So you’re in the market for a larger smartphone but you really don’t want to pay Samsung prices. We get you — Samsung’s got great phones but they also know it, which explains the price tag. For solid quality and size at a budget price, check out Xiaomi’s newly-launched Redmi Note 9 and Redmi Note 9 Pro. If you’re looking to spend less than R10k on a handset, this is where you should start looking.

Leaving you on Redmi

These aren’t the first handsets from the brand to land this month. Last week we saw the Redmi 9 family get pricing here in SA but while those handsets are mighty affordable, they can’t hold a candle to this pair. Starting with the Redmi Note 9 (pictured above), expect 64GB of storage in the South African version, which goes rather nicely with a 6.53in HD display, MediaTek Helio G85 processor and either 3GB or 4GB of RAM. Xiaomi SA is being a little cagey on that last point.

But it’s the camera tech in the handset that’ll leave you impressed. There’s a 48MP main sensor, along with 8MP (ultrawide), 2MP (macro) and another 2MP (depth) efforts. The front-facer is a little less in-your-face — there’s just a 13MP sensor there but we’re sure it doesn’t feel inadequate at all.

Xiaomi’s new Pro

Expect a little more from the Redmi Note 9 Pro — it’s got the Pro designation for a reason. There’s a 6.67in HD display (well, 1,080 x 2,400) and a Snapdragon 720G processor (so expect it to be speedy, especially considering what you’ll pay for one). The 128GB version is available, with 6GB of RAM, for R6,500 from Mobile in Africa’s online store but it looks like you can also get the 64GB/6GB version in SA.

Again, camera tech is the name of the game. There’s a 64MP main sensor, as well as an 8MP ultrawide sensor, 5MP macro and a 2MP depth sensor. That’s decent enough, as is the front-facing 16MP camera. A 5,020mAh battery should keep you going all day (unless you’re playing Among Us for four hours or more a day) — happily, there’s 18W fast-charging, in case you need a quick top-up.

Xiaomi’s newest oversized smartphones are now available direct from the company’s website here in SA, at R4,000 for the Redmi Note 9 64GB and starting at R6,000 for the Redmi Note 9 Pro. If you’ve got something against buying online, you can also secure your handset from Takealot, TFG, FNB Ebucks and www.hi-online.co.za. Want to check what the handset will look like before you buy? Check out our unboxing of the Redmi Note 9s — most of the items found in the box will look identical.