Xiaomi

Xiaomi Mi 9: Pros and Cons

Android OS v9.0 (Pie)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
Adreno 640
6 GB / 128 GB
6.4 inch (1080 x 2280 px)
48 + 12 MP, 8000 x 6000 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization

Xiaomi announced the launch of the Mi 9 smartphone in 2019. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 6.4 inch Super AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 SoC, and 6 GB of RAM. The Mi 9 comes with Android OS v9.0 (Pie) pre-installed. The AMOLED display provides deep blacks, vibrant colors, fast response times. The multi-camera setup has specialized features. It has multiple cameras with different focal lengths, like wide-angle, standard, telephoto, and macro. Is the cost justified by its features? I'll strive to answer that by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Xiaomi Mi 9 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

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Xiaomi Mi 9 specifications

BrandXiaomi
NameMi 9
ModelMI9
Release date2019

Weight, dimensions, colors

Dimensions6.1 x 2.95 x 0.3 inch
Colorsblack, blue, gold, white
SIM typeNano SIM

Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v9.0 (Pie)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 855
CPUOcta-core, Single-core 2.84 GHz Kryo, Triple-core 2.42 GHz Kryo, Quad-core 1.8 GHz Kryo
GPUAdreno 640

The Xiaomi Mi 9 comes with Android OS v9.0 (Pie) out of the box. Google regularly releases new versions of Android. They have new features, improvements, and security updates. This octa-core CPU consists: Octa-core, Single-core 2.84 GHz Kryo, Triple-core 2.42 GHz Kryo, Quad-core 1.8 GHz Kryo. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeSuper AMOLED
Screen size6.4 inch
Resolution1080 x 2280 px
Multitouch supportyes

The Mi 9's AMOLED display has deep blacks and vibrant colors. It also has fast response times and features like Always-On Display. The 6.4 inch display should be big enough for your needs. It will make viewing comfortable. This is true whether you're reading, browsing, or watching. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

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Memory, storage

RAM6 GB
Internal storage128 GB
Memory card slotno

The Xiaomi Mi 9 comes with 6 GB of RAM, which is considered to be sufficient for most users' needs. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. The Mi 9 has 128 GB of internal storage, which is more than enough for their needs. The internal storage of the Xiaomi Mi 9 (6 GB) cannot be expanded.

Cameras, flash

Main camera48 + 12 MP, 8000 x 6000 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera20 MP

The Mi 9 has a multi-camera setup. It lets you adapt to different photography situations. You can achieve various perspectives and compositions. The Mi 9 offers optical image stabilization (OIS) for their rear camera systems.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv5.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radiono
USBUSB Type-C, USB host
HeadphoneUSB Type-C adapter

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. The Mi 9 supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Mi 9 smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The Mi 9 has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities. The Mi 9 has a built-in NFC chip, which allows it to support various NFC applications and services. The Mi 9 smartphone does not have 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The Mi 9 does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, barometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, hall, in-display fingerprint sensor, light, proximity, step counter, step detector
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass, Dual SIM, Fast charging, MIUI, Quick Charge, InfraRed Camera

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The Mi 9 smartphone has an accelerometer. The fingerprint reader is a biometric security feature found in Mi 9 smartphones. The light sensor is a type of sensor in a smartphone. It lets the phone measure light intensity around the device. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

With fast charging, you can get a significant amount of battery life in a few minutes of charging. Corning Gorilla Glass is a type of chemically strengthened super-glass.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Xiaomi phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • Super AMOLED display
  • appropriate screen size
  • adequate memory
  • generous internal storage
  • multicamera setup
  • optical image stabilization (OIS)
  • Dual SIM support
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • non-expandable storage
  • no 5G support
  • no headphone jack
  • low-capacity battery
Add Xiaomi Mi 9 to your comparison

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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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