Here you can compare Samsung Galaxy M31 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro. The Samsung Galaxy M31 starts at $ 289.89 for the base model. And this makes it a direct competitor to the Redmi Note 9 Pro that arrived back in February as a successor to the M30 and M30s. So, which one’s a better buy under $ 300? Let’s check out the same in our detailed Samsung Galaxy M31 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro comparison involving key specifications, performance, design, camera, multimedia, battery life, and connectivity.
Pros and Cons
| Samsung Galaxy M31 | Redmi Note 9 Pro |
| Fast fingerprint sensor and face unlock | 6.67 inch LCD IPS display |
| Best AMOLED display | Corning Gorilla glass 5 protection |
| Powerful 6000 mAh battery | Type-C, Infrared |
| Moderate fast charging speed | Heavy and Bulky design |
| Low light camera performance | No AMOLED Display support |
Key Specification
| Samsung Galaxy M31 | Redmi Note 9 Pro | |
| Released | 2020, March | 2020, March |
| Chipset | Samsung Exynos 9 Octa 9611 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G |
| Display | 6.4 inches | 6.67 inches |
| Memory | 6 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Camera | 64+8+5+5 MP | 48+8+5+2 MP |
| Fingerprint Sensor Position | Rear | Side |
Design
| Samsung Galaxy M31 | Redmi Note 9 Pro | |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm | 165.7 x 76.6 x 8.8 mm |
| Weight | 191 grams | 209 grams |
| Screen Size | 6.4 inches | 6.67 inches |
| Screen Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels | 1080 x 2400 pixels |
| Color | Black, Blue | Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Black |
| Display Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Build Material | Plastic | Gorilla Glass |
When comparing the two phones in terms of design, the Redmi Note 9 Pro is an instant winner. The Redmi Note 9 Pro has Gorilla Glass 5 protection both in the back and front while the Samsung Galaxy M31 only has Gorilla Glass 3 in the front and the overall plastic body is a disappointment. The Redmi Note 9 Pro is 20 grams heavier than M31, so it is to be noted for those who prefer a lighter phone. These features of the Redmi Note 9 Pro give it a luxurious and premium look.
Display-wise the Samsung Galaxy M31 features a 6.4 inches Super AMOLED display while the Note 9 Pro has a bigger 6.67 inch IPS LCD, both these panels are regular 60-hertz ones. With the AMOLED nature of the display, one can take advantage of features like always-on display and even dark mode looks pleasing on it, however, it’s worth mentioning that Redmi Note 9 Pro’s display is a good too. Hence becoming a very close second and since it is the bigger of the two one might prefer it for gaming and media consumption as well.
Performance
| Samsung Galaxy M31 | Redmi Note 9 Pro | |
| Processor | Octa core (2.3 GHz, Quad core, Cortex A73 + 1.7 GHz, Quad core, Cortex A53) | Octa core (2.3 GHz, Dual core, Kryo 465 + 1.8 GHz, Hexa Core, Kryo 465) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 618 |
| RAM | 6 GB | 4 GB |
| Internal storage | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Storage expansion | Up to 512 GB | Up to 512 GB |
| OS | Android v10 (Q) | Android v10 (Q) |
The Redmi Note 9 Pro comes with 4 GB RAM while Samsung Galaxy M31 has 6 Gb Ram. Both devices have 64GB internal storage and offer storage expansion. They both offer Android 10, although they have different UIs and overall experience differs.
The key difference is that the Redmi Note 9 Pro comes packing a Snapdragon 720g chipset (gaming-centric) while the Samsung Galaxy M31 comes with Exynos 9611 chipset. Also, the former comes with Adreno 680 GPU and the latter has the aging Mali-G72 MP3.
Camera
| Samsung Galaxy M31 | Redmi Note 9 Pro | |
| Rear | 64+8+5+5 MP | 48+8+5+2 MP |
| Front | 32 MP f/2.0 Primary Camera | 16 MP Primary Camera |
| Video recording | 3840×2160 @ 30 fps, 1920×1080 @ 30 fps, 1280×720 @ 240 fps | 3840×2160 @ 30 fps, 1920×1080 @ 60 fps, 1280×720 @ 960 fps |
| Image Resolution | 9000 x 7000 Pixels | 8000 x 6000 Pixels |
The Redmi Note 9 Pro features a quad-camera setup that has 48 megapixels primary camera complemented by 8+5+2 megapixel sensors at the back while the front is fitted with a 16-megapixel camera.
The Samsung Galaxy M13 also features a quad-camera setup but has a bigger 68 megapixels primary camera accompanied with an 8+5+5 megapixel setup. The front sports a 32-megapixel snapper. Both devices include ultra-wide, wide, depth, and macro sensor options.
Multimedia
| Samsung Galaxy M31 | Redmi Note 9 Pro | |
| Headphone jack | 3.5 mm | 3.5 mm |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| FM Radio | Yes | – |
| Audio Features | Dolby Atmos | – |
Battery Life
| Samsung Galaxy M31 | Redmi Note 9 Pro | |
| Capacity | 6000 mAh | 5020 mAh |
| Type | Li-ion | Li-Polymer |
| Quick Charging | Fast, 15W | Fast, 18W |
| User Replaceable | No | No |
The Samsung Galaxy M31 comes packed with a beast 6000 mAh battery which supports 15W fast charging. The Redmi Note 9 Pro, on the other hand, includes a 5020 mAh battery which supports for 18W fast charging.
Connectivity
| | Samsung Galaxy M31 | Redmi Note 9 Pro |
| SIM | Dual SIM, GSM+GSM | Dual SIM, GSM+GSM |
| Network Support | 4G (supports Indian bands), 3G, 2G | 4G (supports Indian bands), 3G, 2G |
| Bluetooth | v5.0 | v5.0 |
| Wifi | Wi-Fi 802.11, ac/b/g/n/n 5GHz | Wi-Fi 802.11, ac/b/g/n, MIMO |
| GPS | No | No |
| Sensors | Light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope |
Which is Better?
The Redmi Note 9 Pro reigns supreme over M31 in the matter of design, performance, and unique features. The Samsung Galaxy M31 takes the cake when speaking of display, camera, videos, and battery. At this price point, the Samsung Galaxy will appear to be a better choice.
But it is to be kept in my mind that these phones seem to cater to completely different audiences. The Redmi Note 9 Pro is a more performance-centric product with great design while the Samsung Galaxy M31 is best suited for someone more into multimedia consumption.
The final decision will rest on the buyers’ preference and the main purpose of buying the phone.
