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Right after Xiaomi introduced the Redmi Note 7 with a 48MP shooter, they released the flagship Mi 9 model, also with a 48MP camera.
But the Redmi Note 7 and the Mi 9 are as different as different can be.
Find out what the Mi 9 offers over the Redmi Note 7, and why we gave it our coveted Editor’s Choice Award!
Xiaomi Mi 9 Models + Prices
Xiaomi is offering two Mi 9 models in most countries…
- 6 GB RAM + 64 GB storage : RM 1,699 / US$442 / £399.99
- 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage : RM 1,999 / US$478.77 / £431.10
But globally, there are two other models :
- 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage : RMB 3,299 / ~US$478 / ~£380 / ~RM 1,995
- 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage : RMB 3,999 / ~US$579 / ~£461 / ~RM 2,419 (Cancelled)
There are three colour options (from left to right) – Piano Black, Ocean Blue and Lavender Violet.
Mi 9 vs. Redmi Note 7
For those who are wondering how the Mi 9 compares against the Redmi Note 7, we created this comparison table :
| Specifications | Xiaomi Mi 9 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.39-inch AMOLED display - 1080 x 2340 pixels (403 ppi) - 103.8% NTSC colour gamut | 6.3-inch IPS display - 1080 x 2340 pixels (409 ppi) - 84% NTSC colour gamut |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Operating System | Android 9.0 Pie | Android 9.0 Pie |
| Platform | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 AIE |
| Processor | 1 x Kryo 485 Gold (2.84 GHz) 3 x Kryo 485 Gold (2.42 GHz) 4 x Kryo 485 Silver (1.8 GHz) | 4 x Kryo 260 Gold (2.2 GHz) 4 x Kryo 260 Silver (1.8 GHz) |
| Graphics Processor | Qualcomm Adreno 640 | Qualcomm Adreno 512 |
| Memory | 6 GB LPDDR4x-4266 memory | 3 GB / 4 GB LPDDR4x memory |
| Storage | 64 GB / 128 GB (UFS 2.1) No microSD card slot | 32 GB / 64 GB / 128 GB microSD card slot (share with SIM2) |
| Front Camera | 20 MP sensor with 0.9 μm pixels, and f/2.0 aperture | 13 MP sensor |
| Rear Cameras | Triple Camera System - 48 MP Sony IMX586 camera with f/1.75 aperture - 12 MP telephoto camera with f/2.2 aperture - 16 MP ultra-wide angle camera with f/2.2 aperture | Dual Lens Camera - 48 MP camera with f/1.8 aperture - 5 MP depth sensor - single LED flash |
| Connectivity | WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (dual band) Bluetooth : BT 5.0 USB : USB 2.0 Type C | WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (dual band) Bluetooth : BT 5.0 USB : USB 2.0 Type C |
| SIM Support | 2 x nano SIM cards Dual SIM, Dual Standby capable | 2 x nano SIM cards Dual SIM, Dual Standby capable Hybrid SIM tray |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| IR Emitter | Yes | Yes |
| Fingerprint Sensor | In-Display Sensor | Yes, Rear Mounted |
| Other Sensors | Ultrasonic proximity sensor, In-screen ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Electronic compass, Linear motor | Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Distance, E-Compass, Ambient Light |
| Battery | 3,300 mAh lithium-ion battery - supports 27 W fast charging / 20 W wireless fast charging | 4,000 mAh lithium-ion battery - supports 10 W fast charging |
| Dimensions | 74.67 mm wide 157.5 mm tall 7.61 mm thick | 75.21 mm wide 159.21 mm tall 8.1 mm thick |
| Weight | 173 grams | 186 grams |
| Colour Options | Piano Black / Ocean Blue / Lavender Violet | Space Black / Neptune Blue / Nebula Red |
As you can see, they are really quite different smartphones, even though they both have a 48 MP main camera.
Unboxing The Xiaomi Mi 9
The Xiaomi Mi 9 (64GB : US / UK / MY | 128GB : US / UK / MY) comes in a premium pearl white box. Let’s unbox it, and see what we find inside!
When you fully unbox it, you will find the following items :
- One Xiaomi Mi 9 smartphone
- One Xiaomi Mi 9 clear TPU bumper case
- One set of Xiaomi Mi 9 documents
- One Xiaomi MDY-08-E1 USB charger (18 watt)
- One USB Type C data and power cable
- One USB Type C to 3.5 mm audio adaptor
- One SIM tray extractor pin
While we always like it when brands include a bumper case, this bumper case falls short of our expectations. We will explain it in our close-up look at the Xiaomi Mi 9 (64GB : US / UK / MY | 128GB : US / UK / MY) and its bumper case.
Next Page > Xiaomi Mi 9 – Up Close, Key Features
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