1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.2 × 77.3 × 9.1 mm | 161.1 × 72.4 × 8.6 mm | The Redmi Note 9T is slightly wider and thicker, making the Edge 50 Ultra feel more compact and easier to handle with one hand. |
| Weight | 199g | 197g | Both phones have virtually the same weight, so the difference will likely not be noticeable in daily use. |
| Build Material | Not specified | Not specified | We don't have information on the frame and back materials for either phone. This could influence feel and durability. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.53" | 6.7" | The Edge 50 Ultra offers a slightly larger display, providing a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1220x2712 | The Edge 50 Ultra's higher resolution results in noticeably sharper text and images, and finer details on the screen. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 446 | The significantly higher PPI of the Edge 50 Ultra translates to a sharper and more detailed screen, making reading small text easier, and enhancing the clarity of high-resolution images and videos. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | P-OLED | The P-OLED display on the Edge 50 Ultra will provide better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the LCD on the Redmi Note 9T. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | The Edge 50 Ultra's 144Hz refresh rate will make scrolling, animations, and gaming feel much smoother and more responsive, compared to the standard 60Hz of the Redmi Note 9T. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | The Edge 50 Ultra's much higher brightness will ensure excellent outdoor visibility, making it much easier to use in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Edge 50 Ultra's newer and more powerful Snapdragon chipset offers a significant performance boost for all tasks, from general usage to gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 343,150 | 1,523,879 | The Edge 50 Ultra's much higher AnTuTu score indicates vastly superior performance, making it considerably faster in app loading, multitasking, and handling demanding applications. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 735 | The Adreno 735 GPU in the Edge 50 Ultra offers a much better gaming experience with higher frame rates and smoother graphics compared to the Mali-G57 MC3 in the Redmi Note 9T. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | While both have similar resolution, differences in sensor size and quality will likely lead to better image quality on the Edge 50 Ultra. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.6 | The wider aperture of the Edge 50 Ultra allows more light to reach the sensor, which results in better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.3" | The larger sensor of the Edge 50 Ultra gathers more light and has an increased dynamic range, potentially leading to higher quality images, especially in low-light situations. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 13MP | 50MP | The Edge 50 Ultra has a significantly higher resolution selfie camera, which translates to much more detailed and sharper selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.25 | f/1.9 | The wider aperture on the Edge 50 Ultra’s selfie camera can capture more light, leading to better low-light selfie performance. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.1" | 1/2.76" | The slightly larger sensor on the Edge 50 Ultra's selfie camera allows for slightly improved dynamic range. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP | The inclusion of a dedicated telephoto lens on the Edge 50 Ultra allows for optical zoom, providing superior image quality when zooming in, compared to the digital zoom of the Redmi Note 9T. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 50MP | The inclusion of a dedicated wide-angle lens on the Edge 50 Ultra allows for capturing broader scenes and group photos, compared to the Redmi Note 9T which does not have one. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP | None | The Redmi Note 9T has a dedicated depth sensor to help with portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | None | The Redmi Note 9T has a dedicated macro lens for close up photography. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps | The Edge 50 Ultra offers higher framerate 4K video recording which is suitable for faster moving action, along with advanced HDR and EIS features for more stable and high quality footage. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | The Edge 50 Ultra benefits from Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) for smoother video capture, and will perform better when recording while moving. The Redmi Note 9T has no video stabilization and will be more prone to shake. |
| Slow Motion | 120fps | 960fps | The Edge 50 Ultra has a significantly higher slow motion frame rate resulting in much slower and more detailed slow-motion shots. |
| DXOMark Score | None | 146 | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra has a very good DXOMark score, which is an independent test of camera quality, while the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T has not been tested by DXOMark. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, triple camera, etc. | Time-Lapse, Optical zoom, OIS, Triple camera, etc. | The Edge 50 Ultra offers more advanced camera features like OIS, RAW capture, and a dedicated night mode for better image quality in various scenarios. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | The Redmi Note 9T has a larger battery which will likely translate to slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 125W fast charging | The Edge 50 Ultra's much faster charging allows for a significantly faster battery top-up, reducing the time spent plugged in. |
| Charging Features | 22.5W charger inbox | 50W wireless charging, 10W reverse wireless charging | The Edge 50 Ultra has wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, features not found on the Redmi Note 9T. The Redmi Note 9T does come with a higher wattage charger in the box than it is capable of accepting. |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | The Edge 50 Ultra has a much more recent version of Android, meaning it will have the latest security features, performance improvements, and access to new app features and updates. |
| Max Version | | Android 17 | The Edge 50 Ultra has confirmed updates to Android 17, which is a very long support period. The Redmi Note 9T does not have confirmed updates. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 7 | The Edge 50 Ultra features a newer and more advanced Wi-Fi standard, providing much faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.4 | The Edge 50 Ultra features a newer Bluetooth version with a better range and connection stability than the Redmi Note 9T. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, Galileo, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC | The Edge 50 Ultra supports more satellite systems leading to better location accuracy and faster lock-on times. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | The Edge 50 Ultra supports eSIM, allowing for more flexibility with mobile plans and easy switching between carriers. |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 512GB or 1024GB | The Edge 50 Ultra offers significantly more storage for apps, photos, videos, and other files. |
| RAM | 4GB | 12GB or 16GB | The Edge 50 Ultra has much more RAM which means smoother multitasking, faster app switching, and better performance in demanding games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | The Edge 50 Ultra provides a more immersive audio experience, with enhanced spatial audio and better voice capture. The Redmi Note 9T does offer Hi-Res Audio. |
Security
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Basic | The side-mounted fingerprint sensor on the Redmi Note 9T is often preferred by users for its speed and ease of access, while the Edge 50 Ultra features a basic sensor (which could be in-display or back-mounted). |
Build Quality
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus | The Edge 50 Ultra's screen is better protected against scratches and drops due to the superior Gorilla Glass Victus. |
Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Both phones have common motion sensors. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T has an Ultrasonic proximity virtual sensor. The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra has a standard Proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Display: The P-OLED display with 144Hz refresh rate and high resolution offers a much better viewing experience, with more vibrant colors, smoother animations, and better outdoor visibility.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset provides dramatically better performance for gaming, multitasking, and all other tasks compared to the Dimensity 800U.
