Xiaomi Mi 9T: the official release date, the history of creation and why the model became a cult

Xiaomi Mi 9T is one of the most talked-about models of the brand, which is still in demand in the secondary market. Its release was a real event for fans of frameless screens and powerful budget devices. But when exactly did this gadget come into being? If you are planning to buy or just interested in Xiaomi's history, it is important to know not only the release date, but also the context: why the model was released during this period, what technologies were used and how it relates to other flagships of the brand.

In this article, we will analyze the exact release date of the Mi 9T in different regions, compare it with the Mi 9T Pro and Redmi K20 (its twin for the Indian market), and also tell you how to determine the originality of the device by the date of production, and you will learn what chips made this model so popular and whether it is worth buying it today – 5 years after its release.

The official release date of Xiaomi Mi 9T: the chronology of events

Xiaomi Mi 9T was announced on June 12, 2019 at a presentation in Beijing, but the date of the start of sales differed depending on the region:

• 🇨🇳 China (called Redmi) K20): Sales started on June 1, 2019, 11 days ahead of the global announcement.
• 🌍 Global Market (including Europe and Russia): Official Release on June 20, 2019.
• 🇮🇳 India: The model was released under the name Redmi K20 July 17, 2019 with adapted firmware.

The Mi 9T was the first Xiaomi smartphone to officially go on sale in Russia at the same time as Europe, which previously took months to localize, due to the brand’s active promotion in the European market and partnerships with retail chains.

If you see offers for the Mi 9T with a production date before May 2019, it's either a fake or a device from a test batch.Official production only started in June.

Mi 9T vs Redmi K20: Why is it that there is only one model with two names?

Many users confuse the Xiaomi Mi 9T and Redmi K20, thinking that they are different devices, in fact, it is the same smartphone, but with different names for different markets:

The main difference is firmware. Redmi K20 in China was not Google services, but had more features for the local market (for example, integration with WeChat Pay and Alipay), the global Mi 9T received full support for Google Play and many languages, including Russian.

There was also the Redmi K20 Pro (similar to the Mi 9T Pro), which featured a Snapdragon 855 processor instead of the Snapdragon 730 in the standard version, the first time Xiaomi had released two versions of the same design with different chipsets.

Key features of the Mi 9T: what made the model iconic?

The Xiaomi Mi 9T was one of the brand’s first smartphones to feature a fully bezel-less screen (without a monobra and notch), a solution that was later used in the Mi 10T and POCO F2 Pro.

Here is what the model stood out from the competition:

• 📱 AMOLED-6.39′′ screen with support HDR and always active display (AOD) — Rareness for the mid-budget segment in 2019.
• 🔋 Battery 4000 mAh with support for fast charging of 18 W (included was an adapter 18 W).
• 📸 Triple main camera: 48 MP (SONY IMX582) + 13 MP (wide-angle) + 8 MP (Telephoto, 2)× zoom).
• 🎮 The Snapdragon 730 was one of the most powerful processors in its class at the time.
• 🔒 In-screen fingerprint scanner (optical, 5th generation).

The Mi 9T became Xiaomi’s first smartphone to be certified TÜV Low Blue Light – meaning its screen would be less damaging to vision over long-term use – a feature that later appeared in all of the brand’s flagships.

Despite the fact that the model was positioned as a “medium-budget”, in fact, it overtook many flagships of 2018 (for example, the Samsung Galaxy S9 in terms of autonomy and camera), the price at the start of sales in Russia was 24 990 rubles for the version 6/64 GB – which was extremely competitive.

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If you buy the Mi 9T today, pay attention to the state of the retractable mechanism of the camera, if used actively, it can begin to “luft” in 3-4 years, check the smoothness of the ride and the absence of foreign sounds when moving out.

How to check the production date of the Mi 9T by serial number?

If you are buying the Xiaomi Mi 9T handheld, it is important to make sure it is not a fake or a “grey” import.Date of production can be determined by the serial number (IMEI or SN), which is listed on the box and in the phone settings (Settings → Phone → General information).

The serial number format Mi 9T: AB12CD34567890, where:

AB is the factory code (e.g. 8H for Foxconn, 9C for Huaqin).

12 - year and month of production (number + letter).

The second number of the month (second number in the pair):

• 1 - January, 2 - February,..., 9 - September.
• A – October, B – November, C – December.

Examples:

9F → 2019, May (first installments)

- 9H → 2019, Aug.

- 0B → 2020, November (late batches).

⚠️ Note: If the serial number begins with 0D or later (December 2020), it could be a fake or re-labeled Redmi K20 Official production of the Mi 9T completed in November 2020.

Make sure the serial number on the box and on the phone match

Check the production date (should not be before May 2019)

Note the Xiaomi logo on the back (must be metal, not sticker)

Check the availability of certificates in the settings (Settings) → The phone. → Certificates)-->

Mi 9T in 2026: Should I Buy It?

It’s been 5 years since the release, but the Mi 9T is still available on sale – both in the secondary market and in some online stores (new unpacked copies).

Pros of buying in 2026:

• ✅ AMOLED-The screen is still modern (unlike the one in the past). IPS in the state sector 2019).
• ✅ Good autonomy – 4000 mAh is enough for a day with moderate use.
• ✅ Support for custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience).
• ✅ Price - on the secondary device costs 8 000-12,000 rubles (depending on the condition).

Cons:

• ❌ Snapdragon 730 is outdated for modern games (for example, Genshin Impact comes with minimal settings).
• ❌ No. 5G — If you want to have fast internet, it’s critical.
• ❌ Charging 18W seems slow today (flagships 2026 support 100)+ Watt).
• ❌ Retractable camera - a potential point of failure in 5 years.

For whom is the Mi 9T suitable today:

- Those who are looking for a budget smartphone with AMOLED for social networks and videos.

- Fans of custom firmware (the device is well supported by the community).

Collectors or those who want to try the retractable camera as a retro feature.

⚠️ Note: If you are buying a Mi 9T In 2026, be sure to check the battery status (capacity should be at least 80% of the original). Use applications like AccuBattery or enter the code ##4636## in the dialer, then select Battery Information.

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The Xiaomi Mi 9T in 2026 is a “retrograde” choice for enthusiasts, not a pragmatic gadget.If you need a smartphone for everyday tasks, it’s better to consider newer models (like the POCO X6 or Redmi Note 13 Pro).

Mi 9T Problems and How to Solve Them

Despite its reliability, the Mi 9T has typical "diseases" that occur after a few years of use.

1. The retractable camera gets stuck or creaks, either because it gets dust into the mechanism or wears out plastic guides, so you can either gently blow the mechanism through with compressed air (without disassembling it!) or go to a service for cleaning and lubrication.
2. The screen spontaneously turns on in your pocket, and the reason is a sensitive proximity sensor or a firmware failure, and the solution is to turn off the Rise to wake up in the screen settings or update the MIUI.
3. The reason: battery degradation (natural wear after 500+ charge cycles) Solution: replace the battery (cost ~2,000 rubles in service).
4. Overheating when charging or playing, cause: clogged vents or heat paste on the processor, solution: clean the case of dust or re-glue the gasket (requires disassembly).

If your Mi 9T is slowing down, try resetting to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset). This often helps with software lags. If the hardware problem (such as worn-out flash memory), you should think about replacing the device.

FAQ: answers to popular questions about Xiaomi Mi 9T