Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T vs. Xiaomi Poco M4 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.2 x 77.3 x 9.1 mm | 164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm | Poco M4 5G is slightly taller and narrower, while both have similar thickness and weight. Minimal practical difference in daily handling |
| Weight | 199g | 200g | Negligible difference; both feel similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.58" | Almost identical screen size; minimal difference in viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1080 x 2408 | Similar sharpness; both offer a clear, crisp display for everyday use. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 401 PPI | Virtually identical pixel density; no discernible difference in sharpness. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Similar color reproduction and viewing angles. No major difference in display quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Poco M4 5G's 90Hz display results in smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | No data on typical brightness, making comparison impossible. Likely similar performance in typical use |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Dimensity 800U may offer slightly better performance for demanding apps and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 381,300 | Poco M4 5G has better overall performance based on AnTuTu benchmark scores, resulting in snappier response times in use |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Redmi Note 9T's slightly more powerful GPU results in better gaming performance but not by much. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 13MP | Redmi Note 9T captures more detailed photos with its higher-resolution sensor. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/2.2 | Redmi Note 9T's wider aperture allows more light, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 13MP | 5MP | Redmi Note 9T captures more detailed selfie photos |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.25 | f/2.2 | Redmi Note 9T has slightly wider aperture which may be better for low-light selfies. |
| Portrait Mode Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both phones have identical portrait cameras |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Redmi Note 9T allows for closeup macro photography |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Redmi Note 9T captures higher resolution videos |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Both phones charge at the same speed. |
| Battery Features | 22.5W charger inbox | Reverse charging | Redmi Note 9T includes a faster charger in the box. Poco M4 5G can charge other devices with reverse charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12 | Poco M4 5G has a newer OS, with access to updated features and security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both support dual-band WiFi. Poco M4 5G supports Wi-Fi MIMO for potentially improved connection stability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 (LE, A2DP, LDAC, AAC) | 5.1 (LE, A2DP, EDR, HID) | Both support low-energy and advanced audio streaming. Redmi Note 9T supports LDAC and AAC audio codecs. Poco M4 5G supports EDR and HID profiles |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, Galileo, GLONASS (L1) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Poco M4 5G supports Beidou for more precise location tracking in some regions. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support two SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 64/128 GB | Both phones offer the same internal storage options. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 4/6 GB | Poco M4 5G offers up to 6GB of RAM, which can be helpful for more demanding tasks. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | Redmi Note 9T's stereo speakers provides for better sound quality than Poco M4 5G's single speaker. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones provide same security features. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Redmi Note 9T has better screen protection against scratches |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Both phones have standard sensors. Redmi Note 9T has an ultrasonic virtual sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T Advantages:
- Superior Main Camera: Higher resolution (48MP vs 13MP) and wider aperture (f/1.79 vs f/2.2), for better photos, particularly in low-light situations.
- Superior Selfie Camera: Higher resolution(13MP vs 5MP) and wider aperture(f/2.25 vs f/2.2) for better selfies.
- 4K Video Recording: Supports higher quality video recording than Poco M4 5G's 1080p.
- Stereo Speakers & Hi-Res Audio: Offers a better audio experience with higher quality audio separation.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Can capture close-up images that the Poco M4 5G cannot.
- Better screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides better resistance to drops.
Xiaomi Poco M4 5G Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate, for a more fluid user interface and animations.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 12 out of the box, offering newer features and security patches.
- Potentially Better Performance: Higher benchmark scores (AnTuTu), indicating snappier day-to-day performance.
- Reverse charging: can charge other devices
- Potentially More RAM: Available with up to 6GB RAM for better multitasking.
- More Satellites for GPS: Beidou support for more precise location tracking in some areas.
Trade-offs:
- The Redmi Note 9T trades a slightly lower refresh rate display for better cameras and audio quality.
- The Poco M4 5G trades some camera quality and audio features for a smoother display and potentially better performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T Ideal User:
- Casual Photographers: Users who take photos frequently and want good image quality, especially in low light and macro photography.
- Multimedia Consumers: People who watch a lot of videos and want a better audio experience with stereo sound and higher-resolution video.
- Users Prioritizing Screen Protection: Those who are clumsy and concerned about breaking their screens.
- Users who prefer a more mature and feature-rich camera system: manual camera controls, panorama mode, continuous shooting.
Specific Use Cases:
- Capturing detailed vacation photos and videos
- Enjoying multimedia content with immersive audio experience
- Reliable all-around performance for daily tasks
Xiaomi Poco M4 5G Ideal User:
- Social Media Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize a smooth, responsive user interface for scrolling through social media feeds.
- Budget-conscious Gamers: Users who want a decent performance device without spending too much.
- Users who want the latest software: Those who want the newest software and features of Android 12.
- Users who want more RAM: Those who plan to multitask on their phones would benefit from the additional RAM.
- Users who need to charge other devices: The reverse charging feature comes in handy to charge other phones.
Specific Use Cases:
- Smooth scrolling and browsing experience
- Basic gaming with decent frame rates
- Keeping up with the latest software updates
Price-to-Value Ratio: The Poco M4 5G generally offers a slightly better price-to-performance ratio, making it a more budget-friendly option for users who want smooth performance and the latest OS. The Redmi Note 9T might be preferred by people looking for better cameras and audio.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize camera quality and video recording over a smoother display? (Redmi Note 9T offers superior camera and 4K video recording.)
- Is a newer version of Android and slightly smoother performance more important than better audio? (Poco M4 5G comes with Android 12 and has slightly better performance.)
- Are you more likely to watch a lot of videos, or are you someone who scrolls social media a lot? (Redmi Note 9T's stereo speakers are more suitable for watching videos, while Poco M4 5G's higher refresh rate display is better for scrolling through social media)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent Traveler/Photographer - Choose the Redmi Note 9T for its superior cameras, and higher quality videos.
- Scenario 2: Budget Gamer/Social Media Scroller - Choose the Poco M4 5G for its smoother display and better benchmark scores.
- Scenario 3: Multimedia Enthusiast - Choose the Redmi Note 9T for its stereo speakers.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I would pick the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T. While the Poco M4 5G's 90Hz display and Android 12 are tempting, the Redmi Note 9T's superior camera system, and especially it's better audio, make it a more compelling option for my needs. The ability to take better photos and videos, along with having better sound, outweighs the benefits of a smoother display since I care about media consumption more than gaming. Additionally, the inclusion of a dedicated macro lens and better screen protection are useful additions for my use case. While the Poco M4 5G is a good value, the Redmi Note 9T, in my opinion, provides a better overall experience for my needs.
