Spoločnosť Redmi as a subsidiary of the Chinese Xiaomi, also offers affordable and very cheap smartphones in its portfolio. These include Redmi 9, which we decided to test in the editorial office.
With its low price, this smartphone offers up to 4 rear cameras, an NFC chip for mobile payments, as well as a large battery.
Redmi 9: Where to buy?
smartphone Redmi 9 is available at several retailers that offer discount coupons. The best price at the time of writing the review was offered by the Banggood store, which will deliver the new phone to you duty-free thanks to EU Priority Line shipping.
The smartphone can also be purchased from an EU warehouse with express delivery from an Edwaybuy retailer.
Redmi 9 Overall
The package contains accessories
The box of standard dimensions is white this time, it shows the phone itself, its name and also the basic technical specifications.
Once opened, there is a paper envelope with accessories on the very top of the package. This includes a SIM card slot ejector needle, a paper manual, as well as a glossy black silicone case. The manufacturer did not miss the accessories even at such a low price, which is truly admirable.
Below is the smartphone itself covered with a protective foil. Below it is a USB charging cable, which has a modern universal USB type C connector, which is another advantage. There is also a local adapter for the charger terminal, which has a basic power of 10W.
Quality matt workmanship
smartphone Redmi 9 offers a matte plastic finish, which is, however, sufficiently durable and with a slight texture on the back. The dimensions of the device were stopped at the level of 163,3 x 77 x 9,1 mm, while the weight is 198 grams. However, the higher weight is due to the larger battery.
On the front there is a large, up to 6,53 ″ display, which covers more than 83% of the front wall. The display contains a drop-shaped cutout, above the display there is also a speaker intended for telephony.
A bonus is also the foil, which the manufacturer installed directly from the production. The frames around the display are a bit larger, but in this price category it is nothing special. There is also a notification LED on the front.
On the left side there is only a slot for a pair of SIM cards and a separate slot for a microSDXC memory card. The right side contains a pair of volume control buttons and an on or off button. turn off the device. The buttons are plastic, but they are conveniently located and easy to feel.
USB type C and 4 rear cameras
The top edge is home to the secondary microphone. This is especially useful when shooting video. There is also a popular infrared sensor on this edge, which is also equipped with the appropriate software. This sensor can be used, for example, to control a television or other household appliances.
The bottom edge contains a loud speaker, which offers good volume, but a very basic quality, which will be used especially for ringtones. There is also a 3,5 mm audio connector for connecting standard headphones, as well as a modern and universal USB type C connector, which even offers the USB OTG function. A practical element is also the space for placing the loop.
The back contains an interesting plastic texture, which is also highlighted around the camera. The camera module contains three rear cameras and directly below them also includes a standard fingerprint reader sensor.
Next to this module, which slightly protrudes from the body of the device, there is also a second and smaller module. The latter includes a fourth rear camera and also an LED flash. Below is only the manufacturer's logo Redmi and mandatory recycling information.
The construction is honestly processed and the phone does not emit any unwanted cracking or squeaking. However, it can be seen that the design was saved, which was reflected in the final sale price.
Display: Surprisingly high quality Full HD +
The smartphone is equipped with a large, up to 6,53 ″ IPS display, which offers a total resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels (Full HD +). The screen has an aspect ratio of 19,5: 9. The fineness of this display is very good and competes with more expensive devices. It stopped at 395 ppi.
The display has very good viewing angles thanks to the IPS technology used and also the minimum and maximum brightness is sufficient. The minimum brightness is fine even in poor lighting or in complete darkness, and the maximum brightness is sufficient even outdoors. In the settings, it is also possible to adjust the color scheme and there is also a reading mode, ie a blue light filter.
Performance: This time Mediatek
In terms of performance, an eight-core Mediatek Helio G80 processor (2 x 2,0 GHz Cortex-A75 + 6 x 1,8 GHz Cortex-A55) is available. This processor is made with 12 nm technology and its performance in AnTuTu tests has stopped at more than 201 points.
The processor is also complemented by a graphics accelerator Mali-G52 MC2. The basic equipment of this smartphone can handle standard use with applications from the Play Store. Sufficient user experience is complemented by sufficient RAM or storage.
We didn't notice a slowdown in the smartphone until we used sophisticated multitasking. Players of more graphically demanding mobile games will also have to compromise. These will be smooth only in limited quality.
memory
We received an intermediate version for the review, which contains 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal eMMC 5.1 storage. When first turned on, the Android system takes up a little more than 13 GB of space, so this middle version is practically ideal. When purchasing, we recommend preferring a version that offers at least 4 GB of RAM.
