Xiaomi Mi 9 is outdated? 7 best alternatives in 2026 (comparison on 10 parameters)

Xiaomi Mi 9 was once a flagship with revolutionary design and top-end hardware, but 5 years of technology has come a long way. If you are still using this model or planning to buy used - it's time to think about upgrading. In 2026, even budget smartphones are surpassing the Mi 9 in performance, battery life and camera capabilities.

We tested 7 current alternatives – from budget “flagship killers” to premium devices – and compared them with the Mi 9 on key parameters: processor, screen, photo module, battery, support 5G And the price. You'll find it in the article:

• 📊 Comparative table on 10 technical characteristics
• 🔍 Mi 9's Weaknesses Analysis (and Why They Are Critical in 2026)
• 💰 Rating of alternatives with budget: from 15 000 to 50 000 ₽
• 📸 Real examples of photos from cameras of different smartphones

Don’t rush to sell the old Mi 9 — you may have enough hardware power for another year or two, but if you notice lags in games, fast battery drain or memory shortages, switching to a modern model will give you a performance gain of 2-3 times at the same price.

1.Why Xiaomi Mi 9 is obsolete in 2026? 5 critical issues

Even with regular updates MIUI, Mi 9 is physically unable to compete with new smartphones:

• 🔋 Battery 3300 mAh - modern smartphones are equipped with batteries for 4500-5000 mAh. When actively using the Mi 9 requires recharging for lunch.
• 📱 60Hz screen – even budget models now offer 90-120Hz. The difference in smoothness is noticeable to the naked eye.
• 📡 Absence 5G — In 2026, it is not a luxury, but a necessity for fast Internet in cities.
• 🎮 Snapdragon 855 processor - in benchmarks inferior to modern chips by 2-2.5 times (see the table below).
• 📷 Camera without night mode – photos in the dark are noisy, while new smartphones use computational photography.

In addition, the Mi 9 no longer receives security updates from Xiaomi (the last one was released in 2022), which means data security vulnerabilities and incompatibility with new versions of apps, for example, WhatsApp and Tinkoff Bank have already announced the end of support for Android 10, which runs the Mi 9.

⚠️ If you are using Mi 9 for mobile payments (NFC), After 2026, there may be problems with the work of Google Pay and SberPey due to an outdated version of Android.

2. Comparative table: Xiaomi Mi 9 vs modern analogues

As you can see from the table, even the budget Redmi Note 13 Pro+ It beats the Mi 9 in every way except price, but it's important to consider price/performance ratios: $25,000. ₽ You get a smartphone that will last 3-4 years without obsolescence.

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The main conclusion is: if your budget is limited to 15,000 ₽, It is better to consider the used flagships of 2021-2022 (for example, Xiaomi). 11T), They'll offer better performance for the same money.

3. TOP-3 Budgetary alternatives (up to) 25 000 ₽)

If you're looking for a replacement for the Mi 9 without a major investment, look at these models. 5G, Long-term support for updates and modern screens at a price below 25,000 ₽.

1. Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (2026)

The best choice for photography and autonomy. 200-megapixel main camera with optical stabilization beats Mi 9 3-4 times in detail. 5,000 mAh battery with support for 120-watt charging charges in 19 minutes.

• ✅ Pluses: AMOLED-120Hz screen, stereo speakers, IP68.
• ❌ Cons: Plastic case, no wireless charging.

2. POCO X6 Pro (2026)

Perfect for gamers. Dimensity processor 8300-Ultra Shows in Genshin Impact at high settings 50–60 FPS (20–25 FPS The screen is 120 Hz and supports Dolby Vision.

• ✅ Pros: 67-watt charging, NFC, IR port.
• ❌ Cons: The camera is weaker than the Redmi Note 13 Pro+.

3. Motorola Moto G84 (2023)

Unique offer for fans of "pure" Android. MIUI It's ad-supported, and it's faster. HDR10+ Dolby Atmos stereo speakers are rare in this price segment.

• ✅ Pros: 120 Hz, IP54, 5 years of updates.
• ❌ Cons: Processor weaker than competitors (Snapdragon 695).

Battery performance (capacity not lower than 85%|Operation of all cameras and sensors|Lack of artifacts on the screen|Type-C connector state-->

4. Mid-segment (25,000-40,000) ₽): Maximum price/quality ratio

In this range, you can find smartphones that will not be outdated for at least 3-4 years. They offer flagship performance at a price of 2 times lower than the iPhone or Samsung Galaxy S.

