Update frequency of screen and processor Xiaomi Mi 9: detailed analysis

The question of how much hertz is in the Xiaomi Mi 9 is often confusing among users, as the query mixes two different technical parameters: the refresh rate of the display and the clock speed of the processor. The smartphone, released in 2019, was one of the company’s last flagships before the introduction of ubiquitous 90 Hz and 120 Hz panels. Understanding these characteristics is critical to assessing interface smoothness and performance in games.

The standard value for this device is 60 Hz for the screen, which was the norm for the premium segment at the time of release. However, the hardware stuffing based on the Snapdragon 855 chipset is capable of processing huge amounts of data at much higher frequency. In this article, we will discuss in detail the technical limitations of the matrix, how to programmatically verify parameters and the possibility of customization through hidden menus of the engineering level.

Technical characteristics of the display Xiaomi Mi 9

The display of the Xiaomi Mi 9 is a high-quality Super AMOLED matrix manufactured by Samsung. The screen size is 6.39 inches and the resolution reaches 2340×1080 pixels. The key parameter of interest to many enthusiasts is the refresh rate, which is strictly limited by the physical properties of the panel used. Unlike the more modern models of the Mi 10 or Mi 11 series, the classic technology (refresh rate) is used here.

The screen refresh rate is 60 Hz, which means an image update of 60 times per second. This standard value provides good smoothness of animations in the MIUI shell, but is inferior to modern gaming standards. Despite this, thanks to the high response rate of the touchscreen (240 Hz), the interaction with the interface feels instantaneous and accurate, which compensates for the lack of high hertz of the matrix itself.

⚠️ Note: Attempts to programmatically change the screen refresh rate above 60Hz on the Xiaomi Mi 9 are impossible without replacing the physical display module, since the panel controller does not support higher synchronization modes.

Importantly, the manufacturer has been betting on color reproduction and brightness, not high hertz. HDR10 support and the wide color gamut of the DCI-P3 make the picture rich, even if it is updated 60 times per second. For most everyday tasks, such as watching videos or social networks, this frequency is quite enough.

Performance of the Snapdragon 855 processor

When users ask about hertz in the context of power, they often mean the clock speed of the CPU. The heart of the Xiaomi Mi 9 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset, made on a 7-nanometer process. The architecture of this processor includes three clusters of cores with different frequencies, which allows you to efficiently allocate tasks and save battery power.

The maximum clock speed of the main core of the Kryo 485 Gold reaches 2.84 GHz. This provides high performance in single-threaded tasks and fast applications. The remaining cores operate at 2.42 GHz and 1.8 GHz, responsible for background processes and energy efficiency. The Adreno 640 graphics accelerator also operates at high frequencies, providing stable FPS in heavy gaming.

Specialized utilities can be used to monitor the current core frequency in real time, and they allow you to see how the system dynamically changes the processor's hertz depending on the load. Below is a table of frequency distribution by cluster:

How to check the screen refresh rate

Many users want to see for themselves the specifications. The Android operating system that runs MIUI has built-in diagnostics. The easiest way to check the current refresh rate is to use a developer menu, which does not require third-party software installation and gives instant results.

To activate the developer menu, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI version 7 times. After that, a new item will appear in the main settings menu, find the section associated with the display or system, and activate the option Show Update Frequency. A floating number will appear on the screen showing the current FPS of the interface.

Keep in mind that you'll see 60 Hz on a static menu. The only way to change dynamically is if the application or system supports adaptive frequency, which is not available in the stock firmware for this model. However, when you scrolle through tape or play, the value can drop briefly, which indicates that optimizations work.

Graphics and Frequency Settings in Games

Owners of the Xiaomi Mi 9 often wonder how much hertz modern games will pull. Thanks to the powerful Adreno 640 GPU, the smartphone is able to produce stable 60 FPS on many demanding projects. However, the 60 Hz limit at the matrix level means that even if the processor can render 90 or 120 frames, you will not physically see them.

In the settings of the games themselves, such as PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty, the option High or Ultra FPS is often available. When choosing these settings, the game will try to generate more frames, which can lead to increased heat. The built-in Game Turbo game mode allows you to monitor the load and, if necessary, clear the memory to maintain a stable frame rate.

⚠️ Warning: Prolonged play at maximum graphics settings can cause trottling of the processor, which will reduce the frame rate to 30-40 FPS prevent overheating.

To achieve the best smoothness, it is recommended to reduce the quality of textures, leaving a high FPS. This will allow the processor to work in a more comfortable thermal mode, ensuring a stable picture without jerking. The difference between a stable 60 frames and a galloping 90 is obvious to the naked eye.

Hidden MIUI features and engineering menu

Shell MIUI hides many useful features available through the engineering menu or ADB-Although you can't change the physical frequency of the screen, you can optimize the animations, which will subjectively speed up the response of the system".

One useful command is to enter LCD testing mode. By entering code ##6484##, you will be taken to the engineering menu, where you can check the touchscreen and display for broken pixels or areas with incorrect response, which is useful when buying a used device or diagnosing sensor problems.

adb shell settings put global window_animation_scale 0.5


adb shell settings put global transition_animation_scale 0.5




adb shell settings put global animator_duration_scale 0.5

Executing these commands via computer and ADB-The interface will reduce the duration of system animations by half, not increasing the number of hertz, but making the transitions between the screens sharper and faster. Many users note that after this procedure, the smartphone feels much faster.

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Use the Activity Launcher app to find hidden MIUI settings shortcuts that are not displayed in the regular menu but may contain useful power saving options.

Comparison with modern standards of 90 Hz and 120 Hz

Comparing the Xiaomi Mi 9 to current models, it’s easy to see the difference in smoothness. 90Hz and 120Hz screens have become the de facto standard for the mid-range and flagship segments. They provide smoother page scrolling and less noticeable jerks when moving quickly across the interface.

However, for the Xiaomi Mi 9, 60Hz remains the limit.The transition from 60Hz to 120Hz is noticeable immediately, but the reverse transition does not always cause discomfort if the user is accustomed to the device. MIUI allows smoothing transitions, making the absence of high hertz less noticeable in everyday use.

If you choose between buying a Mi 9 or a newer smartphone solely for the sake of the screen, it is worth considering that there is a difference in smoothness, but it is not critical for all use cases. For office tasks and media content, 60 Hz is still acceptable, especially given the high quality of the AMOLED color matrix of this device.

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Upgrading to a smartphone with a 120 Hz screen makes sense primarily for mobile gamers and users spending a lot of time on social networks.

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