Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T vs. Huawei nova 12i
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.2 × 77.3 × 9.1 mm | 163.3 × 74.7 × 8.4 mm | The Redmi Note 9T is slightly wider and thicker, while the Nova 12i is taller. This means the Note 9T might feel a bit more substantial in the hand, whereas the Nova 12i may be slightly easier to hold for those with smaller hands. The Note 9T has a larger overall volume. |
| Weight | 199g | 199g | Both phones are virtually identical in weight and will feel similar in terms of heft. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.53" | 6.7" | The Nova 12i has a slightly larger display, which can be better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2388 | Both have similar resolutions; visual differences will be negligible. |
| PPI | 395 | 391 | Both phones have very similar pixel density and will appear sharp to the naked eye. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use the same IPS LCD technology, meaning similar color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Nova 12i’s 90Hz refresh rate will provide a smoother experience for scrolling and animations, making the UI feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Based on this data, both phones have unspecified brightness levels, making it hard to compare outdoor visibility. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | The Dimensity 800U is generally more powerful, leading to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and potentially better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 289,000 | The Redmi Note 9T benchmarks significantly higher, indicating better overall processing performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 610 | The Mali-G57 MC3 in the Redmi Note 9T is generally better for graphics-intensive tasks like gaming compared to the Adreno 610. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.80 µm | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.67", 0.64 µm | The Nova 12i has a higher resolution sensor, which should result in more detail in good lighting, and a larger sensor, which will help in low-light conditions. The Redmi Note 9T has a wider aperture, which should also help in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.25, 1/3.1", 1.12 µm | 8MP, f/2.0, Unknown sensor, Unknown pixel size | The Redmi Note 9T has a higher resolution selfie camera, potentially leading to more detailed selfies. The Nova 12i has a wider aperture, which could improve low light selfie performance. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75 µm | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown sensor, Unknown pixel size | Both phones have similar depth sensors which will give comparable portrait mode performance. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75 µm | None | The Redmi Note 9T has a dedicated macro lens, offering the ability to take close-up shots which is missing in the Nova 12i. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | The Redmi Note 9T can record videos in 4K, offering much higher detail. The Nova 12i’s video resolution is limited to 1080p. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones should offer similar battery life. Actual usage may vary depending on usage patterns. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 40W Fast Charging | The Nova 12i charges significantly faster, reducing the time spent plugged into the wall. |
| Features | Non-removable, 22.5W charger inbox | Non-removable | The Redmi Note 9T includes a faster charger inbox. Both phones have non-removable batteries. |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 10 | Unknown | Redmi Note 9T runs on Android 10. The Huawei device has an unknown OS, but is likely a recent version of Android with Huawei's EMUI. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both offer similar WiFi speeds and functionality. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | The Redmi Note 9T has a slightly newer version of Bluetooth which may offer more efficient connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, Galileo, GLONASS (L1) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The Nova 12i supports more satellite systems, potentially leading to faster and more accurate GPS lock. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both offer dual SIM capabilities allowing for use of two phone numbers. |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | The Nova 12i offers a larger maximum storage capacity which is better for those who take many photos/videos or have lots of apps. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | The Nova 12i’s higher RAM will result in better multitasking and improved performance under heavy load. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion, so users are limited to the internal storage. |
Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | The Redmi Note 9T offers better audio quality with Hi-Res and stereo speakers, providing a more immersive audio experience compared to Nova 12i. |
Security
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer a similar side-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | The Redmi Note 9T has known screen protection, offering better resistance to scratches. |
Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | The Redmi Note 9T has an additional gyroscope, which is useful for gaming and VR applications; The Huawei has an additional gravity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T Advantages:
- Stronger Performance: The Mediatek Dimensity 800U chipset provides superior processing and graphics power, beneficial for gaming and demanding applications.
- 4K Video Recording: Higher video resolution offers more detail for video capture.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers give a superior media consumption experience.
- Gyroscope: Adds to the sensor suite, enabling better gaming and VR experience
- Known Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 is a plus for protection against scratches
- Macro Lens: Added versatility with a dedicated macro camera.
Huawei nova 12i Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate offers a more fluid and responsive experience.
- Faster Charging: 40W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Larger Storage Option: Up to 256GB of internal storage provides more room for files and apps.
- More RAM: 8GB of RAM enables better multitasking performance.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 108 MP main camera may result in more detailed photos.
- More Satellite Systems: Better location accuracy with the addition of Beidou and QZSS.
Trade-offs:
- Redmi Note 9T: Sacrifices a higher refresh rate display and faster charging for better overall processing power and camera features.
- Huawei nova 12i: Sacrifices higher performance and 4K video for a smoother display and faster charging, as well as better storage capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T:
- Ideal User: Mobile gamers, users who prioritize performance, and those who consume media on their phones.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphically demanding games smoothly.
- Recording high-resolution videos.
- Enjoying immersive audio experience with stereo speakers.
- Users who want the versatility of a macro lens for detailed close-up shots.
- Value Proposition: Good performance-per-dollar ratio for those who want the best experience for the price.
Huawei nova 12i:
- Ideal User: Users who want smooth display experience and value faster charging, as well as those who need lots of storage.
- Use Cases:
- Frequent social media users who will appreciate the smoother scrolling.
- Users who prioritize fast charging times.
- Those who need to store a large number of photos, videos, or apps.
- Those who appreciate the high resolution on the main camera.
- Value Proposition: Prioritizes smooth user interface and fast charging over performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance or Smoothness: Do you prioritize raw performance and gaming capabilities (Redmi Note 9T) or a smoother display and a faster charging experience (Huawei nova 12i)?
- Storage Needs: Do you require large internal storage (256GB available on the Huawei nova 12i) or can you get by with less (up to 128GB on Redmi Note 9T)?
- Camera Requirements: Is 4K video recording (Redmi Note 9T) important or do you want the increased detail of a 108MP camera (Huawei nova 12i)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Mobile Gamer: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T for its superior chipset, GPU, and Gyroscope.
- Social Media Enthusiast: Choose the Huawei nova 12i for its smoother display and larger RAM for multitasking social apps.
- Media Consumer: The Redmi Note 9T is better suited due to its stereo speakers and Hi-Res audio.
- Frequent Traveler: The Huawei nova 12i offers better GPS accuracy and faster charging for on-the-go use, as well as more storage for pictures and videos.
- Budget User: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T provides the best "bang-for-your-buck" with its performance.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would lean towards the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T. Here's why:
My usage leans towards performance, gaming, and media consumption. The Dimensity 800U chipset offers a clear advantage in performance, which I value for smooth operation and gaming. The 4K video recording is a significant plus for me, allowing for higher-quality video captures. While the 90Hz display on the Huawei is nice, the increased performance provided by the Redmi outweighs it in my use case. The addition of stereo speakers and Hi-Res audio will make media consumption much more enjoyable. While the Huawei has more RAM and internal storage, these are less critical for me than the processing power. The gyroscope sensor also provides more capabilities for VR or specific games. The fact that it comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 screen protection is a big advantage, adding durability. Ultimately the Redmi Note 9T offers a greater value for the type of user that I am, without compromising too much in other areas.
