Xiaomi 9 Series in a row: all models, their differences and how to choose the best

Xiaomi 9 series became one of the most successful lines of flagship smartphones of the brand, Released in 2019. These devices are still relevant thanks to powerful hardware, quality screens and affordable price in the secondary market. But many users are confused about the modifications: how many were there, what are different and which model is better for gaming, photography or everyday use?

In this article, we will look at all Xiaomi 9 series models in a row, from the basic Mi 9 to the compact Mi 9 SE and the gaming Black Shark 2 (which is often attributed to this lineup), learn about their technical characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, and get recommendations for choosing in 2026, and pay special attention to compatibility with modern applications and updates to MIUI.

List of all Xiaomi 9 Series models

Officially, the Xiaomi 9 series includes three main models, but many other devices of the same year are tied to it.

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 9 – basic flagship with triple camera and detachable design
• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 9 SE – compact version with AMOLED- screen and medium chipset
• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 9T (aka Redmi K20) – a model with a retractable front camera
• 🎮 Black Shark 2 - a gaming smartphone based on Mi 9 with active cooling
• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G – version with support for fifth-generation networks

It’s important to understand that the Mi 9T and Redmi K20 are the same device, just sold under different brands in different regions, and the Black Shark 2, although built on the Mi 9 platform, was positioned as a separate game line, but all of these models share the common architecture of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (except the Mi 9 SE) and similar design approaches.

Next, we will discuss each model in detail, but first – a small survey to understand which one you are interested in:

Xiaomi Mi 9: Specifications and Features

Xiaomi Mi 9 was the brand’s first smartphone with a triple main camera and a non-removable design (without a 3.5 mm audio jack).It was a true flagship of 2019, which competed with the Samsung Galaxy S10 and Huawei P30 Pro, but cost significantly less.

Key features of the model:

• 🔥 Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) processor with clock speeds up to 2.84 GHz
• 📸 Triple camera: 48 MP (main) + 16 MP (wide-angle) + 12 MP (telephoto) with 2x optical zoom
• 🔋 3300 mAh battery with support for 27-watt fast charging (included in 18 watts)
• 🖥️ AMOLED- screen 6.39" with a resolution 2340×1080 and a frequency 60Hz
• 🎯 Under-screen fingerprint scanner (optical)

One of the main drawbacks of the Mi 9 was the lack of water and dust protection according to the IP standard - unlike competitors, Xiaomi saved on this, users often complained about mediocre autonomy due to the small battery, but the smartphone received excellent MIUI optimization and regular updates up to MIUI 14 (based on Android 12).

💡

If you buy the Mi 9 in 2026, be sure to check the status of the battery – its capacity for 4-5 years of operation could decrease by 30-40%.

Xiaomi Mi 9 and Mi 9 SE: Which one to choose?

Xiaomi Mi 9 SE was positioned as a “compact flagship”, but in fact it was more “stripped” version of the main model, the main difference is the Snapdragon 712 chipset instead of the 855, which significantly affected gaming performance and multitasking.

Let’s compare the key parameters in the table:

Who will fit Mi 9 SE?

• 👍 For those looking for a compact smartphone (one of the smallest flagships of 2019)
• 👍 Users who do not need games at maximum settings
• 👍 Fans of AMOLED- screens in the budget segment

Who better to take the Mi 9?

• 🎮 Gamers and those working with heavy apps
• 📸 Photographers (best main camera and telephoto module)
• 🔋 For those who care about autonomy (albeit not perfect)

💡

The Mi 9 SE is not a “mini-version” of the flagship, but a standalone mid-range smartphone with a focus on compactness. If you want performance, take the Mi 9 or Mi 9T.

Xiaomi Mi 9T (Redmi K20): unique chips of the model

Xiaomi Mi 9T (aka Redmi K20 in China and India) became one of the most popular smartphones 2019 of the year thanks to the retractable front camera and AMOLED- screen without a cutout. This was the first Xiaomi model with a mechanical slider, which allowed to achieve 100% use of the front panel.

