Redmi Note 9 Pro vs Redmi Note 9 Pro Max: Which one should you choose?

The Redmi Note line has always been a pretty successful one and is largely responsible for Xiaomi’s strong grip in markets like India. Value-for-money, good specs, and impressive imaging capabilities have long remained the trademarks of the series.

The Redmi Note 9 Pro and Redmi Note 9 Pro Max stick to the same winning formula. Both phones are very similar in terms of specs, though there are some notable differences.

How do the two siblings compare, and which one is the best option for you? Let’s find out in this quick look at the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro vs Redmi Note 9 Pro Max spec comparison.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro vs Redmi Note 9 Pro Max: Specs

Two of a kind

As you can see in the spec comparison sheet above, the Redmi Note 9 Pro and Note 9 Pro Max are not all that different from each other. You can expect comparable performance from the two phones since they sport the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G chipset.

Related: Snapdragon SoC guide: All of Qualcomm’s smartphone processors explained!

The camera setup is what sets the two new Redmi phones apart. While the regular Redmi Note 9 Pro features a 48MP Samsung ISOCELL Bright GM2 sensor, the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max gets a 64MP Samsung ISOCELL Bright GW1 sensor. So the biggest difference is that you get 12MP pixel-binned shots with the Redmi Note 9 Pro, while the Pro Max delivers 16MP pixel-binned images.

Otherwise, you still get an 8MP ultra-wide camera (119-degree field of view), a 5MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor on both phones.

The selfie cameras on the two phones are housed within a punch-hole. The vanilla Note 9 Pro gets a 16MP snapper, while the Max has a 32MP shooter. Both phones have a night mode for low-light shooting, and both can capture 1,080p videos at 30fps.

We see a few compromises in the Redmi Note 9 Pro compared to the Max model, though, such as a 4GB RAM base model (with an option for 6GB of RAM) and 18W fast charging instead of 33W.

However, the battery size, the display, the design, and the software are the same on the two Redmi Note Pro phones.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro vs Redmi Note 9 Pro Max: Price

Pricing is where things get interesting as it’s always the deciding factor between two phones in the same series.

The Redmi Note 9 Pro costs Rs 13,999 (~$190) for the 4GB/64GB variant, Rs 14,999 (~$203) for the 4GB/128GB version, and Rs 16,999 (~$231) for the 6GB/128GB option.

Meanwhile, the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max is priced at Rs 16,999 (~$231) for the 6GB/64GB model, Rs 18,499 (~$251) for the 6GB/128GB option, and Rs 19,999 (~$271) for the 8GB/128GB variant.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro vs Redmi Note 9 Pro Max: Verdict

The price difference between the two base models is minimal, but the gap becomes larger between the top-end Note 9 Pro and the Note 9 Pro Max.

Given that the top Redmi Note 9 Pro and mid-tier Redmi Note 9 Pro Max prices are the same, it would only make sense to get the Max for its superior camera sensors and faster charging. However, if the higher camera configuration and faster charging don’t matter to you, you can go for the mid or base Redmi Note 9 Pro.

What about the Redmi Note 10 series?

As if choosing between Redmi’s Note 9 Pro models isn’t hard enough, now there’s a new generation to worry about. The new Redmi Note 10 series packs a full year of improvements over last year’s range, and there are still a whopping four versions to sift through.

Each version of the Note 10 comes with a different chipset, but there are a few things you can count on. For starters, all four Note 10 devices pack headphone jacks and at least 5,000mAh batteries. You can choose between 64GB and 128GB of storage as well, and you’re looking at a crisp Full HD Plus display.

See also: Redmi Note 10 review | Redmi Note 10 Pro review

After that, the choice is yours. The Note 10 and Note 10 Pro rely on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips, while the Note 10S and Note 10 5G roll with MediaTek. Redmi’s Note 10 Pro is the largest of the bunch at 6.67-inches, followed by the Note 10 5G at 6.5-inches, and the Redmi Note 10 and Note 10S bring up the rear at 6.43-inches. We could compare the four devices all day long, but it might be time to check out our buyer’s guide instead.

There you go, everything you need to decide on a Redmi Note 9 device. Looking for more options beyond the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro series? Check out our list of the best Xiaomi phones here.