Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi 9T vs. ZTE nubia Z50S Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications for both smartphones, focusing on their practical implications for users:
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 9T | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm | 163.9 × 76.3 × 8.3 mm | The ZTE is slightly taller but noticeably thinner, making it more pocketable and potentially more comfortable to hold. The Xiaomi is thicker which may feel less sleek. |
| Weight | 198g | 228g | Xiaomi Redmi 9T is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less tiring to hold. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass 3 front, plastic frame, plastic back | Unknown front, metal frame, glass back | The Xiaomi offers known screen protection with Gorilla Glass 3. The ZTE's build materials could be higher-end but with no information on screen protection. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 9T | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.53" | 6.8" | The ZTE provides a slightly larger viewing area, beneficial for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1260x2800 | ZTE's display is significantly sharper, providing clearer text and images, especially noticeable on larger screen. |
| PPI | 395 | 452 | The ZTE has a higher pixel density, resulting in a much sharper display, better for detailed content and fine text. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The ZTE offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the Xiaomi's LCD, especially beneficial for HDR content. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The ZTE offers smoother scrolling and animations, significantly improving user experience when navigating menus and playing games. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1500 nits | The ZTE has much better visibility in bright sunlight, making it usable outdoors. The Xiaomi brightness is unknown making it unsuitable for bright environments. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 9T | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4 nm) | The ZTE has a significantly faster and more efficient chipset, providing far superior performance for all tasks, from basic usage to gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 174,500 | 1,579,720 | The ZTE's performance is much higher, ensuring smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming experiences. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 740 | The ZTE's GPU delivers much higher graphical performance, crucial for demanding games and graphic-intensive apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 9T | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.8µm | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49", 1.0µm | The ZTE has a larger sensor and wider aperture, allowing for better low-light performance and potentially better dynamic range. |
| Telephoto | None | 8MP, f/2.4 | The ZTE has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities and portrait photography, a feature the Xiaomi lacks. |
| Ultra-Wide | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", 1.12µm | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.88", 0.61µm | The ZTE has a significantly higher resolution wide-angle camera with a wider aperture and larger sensor, allowing for better wide-angle shots, particularly in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | 16MP, f/2.5, 1/3.06", 1.0µm | The ZTE has a higher resolution front camera for more detailed selfies. The Xiaomi has a wider aperture for potentially better low light performance. |
| Macro/Depth | 2MP, f/2.4 / 2MP f/2.4 | None | Xiaomi offers macro and depth sensors, which the ZTE omits, although the ZTE's wide angle lens may have a macro focusing ability. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | The ZTE can capture much higher resolution video, with stabilization across all frame rates, significantly better for videographers and content creators. |
| Features | Quadruple cam, digital zoom | Triple cam, optical zoom, OIS, Gimbal | The ZTE has more advanced camera features such as Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), optical zoom, and a gimbal for ultra-stable video. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 9T | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5100mAh | The Xiaomi has a larger battery capacity, potentially offering longer battery life depending on usage. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | The ZTE charges much faster, which can be a significant advantage for users who are often on the go. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 22.5W charger inbox | None specified | The Xiaomi can charge other devices and includes a faster charger in the box. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a breakdown of the major advantages and trade-offs of each phone:
Xiaomi Redmi 9T Advantages:
- Lighter weight: More comfortable for extended use.
- Larger battery: Potentially longer battery life.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices.
- Known Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 offers good scratch resistance.
- 22.5W charger included: Faster charging than the standard 18W.
- Hi-Res Audio: Enhanced audio experience
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, higher resolution, higher refresh rate, dramatically brighter.
- Significantly better Performance: Much faster processor and GPU.
- Superior Camera System: Higher resolution lenses, dedicated telephoto, OIS, 8K video.
- Faster Charging: 80W fast charging.
- Newer Bluetooth and WiFi Standards: Faster connection speeds and newer features
- More Storage and RAM: Higher RAM and internal storage options, better for multitasking and large files.
- Modern Android Version: Ships with Android 13 vs Android 10 on the Redmi
Significant Trade-offs:
- The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is heavier and may have slightly less battery life compared to the Xiaomi.
- The Xiaomi Redmi 9T is significantly less powerful and has a lower-quality display compared to the ZTE.
- The ZTE does not have a headphone jack (not mentioned, but it is standard on this type of device that they do) so you must use Bluetooth or USB-C audio.
- The ZTE lacks a microSD card slot so the onboard storage cannot be expanded.
- The ZTE screen protection is unknown, so this poses an increased risk of damage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi 9T Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life over performance.
- Users who need a light, reliable device for basic tasks.
- Individuals who value a large battery and don't need high-end gaming or video capabilities.
- Users who value the headphone jack.
- Users who need reverse charging.
- Users who have concerns about screen scratch resistance
Use Cases:
- Casual web browsing, social media, and basic app usage.
- Long battery life for travel or periods away from charging.
- Reliable daily driver for phone calls and messaging
- Secondary device for specific tasks
- Budget multimedia consumption (if display is suitable)
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Ideal User:
- Performance-oriented users who want a high-end device.
- Gamers and multimedia enthusiasts.
- Users who want the best possible display experience.
- Photographers and videographers.
- Users who frequently need to charge their phone quickly.
Use Cases:
- Demanding gaming and graphic-intensive applications.
- High-resolution video recording and photography.
- Smooth multitasking and app switching.
- Media consumption with vibrant colours and high-quality display.
- Professional video content creation.
- Users who prioritise performance and speed.
4. Decision Framework
Here are 3 key questions to consider when deciding between these phones:
- What is my budget, and how important is price? The Xiaomi is likely significantly cheaper but is also a much older device.
- How important is performance and display quality? If you need a smooth and visually stunning experience, the ZTE is the only viable choice.
- How important are battery life and reverse charging? If these are crucial, the Xiaomi may be worth considering despite its performance limitations.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If your primary concern is price and battery life, the Xiaomi may be adequate. Note that it is a very old device now and may lack current security updates.
- Performance Seeker: If you need smooth, fast performance for gaming and multitasking, the ZTE is the clear winner.
- Camera Enthusiast: If you need a versatile camera system with good low-light performance, 8K video, and optical zoom, the ZTE is the superior choice.
My Choice and Why:
Given the substantial differences in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities, I would choose the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro.
The Xiaomi Redmi 9T is a budget phone that has been surpassed by devices at the same price point from other manufacturers. While it offers a larger battery and reverse charging, the user experience will not be very enjoyable, with its poor display and low performance. These factors are very important to me personally.
The ZTE offers significantly better performance with a much faster chip, superior screen with a 120 Hz AMOLED display, higher refresh rate, and dramatically higher brightness, and a vastly improved camera system that is better in every single way. While the Xiaomi offers better battery capacity and a headphone jack, the ZTE's significantly faster charging rate mitigates the difference in battery capacity for me personally and I would just need to use Bluetooth headphones. I would also want the best possible screen on a phone, and this would also be the ZTE.
The primary reason is that I prioritize a smooth, responsive user experience, excellent image quality, and overall performance, which the ZTE provides in spades. The Xiaomi is a competent device, but the gap in technological advancement is too large to ignore.
It all depends on your budget, but if you can afford it the ZTE is the best choice, and the Xiaomi should probably be avoided at this point.