The storage can be expanded with a microSDXC memory card, which has its own separate slot in addition to a pair of nanoSIM cards. In addition to the aforementioned version of ours, there is also a basic version in combination with 3 GB of RAM + 32 GB of storage, and the best equipped version (in selected markets) is then 6 GB of RAM + 64 GB of storage.
Fingerprint reader
The smartphone includes a standard fingerprint reader sensor, which is located on the back of the smartphone, directly below the rear camera module. The reader protrudes slightly from the body of the device, which makes it easier to recognize it with the index finger.
This is a standard sensor, which we currently know mainly from cheaper devices. Despite the older technology, it is a proven sensor that is really fast, recognizing the fingerprint calmly for the first time.
We recorded successful recognition even in the presence of local moisture or grease on the fingers. The used sensor thus reacts really exemplary, even on such a cheap device. The Chinese manufacturer definitely deserves praise for the fingerprint reader used.
Android + MIUI
As for the software, Android is available in its current version 10 (10 QP1A.190711.020). The system itself also contains a security update, but only as of 01.06.2020.
This is missing the July security package from Google. We believe that the manufacturer will correct this imperfection in one of the other software updates.
The system is traditionally supplemented by a powerful graphical superstructure MIUI 11 in a stable version (MIUI Global version 11.0.4.0 Stable version). The superstructure is very well optimized and we did not notice any problems in controlling the system itself.
There is also a dark mode, as well as a digital balance function that allows you to set some of the rules in use. It is a practical function that can also be used for control, for example when children use the smartphone.
Four rear cameras
Model with marking Redmi 9 it surprisingly contains up to four rear cameras. The main one in this case is a 13 MPx sensor (f / 2.2), which is complemented by an 8 MPx ultra-wide-angle sensor (f / 2.2) with an angle of view of up to 118 degrees.
Of the other sensors, a 5 MPx macro sensor is available, which has the main task of capturing objects up close. The last is a 2 MPx depth sensor, whose task is to offer an effective blurred background or. called. "Bokeh" effect. The disadvantage of such "cheap" equipment is the absence of night mode. In night photography, the smartphone lags behind.
The smartphone can record 1080p (30 fps) video via the rear camera, which also offers an LED flash, HDR mode and panorama. The front camera offers a resolution of 8 MPx (f / 2.0). It is a solid sensor that offers good photographic results and also has an HDR mode and 1080p video support.
Full-size original photos are available at the following link.
During the testing, we were particularly impressed by the main 13 MPx sensor under natural daylight. The ultra-wide 8 MPx sensor, which offers high-quality photos with low distortion, true colors, good detail and depth of field, also didn't disappoint.
A very big advantage of this smartphone is also the used 5 MPx macro sensor, which creates really useful close-up photos. However, the fourth lens for blurring the background is, in this case, just "to the number". Nevertheless, considering the low price of the device, this photographic equipment is very good.
Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, the smartphone is really doing very well. There is also dual Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac with Wi-Fi Direct and Hotspot technology. The equipment also includes 4G / LTE connectivity (channels: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41).
Bluetooth 5.0 LE with A2DP technology support is available for connecting accessories. There is no lack of GPS with support for A-GPS, GLONASS and BDS technology. It will please the infrared port for controlling home electronics (supplemented by the Mi Remote mobile application), as well as the NFC chip for mobile payments via Google Pay.
The equipment of this smartphone also includes an integrated FM radio, which is wireless resp. does not require the connection of wired headphones. The smartphone also includes a universal USB type C connector, which also offers the USB OTG function.
Proper battery
The great benefit of this smartphone is a really large battery with a total capacity of up to 5020 mAh. When it comes to charging, this is solved by fast cable charging via the USB type C connector. The smartphone supports up to 18W fast charging and the fast local end of the charger is directly in the package.
With this smartphone, we recorded a really good battery life of two days. The value of the on display exceeded 7 hours and our standard use included active use of social networks, hourly telephony, hourly watching of 1080p videos and occasional photography or playing games.
Final rating
Redmi 9 is the basic model of the ninth generation, more affordable Redmi smartphones and is especially suitable for beginner users, but also as a second spare smartphone.
Redmi 9 Overall
For a low price you get very good equipment in the form of a 13 MPx camera, 1080p IPS display, NFC, but also a large battery. If you do not want to pay a lot of money for a smartphone, this device is a suitable alternative. We recommend your purchase.