Key features of the Mi 9T:

• 🔄 Retractable chamber 20 MP with 300,000 cycle movement
• 🖥️ AMOLED- 6.39 screen with built-in fingerprint scanner
• 🔋 4000 mAh battery is the most capacious in the series
• 🎯 Triple main camera: 48 MP (main) + 13 MP (wide-angle) + 8 MP (telephoto)
• 🔄 Support for 18-watt fast charging (included)

The Mi 9T’s main drawback was its lack of 4K video stabilization, which made it less attractive to video bloggers, and the mechanical camera could eventually become jammed when dust hits, yet it was one of the series’ most balanced smartphones in terms of price/quality.

Black Shark 2: A gaming smartphone based on the Mi 9

Black Shark 2 is a specialized gaming smartphone created by Xiaomi subsidiary, which is built on the same platform as the Mi 9, but has a number of unique features for gamers:

• 🎮 Active liquid cooling (built-in fan)
• 🖥️ AMOLED- screen with support for HDR10+ and 240Hz tactile response
• 🔋 4000 mAh battery with 27-watt fast charging
• 🎯 Dual main camera: 48 MP + 12 MP (without wide-angle module)
• 🎮 Physical trigger buttons (triggers) on the sides of the body

The main advantage of the Black Shark 2 over the regular Mi 9 is the optimization for games. The smartphone supported high-performance modes, had special software for setting up FPS and could even connect to game controllers.

• ❌ Fatter and heavier body
• ❌ No 3.5mm connector (despite gaming orientation)
• ❌ Less advanced camera (no telephoto module)

Today, the Black Shark 2 is of interest primarily to collectors or those looking for an unusual retro gadget. For normal use, it is better to choose Mi 9 or Mi 9T.

The state of triggers (buttons should not be lumped)

Cooling system operation (fan should not make noise)

Battery condition (capacity not lower than 80% of factory)

The presence of the original game controller (if gaming is important)-->

Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G: the first 5G-smartphone brand

Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G became the first smartphone of the company with support for networks of the fifth generation. In fact, it was Mi 9 with modified modem Snapdragon X50 and increased battery 4000 mAh. However, in Russia and most CIS countries 5G- networks at the time of release (2019 year) were not yet deployed, so the model remained niche.

The difference between the Mi 9 Pro 5G and the regular Mi 9 is:

• 📶 Support for 5G (SA/NSA) in the n41, n78, n79 bands
• 🔋 Battery 4000 mAh (vs. 3300 mAh in the Mi 9)
• 🔌 Support for 30-watt fast charging (with a 40-watt adapter)
• 🎨 New Colors: Dream White and Titanium Black

It is important to understand that the Mi 9 Pro 5G is not compatible with modern 5G standards (e.g., mmWave or the new n28, n77 bands).So today, it makes sense to buy it only as a collectible device or for use in countries where there are still networks based on n41/n78 (e.g., some regions of China).

💡

Before buying the Mi 9 Pro 5G, check whether your operator supports the n41 (2500 MHz) or n78 (3500 MHz) bands. Otherwise, the 5G- modem will be useless.

The relevance of Xiaomi 9 Series in 2026: is it worth buying?

5 years after the release of the Xiaomi 9 series smartphones are outdated in many ways, but can still be interesting in several scenarios:

⚠️ Warning: All models in the series officially lost support for updates after MIUI 14 (Android 12), which means that newer versions of apps (especially banking ones) may not work stable or even be installed at all.

When the purchase is justified:

• 💰 Budget up to 10,000 rubles (on the secondary market models cost 8000-15,000 ₽)
• 📸 For photography in good conditions (48MP still gives decent quality with sufficient lighting)
• 🎮 For non-demanding games (Snapdragon 855 pulls Genshin Impact on medium settings)
• 🔧 For custom firmware experiments (active community of developers)

When is the best time to choose something else:

• ❌ If you need long-term update support
• ❌ To shoot video in 4K (no stabilization, weak microphone)
• ❌ If water resistance is important (no certification IP)
• ❌ For modern AAA- games at maximum settings

Alternatives from modern budget smartphones Xiaomi:

• 📱 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (108MP camera, 120Hz, 5000mAh)
• 📱 POCO X5 Pro (Snapdragon 778G, 67-watt charging)
• 📱 Xiaomi 12 Lite (thin case, 68-watt charging)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)