Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T vs. Motorola Edge 20
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.2 × 77.3 × 9.1 mm | 163 × 76 × 7 mm | The Edge 20 is taller and thinner, making it feel more modern. The 9T is wider and thicker, making it feel bulkier. |
| Weight | 199g | 163g | The Edge 20 is significantly lighter, more comfortable for long use. The 9T feels heavier, and might be less comfortable for some users. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.7" | The Edge 20 offers a slightly larger viewing area, which can be more immersive for media. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both have very similar sharpness for detailed images and text. |
| PPI | 395 | 385 | Similar pixel density, virtually identical sharpness in daily use. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | OLED provides richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast leading to better media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | 144Hz makes scrolling and animations incredibly smooth; 60Hz can feel choppy by comparison. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have similar, but unknown peak brightness, making this information unusable. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Snapdragon 778G offers noticeably faster performance and is more energy-efficient compared to the Dimensity 800U. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 589,200 | The Edge 20 delivers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 642L | Adreno 642L offers better graphics performance for gaming and GPU-intensive applications compared to Mali-G57 MC3. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.8µm | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52", 0.7µm | The Edge 20's main camera captures more detailed images, though pixel size is smaller. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.25, 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 32MP, f/2.3, 0.7µm | The Edge 20's front camera has significantly higher resolution, better for self-portraits and video calls. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4 | Edge 20 has dedicated telephoto lens, allowing for optical zoom, which is absent on the 9T. | |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | 9T has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, which is absent on the Edge 20. | |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | 9T has dedicated macro lens for close up shots. | |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 16MP, f/2.2 | Edge 20 has a wide-angle lens, which doubles as a macro lens and offers greater versatility. | |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Both offer 4K recording, but the Edge 20 has more slow motion options. |
| Optical Zoom | No | Yes | The Edge 20 offers an optical zoom. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4020mAh | The 9T has a larger battery, likely offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 18W | 30W | The Edge 20 charges faster, reducing downtime, even though its battery is smaller. |
| Features | 22.5W charger inbox | Reverse charging | The 9T includes a charger. Edge 20 can charge other devices wirelessly, but requires additional chargers |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | The Edge 20 has a more recent OS version, providing better features, security and app compatibility. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | The Edge 20 has Wi-Fi 6, offering faster speeds and better performance, especially in congested networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | The Edge 20 has a newer Bluetooth version with better efficiency and faster connection. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, Galileo, GLONASS (L1) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The Edge 20 offers more satellite options, improving location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB or 128GB | 128GB or 256GB | The Edge 20 offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 4GB | 6GB or 8GB | The Edge 20 provides better performance and multitasking due to larger RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio | The 9T offers a superior listening experience with higher quality audio and immersion |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both phones offer convenient and reliable fingerprint-based security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | The 9T offers better screen protection from scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Proximity, Gravity | The 9T has a unique ultrasonic proximity sensor that may provide slightly better performance but the Edge 20 includes a gravity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Offers potentially longer battery life, a benefit for users who are frequently away from a power source.
- Hi-Res Audio with Stereo Speakers: Provides a superior audio experience, great for music lovers and media consumption.
- Gorilla Glass 5: Offers better screen protection.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Sensors: Adds versatility for close-up and portrait photography.
- Included Charger: Saves the cost of purchasing a fast charger.
Motorola Edge 20 Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 778G chipset offers significantly better performance in all tasks, from daily use to gaming.
- Superior Display: The OLED display offers much better color quality and the 144Hz refresh rate provides a smoother experience.
- Better Camera: Higher resolution sensors for both front and main camera, and a telephoto lens for zoom capabilities.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging makes it convenient to quickly top up the battery.
- More RAM & Storage: The higher RAM and storage options make it more versatile.
- More Modern Software: Ships with Android 11 (upgradeable to 12), and newer Bluetooth/Wi-Fi standards.
- Thinner and Lighter: The thinner and lighter body make it more portable and comfortable to hold.
- Wider angle lens: Offers a different perspective on photography.
Trade-offs:
- The Redmi Note 9T prioritizes battery and audio quality over performance and screen quality.
- The Motorola Edge 20 provides better performance and a superior screen at the cost of slightly lower battery life and lacking certain camera sensors.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize battery life, audio quality, and are on a budget.
- Use Cases:
- Long days away from chargers.
- Listening to music through speakers.
- Users looking for a robust, low-cost device.
- Casual photography, utilizing Macro and depth sensors.
Motorola Edge 20:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, display quality, and are willing to trade some battery life and specific camera features for better all-around experience.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and other demanding apps.
- Regular content consumption.
- Users looking for a sleek, high-performing device.
- Photography enthusiasts who value versatility.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance or Battery? Do you prioritize faster performance and smoother experience, or longer battery life?
- Display Quality or Camera Versatility? Is a high refresh rate OLED display more important than having specific camera lens and sensors?
- Budget and Practicality? Are you on a strict budget, and do features like the included charger and robust build make a difference?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: On a budget, need a dependable phone for everyday tasks with long battery life and great sound.
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T. Offers long battery life, good audio, and a more durable screen, great for everyday use and media consumption.
- Scenario 2: Want the best possible performance, display and camera without spending premium price.
- Recommendation: Motorola Edge 20. Offers superior performance, a higher-quality display, and faster charging, making it a better all-around device.
- Scenario 3: Gaming on the go.
- Recommendation: Motorola Edge 20. Better processing power, better screen quality and more refresh rate will offer the best gaming experience.
What I Would Choose and Why:
Personally, I would choose the Motorola Edge 20. While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T has its merits, especially in terms of battery capacity and audio features, the overall experience offered by the Edge 20 is significantly better for my needs. The faster Snapdragon 778G chipset, combined with the smoother 144Hz OLED display, would greatly enhance daily use, as well as more graphically demanding tasks.
The higher resolution front camera, and the inclusion of a telephoto and wide angle lens on the Edge 20 would provide greater versatility in photography, which is important to me, and the slightly faster charging makes a difference when needing to charge on the go. While the smaller battery capacity is a slight drawback, I find the performance and display improvements to be worthwhile trade-offs.
Although it comes at the cost of the headphone jack and micro-sd card slot, the Motorola Edge 20 offers enough improvements over the Redmi Note 9T to justify my preference.
