Xiaomi Mi 9: design, materials and unique body details

Smartphone Xiaomi Mi 9, released in 2019, still remains one of the most memorable models of the brand – not so much because of the “stuffing”, but thanks to the unique design, which became a transitional link between the classic “bears” and modern flagships of Xiaomi. If you plan to buy a used device or just interested in the history of the development of smartphones of the company, the appearance of the Mi 9 deserves special attention.

In this article, we’ll look at exactly what the Xiaomi Mi 9 looks like, from body materials and color choices to trivia like buttons, camera and logo layouts, and focus on the hidden design features that make it recognizable even years later, such as its gradient edging or unusual rear-facing texture, and compare the Mi 9 to other Xiaomi smartphones of the period so you can appreciate the evolution of the brand’s style.

Design overview: why the Mi 9 stands out from other smartphones

At the time of its release, the Xiaomi Mi 9 was the first flagship to completely abandon the plastic body in favor of premium materials. Unlike its predecessor (Mi 8), it used Gorilla Glass 6 glass on both the front and rear panels, and the frame was made of aluminum alloy, which gave the smartphone a more solid and expensive look, although it made it more slippery.

One of the key features was a triple main camera, which was vertically located in the top left corner of the rear panel, a design that was innovative for Xiaomi — the company had previously used dual modules or placed cameras horizontally, and the lenses were enclosed in a metal ring with a chrome coating, which added contrast to the background of glossy glass.

• 🔹 Dimensions and weights: 157.5 × 74.7 × 7.6 mm, 173 D - more compact than many modern flagships.
• 🎨 Color options: Piano Black (black), Lavender Violet (purple), Ocean Blue (blue with gradient).
• 💎 Protection: Gorilla Glass 6 front and rear, oleophobic coating (from fingerprints).
• 🔄 Unique feature: gradient edging on the blue and purple versions, changing the shade at different angles.

Interestingly, the Xiaomi Mi 9 was one of the brand’s latest flagships with a physical fingerprint button under the screen. In subsequent models (starting with the Mi 10), the company switched to an in-display scanner, but in the Mi 9, the button was not only functional, but also aesthetically harmonious – it merged with the bottom of the screen without violating the integrity of the design.

Back panel: materials, texture and arrangement of elements

The back panel of Xiaomi Mi 9 is made of 3D-But because of the glossy surface, the smartphone gets dirty and slides in the hands, which is one of the main complaints of users. To reduce the risk of falls, many owners immediately bought a case or skin (for example, from matte silicone).

The central element of the back panel is a vertical camera block that includes:

• 📷 Core module 48 MP (Sony) IMX586) diaphragm-high f/1.75.
• 🔍 Telephoto 12 MP (2x zoom).
• 🌌 Wide-angle 16 MP (viewing angle 117)°).
• 💡 Double. LED-flash + laser-focus.

Underneath the cameras are the Mi logo (silver on the black version, black on the color) and the inscription "48MP AI Triple Camera", which emphasizes the key feature of the smartphone. It is important to note that the Xiaomi Mi 9 was the first device with a triple camera, which was rare even among top devices at the time.

Another detail is that there's no 3.5mm headphone jack, and instead, there's an infrared port on the top end (for control), and on the bottom there's a USB-Type C, a speaker, and a microphone, which was criticized at the time, but today it's become the standard for flagships.

Front panel: screen, frame and fingerprint scanner

Front of Xiaomi Mi 9 It looks minimalistic thanks to the vastness of AMOLED-diagonally 6.39" permittingly 2340×1080. The display takes over 85.2% front panel, and the frames are reduced to a minimum - especially thin side (1.85 The upper frame ("bangs") contains:

• 📞 Speaker for conversations (hidden under the grid).
• 👁️ Front camera 20 MP (center).
• 🔦 Approximation and illumination sensors.

The screen featured a fingerprint scanner built right into the display (although it's physically a separate button under the glass), called the "5th Generation In-Display Fingerprint Sensor" and worked faster than its competitors, but some users complained of false positives in bright sunlight.

Color screen is customizable: in the Settings menu → Display → Color mode can be selected between:

Fun fact: Xiaomi Mi 9 was the first smartphone of the brand with support for HDR10+ and certification TÜV Low Blue Light, making it comfortable for long-term viewing of content. However, the maximum brightness (600 nits) was inferior to the flagships of Samsung or Apple at the time.

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If the Mi 9 screen starts to turn yellow at low brightness, check the color settings. Often the problem is solved by switching to a Standard profile in the display menu.

Comparison with other Xiaomi models: how the design has changed

To see how unique the Xiaomi Mi 9’s design is, compare it to its predecessor (Mi 8) and successor (Mi 10):

The main differences of the Mi 9:

1. Gradient colors: Unlike the monochromatic Mi 8, it used iridescent shades, which were later adopted even budget models (Redmi Note 7).
2. Triple Camera: The Mi 8 had only a dual module, and the Mi 10 had already moved to a square block with four lenses.
3. The fingerprint button: in the Mi 9, it was under the screen, but still physical, whereas in the Mi 10 it was replaced by an ultrasound scanner.

It’s also worth noting that the Mi 9 was Xiaomi’s latest flagship with compact dimensions. Since the Mi 10, the company’s smartphones have begun to grow in size, and the Mi 9 is still one of the most comfortable one-handed.

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Xiaomi Mi 9 is a transitional model combining the classic design of the Mi 8 (physical fingerprint button, metal frame) and the innovations of the Mi 10 (triple camera, gradient colors).

Frequent questions about the appearance of the Mi 9: what you need to know before buying

If you’re considering the Xiaomi Mi 9 as an option to buy (especially used), pay attention to the following nuances:

⚠️ Warning: The black version (Piano Black) often has noticeable scratches on the back due to soft glass. Check the case under bright light before buying - minor damage may not be noticeable during a normal inspection.

Another thing is that the edge wear is very thin, and many of them, after 2-3 years of use, start to wear off the chrome coating around the cameras or the buttons, which doesn't affect the functionality, but it spoils the appearance.

• 🔍 On screen: AMOLED-In the case of a panel, you may eventually see burn-in, check for uniformity of color (e.g., display a white background).
• 🔋 Back panel: if the smartphone fell, the glass could crack even without visible damage to the front.
• 🎵 Speakers: The bottom speaker is often clogged with dust, which makes the sound worse. Knock on the body - there should be no crunch or rattle.

If you are buying the Mi 9 for a collection or nostalgia, pay attention to the limited versions:

• 🏆 Mi 9 Transparent Edition - transparent back panel with inside views (released only for China).
• 🎨 Mi 9 SE — «A smaller version with a different design (without a gradient, but with a compact body).

Accessories and cases: how to keep the appearance of the Mi 9

Because of the slippery body and fragile glass, the Xiaomi Mi 9 almost always requires protection.

• 🛡️ Covers:
• 📱 Protective glass:
• 🔌 Additionally:

Important: when choosing a case, pay attention to the notch for the cameras. Due to the unusual arrangement of the modules, many universal cases do not fit - it is better to take models specifically designed for the Mi 9.

If you want to keep the original look of your smartphone as clean as possible, consider transparent cases (such as those from the Ringke Fusion-X) that emphasize design but also protect against scratches.

FAQ: answers to popular questions about the appearance of Xiaomi Mi 9