Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi 9T vs. Xiaomi Poco M4 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the two smartphones, focusing on their practical impact on user experience:
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 9T | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm | 164 × 76.1 × 8.9 mm | Poco M4 5G is slightly taller and thinner, potentially feeling more modern, while the Redmi 9T is wider and slightly bulkier |
| Weight | 198g | 200g | Both phones feel virtually identical in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.58" | Negligible difference; both offer similar screen real estate for media consumption and general usage. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1080 x 2408 | Similar sharpness, both provide a good visual experience for everyday tasks. |
| PPI | 395 | 401 | Negligible difference in sharpness, virtually identical pixel density |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Similar color reproduction and viewing angles; both offer a standard LCD experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Poco M4 5G offers a smoother scrolling and animation experience, although the difference may not be apparent to every user. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical peak brightness which is not provided, and could impact outdoor visibility, we need more data for this. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Poco M4 5G's newer, more efficient chipset offers significantly faster performance and improved power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 174,500 | 381,300 | Poco M4 5G provides a much smoother experience for demanding apps and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Poco M4 5G's GPU provides better graphical performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5000mAh | Redmi 9T offers potentially longer battery life, suitable for heavy usage or users who prioritize longevity between charges. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Both phones have similar charging speeds; neither are particularly fast by current standards. |
| Battery Features | 22.5W Charger Included, Reverse Charging | Reverse Charging | Redmi 9T has a charger inbox and can reverse charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Redmi 9T’s main sensor has higher resolution and wider aperture allowing it to capture more light in challenging lighting conditions. |
| Front Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Redmi 9T has a higher resolution and wider aperture for brighter selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | N/A | Redmi 9T captures wider scenes, good for landscapes or group photos. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar capabilities for blurring backgrounds in portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Redmi 9T can take close up shots of small subjects. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, Slow-mo 120fps | 1080p@30fps, Slow-mo 30fps | Redmi 9T offers slow-motion video at a higher frame rate |
| Camera Features | Quadruple Camera, 4K Video, Manual Focus, Continuous Shooting | Dual Camera, 4K Video, Night Mode | Redmi 9T has more flexible options; Poco M4 5G provides a night mode for low light photography. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12 | Poco M4 5G ships with a newer version of Android, potentially with better features and security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, Dual-band | 802.11ac, Dual-band, Wi-Fi MiMO | Both offer similar Wi-Fi capabilities, Poco M4 5G has MiMO support which could provide stronger signal reception in certain cases. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE, EDR, HID | Poco M4 5G offers a newer version with slightly better efficiency and connectivity options. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Similar location capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both offer Dual SIM capabilities. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 64 GB or 128 GB | Similar storage options. |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB | 4 GB or 6 GB | Similar RAM options, suitable for moderate multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio Features | Redmi 9T provides better audio for media consumption. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted sensor | Side-mounted sensor | Similar biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Similar levels of screen protection against scratches and minor impacts. |
| Sensors | Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Accelerometer, Compass, Fingerprint | Gyroscope, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Fingerprint | Redmi 9T has an ultrasonic proximity sensor; Poco M4 5G has a gyroscope and a physical proximity sensor; Poco M4 5G has broader sensor suite which is good for games |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a breakdown of the major advantages and trade-offs:
Xiaomi Redmi 9T Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 6000mAh offers significantly longer battery life, ideal for heavy users.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers offer a richer audio experience.
- More Camera Features: Features a versatile Quadruple camera setup with macro and wide-angle lenses, as well as continuous shooting and manual focus.
- Included Charger: Comes with a 22.5W charger included in the box.
- Reverse Charging Can be used to charge other devices.
- Wider Camera Aperture: Captures more light, potentially resulting in better low light performance.
- Slower Slow Motion: Can record slow motion video at 120 FPS compared to the M4's 30 FPS
Practical Implications: The Redmi 9T excels for users who prioritize battery life, audio quality, and flexible camera options.
Xiaomi Poco M4 5G Advantages:
- Newer and More Powerful Chipset: The Dimensity 700 offers much better performance for multitasking and gaming.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate provides a better scrolling and animation experience.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 12, potentially offering better features, security, and a more refined experience.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.1 with LE, EDR and HID support provides an improved Bluetooth experience.
- Wider Sensor Suite: Gyroscope support which is essential for many games and augmented reality applications.
- Night Mode: Night mode photography which helps in low light photography situations.
Practical Implications: The Poco M4 5G is a better choice for those who prioritize performance, a smoother user experience, and a more modern software experience.
Trade-offs:
- The Redmi 9T sacrifices processing power and display smoothness for a larger battery and more comprehensive camera system.
- The Poco M4 5G sacrifices battery size and versatile camera capabilities for performance, a smoother display and modern software.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi 9T:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize long battery life, audio quality and versatile camera options at a budget price point.
- Use Cases:
- Streaming videos or music for extended periods.
- Users who travel frequently and need long battery life.
- Users who like taking all sorts of pictures.
- People who want an inclusive out of the box experience with a charger included.
Xiaomi Poco M4 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance for gaming or intensive tasks, a smoother user interface, and want the latest Android OS version.
- Use Cases:
- Playing games, especially graphically intensive titles
- Multitasking between multiple apps.
- Using augmented reality applications.
- Wanting to future-proof their device with a newer OS.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- Battery Life vs. Performance: Do you prioritize having the longest battery life possible, or do you need a phone with a more powerful processor and smoother experience?
- Camera Needs: Do you value a versatile camera system with multiple lenses, or are you okay with a more basic setup?
- Software Experience: Do you want the latest Android operating system version, or are you okay with an older version if it means getting better battery or camera features?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For a traveler needing long battery life: Choose the Redmi 9T.
- For a gamer who needs smooth performance: Choose the Poco M4 5G.
- For a casual user with basic needs: Both are suitable, but the Poco M4 5G might be more future-proof due to its newer chipset and OS.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G.
While the Redmi 9T has a larger battery and more flexible camera system, the performance and software experience of the Poco M4 5G are more important to me. The difference in the chipset is massive, and the 90Hz refresh rate provides a better user experience. While I might occasionally miss the larger battery, the performance benefits of the Dimensity 700 chipset in the Poco M4 5G and the fact that it is on Android 12 makes this the better option. The gyroscope is also a must-have for many games I play, and having that is crucial for me. The Redmi 9T's audio features are nice, but not essential to my use case. Ultimately, the Poco M4 5G offers a better balance of modern features and performance that aligns with my needs.
