Nokia XR21 vs Redmi Note 9S

The Nokia XR21 (2023) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G, while the Redmi Note 9S (2020) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G. By overall MobileRank rating, the Nokia XR21 leads — 46/100 vs 39/100 (a 7-point difference). Key differences: the Redmi Note 9S has the bigger battery (5020 mAh vs 4800); the main camera is 64 MP vs 48 MP; the Nokia XR21 is faster in AnTuTu (592,015 vs 514,398); the Nokia XR21 has NFC for contactless payments, the Redmi Note 9S doesn't; the Redmi Note 9S is noticeably lighter (210g vs 231g).

The Nokia XR21 edges out the Redmi Note 9S by just 7 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
Profile comparison
Category scores
Nokia XR21
Performance 46
Display 67
Camera 43
Battery 42
Portability 24
Value for money
Redmi Note 9S
Performance 41
Display 42
Camera 34
Battery 43
Portability 44
Value for money 40
What makes Nokia XR21 better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 592015 vs 514398
  • Better Geekbench Single: 905 vs 746
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 2003 vs 1762
  • Faster charging: 33W vs 18W
  • Better main camera: 64MP vs 48MP
  • Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz

  • Higher performance (46/100 vs 41/100)
  • Better camera (43/100 vs 34/100)
  • Better display (67/100 vs 42/100)
What makes Redmi Note 9S better?
  • Bigger battery: 5020 vs 4800 mAh
  • Lighter: 210g vs 231g

  • Longer battery life (43/100 vs 42/100)
  • Better portability (44/100 vs 24/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Nokia XR21 vs the Redmi Note 9S, the Nokia XR21 scores 7 points higher (46/100 vs 39/100). In the "performance" category, the Nokia XR21 is a bit better (46/100 vs 41/100). In the "display" category, the Nokia XR21 notably outperforms the Redmi Note 9S (67/100 vs 42/100). In the "camera" category, the Nokia XR21 is a bit better (43/100 vs 34/100). In the "battery" category, the Redmi Note 9S and the Nokia XR21 are nearly equal (43/100 vs 42/100). In the "portability" category, the Redmi Note 9S notably outperforms the Nokia XR21 (44/100 vs 24/100).

Nokia XR21: The Nokia XR21 is a better fit for everyday use.
Redmi Note 9S: The Redmi Note 9S is a better fit for everyday use.
Specs comparison
Specification Nokia XR21 Redmi Note 9S
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G
AnTuTu 592015 514398
Geekbench Single 905 746
Geekbench Multi 2003 1762
Display 6.5" IPS LCD 6.7" IPS LCD
Resolution 1080x2400 2400x1080
Refresh rate 120 Hz 60 Hz
Battery 4800 mAh 5020 mAh
Charging 33W 18W
Main camera 64 MP 48 MP
Ultrawide 8 MP 8 MP
Front camera 16 MP 16 MP
RAM 6GB 4GB / 6GB
Storage 128GB 64GB / 128GB
OS Android 12 Android 10
Brightness (peak) 550 nits 450 nits
NFC yes no
Protection IP68
Dimensions 168.0×78.6×10.5 mm 165.8×76.7×8.8 mm
Weight 231 g 210 g
Launch price $200
Camera comparison
Nokia XR21
  • Main: 64MP f/f/1.8
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Front: 16MP
43
camera
Redmi Note 9S
  • Main: 48MP f/1.8
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Front: 16MP
34
camera
Display comparison
Nokia XR21
  • 6.5" IPS LCD
  • Resolution: 1080x2400
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
67
display
Redmi Note 9S
  • 6.7" IPS LCD
  • Resolution: 2400x1080
  • Refresh rate: 60 Hz
42
display
Battery and charging
Nokia XR21
  • 4800 mAh
  • Wired: 33W
  • No wireless charging
42
battery
Redmi Note 9S
  • 5020 mAh
  • Wired: 18W
  • No wireless charging
43
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Nokia XR21 and Redmi Note 9S, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Nokia XR21 Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G
46/100
592015 AnTuTu
Redmi Note 9S Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G
39/100 -15.1%
514398 AnTuTu

Nokia XR21 leads Redmi Note 9S by 15.1% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Nokia XR21
Price unknown
Redmi Note 9S
$200
Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Nokia XR21 is a bit better (46/100 vs 41/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Nokia XR21 notably outperforms the Redmi Note 9S (67/100 vs 42/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Nokia XR21 is a bit better (43/100 vs 34/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Redmi Note 9S and the Nokia XR21 are nearly equal (43/100 vs 42/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Redmi Note 9S notably outperforms the Nokia XR21 (44/100 vs 24/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Nokia XR21 or the Redmi Note 9S?

The Nokia XR21 edges out the Redmi Note 9S by just 7 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.

What is the rating of the Nokia XR21 and the Redmi Note 9S?

The Nokia XR21 has a MobileRank rating of 46/100, the Redmi Note 9S — 39/100.

Which has the better camera: the Nokia XR21 or the Redmi Note 9S?

The Nokia XR21 leads on camera score (43/100 vs 34/100).

Which is more powerful: the Nokia XR21 or the Redmi Note 9S?

The Nokia XR21 leads on performance (46/100 vs 41/100).

Should you choose the Nokia XR21 over the Redmi Note 9S?

The Nokia XR21 is a better fit for everyday use. The Redmi Note 9S is a better fit for everyday use.