Introduction: two popular budget from Xiaomi under the magnifying glass
Choosing between the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi 9 is a classic dilemma for those looking for a balanced smartphone up to 15,000 rubles. Both models have long been on the market, but still in demand due to reliability and good price-performance ratio. However, the approaches to their creation are radically different: the Note 8 Pro is the flagship “killer” of 2019 with a top-end chipset and 64-MP camera, and the Redmi 9 is an optimized budget model of 2020 with a focus on autonomy and simplicity.
In this article, we’ll explore a key difference that makes the choice clear to 80 percent of consumers: why gamers should definitely look towards the Note 8 Pro, and those who value working long hours without recharging should look at the Redmi 9. But there are pitfalls, from the overheating of the former to the weak performance of the latter, to make no mistake, we’ll analyze the technical specifications, test results and real-world user experience.
1.Performance: MediaTek chipsets vs. Snapdragon
The main difference of models lies under the hood.Redmi Note 8 Pro is equipped with MediaTek Helio G90T — It's the flagship chipset for games at the time of release. 12-nm processor with two cores Cortex-A76 (2.05 GHz) and six Cortex-A55, plus a graphics accelerator Mali-G76. By comparison: Redmi 9 MediaTek Helio G80 (12 nm), where the nuclei Cortex-A75 (2.0 GHz and Cortex-A55 They work in tandem with a video chip. Mali-G52. The difference in productivity is achieved 30-40% note 8 Pro.
In synthetic tests, this is manifested as follows:
- 🎮 AnTuTu 9: Note 8 Pro — ~280,000 points, Redmi 9 — ~200,000 points
- 🖥️ Geekbench 5 (multi-core): 1,500 vs 1,300 points, respectively
- 🔥 Trottling: Note 8 Pro warms up stronger but holds FPS longer
⚠️ Note: If you plan to play Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG High-setting, Redmi. 9 It will slow down through 20-30 minutes of game session. Note 8 Pro will handle better, but will require cooling (e.g., removing the case).
| Parameter | Redmi Note 8 Pro | Redmi 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Helio G90T (12 nm) | Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| AnTuTu 9 | ~280 000 | ~200 000 |
| Max. FPS at PUBG (HDR) | 40 (steady) | 30 (drawdowns to 20) |
2 Cameras: 64 MP vs 13 MP - should you overpay?
On paper, the Redmi Note 8 Pro wins by a crushing score: the main camera is 64 MP (Samsung GW1) against the 13 MP Redmi 9. But the real quality of photos depends not only on megapixels. The Note 8 Pro uses Tetra-cell technology (combining 4 pixels into 1), which gives more detailed pictures in good light. However, at dusk, both smartphones show weak results - noise is suppressed aggressively, details are lost.
Video footage is different too:
- 🎥 Note 8 Pro: 4K@30fps, stabilisation EIS, no 60 FPS into 1080p
- 🎥 Redmi 9: only 1080p@30fps, less stable
- 🌃 Night mode: Note 8 Pro works better, but requires a steady hand
Examples of photos from both cameras
⚠️ Note: If you're actively making videos for social media, look at the microphone. Redmi 9's is worse at suppressing background noises - the voice will sound deaf in the street.
3. Screen: IPS vs IPS - who's brighter?
Both models are equipped with IPS-matrixes, but with different characteristics:
- 📱 Redmi Note 8 Pro: 6.53", 2340×1080 (FHD+), 19.5:9, brightness 500 thread
- 📱 Redmi 9: 6.53", 2340×1080 (FHD+), 19.5:9, brightness 400 thread
In practice, the difference in brightness is only noticeable under direct sunlight, but the Note 8 Pro has two key advantages:
- HDR10 support (Redmi 9 is not available).
- Higher frequency of touch polling (180 Hz vs 120 Hz), which is important for gaming.
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To check the actual brightness of the screen, turn on the Read mode (Settings → Display → Read mode) in the settings and compare the white background display at maximum backlight.
4. Battery and autonomy: who will live longer?
Here Redmi 9 takes revenge: its battery at 5 020 mAh against 4 500 mAh Note 8 Pro. In tests for autonomy (playing video in aircraft mode), the difference reaches 25%:
- 🔋 Redmi 9: Up to 18 hours of video
- 🔋 Note 8 Pro: Up to 14 hours of video
But there are nuances:
- ⚡ Note 8 Pro supports fast charging of 18 watts (included), Redmi 9 – only 10 watts (charging in the kit is weaker).
- 🔥 Overheating: Note 8 Pro loses battery capacity faster due to chipset heating.
☑️ How to extend the life of a battery
5. Design and Ergonomics: Plastic vs Glass
The Redmi Note 8 Pro is made in a glass case with an aluminum frame, which gives it a premium look, but makes it slippery. Redmi 9 is completely plastic - less stamps and stronger when falling. The weight of the models is almost the same (~200 g), but the distribution is different:
- 🏋️ Note 8 Pro is thicker (8.8 mm) due to cooling system.
- 💧 Redmi 9 has spatter protection (but not full-fledged) IP-rating).
⚠️ Warning: Note 8 Pro's glass back collects fingerprints and scratches.If you don't plan on using a case, be prepared for a daily screen cleaning.
6. Memory and software: MIUI on different versions of Android
Both models were shipped with MIUI, but on different bases:
- 🤖 Note 8 Pro: Android 9 (update to Android) MIUI 12.5 on Android 11 is unofficial).
- 🤖 Redmi 9: Android 10 (official update to the official version) MIUI 13 on Android 12).
From memory:
- 💾 Note 8 Pro: 6/64 GB 6/128 GB, microSD slot (hybrid).
- 💾 Redmi 9: 3/32 GB, 4/64 GB 4/128 GB, a separate slot for microSD.
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If you’re looking for security updates, go for Redmi 9, which will take longer to support. The Note 8 Pro won’t be officially updated.
7.Price and relevance in 2026
In the secondary market, prices vary greatly:
- 💰 Redmi Note 8 Pro (6/128 GB): 12 000–15 000 ₽
- 💰 Redmi 9 (4/128 GB): 9 000–12 000 ₽
Should I overpay?
- ✅ Note 8 Pro is justified if you need games, 64MP camera or HDR-screen.
- ✅ Redmi 9 is better for autonomy, budget use and long upgrades.