1. POCO F6 (2026)

The absolute leader in performance in its segment. 8s Gen 2 beats the Snapdragon 855 (from Mi 9) 2.3 times in the AnTuTu Test. AMOLED 120 Hz with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.

The model features liquid cooling, which prevents trottling (decreased performance when heated). POCO F6 Keeps 60 stable FPS where Mi 9 drops to 30.

2. Realme GT Neo 5 (2023)

Designer smartphone with a 144-hertz screen and Snapdragon 8 processor+ Gen 1. Distinguished by premium assembly (glass) + metal) and support for 150-watt charging (full charge in 17 minutes).

The camera is not the strongest here (50 MP), but there is optical zoom. 2x, The Mi 9 doesn't have one. It's enough for social media and shooting in the afternoon.

3. Xiaomi 13 (2023)

If you want a compact flagship (6.36′′), then the Xiaomi 13 is one of the best options. Here are the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and the camera from Leica, and stereo speakers Harman Kardon.

Compared to the Mi 9, the difference is huge:

• 📸 Photo: Night mode is working in 4K, Not Full. HD.
• 🔊 Support for Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio.
• 🔋 Battery: 4500 mAh + 50W wireless charging.

⚠️ Note: In 2026, Xiaomi began to restrict the functionality of older smartphones. for example, in the Mi 9 no longer works Google Camera (GCam) due to outdated API The new models lack this flaw.

5. Premium segment (from 40,000) ₽): When money is not a question

If you’re willing to invest in a smartphone for 4 to 5 years, consider these models. They offer the best screens, cameras and performance on the market, but the price is already comparable to the iPhone.

1. Xiaomi 14 (2026)

The current flagship with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, camera-on 50 variable-aperture MP (f/1.6–f/4.0) screen-wise 2K 120 Hz. Compared to Mi. 9, here:

• 📷 Photo: Night mode in 8K, Support for Dolby Vision HDR.
• 🔋 Battery: 4610 mAh + 90-watt charge (full charge in 31 minutes).
• 🛡️ Protection: IP68, Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

2. Samsung Galaxy S23 (2023)

If you are interested in the Samsung ecosystem (watches, headphones, tablets), then Galaxy S23 — Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor is optimized better than Xiaomi's, and the camera shoots more natural colors.

Minus is price: new S23 worth ~60 000 ₽, But you can find it on the secondary market for $45,000. ₽.

3. OnePlus 12 (2026)

Best screen on the market (2K LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz) and fastest charging (100W).The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor here is overclocked to 3.3GHz (vs. 3.2GHz in Xiaomi 14).

Compared to the Mi 9:

• 🎮 Call of Duty Mobile on Maximum Match – 90 FPS (Mi 9-40 FPS).
• 📡 Network: Wi-Fi 7 support and 5G+.

6. Which model to choose depending on the tasks?

To simplify the choice, we have made recommendations based on the main use cases:

If you are not sure about the choice, answer two questions:

1. What budget are you willing to spend? (up to $25,000) ₽ / 25 000–40 000 ₽ / more than 40,000 ₽)
2. Which is more important to you: performance, camera or autonomy?

For example, if the budget is up to 25 000 ₽ You need a camera, take the Redmi Note 13 Pro.+. When Productivity and Budget are Important, $30,000 ₽ — POCO F6.

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Before buying, check the support 5G Not all operators provide coverage in your area! 5G Use the coverage map on your operator's website (e.g. mts.rf)./5g).

7.Should you buy the Xiaomi Mi 9 in 2026?

Yes, but only in three cases:

1. You found the device in perfect condition for 8,000 to 10,000 ₽ (New smartphones for this money offer the worst features).
2. You need a second phone for calls and instant messengers with no claims to games or photos.
3. You collect retro equipment and want to keep the legendary Xiaomi model.

In all other cases, the Mi 9 in 2026 is an unnecessary purchase.

• 🔋 Battery for 5 years has degraded by at least 30% (capacity fell from 3300 to ~2300 mAh).
• 📡 No 5G You'll be limited by speed. 4G (maximum 100-150 Mbit / s against 1-2 Gbit / s y 5G).
• 🛠️ Renovation is expensive: Replacing the screen — ~8 000 ₽, battery — ~3 500 ₽.

If you still decide to stay on the Mi 9, here are 3 tips on how to prolong its life:

Install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS 20)|Disable animations in the developer settings|Replace the battery with a new one (original) VB6735)|Use lightweight versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite)-->

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi has officially stopped producing parts for the Mi 9 in 2023, which means that in 1-2 years, finding original parts (such as a camera or speaker) will be extremely difficult.

FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing Xiaomi Mi 9