Xiaomi 9T: the year of release, specifications and why it is still in demand

Xiaomi 9T is one of the most talked-about models of the brand’s smartphones, and it’s still in demand in the aftermarket. But what year is it launched? If you’re planning to buy or just wondering about the history of the Redmi line, this is a critical question, because the release date depends not only on the technical capabilities of the device, but also on its compatibility with modern applications, support for updates and even market value.

In this article, we will not only answer the question about the year of release of Xiaomi 9T, but also examine how this information affects the choice between new and used equipment. You will learn what versions of the model exist, how to distinguish the original from a fake by the date of production, and whether to buy this smartphone in 2026. And we will compare the 9T with its brothers in the lineup — 9T Pro and Redmi K20, so you can make an informed choice.

The official release year of Xiaomi 9T: accurate data

Xiaomi 9T went on sale in June 2019, a global version of the Redmi K20 smartphone that debuted in China a month earlier, in May 2019. This “renaming” strategy was typical of Xiaomi at the time, with the company adapting successful Chinese models for the international market under a different name.

Interestingly, the announcement date and the start of sales did not coincide: the official presentation of the 9T took place on June 12, 2019 in Madrid, Spain, and the device was sold only two weeks later. This nuance is important for verifying the authenticity of the smartphone: if the seller claims that the phone is “fresh” and released in 2020, you are either a fraudster or a rebranded model (for example, the Redmi K20 for the Chinese market).

How to check the year of release of a particular instance? Look at the settings: Settings → About Phone → MIUI → Assembly date. The first digits in the line (for example, 9.6.13) indicate the month and year of creation of the firmware. For 9T, the current dates are from 06.2019 to 05.2021 (the last major update).

Why it’s important to know the year of Xiaomi 9T release when buying

The year of production of a smartphone is not just a number in the documents, it depends on:

• 🔋 Update support: Xiaomi has officially completed the release of firmware for the 9T In 2022, it means that devices released after 2021 could have the latest version. MIUI "out of the box, and earlier ones require manual upgrades.
• 💰 Market Value: In the secondary market, the difference in price between 9T 2019 and 2020 release can reach 15-20% with the same condition.
• 🔧 Battery status: even when used carefully, battery capacity 9T Decreased by 10-15% per year, the device of 2019 release by 2026 may lose up to 30-40% of the original capacity.
• 🛡️ Guarantee obligations: Xiaomi’s official warranty in Russia and Europe was 12-24 months. 9T, issued before 2021, have already passed the warranty period.

You should pay special attention to the date of production of the battery, which can be found by entering the command in the engineering menu:

##4636##

Or through apps like AccuBattery, and if the battery is released before 2020, it's a matter of the near future.

⚠️ Note: On some trading platforms (e.g. Avito or OLX) sellers indicate the year of release of the smartphone by the date of registration IMEI It's not right — IMEI is assigned at the production stage, and registration in the network can occur after months.

Xiaomi 9T vs 9T Pro: What is the difference in the years of release

Often, customers confuse the Xiaomi 9T and 9T Pro as one model, but they are actually two different smartphones with a difference of 4 months:

The 9T Pro received 1 year longer support for updates thanks to a more powerful processor. If you care about the relevance of the software, it is better to consider the Pro version, despite the higher price.

How do you distinguish models visually? 9T Pro:

Redmi logo on the back (the usual 9T has the inscription Xiaomi).

Red power button (optional, in some regions).

There is no 3.5 mm headphone jack (in the 9T it is).

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Before buying, check the IMEI of the smartphone on the site imei.info. If the production date does not coincide with the stated seller, this is cause for doubt.

How the release year affects the price of Xiaomi 9T in 2026

In the secondary market, the Xiaomi 9T can be found in the range from 8 000 to 18 000 rubles (at the time of 2026), the price range depends not only on the condition, but also on the year of release.

• 📅 2019: 8,000–12,000 ₽ (often with a worn-out battery, without original packaging).
• 📅 2020: 12,000–15,000 ₽ (Best Price/Quality Relationship).
• 📅 2021: 15,000–18,000 ₽ (They are rarely found, usually in perfect condition).

The price of the new (unpacked) 9T 2026 starts from 22 000 ₽ — But be careful, because they often sell refurbished devices (with replaced components) under the guise of "new" ones).

How do you keep it? Pay attention to:

- Screen condition: even small scratches on the screen AMOLED-matrix 9T Eventually, they will turn into dead pixels.

NFC performance: In 2019 models, the chip could fall off when falling.

Original Charger: The 9T Pro (27W) power supplies are not compatible with the regular 9T.

Make sure that IMEI It matches on the box and on the phone.|Check the battery capacity through AccuBattery|Test all cameras (including retractable cameras)|Call the speakers at maximum volume|Check the work NFC and GPS-->

Relevance of Xiaomi 9T in 2026: is it worth buying?

5 years after the release of Xiaomi 9T remains in demand thanks to:

• 🎮 Gameplay: Snapdragon 730 still pulls Genshin Impact on mid-sets and PUBG Mobile on high.
• 📸 Camera: 48-MP core module with optical stabilization competes with budget innovations of 2023.
• 🔄 Support for custom firmware: on 9T LineageOS 20 and Pixel Experience 13 successfully ported.

However, there are also critical shortcomings:

No official security updates (last one was June 2023).

Outdated USB Type-C 2.0 (no support for USB 3.1)

- No 5G and Wi-Fi 6.

Who will 9T be in 2026?

✅ Students and schoolchildren (reliable building, good autonomy).

✅ Photography lovers (retractable selfie camera without bangs").

✅ For gamers on a limited budget.

❌ Not suitable for those who need long-term support for updates or modern communication standards.

How to verify the authenticity of Xiaomi 9T by year of release

Fraudsters often give out Redmi K20 or fakes for Xiaomi 9T. Here's how to distinguish the original:

1. Check IMEI: - Enter *#06# → Compare the number to the data on the box and under the battery. - Check on imei.info: the model should be displayed as M1903F10I (global version).
2. Dates in firmware: - Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. - Lines like V12.5.4.0.RFKEUXM indicate European firmware (EU letters at the end).
3. Visual markers: - Designed by Xiaomi on the back (Redmi K20 has the Redmi logo). - Retractable selfie camera with blue backlight when opened.

Pay special attention to the configuration. The original 9T should include:

- 18 W charger (model MDY-10-EG).

USB Type-C cable with Xiaomi logo.

Silicone case (in the first batches of 2019 it was transparent).

⚠️ Note: If the seller refuses to provide photos of the box IMEI Or test a retractable camera on a video is 100% a sign of deception. 90% of the time, under the guise of a fake. 9T Redmi Note 8 Pro with similar design.

History of updates Xiaomi 9T: chronology by year

Support for Xiaomi 9T has been one of the longest running mid-budget smartphones of the brand.Here are the key milestones:

After June 2023, Xiaomi officially stopped supporting 9T. However, enthusiasts continue to release unofficial firmware based on Android 13/14.

Pixel Experience 13 (Pure Android)

LineageOS 20 (maximum customization)

Xiaomi.eu (optimized MIUI without bloat)

Installation of custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader. Please note that after this procedure, the encryption of the data will be reset, and it will be impossible to restore backup copies.

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Even after the end of official support, Xiaomi 9T remains relevant thanks to the active community of custom firmware developers, which extends the life of the device for another 2-3 years.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi 9T