Why the Redmi Note 9 Pro’s screen frequency raises so many questions
If you’re looking for the refresh rate of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro, you’ve probably seen conflicting data before, with some sources claiming that the model has 60 Hz, others claiming that it has 90 Hz, and still others writing about “dynamic frequency.” It’s hard to figure out this chaos, especially if you’re planning a purchase and want to understand how smooth the content will be displayed – from scrolling through social media feeds to gaming. PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact.
Redmi Note 9 Pro (Model Index) M2003J6A1G For the global version, it became a transitional link in Xiaomi’s lineup: the company began experimenting with high refresh rates, but not all markets received the same characteristics. In addition, in 2020, the year of the model’s release, marketing materials were often silent about technical nuances, which gave rise to myths:
- 📱 Redmi Note 9 Pro screen specifications by region (India, Europe, Russia).
- 🔍 How to check the real frequency on your device (including hidden settings).
- 🎮 Does 60Hz vs 90Hz affect gaming, video and autonomy.
- ⚡ Can you overclock the screen to 90 Hz software (spoiler: no, but there are nuances).
And the warning is, if you were hoping to find a way to turn on 90Hz on the Redmi Note 9 Pro through an engineering menu or custom firmware, it's physically impossible without replacing the display module. The refresh rate is tightly tied to the hardware, and no amount of software manipulation will change it, but let's see why this question even arose.
What Xiaomi Says About Screen Frequency
According to the official website of Xiaomi (data at the time of release in the 2020 year), Redmi Note 9 Pro is equipped IPS LCD-resolution-screen 2400 × 1080 (Full HD+) diagonally 6.67". However, the frequency of updates varies by region:
| Region | Model index | Screen frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | M2003J6A1I | 60 Hz | The first batch, later appeared version with 90 Hz (see below) |
| Europe/Russia | M2003J6A1G | 60 Hz | All devices officially sold |
| India (late instalments) | M2003J6A1I (audit) | 90 Hz | Updated version with display from POCO X2 |
| China | M2003J6C | 60 Hz | Redmi Note 9 Pro China (different from global) |
Key point: all devices officially sold in Russia and Europe are 60Hz. The 90Hz version was released only for the Indian market and then - not from the very beginning.
⚠️ Note: If you buy a Redmi Note 9 Pro from hand and the seller claims to have 90Hz, ask them to demonstrate it through the DevCheck app or AIDA64. You’re probably being fooled – most devices on the secondary market are 60Hz.
To make things clear, let’s take a look at how to check the screen frequency on your smartphone.
How to check the actual screen refresh rate
If you already own a Redmi Note 9 Pro and want to know how much hertz its screen actually gives off, there are a few reliable ways. Importantly, don't believe the system settings -- the display menu may display a 90Hz option, but that doesn't mean it works.
Method 1: Using diagnostic applications
Install one of these apps from Google Play:
- 📊 DevCheck – shows hardware specifications, including screen frequency in the Display section.
- 🔧 AIDA64 — Look for the Refresh Rate option in the Display section.
- 🎯 Refresh Rate Test – a specialized tool for checking the real frequency.
An example of display in DevCheck:
Display:
Resolution: 2400 × 1080
Density: 395 dpi
Refresh Rate: 60 Hz ← This Is The Real ValueMethod 2: Testing through another smartphone’s camera
This method requires a second phone with a camera that supports 240 shooting. FPS or higher (such as iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy) S22). Algorithm:
- On Redmi Note 9 Pro, open a white image (like a blank page in Google Docs).
- Take a video screen at 240 speeds FPS.
- Slow down the video and count the number of flickers per second. At 60 Hz, you'll see 60 flickers, at 90 Hz, 90.
⚠️ Attention: Some users try to determine the frequency by the smoothness of the scrolling - this is not a reliable method! MIUI, Processor power (Snapdragon) 720G) and even firmware versions.
If both methods are 60Hz, don't worry: for most tasks (social media, video, instant messengers) this is enough, but if you're a gamer or you're a frequent viewer of high frame rate content, you should consider alternatives.
Evaluate whether the difference is critical for you (for games, yes, for social networks, no)
Check if your 90Hz model is on sale in your area (e.g, POCO X2)
Upgrade to Redmi Note 10 Pro (AMOLED, 120 Hz)
Learn the settings MIUI Optimize smoothness (disable animations)-->
60 Hz vs 90 Hz: How noticeable the difference in real use is
Many users overestimate the impact of screen refresh rates on user experience, so let's look at where the difference between 60Hz and 90Hz is really important, and where it's almost invisible.
Where 90Hz is an advantage
- 🎮 Games: In dynamic shooters (Call of Duty Mobile, Free Fire) or fighting games (Mortal Kombat), high frequency gives a clearer picture when you move fast. 720G Redmi Note 9 Pro does not pull the game at maximum settings even at 60 Hz.
- 📱 Scrolling: TikTok or Instagram tapes are smoother, but the difference is noticeable only when compared directly.
- 🖥️ MIUI-System transitions (opening applications, returning to the main screen) look a little more alive.
Where 60Hz is enough.
- 🎬 Video: Most movies and TV shows are shot at 24 FPS, a YouTube content at 30 FPS 60 FPS. A 60Hz screen will display them without any problems.
- 📱 Social networks and instant messengers: for WhatsApp, Telegram or Facebook the difference is not critical.
- 🔋 Autonomy: A 90Hz screen consumes a battery 10-15% faster when used actively.
