Xiaomi Mi 9T: the year of release, technical features and relevance in 2026

The Xiaomi Mi 9T is one of the brand’s most popular smartphones, and it’s still in demand in the aftermarket. But what year is it going to launch? If you’re planning a purchase or just wondering about the history of the device, it’s important to understand not only the release date, but also how the Mi 9T fits into the current realities of 2026.

This model became a hit with a combination of powerful stuffing, retractable front camera and affordable price. However, over time, the technical requirements increase, and the relevance of the devices changes. In this article, we will discuss in detail when exactly the Mi 9T came out, how it differs from the Mi 9T Pro, and whether it is worth considering buying it today, whether it is a new (if you find it) or a used version.

We’ll also analyze how the smartphone handles today’s challenges, from supporting current versions of Android to gaming performance and multitasking, and if you’re interested not only in the year of release, but also in the practical aspects of use, you’re in the right place.

Xiaomi Mi 9T Release Year: Exact Date and Context

Xiaomi Mi 9T was announced on June 12, 2019 at a presentation in Spain. It was a global version of the smartphone, which in China was sold under the name Redmi K20. It is important to understand that the Mi 9T and Redmi K20 are the same device, but with different firmware and branding.

The model came at the peak of the popularity of retractable cameras, when manufacturers were actively experimenting with frameless designs. Mi 9T was Xiaomi’s answer to the trends of the time, offering a full-screen display without cutouts (except for the mechanical frontal). Interestingly, in the same year 2019, Mi 9T Pro was introduced, a more advanced version with a Snapdragon 855 processor instead of the Snapdragon 730.

From a market perspective, Mi 9T It was marketed as a flagship mid-range smartphone, and it was priced at around the start of sales. 329 euro 6/64 GB of memory. For comparison: Mi. 9T Pro was worth it 100 This made the model extremely attractive to users who wanted to get premium chips (for example, the price of the chips, AMOLED-screen or triple camera) without overpaying for a top-end chipset.

⚠️ Note: Mi is often confused in the secondary market 9T (2019) and Mi 9T Pro (also 2019).The main difference is the processor: Snapdragon 730 vs Snapdragon 855. Make sure the seller points the exact model, especially if you buy from hand.

Xiaomi Mi 9T Technical Specifications: What’s the Right Time in 2026?

Even 5 years after its release, the Mi 9T remains an interesting device for certain categories of users.

• 📱 Screen: 6.39" Super AMOLED, permit 2340×1080, 60 Image quality is still high, but no high refresh rate (90/120 Hz) felt when scrolling and in games.
• 🔥 Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 (8 cores, 2.2 GHz) In 2026, this is enough for social networks, video and undemanding games, but with modern modern modern technologies. AAA-Projects (e.g., Genshin Impact on maximum settings) will be problematic.
• 📸 Camera: Primary triple camera – 48 MP (SONY IMX582) + 8 MP (width) + 13 MP (telephoto) Photos are decent during the day, but night shooting and processing are inferior to the flagships of 2023-2026.
• 🔋 Battery: 4000 mAh with support for fast charging of 18 watts. By modern standards, the capacity is average, but for moderate use is enough for a day.
• 🤖 Software: At the start - Android 9 Pie with a shell MIUI 10.The last official version of Android is 11 (updates stopped in 2022).

Compared to today’s budget smartphones (like the Redmi Note 13 or POCO X6), the Mi 9T is a poorer performer and software supporter, but it has two key advantages:

1. AMOLED-screen with excellent color reproduction (in budget models of 2026 often put IPS).
2. Retractable front camera – without “bangs” or holes in the screen, which is popular with many users.

Xiaomi Mi 9T vs Mi 9T Pro: What’s the Difference?

Many people confuse the two models, although they are designed for different categories of users, the main differences are shown in the table:

If you want a smartphone for social media, video, and light gaming (like Brawl Stars or Clash Royale), the Mi 9T will be enough, but if you plan to play Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG at high settings, consider the Mi 9T Pro — its Snapdragon 855 processor is still relevant for medium-budget tasks.

The other thing is that it's supported by software. Both models got an update to Android 11, but the Mi 9T Pro has been supported longer by the manufacturer (the latest security update came out six months later), and if you care about stability and security, this can be a crucial factor.

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Before buying, check the MIUI version through settings: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If there is something older than MIUI 12.5, the smartphone has not been updated for a long time, which may indicate a fake or a problem device.

Update support: Is Xiaomi Mi 9T up to date in 2026?

