Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro has long remained one of the most popular budget smartphones due to balanced characteristics: Snapdragon 720G processor, battery 5020 mAh, main camera 64 MP. But the technology does not stand still - for 3 years after the release (2020) there are dozens of more interesting alternatives. In this article, we analyzed 10 smartphones that surpass the Redmi Note 9 Pro in key parameters: from budget innovations to flagships with unique chips.
Why should you look for a replacement? First, the Snapdragon 720G processor is no longer pulling modern games at high settings (for example, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile work with friezes). Second, the 64MP camera looks impressive on paper, but in practice loses to new sensors with better HDR processing and night shooting. Finally, MIUI 14 on old hardware has started to slow down, and Android updates are no longer coming out. Consider which models solve these problems - and where you can save money without losing quality.
1. POCO X6 Pro: the best upgrade for gamers
POCO X6 The Pro is the direct successor to the Redmi Note with a focus on performance. 8300-Ultra (analogue of Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1), which in AnTuTu scores 1,200,000+ The price of the Note 9 Pro starts at 25,000. ₽, Which is comparable to the original cost of the Redmi Note 9 Pro in 2020.
Key advantages for gamers:
- 🎮 120 Hz AMOLED-Dolby Vision-enabled screen (Note 9 Pro has 60 Hz) IPS).
- 🔋 5,000 mAh + 67W charging (vs. 18W competitor) Full charge in 44 minutes.
- 📸 Triple camera. 64+8+2 MP with optics from Sony IMX787 (flower-processing).
Cons: No memory card slot (only hybrid slot) and plastic back.But for that money, the POCO X6 Pro is the best choice for those who want maximum performance without overpaying.
2. Samsung Galaxy M55 5G: premium AMOLED for budget money
If you're annoyed MIUI With its advertising and “Chinese” chips, pay attention to the Samsung Galaxy M55 5G. It is one of the few smartphones in the segment up to 30,000. ₽, suggestive:
- 🌈 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ with a frequency of 120 Hz and a brightness of 1000 nits (the Note 9 Pro has 450 nits).
- 📷 Triple camera. 50+8+2 Optical stabilization (competitor only electronic).
- 🔄 4 generations of Android updates (until 2027) vs. the lack of updates for Xiaomi.
⚠️ Attention: In Galaxy M55 It uses a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, which is weaker than Dimensity. 8300-Ultra into POCO X6 Pro. If you want maximum performance, take POCO. But for everyday tasks (social networks, photos, videos), Samsung wins at the expense of the screen and software.
Another plus is stereo speakers with support for Dolby Atmos, which the Redmi Note 9 Pro does not have. Minus - the battery at 5000 mAh is charged by only 45 W (versus 67 W at POCO).
3.Realme 12 Pro+: flagship camera for half price
Realme 12 Pro+ — A unique case when a smartphone for 35 000 ₽ It offers a flagship-level camera:
- 📸 Sony's 50MP main sensor IMX890 (The same as the OnePlus 11 for $80,000 ₽).
- 🌃 3x optical zoom (periscope) + night-time mode with AI enhancement.
- 🎥 4K video @ 60 FPS (note 9 Pro - maximum 4K@30).
The other parameters of the model also does not undercut:
| Characteristics | Realme 12 Pro+ | Redmi Note 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 | Snapdragon 720G |
| Screen. | 6.7" AMOLED, 120 Hz | 6.67" IPS, 60 Hz |
| Battery | 5000 mAh, 67 Wh | 5020 mAh, 18Wh |
| Weight. | 190 | 209 |
⚠️ Attention: Realme 12 Pro+ No official support NFS For contactless payments in Russia.If you are interested in Google Pay or SberPay, check compatibility before buying.
4. Motorola Moto G84: Pure Android + Long Updates
If you're tired of MIUI with its ads and duplicate apps, the Motorola Moto G84 is a great alternative. It's got a clean Android 13 with a promised upgrade to Android 15 and 3 years of security.
What else is good?
- 🔄 120 Hz pOLED screen with support HDR10+ (It is brighter and more contrasting than Xiaomi).
- 📏 Thin body 7.6 mm (vs. 8.8 mm in a competitor) and weight 166.8 g.
- 🔋 5,000 mAh + 30 watts charging (not as fast as the POCO, stable).
