Xiaomi Mi 9 has become one of the most talked about flagships of 2019 — not only because of the powerful stuffing, but also because of the revolutionary design and aggressive pricing policy. This device marked a new stage in the development of the brand, when Xiaomi ceased to be just a “Chinese budgetary” and confidently entered the top of the world’s premium smartphone manufacturers. But when exactly did the Mi 9 come out, and why did its release become such a landmark event?
In this article, we’ll look at not only the exact date of the presentations, but also the context of its appearance: what technologies debuted with the Mi 9, how it compared with competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S10 or Huawei P30 Pro, and whether to buy it today — five years after its release.
Official release date Xiaomi Mi 9: chronology of events
Xiaomi Mi 9 was announced on February 20, 2019 at a special event in Beijing, but the date of the start of sales differed depending on the market:
- 🇨🇳 China: sales start on February 26, 2019 (6 days after the presentation) The first batches flew in minutes.
- 🌍 Global Market: Official Release Taken on March 20, 2019 at the Exhibition MWC European and Asian users got access to the purchase later in April.
- 🇷🇺 Russia: First official deliveries began in May 2019, although the “gray” dealers offered the device in March.
Interestingly, the Mi 9 was the first Xiaomi smartphone to receive Google Mobile Services (GMS) certification before its global release, allowing the brand to avoid the sales problems in Europe that plagued Huawei due to the US trade embargo.
Importantly, the Mi 9’s release date coincided with the peak of cameraless smartphones (like the Oppo Find X or Vivo Apex), but Xiaomi has been betting on a classic design with minimal bezels and a cut-out, which ultimately turned out to be a more practical solution.
Xiaomi Mi 9: Why it was ahead of time
At the time of its release, the Mi 9 was one of the most productive smartphones on the market, and its heart was the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset, the first 7nm processor for mobile devices, which overtook the Apple A12 Bionic in some tests. But the real revolution was the triple main camera, developed in conjunction with Sony and Samsung:
| Characteristics | Parameter | Comparison with Competitors (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) | Beat Kirin 980 (Huawei) in graphics tests |
| RAM | 6/8GB of LPDDR4X | Standard for flagships, but OnePlus 7 Pro offered 12GB |
| Main camera. | 48 MP (Sony IMX586) + 16 MP (width) + 12 MP (telephoto) | First smartphone with 3× optical zoom in the segment to $500 |
| Screen. | 6.39′′ AMOLED, 2340×1080, 600 nits | Faded Galaxy S10+ in brightness (800 nits), but had better color reproduction |
| Battery | 3300 mAh with 27-watt fast charging | Less than the P30 Pro (4200 mAh), but charged 2 times faster |
The cooling system deserves special attention: the Mi 9 was Xiaomi’s first vapor chamber smartphone, which allowed the processor to run at maximum frequencies longer than its competitors. This was critical for gamers – in PUBG Mobile or Fortnite, the device is not a “troitle” even after an hour of play.
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If your Mi 9 starts to overheat, check the heat paste under the lid. Over time, it dries out - replacing it with an MX-4 or Arctic Silver 5 can lower the temperature by 5-7 °C.
Another innovation is the 5th generation underscreen fingerprint scanner, which unlike the OnePlus 6T, where the sensor was slow, the Mi 9 only took 0.3 seconds to unlock (according to GSMArena tests).
Comparison with competitors: why Mi 9 was more profitable than the Galaxy S10 and P30 Pro
In 2019, the main competitors of the Mi 9 were:
- 📱 Samsung Galaxy S10 (from $900) - flagship with dynamic AMOLED-screen and ultrasonic fingerprint scanner.
- 📱 Huawei P30 Pro (from) $1000 – leader in photography with a 40-megapixel sensor and 5× zoom.
- 📱 OnePlus 7 Pro (from OnePlus) $670) — a device with a 90-hertz screen and a “departure” front camera.
The main advantage of the Mi 9 is the price-performance ratio. In China, the launch version (6/128 GB) cost only 2999 yuan (~$450), while the Galaxy S10 cost $900. While the performance in AnTuTu Mi 9 was ahead of the Korean flagship by 10-15% thanks to better optimization of the MIUI 10 firmware.
Why was the Mi 9 cheaper than the competition?
However, there were shortcomings:
⚠️ Warning: The first batches of Mi 9 suffered from a problem with the green tint of the screen at low brightness. AMOLED-Xiaomi quickly replaced the batch, but the risk of getting a “flawed” screen remained until June 2019.
Software: MIUI 10 and Hidden Opportunities
At the time of release, the Mi 9 was running MIUI 10 (based on Android 9 Pie), which brought several exclusive features:
- 🎮 Game Turbo – a mode for gamers, blocking notifications and optimizing performance.
- 🔒 App Lock 2.0 - not only password protection, but also facial scanning.
- 🌙 Super Wallpapers – dynamic wallpapers that respond to the time of day (for example, Mars day and night).