One of the key questions when buying a used smartphone is whether it will receive updates. Unfortunately, for the Mi 9T, official support has ended:

• 📅 Latest version of Android: Android 11 (update released in 2021).
• 🔒 Latest security update: July 2022.
• 🚫 Previous Post: Xiaomi officially stopped supporting.

This means that the smartphone will not get Android 12, 13 or more new versions, and will not receive security patches.For most users, this is not critical, but there are several risks:

1. Security vulnerabilities: Without updates, the device becomes more vulnerable to viruses and hacker attacks, especially when using banking applications.
2. Incompatibility with new apps: Some apps (such as WhatsApp or Google Maps) may stop supporting older versions of Android.
3. Performance issues: Over time, apps are optimized for new OS versions, and on Android 11 they may run slower.

There are also upsides, though: MIUI 12.5 (the latest stable firmware for the Mi 9T) is considered one of the most optimized versions of the shell. If you don't need the latest Android chips, the smartphone will run smoothly.

⚠️ Note: On some devices, users install custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) to get Android. 12/13. However, this requires unlocking the bootloader and can result in a loss of warranty (if it is still valid) or unstable operation.

Is there a box and documents (the warranty may have run out, but the original packaging reduces the risk of forgery)|

Check the state of the retractable mechanism of the camera (it should work smoothly, without creaking)|

Make sure the smartphone has not been repaired (check the integrity of screws and seals)|

Run a performance test (such as AnTuTu or Geekbench) to assess the status of the battery and processor.|-->

How much is Xiaomi Mi 9T in 2026? Prices and where to buy

At the time of writing (2026), the prices for Xiaomi Mi 9T in the secondary market vary depending on the condition and configuration:

• 💰 B/u in good condition (6/64 GB): 8 000 — 12 000 ₽.
• 💰 B/U in perfect condition (6/128 GB): 12 000 — 15 000 ₽.
• 💰 New (if you find it in stock): 18,000 - 22,000 ₽ (unlikely, but sometimes unextracted specimens are found).

Where to look:

• 🛒 Avito / Yula: Biggest choice, but high risk of running into a "killed" device.Always ask for a photo IMEI (You can check the originality through the Xiaomi website).
• 🛒 Yandex Market / Ozon: Sometimes you come across trusted sellers with a guarantee (but prices are higher).
• 🛒 Telegram channels: There are chats for the sale of used equipment (for example, @xiamibuy), where you can find profitable offers.
• 🛒 Overseas sites (eBay, AliExpress): You can find cheaper, but there are risks of customs and long delivery.

Should you buy the Mi 9T in 2026? It depends on your goals.

• ✅ Suitable if: Need a budget smartphone for calls, social networks and videos, and if you like the design with a retractable camera.
• ❌ Not suitable if: You need modern performance for gaming, long-term update support or better cameras.

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In 2026, the Xiaomi Mi 9T is an option for those who value a balance of value and quality, but do not prepare for resource-intensive tasks. For gaming and long-term use, it is better to consider the POCO X5 Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+.

Xiaomi Mi 9T: What to look for before buying

Like any device of 2019, the Mi 9T has typical “diseases” to be aware of:

• 🔋 Battery: 4,000 mAh capacity degrades over time. If the smartphone has been in active use for 3-4 years, the actual capacity can fall to 70-80% of the original.
• 📸 Retractable camera: The mechanism can jam due to dust or falls. Before buying, push/push the camera several times - it should work smoothly.
• 🔊 Speaker: Some users have a degraded sound over time (especially at high volume).Check the music playback and the conversational speaker.
• 🌡️ Overheating: The Snapdragon 730 isn’t the hottest processor, but when playing games or charging, the device can get hot.

It's also worth checking out:

• 📶 Network: Make sure your smartphone supports frequencies that are relevant to your operator 4G (Band 20 for Tele2, for example).
• 🔄 NFC: In some regional versions of the Mi 9T module NFC If you need contactless payments, check with the seller.

Xiaomi Mi 9T alternatives in 2026: what to choose instead?

If Mi 9T If you are not suitable (for example, due to outdated software or poor performance), consider modern alternatives in the same price range (up to 15 000). ₽):

If it matters AMOLED-screen and retractable camera, then direct analogues of the Mi 9T 2026 is almost none. Closest in design. ZTE Axon 20 5G (It's a subscreen camera, but it's more expensive and less affordable. Other times, modern smartphones offer better performance and support, albeit with other trade-offs (e.g., a cutout in the screen instead of a retractable module).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi 9T