- Advanced Camera System: The Edge 50 Ultra includes a telephoto lens for optical zoom, a wide-angle lens for wider shots, and features a much more capable main camera with a larger sensor and wider aperture, along with advanced video capabilities.
- Much Faster Charging: The 125W fast charging is significantly faster than the 18W on the Redmi Note 9T, which will be much more convenient for users.
- Modern Software and Support: Android 14 with a confirmed update to Android 17 offers the latest features and security, which is a significant upgrade over the older Android 10 on the Redmi Note 9T.
- Enhanced Connectivity: The Edge 50 Ultra supports newer Wi-Fi standards, Bluetooth 5.4, and more GPS systems for better connectivity.
- Much More Storage: The Edge 50 Ultra has drastically more storage.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Charging: The Edge 50 Ultra features wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, allowing for additional convenience.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery provides potentially longer battery life compared to the Edge 50 Ultra, although real-world usage depends on individual habits.
- More Affordable: The Redmi Note 9T is likely to be much more affordable, making it a more budget-friendly option for users with a limited budget.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: The side-mounted fingerprint sensor could be more convenient for some users compared to the basic sensor on the Edge 50 Ultra.
Trade-offs:
- Performance vs Battery: The Redmi Note 9T prioritizes battery life and budget, while the Edge 50 Ultra prioritizes performance and camera quality, which means lower battery life due to greater power use.
- Display Quality: The Redmi Note 9T's LCD is sufficient for daily use but cannot compare to the premium experience offered by the P-OLED screen of the Edge 50 Ultra.
- Camera Features: The Redmi Note 9T has a basic set of camera features, while the Edge 50 Ultra has a more advanced set of features and hardware.
- Charging Speed: The fast charging speeds on the Edge 50 Ultra significantly reduce the time it takes to charge the phone, while the Redmi Note 9T takes a much longer time to charge.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, everyday users who prioritize battery life and do not need the highest performance, basic smartphone users who value simplicity.
- Use Cases: Basic communication, social media browsing, casual gaming, media consumption, navigation.
- Strengths: Long battery life, side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
- Weaknesses: Slower performance, lower quality display, and older software.
- Price-to-Value Ratio: The Redmi Note 9T offers good value for users on a tight budget.
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Performance enthusiasts, mobile photographers, users who prioritize high-quality displays, users who need a future-proof phone with modern features, and those looking for advanced smartphone features.
- Use Cases: Gaming, professional photography, video recording, multitasking, media creation, watching high-resolution content.
- Strengths: Superior performance, advanced camera system, premium display, extremely fast charging, updated software.
- Weaknesses: Higher price point, smaller battery.
- Price-to-Value Ratio: The Edge 50 Ultra justifies its higher price with its superior features and performance, making it a value option for users seeking a premium experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Performance Needs: Do you require high performance for gaming or intensive tasks, or is basic performance sufficient?
- Camera Priorities: Is a high-quality camera with advanced features essential, or are basic photography capabilities acceptable?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User If budget is your primary concern, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T offers a functional smartphone experience at a lower price, with a long lasting battery.
- Scenario 2: Performance Enthusiast If you prioritize high performance, gaming, and a premium experience, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is the clear choice, with a very powerful processor, high refresh rate screen, and excellent camera.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Photographer If camera quality is crucial, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is the better option with its advanced camera system with a larger sensor and a versatile lens selection.
- Scenario 4: Everyday User If you require basic day-to-day functionality, social media, and casual use, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T will be adequate, and if you want a great screen and good camera you could pick the Edge 50 Ultra.
- Scenario 5: Long-Term Usage If you want a phone that will be kept for many years, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra has more confirmed updates, along with a more recent operating system.
What I Would Choose and Why
I would choose the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra.
Here’s why: While the Redmi Note 9T has a few strengths (namely battery and lower cost), the Edge 50 Ultra offers a vastly superior overall experience. My priorities when choosing a phone are always performance, screen quality, and camera capabilities.
The Edge 50 Ultra's Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip is a huge leap from the Mediatek Dimensity 800U, ensuring smooth and responsive performance, even with intensive tasks and modern mobile gaming. The 144Hz P-OLED display is far superior to the IPS LCD on the Redmi Note 9T. This alone dramatically enhances the overall user experience, from browsing to media consumption. The camera system on the Edge 50 Ultra is much more versatile and performs better than that of the Redmi Note 9T. The vastly faster 125W charging is also much more convenient. While the Redmi Note 9T has a larger battery, I am willing to trade this for the features and performance offered by the Edge 50 Ultra.
The Edge 50 Ultra also comes with a much more recent version of Android and confirmed updates for the future. For these reasons I would pick the Edge 50 Ultra, even with its higher cost.
