-band Wi-Fi for good wireless performance. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.0 | Xiaomi Redmi 9T has additional low energy for battery saving. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Xiaomi Redmi 9T offers more satellite support, potentially for better location accuracy in specific areas. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both allow two SIM cards to be used at the same time. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 256 GB | Blackview A96 has significantly more storage for apps, media and files. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 8/12 GB | Blackview A96 has more RAM for better multitasking and future proofing. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi Redmi 9T may offer slightly better audio fidelity, and has more clear stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side Fingerprint | Side Fingerprint | Both have side-mounted fingerprint sensors for convenient unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Xiaomi Redmi 9T has better screen scratch resistance. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Accelerometer, Compass, Virtual Proximity | Biometric, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Xiaomi Redmi 9T has an Ultrasonic proximity sensor, and Blackview A96 has Gyroscope sensor which improves gaming experience |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi 9T Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 6000mAh offers potentially longer battery life, suitable for users who need to go multiple days without charging.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices, acting as a power bank.
- Slightly Better Audio: Hi-Res audio and potentially better quality stereo speakers.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides better scratch resistance.
- More GPS Support: Galileo satellite for more precise location.
- 22.5W Charger in Box: Comes with a faster charger
Blackview A96 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster chipset and GPU for gaming, multitasking and general snappiness.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations.
- More RAM & Storage: 8/12 GB RAM and 256GB storage allow for more apps and files as well as improved multitasking
- Newer Android: Comes with Android 13, with better features and security.
- Better Main Camera: Wider aperture for potentially better low-light photos.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution front-facing camera for sharper selfies.
- Faster Video: Recording at 1440p resolution.
- Front Flash: Has front facing flash for better lit selfies.
- Gyroscope Sensor: Improves the gaming experience by utilizing motion sensors.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Redmi 9T: The older chipset and slower refresh rate make it less ideal for gaming, multitasking and heavy usage.
- Blackview A96: Smaller battery than the Xiaomi and has a unknown screen protection, potentially requiring more care.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi 9T:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize long battery life, enjoy basic media consumption, and need a reliable device for daily tasks with good audio and decent screen protection.
- Use Cases:
- Long trips where charging isn't always convenient.
- Users who primarily use their phone for calls, social media and browsing.
- Users who listen to audio on their phone using headphones.
- Budget-conscious users needing a reliable secondary device.
Blackview A96:
- Ideal User: Users who want fast performance for gaming and multitasking, care about camera quality (especially selfies), and appreciate a smooth display with high refresh rates.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gamers who need a responsive phone with good graphics.
- Users who regularly use demanding apps like photo or video editors.
- Social media enthusiasts who take frequent selfies and videos.
- Users who prioritize the latest software and updates.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is battery life to me? (Xiaomi Redmi 9T has a large battery; Blackview A96 has a more average battery.)
- Do I need smooth performance for gaming or heavy app usage? (Blackview A96 is much faster; Xiaomi Redmi 9T is less powerful.)
- How important is the latest version of Android and frequent updates? (Blackview A96 runs Android 13; Xiaomi Redmi 9T runs Android 10.)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If your top priority is battery life and you are a light user, the Xiaomi Redmi 9T is a good choice.
- Scenario 2: If you value fast performance, smooth scrolling and good camera quality, the Blackview A96 is the better option.
- Scenario 3: If you are a mobile gamer, the Blackview A96’s faster chipset and 120Hz display make it the preferred phone.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Blackview A96. While the Xiaomi Redmi 9T offers a larger battery and some additional features like reverse charging, the Blackview A96's performance advantages, especially its significantly faster processor, smoother 120Hz display, and significantly newer version of Android, make it the better choice overall for my needs. The increase in RAM and storage is very useful. I would prefer to charge it more often but get much better performance for my everyday usage, and also enjoy better quality photos, video recording and a better screen.
