Update Xiao Mi Red Mi 9 Review – Update: The Redmi 9 is now available to buy in the UK. If you act fast, you can get discounts and sweet prizes.
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Update Xiao Mi Red Mi 9 Review
The sub-brand Xiaomi Redmi focuses on entry-level and mid-range devices, and the Redmi 9 is a fine example. The Redmi 9 is aggressively priced at just $160 – give or take a few bucks. That’s seven or eight times cheaper than flagship devices. The question is, do you get seven or eight times less smartphones? Or, to put it another way, what do you get for $160 and what do you lose?
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About this Redmi 9 review: I spent a week testing the Redmi 9. The device runs MIUI Global 11.0.4 which is based on Android 10 with the June 2020 security patch installed.
Redmi 9 is the latest model in the vanilla Redmi series that launched the Redmi brand in 2013. Price remains the key factor. However, this does not stop Xiaomi from including four camera sensors, a Full HD display, Corning Gorilla Glass 3, USB-C, fast charging, reverse charging, and an IR blaster in the Redmi 9.
For its low price, the Redmi 9 will differ from more expensive devices in terms of performance, RAM and storage. The price also reflects the design, there are no good blends, no beveled edges, and no curved display. There is a lot of plastic and the overall look is simple. However, this does not mean that the construction is of poor quality. Redmi 9 looks solid. I always handled it with confidence and never worried about it bursting at the seams.
Considering the context of price and value for money, the Redmi 9 performs well. I have to admit I groaned a bit when I heard I would review the device. However, after using Redmi 9 for a long time, I have to scold myself for prejudging. I don’t expect a pleasant experience from a smartphone for $160. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not the Samsung Galaxy S20 or the OnePlus 8. But if I had a small budget and parted with hard cash, I’d be happy with the Redmi 9.
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The back of the phone is plastic, but Xiaomi is a plus. There is an interesting circular design around the camera module which, according to Xiaomi, “gives balance and elegance”. It’s actually not a bad way to describe it. Great for copywriters. The back is textured to improve grip and prevent fingerprints.
The Redmi 9 is available in three colors: Carbon Grey, Ocean Green and Sunset Purple. Each has a gradient pattern, significantly reducing blandness.
The 6.53-inch FHD + screen has an aspect ratio of 19.5: 9 and a screen resolution of 2340 x 1080. Brightness, colors and viewing angles are good. You can adjust the color temperature in the settings using the “warm” and “cool” options next to the default settings.
Redmi 9 also supports sunlight mode, sometimes called austere display. If you’re out in strong sunlight, your phone will try to improve visibility by increasing the brightness. But screen brightness can only take you so far. With a firm look, the device can also increase the visibility of darker areas while preventing already bright areas from being washed out. It is a good feature in the price range.
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Redmi 9 uses Xiaomi’s special version of Android called MIUI. The device comes with MIUI Global 11 which is based on Android 10. It includes Google Play Store, Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps, Google Photos and Google Assistant.
There are also MIUI specific apps such as Mi Browser, Theme Manager, Mi Calculator, FM Radio App, Mi Mover and Mi Remote App for IR Blaster. There are also several pre-installed games, including Crazy Juicer, Dust Settle, and Bubble Shooter with Friends. You can uninstall the game if needed.
One of the ways Xiaomi keeps prices low is by placing ads on MIUI itself, not just apps. For example, when you install an app from the Play Store, there is a high probability that you will see ads on the final screen after installation. We are not in love with this strategy.
At the heart of the Redmi 9 is the MediaTek Helio G80 and 3GB of RAM with 32GB of internal storage or 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. The Helio G80 is an octa-core processor with 2 Cortex-A75 2.0GHz cores, 6 Cortex-A55 1.8GHz cores and a Mali-G52 MC2 GPU. For context, the Cortex-A75 was launched in 2017 and is the CPU core used in processors like the Snapdragon 845 found in phones like the OnePlus 6.
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The Redmi 9 isn’t a gaming phone, but that doesn’t mean it can’t play games. I installed various casual games like Temple Run 2, Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes, and Brawl Stars, and they all worked perfectly. Upping the ante, I installed Asphalt 9 and Need For Speed: Unlimited. Both are playable. However, I noticed a lag in Asphalt 9.
Finally I tried Fortnite and PUBG. Both are playable, but don’t expect high frame rate and detailed graphics. Fortnite doesn’t officially support Redmi 9 and it gives you a warning when you start the game, but you can play it. The default Fortnite setting for this device is 20fps with low quality settings and 75% 3D resolution. PUBG performs well with graphics set to a balanced, medium frame rate and no anti-aliasing.
I installed various casual games like Temple Run 2, Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes, and Brawl Stars, and they all worked perfectly.
For those who like numbers in benchmarks, Redmi 9 scored 359 and 1,287 in Geekbench – for single and multi-core – and 196,939 in AnTuTu.
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For sound, there is a single speaker at the bottom next to the USB-C port. The sound is what you would expect from such a setup. It works, but the music can be thin and lack fidelity. Loudspeakers easily overdrive; Reducing the volume slightly will improve the quality. There is also a headphone jack on the bottom edge. For games and movies, using headphones will give you a better experience.
Long battery life has become a wish of smartphone users. Since the Redmi 9 doesn’t have many fancy features, decent battery life is important. The Redmi 9 has a 5020mAh battery that supports up to 18W Quick Charge 3.0. In the box you get a 10W charger that will charge your device from 0% to 25% in 38 minutes, from 0% to 50% in 72 minutes, from 0% to 80% in less than two hours and from 0% to full in three hours. It is allowed.
During my tests, I found that you can play about eight hours of 3D games or watch 14 hours of YouTube on a single charge. This means the battery will last all day – maybe longer – depending on how you use it.
Redmi 9 also supports reverse OTG charging. With the right cable, in the case of USB-C to USB-C, I can charge another Android phone. Quite useful in an emergency!
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The Redmi 9 has a better quad camera setup than the Redmi 8. The main sensor is a 13MP one
/ 2.2, it is supported by 8MP Ultra wide sensor, 5MP macro sensor and 2MP depth sensor.
Overall, the camera is above average if you consider the price. Portrait mode works well with the rear camera, while pro mode gives you manual control over settings like ISO and white balance. The 8MP wide-angle sensor is a great addition and great for landscapes. However, wide angle has a fixed focus, which limits its use in certain situations.
The camera app does not include a night mode, which means that good lighting is required for the best results. Any attempt to take photos in low light will be noisy or useless. Things get even better with a built-in AI mode that recognizes scenes like landscapes, food, and people. It also recognizes low light and does its best to compensate. In general, the performance of the camera in low light is poor.
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To use the macro lens, it must be enabled in the camera menu. The main problem with macro cameras is the lack of autofocus or any focus assist. This means that focusing on the subject is difficult. Out of about 15 photos taken, only one was clear.
The device supports video at 30 frames per second in 1080p or 720p. There are no other modes except slow motion mode which is limited to 720p and works
