Similar, but very different: the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite and Redmi Note 9 Pro are two of the most popular mid-range mobiles of all those that make up the Xiaomi terminal catalog in 2020, and between them, they amass a good part of the sales harvested by the Beijing giant in recent months.
But which of the two is better? When analyzing the Xiaomi catalog, sometimes we find terminals with similar characteristics and prices within the same range, thus making a choice difficult.
Therefore, in this article, we want to help you choose the most suitable model for you between the Mi Note 10 Lite and the Redmi Note 9 Pro. And we already anticipate that the choice will be more difficult than you could imagine.
Design and screen: a question of curves
Choosing between the Mi Note 10 Lite and the Redmi Note 9 Pro based on their design is easy: if you like curves, the Mi Note series model is for you. If, on the contrary, you are like us and you think that curved screens do not make any sense, you will probably do better with the Redmi terminal.
In any case, we are talking about two terminals that opt for a similar construction, with aluminum on the sides and shiny glass on the back, in both cases with a considerable size and weight, close to 16 centimeters in height and reaching 200 grams in both cases.
However, we did find a big difference when it came to the screen. Not only in terms of size, since that of the Redmi Note 9 Pro is 0.2 inches higher, but in terms of technology, since the Mi Note, 10 Lite is one of the few mid-range Xiaomi phones with an OLED screen. It is also a panel of fantastic quality that surpasses the Redmi Note 9 Pro in terms of color representation, contrast, and brightness.
Another small difference is how both terminals hide the front camera: a small notch on the Mi Note 10 Lite and a hole in the screen on the Redmi. I’m afraid it will be a matter of taste to decide which is a better solution.
Cameras: extra resolution for the Note
Xiaomi Mi series models usually incorporate the best of the best in the photographic section. That has not changed in the Mi Note 10 Lite, despite being a model oriented to the mid-range.
Its main camera is 64 megapixels of resolution, surpassing the 48 megapixels of the Redmi Note 9 Pro in terms of resolution. And although in photography, the numbers are not everything, the truth is that the Mi Note 10 Lite can offer better results than its relative of the Redmi family.
While the differences aren’t huge, those looking to enjoy the most advanced photography experience possible without spending too much money should probably go for the Mi Note series model.
For the rest, the two terminals accompany their main sensors of an ultra-wide-angle, 13 and 8 megapixels in Mi Note 10 Lite and Redmi Note 9 Pro, respectively, and two additional sensors, “macro” and “depth,” 5 and 2 megapixels. Therefore, in neither of the two models do we find a telephoto to capture distant subjects or objects.
The thing changes in terms of the front, where the 32-megapixel sensor of the Redmi Note 9 Pro may take more detailed captures than the 16-megapixel sensor of the Mi Note 10 Lite. Even so, the differences will only be appreciable in very specific situations. Both terminals do a great job in this regard.
Battery and performance: two wonders in terms of autonomy
I’ll be clear: you buy the model you buy, you will not have a problem with battery life. With 5,260 and 5,020 mAh in the Mi Note 10 Lite and Redmi Note 9 Pro, autonomy will be the last of your concerns since the two devices can last for two days without any problem.
In addition, since both terminals have a 30W fast charge, you will not have to stay glued to the charger for too long: in just over an hour, the two smartphones are capable of recharging the batteries and being ready for another couple of days of use.
Processor and memory: the Snapdragon 730G wins the battle
In its review, the Redmi Note 9 Pro delighted us in many ways. But unfortunately, the frequent occurrence of lag was frustrating the experience to some extent.
And although it is most likely not due to the Snapdragon 720G processor that mounts the device, we do know that the chip that mounts the Mi Note 10 Lite, a version superior to that of the Redmi Note 9 Pro, is capable of offering a result somewhat superior in terms of overall performance.
Where there are not too many differences is in terms of the GPU, since both mount the Adreno 618 from Qualcomm, as well as in the memory configurations, since the two models arrive with 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage in their base versions.
Connectivity: a mid-range pair with NFC, but without 5G
Likely, both the Mi Note 10 Lite and the Redmi Note 9 Pro are the last terminals in their series to lack 5G connectivity.
That, however, does not mean that both terminals arrive with the advances in connectivity that the vast majority of people might need in their day-to-day lives: NFC for mobile payments, USB Type C, Bluetooth 5, Dual SIM, Wi-Fi dual-band, and an infrared emitter. Nor is the FM radio missing.
Other features
Beyond all the differences above, we can find some interesting changes if we examine the technical specifications of both models carefully.
One of the most striking refers to the position and type of the fingerprint reader. In the Mi Note 10 Lite, the sensor is integrated directly into the OLED panel, while in the Redmi, we find it on the side.
Although the solution used by Xiaomi in the Mi Note is more futuristic and gives the device a look worthy of higher-end mobiles, the truth is that the capacitive reader of the Redmi is more accessible, in addition to being faster accurate most of the time.
In addition to that, having an OLED panel makes the Mi Note 10 Lite offer such useful functions as the Always-on Display mode, which allows displaying relevant information – such as the weather or notifications – when the mobile is locked and with the screen off.
Finally, it is worth noting that despite being a cheaper model, the Redmi Note 9 has already been updated to Android 11 with MIUI 12, while the Mi Note 10 Lite still has a version of MIUI based on Android 10.
Mi 10 Lite vs. Redmi Note 9 Pro, which is the better option?
At first, it might seem that the Mi Note 10 Lite is a more premium and advanced terminal than the Redmi model. At least, that is what makes us think about its more careful design and the fact that it belongs to the Miseries.
But as we begin to compare its specifications more thoroughly, we see that the most notable differences are limited to aspects such as the technology of the screen or the photographic system. For the rest, we are talking about quite similar devices.
What is clear is that both are fantastic options depending on the needs of each one: if you are looking for a beautiful, powerful mobile, with a fantastic screen and a first-rate photographic section, the Mi Note 10 Lite may be a better option despite to be a little more expensive.
But if what you are looking for is a somewhat more sober terminal in terms of design, but that does not forget to offer a first-rate photographic experience and performance above its more direct rivals, the Redmi Note 9 Pro, for a price Of fewer than 250 euros, it is a great alternative .
Sharlene Meriel is an avid gamer with a knack for technology. He has been writing about the latest technologies for the past 5 years. His contribution in technology journalism has been noteworthy. He is also a day trader with interest in the Forex market.
