1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.2 × 77.3 × 9.1 mm | 163.2 × 76 × 7.7 mm | Poco F4 is taller and thinner, potentially more comfortable for one-handed use but Redmi Note 9T is more compact |
| Weight | 199g | 195g | Negligible difference in hand feel |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.67" | Poco F4 has a slightly larger screen for more immersive content consumption |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp visuals; negligible difference |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Identical sharpness; both look similar |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Poco F4 provides superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colours and better power efficiency with dark themes |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Poco F4 offers significantly smoother scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | Poco F4 has much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Poco F4 has a much more powerful chipset, enabling smoother multitasking and superior gaming |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 861,200 | Poco F4 demonstrates significantly faster overall performance; a huge difference |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 650 | Poco F4 has a superior GPU, ideal for demanding games and graphics-intensive tasks |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 48MP | 64MP | Poco F4 captures more detailed images |
| Standard Camera Sensor | Samsung S5KGM2 1/2" 0.80 µm pixel size | Omnivision OV64B 1/2" 0.70 µm pixel size | Both sensors are similar; the Poco F4's sensor is slightly more advanced and more detailed |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 13MP | 20MP | Poco F4 produces higher resolution selfies |
| Selfie Camera Sensor | Samsung S5K3L6 1/3.1" 1.12 µm pixel size | Sony IMX596 1/2" 0.80 µm pixel size | Poco F4 has a better sensor, potentially better low-light performance despite smaller pixel size |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" Omnivision OV8856, 1.12 µm pixel size | Poco F4 captures wide shots, enabling more versatile photography |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" Hynix HI-259, 1.75 µm pixel size | None | Redmi Note 9T can capture depth, for better portraits |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" Hynix HI-259, 1.75 µm pixel size | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" GalaxyCore GC02M1, 1.75 µm pixel size | Both phones offer basic macro photography |
| Video | Up to 4K@60 fps, No stabilization | Up to 4K@60fps, Yes stabilization | Poco F4 offers better video stabilization |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Redmi Note 9T likely offers longer battery life on a single charge |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Poco F4 charges much faster, reducing downtime |
| Inbox Charger | 22.5W | No information | Redmi Note 9T includes charger in the box |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12, upgradable to 13 | Poco F4 has newer software, potentially better features and security |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5, Dual-Band | Wi-Fi 6, Dual-Band | Poco F4 has faster, more stable Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Poco F4 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, Galileo, GLONASS (L1) | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Poco F4 supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Poco F4 has a higher capacity storage option, ideal for media-heavy users |
| RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB, 8GB, or 12 GB | Poco F4 has more RAM for smoother multitasking, a significant difference |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers additional storage options |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Poco F4 offers higher-quality audio playback, better voice capture |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life between charges.
- Inbox Charger: The Redmi Note 9T comes with a 22.5W charger in the box.
- Slightly Wider Build: More comfortable in hand for some users.
Xiaomi Poco F4 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chip offers significantly higher performance for gaming and demanding tasks, backed by a higher AnTuTu score of 861,200 compared to 343,150.
- Better Display: The AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate is dramatically superior, offering vibrant colours, deeper blacks, and smoother visuals.
- Faster Charging: 67W fast charging dramatically reduces charge times, which is a huge advantage
- More RAM Options: Available with 6GB, 8GB, or 12GB of RAM offering a smoother experience
- Better Cameras: Main, selfie, and ultrawide cameras are more capable with OIS, better low-light performance, and more features.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 12 (upgradeable to 13), offering newer features and security.
- More Storage Options: Comes with up to 256GB of internal storage, ideal for media-heavy users.
- Better Audio: Features Dolby Atmos for a more immersive experience and dual microphones for better voice capture.
- Faster Wi-Fi: Supports Wi-Fi 6 for faster and more stable wireless connectivity.
- Better GPS: Improved location accuracy with a wider range of satellite system support.
Trade-offs:
- The Poco F4 has a smaller battery (4500mAh vs. 5000mAh) than Redmi Note 9T, meaning that it may require charging slightly more often, but the vastly faster charging speed makes it a fair tradeoff.
- The Redmi Note 9T comes with a 22.5W charger in the box but the Poco F4 does not include a charger.
- The Redmi Note 9T has better macro capabilities, however, the Poco F4 excels in all other photography categories and offers far more versatile features and higher-quality images in everyday scenarios.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize long battery life and basic smartphone functionality.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing, social media, and communication.
- Users who prioritize battery life over high performance and camera quality.
- Users who prefer a more compact phone with dual-SIM support
- Price-to-Value: Good value for the lower price, but its performance and display are not its selling points.
Xiaomi Poco F4:
- Ideal User: Performance-focused users who want a great display, fast charging, and a capable camera system.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and other performance-intensive tasks.
- Users who consume a lot of media and prioritize display quality.
- Photography and videography enthusiasts.
- Power users who need a fast phone with modern features.
- Price-to-Value: Excellent value for its features and performance; it's a much more modern phone that will suit most people better.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is your budget? The Redmi Note 9T is generally the more budget-friendly option.
- How important is performance? If you play games or multitask, the Poco F4 is a much better choice.
- What is the battery and charging use case? If battery life is the most important factor then the Redmi Note 9T may last longer but the Poco F4 charges much faster meaning there will be less downtime.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget User): If budget is the primary concern and you need a basic phone that is reliable and has good battery life then the Redmi Note 9T is the better choice. However, the performance and user experience will be dramatically worse.
- Scenario 2 (Performance User): If you want to play mobile games or use demanding apps, the Poco F4 is the better choice and is suitable for gaming, multitasking, and more.
- Scenario 3 (Photography User): The Poco F4 is the much better option with higher resolutions, OIS, and far more camera features.
- Scenario 4 (Media Consumption User): If you watch videos or stream content the Poco F4's AMOLED 120Hz is a much better experience with vastly improved picture quality.
- Scenario 5 (Fast Charging Priority): If you're very busy and require your phone to be charged quickly, the Poco F4 is the preferred choice due to its 67W fast charging
What would I choose and why?
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F4. Here's why:
- Overall Experience: The Poco F4 is vastly superior in nearly every key aspect. The improved display quality (AMOLED, 120Hz), substantially better performance, faster charging, better camera system, and more modern software makes it a much better all-around smartphone.
- Future Proofing: The Poco F4's Snapdragon 870 chipset and other features will keep it relevant for much longer. The Redmi Note 9T will become quickly outdated due to its very low performance in comparison.
- Value for Money: While the Poco F4 is likely to be more expensive, it provides significantly more value. The performance and features it offers justify the higher price point.
While the Redmi Note 9T has a larger battery, the significantly faster charging on the Poco F4 more than compensates for this. The difference in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and overall user experience makes the Poco F4 the clear winner in my assessment.
