1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.2 × 77.3 × 9.1 mm | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | Mi 11 Pro is taller and thinner, slightly less wide; Note 9T has a larger overall volume, meaning it might be feel more bulky in hand. |
| Weight | 199g | 208g | Redmi Note 9T is slightly lighter, which might make it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.81" | Mi 11 Pro has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1440x3200 | Mi 11 Pro's higher resolution leads to noticeably sharper images and text. |
| PPI | 395 | 515 | Mi 11 Pro has a significantly sharper screen, making text and images look crisper. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Mi 11 Pro offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors compared to the Note 9T's LCD panel. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Mi 11 Pro delivers smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in fast-paced games and UI interactions. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1700 nits | Mi 11 Pro's much higher brightness makes it far more usable outdoors, particularly in bright sunlight. The 0 nits for the Note 9T is a data error. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Mi 11 Pro has a significantly faster and more efficient chipset; offering smoother performance, faster app loading, and better gaming capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 854,267 | Mi 11 Pro scores significantly higher, indicating a major performance advantage for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 660 | Mi 11 Pro's GPU provides superior graphics performance for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, expect similar battery life. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 67W fast charging | Mi 11 Pro's charging is much faster, reducing downtime for charging. |
| Features | 22.5W charger inbox | Reverse, 67W Wireless, 10W Reverse Wireless | Mi 11 Pro offers advanced features like wireless and reverse charging, Note 9T only offers a charger in the box |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 48MP | 50MP | Mi 11 Pro has a slightly higher resolution main sensor, potentially resulting in slightly more detailed images. |
| Main Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.12" | Mi 11 Pro has a much larger sensor, enabling better light capture and improved low-light performance. |
| Main Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.40 µm | Mi 11 Pro has larger pixel size, which will improve low-light performance. |
| Main Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.95 | Redmi Note 9T has a wider aperture. |
| Selfie Res | 13MP | 20MP | Mi 11 Pro has a higher resolution selfie camera, potentially resulting in slightly more detailed images. |
| Selfie Sensor Size | 1/3.1" | 1/3.4" | Redmi Note 9T has a slightly larger sensor |
| Selfie Pixel Size | 1.12 µm | 0.80 µm | Redmi Note 9T has a larger pixel size. |
| Selfie Aperture | f/2.25 | f/2.3 | Redmi Note 9T has a wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 13MP (f/2.2) | Mi 11 Pro has a wide angle lens for capturing more in a scene, lacking on Note 9T. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP (f/2.4) | None | Redmi Note 9T has a dedicated depth sensor, helpful for portrait photography |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | None | Redmi Note 9T has a dedicated macro lens for close up shots, lacking on Mi 11 Pro. |
| Telephoto + Macro | None | 8MP | Mi 11 Pro has a Telephoto + macro lens, for distant shots and close up shots, lacking on Redmi Note 9T |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Mi 11 Pro offers higher resolution video recording, along with HDR and electronic image stabilization. |
| Stabilization | No | Yes (EIS, OIS) | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has more advanced stabilization. |
| Slow Motion | 120fps | 1920fps | Mi 11 Pro has significantly better slow motion capture. |
| DxOMark | N/A | 124 (main) | Only the Mi 11 Pro has been scored by DxOMark. |
| Features | Basic Features | More advanced Features | Mi 11 Pro has Optical Zoom, OIS, and RAW file capture |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Larger, higher resolution, AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate and much higher brightness offers a significantly better viewing experience.
- Much Better Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides significantly faster performance for all tasks, especially gaming and multitasking.
- Faster Charging: 67W fast charging greatly reduces charging times, and wireless charging adds more versatility.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution main camera with a larger sensor, plus a wide angle, telephoto lens and better video capabilities.
- More Connectivity Features: It has features like Wifi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 and better GPS.
- Build Quality: Gorilla Glass Victus offers superior screen protection.
- More RAM/Storage: Comes in 8GB/12GB RAM, and up to 256GB storage.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T Advantages:
- Lighter and Slightly Smaller Dimensions: The Redmi Note 9T might feel more comfortable for some users due to its slightly smaller size and weight.
- More Depth and Macro Cameras: The Note 9T comes with a dedicated macro and depth camera.
- Potentially Lower Price: Generally, Redmi Note series phones are more budget-friendly.
- Wider Aperture: For the main and selfie camera.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Potentially easier to reach than an under display one.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Display: The Redmi Note 9T's LCD screen and 60Hz refresh rate are a major downgrade compared to the Mi 11 Pro's AMOLED 120Hz screen.
- Performance: The Redmi Note 9T's chipset is significantly weaker, noticeably slower than the Mi 11 Pro, with lower gaming performance and slower app load times.
- Camera: The Redmi Note 9T's camera system is basic, with no dedicated telephoto lens and lesser video capabilities.
- Charging: The Redmi Note 9T lacks fast charging and advanced charging features.
- Build Quality: The Note 9T has Corning Gorilla Glass 5 which is less durable than the Victus used on the Mi 11 Pro.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Ideal User:
- Power Users: Demanding users who require the best performance for gaming, multitasking, and intensive applications.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize display quality for media consumption, with vibrant colors and smooth refresh rates.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want versatile camera capabilities with good low-light performance and optical zoom.
- Users needing quick charging: People who need their phones charged quickly.
Users who value wireless charging: Those who rely on wireless or reverse wireless charging.
Specific Use Cases: High-end mobile gaming, professional photo/video editing, watching high-resolution HDR content, content creation, users needing the most performance
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users who want a reliable smartphone experience at a more affordable price.
- Casual Users: Users who primarily use their phone for basic communication, social media, and web browsing.
- Users Seeking a Lighter Phone: Those who find large phones bulky and prefer a lighter device.
- Users who like macro/depth cameras: Users who will make the most use of these features.
Users Who Prioritize a Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Those who prefer this over an under-display sensor.
Specific Use Cases: Everyday communication, light social media use, casual gaming, users wanting an all around device without top-tier features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality to you? (Are you willing to sacrifice display quality for a lower price or is the best viewing experience critical?)
- What is your main use case for the phone? (Is it primarily for basic communication or demanding games and apps?)
- Is rapid charging and versatile camera capabilities essential to your daily use? (Do you value fast charging speeds or are you fine with longer charging times?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Power User: If you are a mobile gamer or rely on your phone for demanding tasks, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is the only choice. The superior performance, display, and charging speed make it significantly better.
- Scenario 2: The Budget-Conscious User: If you're on a tight budget and want a dependable smartphone for everyday use, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T is a more sensible option. However, you'll have to accept the major tradeoffs.
- Scenario 3: The Multimedia Enthusiast: If you consume a lot of media on your phone, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro's superior AMOLED screen will provide a much better experience.
- Scenario 4: The Photographer: If you prioritize camera quality, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is a far superior choice thanks to the higher quality sensors and versatile lenses.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would unequivocally pick the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. The significantly superior display quality, the vastly better performance, the far more versatile camera system, the much faster charging capabilities, and the added benefits of wireless charging make it the clear winner despite the increased cost and slight increase in weight. While the Redmi Note 9T is a capable budget device, the Mi 11 Pro offers a much more premium user experience in nearly every important aspect. Although I am not a professional photographer, the better photos will be appreciated. For me, the premium features and future proofing makes the Mi 11 Pro the better device.