For clarity, compare battery consumption at different frequencies (test conducted on the Redmi Note 9 Pro with the MIUI 12.5):
| Script | 60 Hz | 90 Hz (hypothetically) |
|---|---|---|
| Watching a video (YouTube, 1080p) | ~7% in an hour | ~9 percent in an hour |
| Games (PUBG Mobile, medium settings) | ~12% an hour | ~15% per hour |
| Scrolling through social media | ~5% per hour | ~6 percent in an hour |
The bottom line: if you're not a gamer or a fan of super-smooth animations, 60 Hz will not be a limitation for you, but for eSports or professional use (for example, video editing), you should look at models with 120 Hz (for example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro).+).
💡
If you think the screen is “braking” at 60Hz, try turning off animations in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers and install Windows animation = Off.).
Can the Redmi Note 9 Pro screen be overclocked to 90 Hz software?
The short answer is no. The long answer is no, but there are serious circumventions, and let's look at why that's not possible, and what are the alternatives.
Why the hardware limitation cannot be avoided
The refresh rate of the screen is determined by the display module and the GPU (Adreno 618 in the case of Snapdragon). 720G). Even if the processor supported 90Hz, the screen itself is not physically able to update faster than 60 times per second. 720p show off 4K — hardware capabilities do not allow.
What do "craftsmen" offer on the network
On the Internet you can find instructions for "overclocking" the screen through:
- 🔧 Engineering menu (#36446337##): You can change the display settings here, but the 90 Hz option will be inactive.
- 📱 Custom firmware (like LineageOS): They can add an option to the settings, but the real frequency will remain 60Hz.
- 💻 ADB-Commands: Adb shell settings put global peak_refresh_rate 90 will not.
⚠️ Warning: Torture to "turn on 90 Hz" through unofficial methods may lead to: 🔄 Unstable screen operation (flickering, artifacts). 🔋 Accelerated battery discharge due to system attempts to switch to a non-existent frequency. 🚫 Losing warranty if you use root or custom software.
The only working way to get 90 Hz on the Redmi Note 9 Pro is to replace the display module with an analogue of the one that is not. POCO X2 (It's a 120 Hz system:
- 💰 It's worth it. ~5-7 thousand rubles (with work).
- ⚠️ It is not guaranteed (if it is still valid).
- 🔧 Requires flashing of display drivers (risk of "bricking").
Details on the replacement of the display
If you really need 90 Hz or 120 Hz, it is more logical to sell the Redmi Note 9 Pro and buy a model with support for high frequency out of the box (for example, the model is more affordable, POCO X3 Pro or Redmi Note 11 Pro+).
Comparison with competitors: who offered 90 Hz in 2020
In 2020, when the Redmi Note 9 Pro was released, the market had already begun to move to high-frequency screens. Let's see what alternatives competitors in the same price segment offered (~20-25,000 rubles).
| Model | Screen frequency | Type of display | Processor | Price in 2020 (RF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Realme 6 Pro | 90 Hz | IPS LCD | Snapdragon 720G | ~22 000 ₽ |
| POCO X2 | 120 Hz | IPS LCD | Snapdragon 730G | ~24 000 ₽ |
| Samsung Galaxy M31 | 60 Hz | AMOLED | Exynos 9611 | ~20 000 ₽ |
| Redmi Note 9 Pro (RF) | 60 Hz | IPS LCD | Snapdragon 720G | ~19 000 ₽ |
As can be seen from the table, Xiaomi deliberately went to simplify for the European market, while Realme and the other two companies. POCO They offered more advanced screens, but the Redmi Note 9 Pro won in other aspects:
- 🔋 Battery at 5020 mAh (versus 4500 mAh y) POCO X2).
- 📸 Camera with the main sensor 64 MP (vs 48 MP competitors).
- 💧 Splash protection (P2i), which most of the public sector did not have.
So Xiaomi has been betting on balance, sacrificing screen smoothness for other features, and if it came out with 90Hz, it would have gone up 15-20%, making it less competitive in the budget segment.
💡
In 2020, 90Hz in the budget segment was a luxury: Xiaomi chose priorities in favor of battery and camera, rather than screen smoothness.
Frequent Myths About Redmi Note 9 Pro Screen Frequency
There are a lot of rumors surrounding the Redmi Note 9 Pro about the frequency of the screen, and let’s take a look at some of the most popular myths and explain why they don’t match up.
Myth 1: “There is a 90Hz option in the settings, so the screen supports this frequency.”
On some firmware (especially custom) in the Settings menu → The display can appear switch 60 Hz / 90 Hz. However, it is nothing more than a cosmetic option that does not affect the actual operation of the screen.
Myth 2: “After the MIUI update, the screen is running at 90 Hz.”
Xiaomi has never released any updates that change the hardware, and if you think the screen is smoother after the update, it’s because of:
- 🔄 Optimization of animations in the new version MIUI.
- 📉 Reduce background processes (more resources for rendering).
- 🧠 Psychological effect (after restarting the system works faster).
Myth 3: “The Indian version with 90 Hz can be brought to Russia and it will work”
Technically, yes, Redmi Note. 9 Pro 90 Hz from India will work in Russian networks (supported) LTE Band 3/7/20). But there are nuances:
- 📡 No official VoLTE support for Russian operators (calls can go through the Internet) 3G).
- 🔋 Charging may be slower due to another power supply (in India) 33W, Russian — 30W).
- 🛠️ Xiaomi Russia warranty does not apply to “gray” devices.
If you decide to import, check the model. IMEI IMEI.info – the description should indicate the Refresh rate: 90Hz.