- 🔋 Fast Charging with Qualcomm Quick Charge 4 Support+ and 27W Xiaomi Turbo Charge.
However, MIUI 10 had serious drawbacks, such as the lack of navigation gestures in the first version of the firmware (they were added only in the MIUI 10.2.1.0 update), and users complained about aggressive battery optimization, which “killed” background processes (for example, WhatsApp stopped showing notifications).
Go to Settings → The phone. → Updating the system|Connect to Wi-Fi|Download the full package (not delta)|Reboot the device after installation-->
Now (2026) the Mi 9 officially supports MIUI 14 based on Android 12, but updates are coming with delays. Unofficial firmware like LineageOS 20 or Pixel Experience allows you to install Android 13, but lost support for camera and fast charging.
Problems and “diseases” Xiaomi Mi 9: what you need to know before buying
Despite the revolutionary characteristics, the Mi 9 had several "childhood diseases" that were not mentioned in official reviews.
- Overheating during charging: due to the compact body and powerful processor, the temperature could rise to 45 ° C when using the original 27W RAM. The solution is to charge the smartphone in aerial mode or use the 18W RAM.
- Burnout AMOLED-After 1.5-2 years, some users had yellow spots at the top of the display. E4, Which Xiaomi did not recognize as a warranty case.
- GPS problems: In the first firmware, the L1+L5 module was unstable, which caused the coordinates in the navigation (Google Maps, Yandex.Navigator) to "jump"; corrected in MIUI 10.3.5.
⚠️ WARNING: If you're buying the Mi 9 handheld in 2026, be sure to check out: 🔋 Battery capacity (must be at least 2800 mAh - checked by ##4636##). 📸 Operating the camera in manual mode (check focusing on the telephoto module). 🌡️ Processor temperature under load (use) CPU Monitor) Smartphones with serial numbers M1902F1** (First parties are more likely to suffer from screen problems.
On the other hand, the Mi 9 had some unobvious advantages: its 7000-series aluminum body was stronger than the iPhone XS (which bent when pressed), and its modular design made it cheaper to replace the battery or camera than Samsung’s monolithic flagships.
The relevance of Xiaomi Mi 9 in 2026: is it worth buying?
Five years after the release of the Mi 9, you can still find it on the secondary market at a price of 8,000-12,000 rubles (depending on the condition).
| Parameter | Mi 9 (2019) | Modern Budgetary Officer (2026) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Productivity | Snapdragon 855 (~400K in AnTuTu) | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (~500K in AnTuTu) | ❌ Even the average man is inferior. |
| Camera. | 48 MP (without OIS on the main module) | 108 MP with OIS and night mode | ❌ Weak detail in poor lighting |
| Screen. | AMOLED, 60 Hz, 600 nits | AMOLED, 120 Hz, 1000+ nit | ⚠️ Acceptable, but faint in the sun. |
| Autonomy | 3300 mAh (4-5 hours of screen) | 5000 mAh (7-8 hours of screen) | ❌ Requires the wearing of a Power Bank |
| Price. | ~10 000 ₽ (b) | ~15 000 ₽ (New Redmi Note 13) | ✅ Only collectors benefit |
Who's gonna be good with Mi 9 today?
- 🎮 Gamers on budget: Snapdragon 855 still pulls Genshin Impact on mid-size settings.
- 📸 Fans of retro technology: the design of the Mi 9 has become a cult, like the iPhone 4.
- 🔧 Customization enthusiasts: easy to sew under LineageOS or Pixel Experience.
Who doesn't?
- 📱 Those who want a long software update (official support ended in 2022).
- 🔋 Those who need a long time of autonomous work.
- 📸 Those who are making videos in 4K@60fps (chamber overheats 10 minutes).
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The Xiaomi Mi 9 in 2026 is a “retro flagship” for enthusiasts, not an everyday smartphone, and is only justified if you are willing to put up with outdated hardware and software.
Where to buy Xiaomi Mi 9 today: proven ways
If you are considering buying the Mi 9, here are the reliable options:
- 🛒 Avito/Yula: Prices from 8 000 ₽, But you're at high risk of a dead battery.
- 🌍 AliExpress: new (but unoriginal) batteries and parts for the Mi 9 (e.g., 4,000mAh battery).
- 🏬 Xiaomi Service Centers: sometimes sell refurbished devices with a warranty (for example, in Mi Service Moscow).
- 🔄 Telegram channels: groups like @mi9_fans or @xiaomi_buy_sell, where collectors trade in rare modifications (e.g. Mi) 9 Transparent Edition).
⚠️ There are many fake Mis on the market 9 They're called "original." They're all different: 🔍 Serial number: the originals begin with M1902F1 (global version) or M1903F1 (Chinese). 🔋 Charging: counterfeits are not supported 27W heat up. 📦 Box: the original on the package has a hologram with the logo Xiaomi and QR-Before you buy, ask the seller for a photo. IMEI (sticker under the battery and check it on the website mi.com/verify.