The question of the refresh rate of the Xiaomi Mi 9 screen is still controversial among users. The smartphone, released in 2019, became one of the flagships of the brand, but its display did not support high frequencies, as modern models. Many mistakenly believe that the Mi 9 is equipped with a 90-hertz screen, confusing it with later versions (for example, Mi 9T Pro or Mi 10).
To make matters worse, there are conflicting data on the web, some saying that frequency can change dynamically, others saying it's a purely marketing ploy, we'll analyze official specifications, test scores and owner reviews to give you an accurate answer, and you'll learn how to check your device's screen frequency yourself, and what to do if it doesn't match what you're saying.
If you are planning to buy the Mi 9 or already own it, this article will help you understand the nuances of the display and avoid common misconceptions. And for those who are looking for a smartphone with a high refresh rate, we have prepared a comparison with the current models of Xiaomi 2023-2026.
Xiaomi Mi 9 screen specs: what the manufacturer says
According to the official Xiaomi website and technical specifications, the Mi 9 fitted 6,39-inch AMOLED-resolution-screen 2340×1080 (Full HD+). The manufacturer clearly indicates that the refresh rate of the display is fixed at the level of the 60 Hz. This is also confirmed in the documentation for the device, where there is no mention of support. 90 Hz or adaptive frequency.
Importantly, the Mi 9 came out at a time when high refresh rates (90Hz and above) were just beginning to be introduced into flagship smartphones. Xiaomi’s first devices with 90-hertz screens were the Mi 9T Pro (in some regions) and Black Shark 2, a gaming smartphone from the company’s sub-brand.
However, rumors of a “90Hz hidden mode” that can be activated via an engineering menu are constantly floating around the network, a myth that the hardware doesn’t physically support a frequency above 60Hz. Any attempts to change this setting will either result in no effect or the screen will not work smoothly.
⚠️ Note: Some users try to change the frequency through ADB-This may cause damage to the matrix or loss of warranty.The manufacturer does not provide official ways to overclock the screen.
How to check the screen frequency on Xiaomi Mi 9: step-by-step instructions
If you’re in doubt about the refresh rate of your Mi 9, you can check it in a number of ways, and the most reliable is using specialized apps or built-in Android tools.
Method 1: Display Tester (or analogues)
Method 2: Engineering menu (power users only)
1. Open the Phone app and type ##4636##.
2. Go to the section "Equipment Testing".
3. Find the item "Display" or "Screen".
4. Check the Refresh Rate setting.Method 3: Visual Testing
- Take a picture of another smartphone’s Mi 9 screen in scrolling mode (for example, flip through the Twitter or Instagram feed).
- At 60Hz, there will be a noticeable flicker when scrolling fast, whereas at 90Hz the picture looks smoother.
Make sure your smartphone is 50% or higher charged|
Close all background applications |
Use the original cable (when testing via PC)|
Do not change the display settings during the check.-->
Why users confuse Mi 9 with 90Hz smartphones
The main reason for the misconception is Xiaomi’s marketing strategy, which in 2019, the company actively promoted AMOLED technology with a high refresh rate, but did not implement it in all models.
- 📱 Mi 9 - 60 Hz (base model)
- 🎮 Black Shark 2 – 90 Hz (Gaming Smartphone)
- 📱 Mi 9T Pro – 60 Hz in most regions, but some versions were 90 Hz (for example, for the Chinese market).
Another reason is firmware confusion: Some custom ROMs (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) can display incorrect screen frequency data. This doesn't mean that the display is really running at 90Hz, it's just that the system is reading the parameters incorrectly.
Also, in 2019-2020, many manufacturers began experimenting with adaptive refresh rates (such as the OnePlus 7 Pro), which created the illusion that the Mi 9 had a similar feature, even though it didn’t.
Mi 9 (60 Hz) |
Mi 9T Pro (90 Hz in some versions) |
Mi 10/10 Pro (90 Hz) |
POCO F1 (60 Hz) |
Another option-->
Comparison of Xiaomi Mi 9 with modern smartphones by screen frequency
To understand how relevant the Mi 9 is in 2026, compare it to newer Xiaomi models in terms of key display parameters:
| Model | Year of release | Screen type | Frequency of update | Adaptive frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi 9 | 2019 | AMOLED | 60 Hz | ❌ No. |
| Xiaomi Mi 10 | 2020 | AMOLED | 90 Hz | ❌ No. |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 | 2021 | AMOLED | 120 Hz | ✅ Yes, 48-120 Hz) |
| POCO F4 | 2022 | AMOLED | 120 Hz | ✅ Yes, 60-120 Hz) |
| Xiaomi 13 | 2023 | AMOLED | 120 Hz | ✅ Yes (1-120 Hz, LTPO) |
As you can see from the table, the Mi 9 is significantly inferior to modern smartphones not only in frequency, but also in flexibility of screen settings. Adaptive frequency (for example, in the Mi 13) allows you to save battery power, automatically reducing Hz during static scenes (reading, viewing photos).
However, for everyday tasks (social networks, videos, instant messengers), 60 Hz remains comfortable, and you will only notice the difference when you play games or scroll through long web pages.
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If you’re interested in high screen frequency, consider models no older than 2020. 2019 smartphones (including the Mi 9) are limited to 60Hz for hardware reasons.
Is it possible to accelerate the screen of the Mi 9 to 90 Hz: myths and reality
On the Internet there are "instructions" for overclocking the screen Mi 9 to 90 Hz using:
- 🔧 ADB-commands (e.g. adb shell service call SurfaceFlinger 1035) i32 1)
- 📱 Castom cores (modified versions of firmware)
- 🔄 Engineering menu (change of mpct parameters)
The reality is that all of these methods either fail or fail, because the refresh rate of the screen is determined by the hardware controller and the drivers.
- 🔥 Overheat the matrix (AMOLED-screens are sensitive to abnormal modes).
- 🔋 Increase battery consumption by 20-30%.
- 🚨 Cause image artifacts (flickering, stripes, broken pixels).
⚠️ Note: If you still decide to experiment, pre-create a backup of data through Settings → System system → Backup: The only way to return the original frequency after a failed overclocking is by flashing the device.
The only safe way to improve smoothness is to optimize the system:
- 📲 Enable Performance Mode in Settings → Battery → Performance mode.
- 🗑️ Clear the app cache through Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
- 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version MIUI (Even if it doesn't increase Hz, the system will become more responsive).
Which is better: Xiaomi Mi 9 with 60 Hz or modern budget with 90/120 Hz?
If you’re choosing between the Mi 9 (even the used one) and a new high-frequency budget smartphone (like the POCO X5 or Redmi Note 12), pay attention to the following criteria:
Advantages of Mi 9 (despite 60 Hz):
- 📸 Flagship Camera (48 MP, Sony) IMX586) — Better than most of the public sector in 2023.
- 🔋 Fast charging (27 W) and capacious battery (3300 mAh).
- 🎯 Performance (Snapdragon 855) is still relevant for most tasks.
Advantages of modern state employees (90/120 Hz):
- 🖥️ Smooth screen – the difference is noticeable in games and when scrolling.
- 🔄 Adaptive frequency (saving battery power).
- 📶 Support 5G (future-proof).
- 🔒 More recent version of Android (more updates will be released).
Conclusion:
If you care about photo/video and performance, the Mi 9 is still a good choice even in 2026, and if you prioritize smooth screen and long-term support, take a modern smartphone with 90/120Hz.
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Before buying a used Mi 9, check the screen for broken pixels using the Dead Pixel Test app. AMOLED-matrixes lose brightness over time, especially if the previous owner used maximum backlight.