Cons: The Snapdragon 695 processor is weaker than the Note 9 Pro (AnTuTu ~370,000 points), but it has stereo speakers, IP54 (dust and splash protection) and Dolby Atmos support.
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If you need a smartphone to work with documents (PDF, Excel), the Moto G84 is the best choice thanks to the Ready For function. It allows you to connect your phone to the monitor as a full-fledged PC (mouse, keyboard, multitasking).
5: Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+: Why the New Is Better Than the Old
If you’re tied to Xiaomi’s ecosystem but want an upgrade, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is a logical step forward.
- 📱 6.67" AMOLED with 120 Hz and peak brightness of 1800 nits (versus 450 nits in the ancestor).
- 🔋 5,000 mAh + 120 W charging (full charge in 19 minutes!).
- 📸 Camera. 200 pixelated-binning MP 16-into-1 (Day and night photos are better).
- 🛡️ IP68 (full protection from water and dust).
Dimensity 7200 Ultra 4nm processor defeated Snapdragon 720G (12 nm) energy efficiency: less heat in games and the battery lasts 30% longer. ₽, 1.5 times the original price of the Note 9 Pro.
Support 5G in your region|Compatibility with banking applications (NFC)|Global firmware (not Chinese)|Guarantee from the official seller-->
6 Budget alternatives: what to take up to 20,000 ₽
If you’re on a budget but want something better than the Redmi Note 9 Pro, consider these options:
📌 POCO M6 Pro (18 000 ₽):
- 🔋 5,000 mAh + 67 watts (like flagships).
- 📱 120 Hz AMOLED (Note 9 Pro - 60 Hz IPS).
- ⚠️ Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor is weaker than the original.
📌 Samsung Galaxy A14 5G (19 000 ₽):
- 📶 Support 5G (Note 9 Pro only has a 4G).
- 🔄 4 years of updates (up to 2026).
- ⚠️ 90 Hz screen (not 120 Hz).
📌 Realme Narzo 60 Pro (22 000 ₽):
- 📸 100 MP main camera (better than 64 MP competitor).
- 🔋 5,000 mAh + 67 W.
- ⚠️ Polycarbonate case (not glass).
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In the budget segment, prioritize screen (AMOLED > IPS) and fast charging (from 30W).The processor and camera in this price range are usually weaker than the Redmi Note 9 Pro.
7 Flagships for reasonable money: when it makes sense to overpay
If you're willing to spend 50 000–70 000 ₽, We can take the flagship. 2–3-The last year that will destroy the Redmi Note 9 Pro in all respects.-3 variant:
📌 OnePlus Nord 3 (45 000 ₽):
- 🔥 Dimensity 9000 (top chip 2022, 2 times more powerful than Snapdragon) 720G).
- 📱 120 Hz AMOLED supportive HDR10+.
- 🔋 5,000 mAh + 80 W.
📌 Xiaomi 13T (55 000 ₽):
- 📸 Camera from Leica (50+50+12 MP) with optical zoom.
- 🛡️ IP68 + glass-case.
- 🔋 5,000 mAh + 67 W.
📌 Google Pixel 7a (60 000 ₽):
- 🤖 Pure Android + 5 years of updates.
- 📸 Best Photo Processing (AI from Google).
- 🔋 4385 mAh (less than competitors).
Why are the flagships cheaper in 2 years?
8 Which phone to choose instead of Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro: the final guide
We will summarize the results in the form of a table with recommendations for goals:
| Purpose | Best choice. | Budget budget | The alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Games | POCO X6 Pro | 25 000 ₽ | Realme GT Neo 5 |
| Photo/video | Realme 12 Pro+ | 35 000 ₽ | Xiaomi 13T |
| Durability | Samsung Galaxy M55 | 30 000 ₽ | Motorola Moto G84 |
| Budget up to 20k | POCO M6 Pro | 18 000 ₽ | Realme Narzo 60 Pro |
| Xiaomi Ecosystem | Redmi Note 13 Pro+ | 35 000 ₽ | Xiaomi 12T |
⚠️ Note: If you buy a smartphone with your hands (with Avito, Yula), be sure to check: Battery status via ##4636## (menu Battery Information). NFC (if necessary for payment, no blocking of the IMEI (The Redmi Note 9 Pro often wears out the battery after 2-3 years of use - it will cost 3,000-5000 to replace it. ₽.