When buying a budget smartphone, everyone wants to make sure that the device will pull the usual applications and will not slow down when performing basic tasks. Xiaomi Redmi 9 has become one of the most popular devices in its segment due to the combination of low price and decent performance. However, the numbers in the specifications often do not tell the average customer who does not understand the intricacies of the architecture of the processors.
That’s why tests in synthetic benchmarks like the AnTuTu Benchmark are a key guide to choosing a gadget, which allows you to objectively assess the power of iron and compare it with other models on the market. In this article, we will discuss in detail what results the owner of the Redmi 9 should expect and what lies behind the dry numbers of the rating.
Architectural features of the MediaTek Helio G80 processor
At the heart of the Xiaomi Redmi 9 is the MediaTek Helio G80, a 12-nanometer processor that is marketed as an entry-level gaming solution, and is built on a big.LITTLE architecture, where four Cortex-A75 cores are responsible for performing heavy tasks and four energy-efficient Cortex-A53s are used in the background.
The Mali-G52 MC2 graphics accelerator runs at 950 MHz, which provides a decent picture in games, but don’t expect it to be a miracle in today’s heavy-duty projects. It’s important to understand that the Helio G80 is an evolution of the company’s previous solutions, optimized to balance autonomy and interface response speed.
Technical details of the chipset
The AI Processing Unit, which is also built into this processor, takes on the task of recognizing scenes in the camera and optimizing power consumption, unloading basic computing power.
Test results from AnTuTu Benchmark
When launching the popular benchmark AnTuTu Benchmark (versions 8 and 9), the Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphone shows results typical of the lower mid-range price segment. The total score usually ranges from 190,000 to 210,000 units, which is enough for a comfortable experience on social networks, instant messengers and watching high-resolution video.
The final figure is highly dependent on the version of the Android operating system and the MIUI shell installed on the device, and background processes, body temperature and battery level also make their own adjustments to the final test protocol.
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The average score of Xiaomi Redmi 9 in AnTuTu is about 200,000 points, which is the standard for the budget class of 2020-2021.
The breakdown of the scores by category shows that the lion’s share of performance falls on the CPU. The graphics unit scores significantly fewer points, which limits the device’s capabilities in resource-intensive three-dimensional games.
Detailed analysis of CPU and GPU performance
If you look at the testing in more detail, you can see the following picture of power distribution: the processor core. CPU roughly 60-70 thousands of points, which is a good indicator for fast downloading applications.
Graphics processor GPU It shows up at about 45-50 That's enough to run games like this. PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile, but only in low or medium graphics settings. In heavier projects like Genshin Impact, the device will run to the limit of its capabilities.
- 📊 CPU Score: Responsible for speed of the interface and opening applications.
- 🎮 GPU Score: Determines the quality of graphics and FPS play.
- 💾 MEM Score: Shows the speed of RAM and internal memory.
- ⚡ UX Score: Evaluates user experience and smooth animations.
LPDDR4X memory and eMMC 5.1 drive also affect the overall result, and read and write speeds are lower than those of flagship UFS models, which can affect the time of installing large updates.
Impact of MIUI version and operating system
The MIUI software shell plays a critical role in how exactly the Xiaomi Redmi 9 will behave in tests. Newer firmware versions often contain optimizations that can both increase and decrease the final score in benchmarks.
Users often notice that after a major Android update, performance may temporarily decline due to file indexing processes in the background, but after a few days of use, the system stabilizes and the performance returns to normal.
⚠️ Note: Installation of custom firmware or obtaining superuser rights (Root) can lead to incorrect operation of benchmarks and reduce the overall stability of the system.
Also, it is worth considering that different versions of AnTuTu use different scoring algorithms, and the results obtained in version 8 will differ significantly from the data in version 9 or 10, so you only need to compare the devices based on the results of the same test.
Comparison with competitors in the price segment
To understand the real value of the Xiaomi Redmi 9, you need to compare it with the results of direct competitors, at the time of release, the main rival was considered the Samsung Galaxy A11 and the more powerful Realme 6i.
| Smartphone model | Processor | AnTuTu scores (v8) | RAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Redmi 9 | Helio G80 | ~205 000 | 3/4 GB |
| Samsung Galaxy A11 | Snapdragon 450 | ~100 000 | 3GB |
| Realme 6i | Helio G80 | ~203 000 | 4GB |
| Honor 9A | Helio P22 | ~90 000 | 3/4 GB |
As you can see from the table, the Redmi 9 is well ahead of many of its class, especially Samsung and Honor models from the period, making it one of the leaders in terms of price-performance ratio.
But when compared to newer budgeters like the Redmi Note 10, the gap is already significant, with the Snapdragon 600 and 700 series offering significantly higher processing speeds.
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When buying a used smartphone, be sure to run a benchmark at the seller to make sure that the device has not been overheated and does not have hidden defects of the motherboard.
Real performance in games and applications
The numbers in benchmarks are one thing, the real-world experience is another. In everyday tasks like navigation, YouTube and social media, the Xiaomi Redmi 9 feels confident. The interface runs smoothly, with no noticeable delays when switching between apps.
In game scenarios, it depends on the requirements of the project: simple games like Asphalt 9 (on minimals) or Clash of Clans work steadily, but during long sessions, you can experience trotting, a decrease in the frequency of the processor due to heat.
- 🎯 Shooters: Playable at low settings, FPS near 30-40.
- 🏎️ Racing: Requires reduced detail for smoothness.
- 🏰 Strategies: Works well as are less demanding on schedule.
For avid gamers, the Redmi 9 is not the ideal choice if you plan to launch new games, and for casual players and multimedia users, its power is quite enough.
☑️ Check before buying a used Redmi 9
Factors that reduce the result in benchmarks
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where their device scores significantly less than stated in reviews. The first and most obvious factor is overheating. If the phone was actively used before the test or was in the sun, the protection system will reduce the frequencies.
The second important aspect is memory occupancy: If the eMMC is over 85% full, the speed of writing and reading data drops, which directly affects the final score in the Memory category.
⚠️ Note: Running other applications during testing in AnTuTu may distort the results. Close all background processes before starting the check.
Also, remember the age of the battery: a worn-out battery cannot give off the peak current required for the processor to operate at maximum frequencies, which leads to an artificial understatement of performance.
Conclusion and final recommendations
To sum up, the Xiaomi Redmi 9 remains a sturdy middleman even years after its release, with a score of ~200,000 in AnTuTu providing a comfortable experience with a basic set of apps and lightweight games.
For those looking for a reliable device for calling, internet and navigation, this smartphone is still relevant, but users planning to actively play or edit video on their phone should consider more modern models with medium- and high-end processors.