Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T

5G-force

p26 pxx

Most UK mobile-phone operators have started rolling out their 5G networks, which promise download speeds that are around 10 times faster than 4G. If you live or work in an area that has 5G (you can check this at https://5g.co.uk), you might be considering trying life in the fast lane. You’ll need a 5G-compatible phone, but that needn’t cost the Earth – and at £229 the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T is the most affordable option we’ve seen to date.

Even if you’re not ready for 5G yet, it’s still a capable smartphone that’s worth considering. It has a large 6.53in screen with a resolution of 2340x1080 pixels, and a 48-megapixel camera. There’s a choice of either 64GB or 128GB of expandable storage, and it comes with 4GB of RAM. We reviewed the £229 64GB model, but the 128GB model costs only £20 more.

The screen is nothing to write home about but it’s perfectly decent for this price. It reproduces colours well, covering 97.9 per cent of the SRGB colour range in our tests, and its peak brightness is a fairly dazzling 502cd/ m² . However, the contrast is a middling 1,096:1.

In our performance tests, the 9T really impressed for a budget model.

It has the new Mediatek Dimensity 800U processor, and in the Geekbench 5 test it outperformed pricier 5G phones, including the £329 Oneplus Nord N10 5G (see our review, Issue 596). In our video-playback test the battery lasted 18 hours 10 minutes, which is more than enough to last a day of use whenever we all get the opportunity to be out and about again.

The previous Redmi Note had an extra ultra-wide camera lens, which has been removed from this version and we miss it. However, the main 48-megapixel camera takes great shots in decent light, though it suffers somewhat in dimly lit conditions.

Inevitably, then, there have been corners cut to get this 5G smartphone on the market at this price, but it’s still much better than we have any right to expect. For those looking for the most affordable route into 5G, it’s perfect.

The best 5G smartphone that a modest amount of money can buy