Xiaomi Mi 9 smartphone

Photo: Noahhs4 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Xiaomi

Xiaomi Mi 9

March 2019 9/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The Xiaomi Mi 9 is a flagship Android smartphone released in early 2019, known for its powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor and versatile triple camera system. It features a vibrant 6.39-inch Super AMOLED display and supports both fast wired and wireless charging, offering premium features at a competitive price point.
Display6.39" Super AMOLED, 1080 x 2340 pixels
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 855
Main CameraTriple 48MP (wide) + 12MP (telephoto) + 16MP (ultrawide)
Battery3300 mAh, 27W wired & 20W wireless charging
Starting from $129

💰 Xiaomi Mi 9 Price

The Xiaomi Mi 9 lowest price is $129, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeSuper AMOLED, HDR10
Size6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6

Platform

OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12.5
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
GPUAdreno 640

Memory

Card slotNo
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 64GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM (UFS 2.1)

Main Camera

Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF; 12 MP, f/2.2, 54mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom; 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm, PDAF
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps

Selfie Camera

Single20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm
FeaturesHDR
Video1080p@30fps

Battery

TypeLi-Po 3300 mAh, non-removable
Charging27W wired (Quick Charge 4+), 20W wireless

Body

Dimensions157.5 x 74.7 x 7.6 mm (6.20 x 2.94 x 0.30 in)
Weight173 g (6.10 oz)
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
NFCYes
Infrared portYes
RadioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Launch

Announced2019, February 20
StatusReleased 2019, March 25

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Exceptional value for its price point
  • Flagship-grade performance thanks to the Snapdragon 855 processor
  • Versatile and impressive triple camera system
  • Vibrant and sharp Super AMOLED display
  • Supports both fast wired (27W) and wireless (20W) charging
  • Premium glass and aluminum build quality

Cons

  • Lacks an official IP rating for water and dust resistance
  • Absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack
  • No expandable storage via microSD card slot
  • Features a single, downward-firing loudspeaker instead of stereo speakers
  • Battery capacity (3300mAh) may be considered small for a flagship, impacting endurance
  • Glass design can be slippery
  • MIUI software experience can be polarizing for some users
  • Camera module protrudes significantly from the back
★ Our Verdict

The Xiaomi Mi 9 earned high praise for delivering flagship-level performance and a feature-rich experience at an exceptionally competitive price, making it a strong contender in its segment despite a few compromises.

The Xiaomi Mi 9, while an older model, still offers a compelling package for budget-conscious users seeking solid performance. Its Snapdragon 855 chipset remains capable for everyday tasks and even some gaming, and the AMOLED display is still a treat for media consumption. However, be mindful of the smaller 3300mAh battery, which might require more frequent charging, and the lack of official water resistance. If you prioritize a headphone jack or expandable storage, this phone won't meet those needs. Consider it if you can find it at a significantly reduced price and are comfortable with MIUI, or if you're looking for a secondary device. For a primary phone, newer mid-range options might offer better software support and battery life, but few will match its raw processing power at a similar low cost.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • Xiaomi Mi 9 smartphone
  • 18W power adapter
  • USB Type-C cable
  • USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter
  • Soft protective case
  • SIM ejector tool

Xiaomi typically provides a one-year limited warranty for the phone unit, with a six-month warranty for accessories like chargers and cables, though specific terms may vary by region.

❓ Questions & Answers

When was the Xiaomi Mi 9 released?

The Xiaomi Mi 9 was officially announced in February 2019 and released on March 25, 2019.

Does the Xiaomi Mi 9 have a headphone jack?

No, the Xiaomi Mi 9 does not feature a 3.5mm headphone jack. It comes with a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter in the box.

Is the Xiaomi Mi 9 waterproof?

The Xiaomi Mi 9 does not have an official IP rating for water and dust resistance, meaning it is not certified as waterproof.

What processor does the Xiaomi Mi 9 use?

The Xiaomi Mi 9 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, a flagship chipset from 2019.

Does the Xiaomi Mi 9 support wireless charging?

Yes, the Xiaomi Mi 9 supports 20W fast wireless charging, in addition to 27W fast wired charging.

Can the storage on the Xiaomi Mi 9 be expanded?

No, the Xiaomi Mi 9 does not have a microSD card slot, so its internal storage cannot be expanded.