What does Xiaomi Mi 9 look like: a detailed analysis of the design and body of the flagship of 2019

The Xiaomi Mi 9, launched in February 2019, was one of the brand’s most striking flagships at the time. Despite the fact that it has been five years since its premiere, its design still attracts interest from collectors, fans of retro equipment and those who are looking for a powerful device at an affordable price in the secondary market. In this article, we will analyze what the Xiaomi Mi 9 looks like from all sides, from the choice of materials to ergonomics, compare it with competitors of the time and reveal nuances that are not always visible in the photo.

The design of the Mi 9 was an evolutionary step for Xiaomi — the company finally abandoned the massive frames and moved to a frameless screen with a miniature “drop” instead of a chela. The case of the device combined glass and metal, which was the standard solution for flagships of 2018-2019, but Xiaomi managed to stand out due to the play of light in gradient colors and ultra-thin frames. If you are considering buying this smartphone today — it is important to understand what tradeoffs lurk behind its external attractiveness.

Dimensions and weight: compactness vs. ergonomics

By 2026 standards, the Xiaomi Mi 9 seems like a compact device, but in 2019 its dimensions were standard for the flagship.

• 📏 Height: 157.5 mm
• 📐 Width: 74.7 mm
• ⚖️ Thickness: 7.6 mm (excluding camera)
• 🏋️ Weight: 173 grams

For comparison: the modern Xiaomi 14 (2023) has almost identical width (71.5 mm), but due to the curved screen and thinner bezels, it seems smaller. Mi 9 is one of the latest flagships with a flat display, which makes it convenient for one-way grip, but less “premium” against the background of modern devices with a flat display. 2.5D or 3D-The 7.6mm thickness looks impressive even today, but the protruding camera adds about 1.5mm, causing the smartphone to stagger on the table.

⚠️ Warning: Due to its light weight and sleek back, the Mi 9 slips out of your hands easily.If you plan to use it without a cover, be prepared for frequent falls or buy a protective film with a matte texture.

Colors and coatings: gradients that do not become obsolete

The Xiaomi Mi 9 was offered in three main colors, each with a unique texture:

• 🌌 Piano Black: classic glossy black with mirror effect, most branded variant - fingerprints remain even after a light touch.

All variants are made of Gorilla Glass 5 glass with an oleophobic coating, but it quickly wears off — after 2-3 months of active use, the smartphone begins to stick to the fingers. Interesting fact: Xiaomi used nanolithography technology to create gradients that gave the body depth and play of light. However, this same coating made the device extremely fragile to scratches.

⚠️ Warning: When buying a used Mi 9, pay attention to the condition of the back. Many sellers polish scratches, which removes the oleophobic coating and makes the smartphone even more slippery. Check the reflection of light – on the original glass, the gradient should shimmer smoothly, rather than looking like a monochromatic paint.

Front panel: screen and "drop" instead of a chela

The screen Xiaomi Mi 9 is a 6.39-inch AMOLED-matrix with a resolution of 2340×1080 (Full HD+) and an aspect ratio of 19.5:9.

• 🔍 Droplet cutout: occupies a minimum area (only 3.6 mm in diameter), which was an improvement over the "monobrov" in the Mi 8.
• ☀️ Brightness: up to 600 nits (peak - 700 nits), which was enough for comfortable use in the sun.
• 🎨 Color rendering: support DCIP3 and HDR10, without Dolby Vision certification.
• 👆 Fingerprint scanner: optical, built-in display (Goodix technology).

The frames around the screen are symmetrical, but the bottom is still wider (about 4 mm versus 2 mm on the sides). This is noticeable when watching videos or games. Interestingly, Xiaomi used the technology "Sunlight Display 2.0", which automatically adjusts contrast in bright light - a feature that is still rarely found in budget smartphones.

⚠️ Note: The Mi 9’s optical fingerprint scanner is slower than ultrasonic or capacitive ones. If you’re used to instant unlocking on today’s flagships, be prepared for a 0.5-1 second delay, especially in low light conditions.

Rear panel: triple camera and logo

The most memorable design element of the Mi 9 is the vertical triple camera unit located in the upper left corner.

• 📷 Core module: 48 MP (Sony) IMX586, diaphragm f/1.75, optical stabilization).
• 🔭 Telephoto: 12 MPP (f/2.2, 2x zoom).
• 🌿 Wide-angle: 16 MPP (f/2.2, angle 117°).
• 💡 Double. LED-flash: located to the right of the modules.

The camera block protrudes about 1mm above the body, making the smartphone unstable on a flat surface. Xiaomi has tried to smooth this down by adding a metal ring around the lenses, but it quickly scratches. The Mi logo is placed strictly in the center of the bottom part - a minimalist solution that does not distract from the overall design.

💡

To protect the camera from scratches, use a bumper ring made of metal or plastic, which will add 0.5 mm to the thickness, but prevent damage from tables or keys in your pocket.

⚠️ Warning: When buying a used Mi 9, check the optical zoom. Telephotomodule in this model often fails due to dust ingress - photos when you use it. 2x You can check this by taking a picture of text from a distance of 1-2 meters.

Location of buttons and connectors

Xiaomi Mi 9 has retained the classic layout of controls, which was relevant for Android smartphones 2019:

• 🔊 Dynamics: stereo (bottom) + The bottom speaker is located on the end next to the USB-C, Which leads to its rapid clogging.
• 🔋 Power button: right, with red accent (Ocean Blue) Dual pressing is built in to start the camera.
• 🔄 Volume buttons: right, above the power button, tight enough to prevent accidental pressing.
• 📶 Tray for SIM: On the left, supports two nano-SIMs (no microSD slot).

The lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack was one of the main drawbacks of the model, which Xiaomi compensated for with an adapter in the kit, but it is easy to lose.

• 🔌 USB-C: 2.0 version (without Thunderbolt or DisplayPort support).
• 🎤 Microphone: second noise reduction microphone located in the upper part of the body.
• 📡 Antenna lines: barely noticeable plastic inserts on the upper and lower ends.

Comparison with competitors in 2019

In 2019, the Xiaomi Mi 9 competed with flagships such as the Samsung Galaxy S10, Huawei P30 Pro and OnePlus 7 Pro. Let’s compare their design:

The Xiaomi Mi 9 was losing out to competitors in moisture protection and premium materials, but won in compactness and price. For example, the Huawei P30 Pro was 30% heavier, and the Galaxy S10 was much more expensive, with the Mi 9 becoming the first smartphone with 20-watt wireless charging bundled, which was an innovation for the time.

💡

The Xiaomi Mi 9 is one of the few flagships of 2019 to offer top-end specs (the Snapdragon 855, 48MP camera) at a price 30-40% lower than Samsung or Apple.

Pros and cons of Xiaomi Mi 9 design in 2026

If you’re considering the Mi 9 as a device for everyday use today, here’s what to consider:

Pros:

• ✅ Compact dimensions (convenient to hold with one hand).
• ✅ Bright AMOLED-screen.
• ✅ Stylish gradient design (especially in Ocean Blue).
• ✅ Fast wireless charging (20 watts).

Cons:

• ❌ Fragile glass (prone to scratches and cracks).
• ❌ There is no official water protection (IP-rating).
• ❌ Protruding camera (inconvenient to use without a cover).
• ❌ Lack of 3.5 mm connector and slot for memory card.

⚠️ Note: If you buy the Mi 9 in 2026, consider that Xiaomi no longer produces official cases and glass for this model.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the appearance of Xiaomi Mi 9