Xiaomi POCO X4 Pro vs Realme 9 Pro Plus: Which is better

Xiaomi POCO X4 Pro vs Realme 9 Pro Plus: Both the Xiaomi POCO X4 Pro and Realme 9 Pro Plus are incredible mid-range 5G smartphones. But, between these two phones, which is better and why?

In this post, I’ll be comparing the specifications of the POCO X4 Pro from Xiaomi and the Realme 9 Pro+ from Realme to see which you should buy. So, let’s get started.

Xiaomi POCO X4 Pro vs Realme 9 Pro Plus

Specifications	POCO X4 Pro	Realme 9 Pro+
Display	6.67-inch, 120Hz	6.4-inch, 90Hz
RAM	6/8GB	6/8GB
Storage	128/256GB	128/256GB
Back Camera	108 + 8 + 2MP	50 + 8 + 2MP
Front Camera	16MP	16MP
Chipset	Snapdragon 695 5G	Dimensity 920 5G
Software	Android 11	Android 12
Battery	5,000mAh (67W)	4,500mAh (60W)
IP53 Rating	YES	NO

Display and Design

The displays of both phones are different in some ways. The POCO X4 Pro has a bigger 6.67-inch display while the Realme 9 Pro+ has a smaller 6.4-inch display. Another difference is that the display of the POCO X4 Pro has support for a 120Hz refresh rate while the Realme 9 Pro+ has support for only a 90Hz refresh rate.

As for design, both phones are also different. The rear camera module of the POCO X4 Pro is horizontal while that of the Realme 9 Pro+ is vertical. The punch hole that houses the selfie camera of the POCO X4 Pro is placed at the top center screen while that of the Realme 9 Pro+ is placed at the top left corner. But both phones share some similarities when it comes to the display.

The display of both phones is flat and uses an AMOLED panel. Both phones also have FHD+ resolution and the displays are protected by Gorilla Glass. The build material on the back, front, and frame of both phones are also the same.

The advantage of the POCO X4 Pro here is the certified IP53 dust and splash resistance and the higher 120Hz refresh rate support. Some people will prefer the smaller and more colorful display of the Realme 9 Pro+.

Camera

When it comes to cameras the Xiaomi POCO X4 Pro comes with a triple rear camera set up and a single front camera: a 108MP main camera with PDAF, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. Upfront it comes with a 16MP selfie camera.

The Realme 9 Pro+ also features a triple rear camera set-up and a single front camera. It has a 50MP main camera with PDAF and OIS features, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, a 2MP macro lens, and a 16MP selfie camera. In the areas of photography and videography, the Realme 9 Pro+ is better than the POCO X4 Pro.

Although the cameras of the POCO X4 Pro can take quality photos, it lacks some important camera features. Most of these camera features are available in the Realme 9 Pro+. Features such as OIS, gyro-EIS, and recording videos in 4k resolution. The POCO X4 Pro misses out on these camera features. So, when it comes to photography and videography, the Realme 9 Pro Plus is the better phone.

Performance | Storage | RAM | 5G

The performance of both phones is very different and this is because both phones feature different chipsets. The chipset inside the POCO X4 Pro is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G while the Realme 9 Pro+ features the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 Max 5G chip.

When it comes to performance, the Realme 9 Pro+ beats the POCO X4 Pro. Although the POCO X4 Pro has a slightly faster CPU, the GPU, ISP, and NPU inside the Realme 9 Pro+ are better. When it comes to playing heavy games and processing graphics, the Realme 9 Pro+ is better.

Both the POCO X4 Pro and Realme 9 Pro+ have 6/8GB of RAM and 128/256GB of internal storage. They also have space for storage expansion via a microSD card slot.

When it comes to gaming and overall performance, the Realme 9 Pro Plus performs better than the POCO X4 Pro. Although the chip inside the POCO phone is good, that inside the Realme 9 Pro+ is better.

Software

The Xiaomi POCO X4 Pro boots MIUI 13 based on Android 11 out of the box while the Realme 9 Pro+ boots Realme UI 3.0 based on Android 12 out of the box. Both Xiaomi and Realme have promised three years of major software updates for these smartphones.

Along with the major software updates, both phones will also get monthly security patches for at least four years. However, the Realme 9 Pro+ is one software update ahead of the POCO X4 Pro. This is why it’ll be getting an Android 15 update while the POCO X4 Pro will stop at the Android 14 update.

Battery

The Realme 9 Pro+ is powered by a 4,500mAh battery with support for a 60W fast charge. The POCO X4 Pro on the other hand is powered by a 5,000mAh battery with support for a 67W fast charge.

The battery of the POCO X4 Pro is bigger and will last for a longer time. It also has faster charge technology. So, the best battery phone between both phones is the Xiaomi POCO X4 Pro.

Xiaomi POCO X4 Pro vs Realme 9 Pro Plus: Price

The price of the Realme 9 Pro+ 8 + 256GB storage option is about $475 and the 8 + 256GB storage option of the Xiaomi POCO X4 Pro is priced at €350. The POCO X4 Pro is the more affordable phone but does not mean it’s the best buy. See the reasons below.

Buy POCO X4 Pro and Realme 9 Pro+

POCO X4 Pro	Price	Realme 9 Pro+	Price
Buy on Amazon	€319	Realme Store	$475

Xiaomi POCO X4 Pro vs Realme 9 Pro Plus: Verdict

So, between the Xiaomi POCO X4 Pro and the Realme 9 Pro+ which is better?

The Realme 9 Pro+ offers better value for money hence the better phone to buy. With the Realme 9 Pro Plus, you get a better camera, better GPU, better software update plan, and a more colorful display. Yes, the POCO phone has a bigger battery, a bigger display, and an IP53 rating. But, It has limited camera features and a less-performing chipset.

If I’m to score both smartphones, I’ll score the Xiaomi POCO X4 Pro (48%) and the Realme 9 Pro+ (52%). The Realme 9 Pro+ might be the more expensive phone, but it offers better value for money.