Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T vs. Motorola Moto G85
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Motorola Moto G85 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.2 × 77.3 × 9.1 mm | 161.9 × 73.1 × 7.6 mm | The Moto G85 is thinner and narrower, making it more pocketable and comfortable to hold, especially for smaller hands. The Redmi Note 9T is a bit bulkier. |
| Weight | 199g | 171g | The Moto G85 is significantly lighter, making it easier to handle for extended periods and reducing fatigue. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Motorola Moto G85 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.53" | 6.67" | The Moto G85 offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive media consumption and better multitasking. The difference is minor but noticeable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both have similar resolutions, resulting in equally sharp visuals. The slightly taller screen on the Moto G85 is almost negligible. |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Both displays offer the same pixel density, so image sharpness is identical. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | P-OLED | P-OLED of the Moto G85 has significantly better contrast ratios and richer colors resulting in better viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The 120Hz refresh rate on the Moto G85 provides a much smoother scrolling and animation experience. The Redmi Note 9T feels less fluid in comparison. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | The Moto G85 is significantly brighter, leading to much better visibility in bright sunlight, something the Redmi Note 9T will struggle with. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Motorola Moto G85 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6 nm) | The Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 in the Moto G85 offers better general performance. It leads to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 475,000 | The Moto G85 benchmarks significantly higher, indicating smoother performance and better gaming capabilities. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 619 | The Adreno 619 on the Moto G85 provides superior graphics performance and improved gaming experience compared to Mali-G57 MC3 on the Xiaomi. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Motorola Moto G85 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" Samsung S5KGM2, 0.80 µm | 50MP, f/1.79, 1/2" Sony LYT-600, 1.00 µm | The Moto G85 has slightly higher resolution and larger pixel size for slightly better low light photos. The sensor is a superior sensor too. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.25, 1/3.1" Samsung S5K3L6, 1.12 µm | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.70 µm | The Moto G85 has much higher resolution for better selfie details. The wider aperture on the Redmi Note 9T is negligibly better in low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm | Moto G85 has a dedicated wide angle lens for landscape and group photos, a feature absent on the Redmi Note 9T. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" Hynix HI-259, 1.75 µm | None | The Redmi Note 9T includes a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots, which is missing on the Moto G85. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" Hynix HI-259, 1.75 µm | None | The Redmi Note 9T includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, which is missing on the Moto G85. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, No stabilization | 1080p@30/60fps, Yes stabilization | The Redmi Note 9T can record at 4K resolution, however it doesn't feature video stabilization. The Moto G85 has electronic video stabilization, and more stable videos will be recorded. |
| DxOMark | Not tested | Main: 88, Photo: 83, Video: 109 | The Moto G85 has decent camera performance based on DxOMark score. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Digital zoom, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | The Moto G85 has optical image stabilization (OIS) for better low light and smoother videos, more advanced auto focus, and RAW image output for more control. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Motorola Moto G85 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, offering a similar full day of use for most users. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | The Moto G85 charges much faster, reducing downtime and making sure a quick top up is available. |
| Charger Inbox | 22.5W charger | None | Redmi Note 9T comes with a faster charger in the box, reducing out-of-the-box cost for users. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T Advantages:
- 4K Video Recording: Supports higher-resolution video recording, useful for content creators and those who value video quality.
- In-box charger: Comes with a fast charger, saving a purchase out of the box.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth lenses: Offers extra cameras for versatile photography.
Motorola Moto G85 Advantages:
- Superior Display: P-OLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate, high brightness and overall better viewing experience.
- Better Performance: More powerful chipset and GPU resulting in smoother performance and better gaming capabilities.
- Better Main Camera: Larger sensor with better pixel size and better low light performance.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging for faster recharge times.
- Wide Angle Lens: Offers a wide angle camera for landscape and group photos.
- eSIM: Supports eSIM for digital carrier switching.
- Optical Image Stabilization: OIS provides better stability in low-light and videos
- Up-to-date Android: Ships with Android 14, while Redmi Note 9T uses Android 10.
- Better audio: Dolby Atmos and an additional mic for audio enhancement.
Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T has a more versatile camera system with macro and depth sensors, but lacks the OIS.
- The Motorola Moto G85 doesn't include a charger in the box, but its charging speed and display are vastly superior.
- Redmi Note 9T has the capability to record 4k video but without video stabilization. Moto G85 can record up to 1080p and features video stabilization.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who want a phone with a decent all round experience and like having versatility in the camera system.
- Use Cases: Casual photography (macro and portrait), basic video recording (4k), everyday usage, media consumption.
- Strengths: Good value for budget, versatile camera system and comes with a charger in the box.
Motorola Moto G85:
- Ideal User: Users who want smoother performance, better display experience, quality photos and videos with better low light capabilities, and faster charging.
- Use Cases: Gaming, streaming videos, browsing social media, everyday photography (especially landscape), high quality and smooth video recording and better low light.
- Strengths: Superior display, better performance, OIS, faster charging, more up-to-date software, good video capabilities and modern connectivity with WiFi 6.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize display quality and smoothness over 4K video and versatile cameras? If so, the Moto G85 is better.
- Is having a charger in the box important to you? Redmi Note 9T comes with a charger, while Moto G85 does not.
- How crucial are performance and modern connectivity for your usage? Moto G85 provides superior speed and connectivity with WiFi 6.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget Shoppers on a tight budget with a focus on camera versatility: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T due to the extra cameras and included charger.
- Users that prioritize display, general performance and video quality: Go for the Motorola Moto G85 for its superior display, performance, stabilization, OIS and better all round capabilities.
- Gamers and Heavy Multitaskers: The Motorola Moto G85 is better with its stronger chipset, GPU, and higher refresh rate.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Motorola Moto G85. Even though the Redmi Note 9T has a few appealing features (4k video, extra lenses, included charger) the Moto G85 offers a significantly better and well rounded experience. The superior display, enhanced performance, significantly better main camera performance, much smoother experience thanks to the 120hz refresh rate, much faster charging speed and modern connectivity options make it the better choice overall. The lack of a charger in the box is a small inconvenience but doesn't outweigh the advantages of the Moto G85. The optical image stabilization is also a much better solution than the lack of it in the Redmi Note 9T, this is essential for low light photos and better video quality.
