The flagship smartphone Xiaomi Mi 9, released in 2019, has become one of the most talked about devices of the brand due to its powerful “stuffing” and affordable price. However, today it is almost impossible to find it in official stores — not in Russia, not in Europe, not even in the brand’s homeland in China. Why did this happen? Is it due to technical problems, company policy or external factors?
In this article, we will analyze all the official and unofficial reasons for the disappearance of the Mi 9 from sale, analyze whether it is worth buying it in the secondary market in 2026, and offer current alternatives from the Xiaomi line.
1.The official reasons for the withdrawal of Xiaomi Mi 9 from production
Xiaomi has never made any big announcements about the end of sales of the Mi 9, but there are several key factors that explain this decision:
- 📅 Completion of the life cycle: Mi 9 was released in February 2019, and in 2020 it was replaced by Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro. According to Xiaomi standards, flagships are supported on sale for 12-18 months.
- 🔄 Changing brand strategy: C 2021 Xiaomi has focused on Mi lineups 11/12/13 Redmi K, stopped updating the stock of old models.
- 📦 Component problems: Snapdragon 855 chip shortages (especially after the 2020–2021 pandemic) made Mi 9 production economically unprofitable.
⚠️ In 2022, Xiaomi officially confirmed that the Mi 9 will not receive an update before the launch. MIUI 14 and stay on MIUI 12.5 (based on Android 11).This means no support for new features and potential security issues.
Another possible reason is certification restrictions, such as Russia’s 5G-enabled smartphones, which the Mi 9 did not support, but could have affected logistics, which could have disappeared in Europe due to new environmental regulations (e.g. battery requirements).
2.Unofficial versions: why the Mi 9 "disappeared" faster than other flagships
In addition to the official reasons, there are several theories on the network why the Mi 9 stopped selling earlier than similar models of competitors (for example, the Samsung Galaxy S10 or OnePlus 7 Pro):
- 🔥 Overheating problems: Some users complained about the Snapdragon 855 overheating over long loads (games, video editing) and could have affected the model's reputation.
- 📉 After the release of the Mi 10 with Snapdragon 865 and 108-MP camera Mi 9 lost relevance even among fans of the brand.
- 🛠️ Repair difficulties: Mi 9 parts (such as original displays or batteries) were in short supply by 2021, making it unprofitable to support.
In 2020, Xiaomi quietly recalled a batch of Mi 9s in India due to issues with the certification of the NFC module, which could affect global shipments.
Xiaomi has also refocused on markets with high demand for budget smartphones (such as the Redmi Note series), where the Mi 9 was not in the priority line, as a result of which the stock of the model simply “dissolved” in the warehouses of distributors.
Details about NFC issues in Mi 9
3.Where else can you buy Xiaomi Mi 9 in 2026?
Although the Mi 9 is no longer available in official stores, there are several ways to buy it:
| Source | Average price (2026) | Risks. | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avito/Yula | 8 000 — 12 000 ₽ | High risk of fraud, no guarantee | You can check before buying. |
| AliExpress (b/y) | 10 000 — 15 000 ₽ | Long delivery, possible customs problems | Sometimes devices are in perfect condition. |
| Telegram channels (e.g, @mi_shop_ru) | 9 000 — 14 000 ₽ | Risk of ‘gray’ imports or counterfeiting | Often sold with checks and a guarantee of up to 6 months |
| Foreign sites (eBay, Amazon Renewed) | 120–180$ | High shipping price, possible duties | There is a refund option (up to 30 days on eBay) |
⚠️ Note: When buying the Mi 9 in the secondary market, be sure to check: Battery status (capacity should be at least 80% of the original), performance of all cameras (especially wide-angle, which often fails), no autopsy traces (this may indicate replacement of components). Use the code ##4636## to check the technical information.
If you’re looking for a new smartphone but want something similar to the Mi 9, look for alternatives in the next section.
☑️ What to check before buying a used Mi 9
4.The best alternatives to Xiaomi Mi 9 in 2026
If you’re disappointed with the Mi 9’s lack of availability, consider these models from Xiaomi’s current lineup that offer similar or better specs:
- 📱 Xiaomi 13 Lite (2023): Lightweight and compact flagship with Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, AMOLED-display 120 Hz and triple camera 50+8+2 MP. Support. MIUI 14 guaranteed 2026 year-end.
- 🔥 Redmi K60 Pro (2023): Powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, screen 2K 120Hz, 54MP camera with Leica optics, priced at the same premium as the used Mi 9.
- 💰 POCO F5 Pro (2023): Optimum price/quality ratio - Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 67W fast charging, 516 PIP display. Perfect for gamers.
- 📸 Xiaomi Civi 3 (2023): Stylish design, dual front camera 32+32 MP, Dolby Vision support, suitable for selfies and multimedia.
Comparative table of key parameters:
| Model | Processor | Screen. | Main camera. | Price (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi 9 (2019) | Snapdragon 855 | AMOLED, 6.39" 60 Hz. | 48+12+16 MP | 8 000–12 000 ₽ (b) |
| Xiaomi 13 Lite | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 | AMOLED, 6.55" 120 Hz | 50+8+2 MP | 25 000–30 000 ₽ |
| Redmi K60 Pro | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | AMOLED, 6.67" 2K 120 Hz | 54+8+2 MP | 35 000–40 000 ₽ |
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If you want a smartphone with similar Mi 9 performance but on Android 13/14, choose the POCO F5 Pro or Redmi K60 Pro. They outperform the old flagship in all respects except price (but the difference pays off with long-term support).
5. Risks of owning Xiaomi Mi 9 in 2026
If you already own the Mi 9 or plan to buy it, consider these critical drawbacks that come to light over time:
- 🔋 Battery degradation: The average battery life of the Mi 9 is 300-400 charge cycles. When used actively, capacity could fall to 60-70% by 2026, leading to rapid discharge.
- 🛡️ Lack of security updates: latest version MIUI 12.5 (based on Android 11) has not received security patches since 2023, making the device vulnerable to viruses and hacker attacks.
- 📡 Network problems 4G/5G: In some regions of the Mi 9 Does not support new ranges 4G (Like Band. 28 in Russia), which leads to a deterioration of communication.
- 🎮 Incompatible with new games: Many modern games (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Mobile) require Android 12+ and may not start or brake on the Mi 9.
⚠️ Note: If you use the Mi 9 as your primary smartphone, turn off automatic application installation from unknown sources (setting in Settings). → Annexes → Special rights: An outdated version of Android makes the device a target for malware.
Another problem is the lack of spare parts, such as the original display for the Mi 9 today costs almost as much as the used device itself (about 7,000-9,000). ₽), a battery - 2,500-3,500 ₽. Repairs are often unprofitable.
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If you do decide to use the Mi 9, install custom firmware based on Android 12/13 (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), which will prolong the life of the device, but require unlocking the bootloader and technical skills.
6.How to extend the life of Xiaomi Mi 9: optimization tips
If you are not ready to part ways with the Mi 9, these tips will help improve its performance:
- Battery replacement: Original battery (BL-18XL) It is expensive, but you can find quality analogues (for example, from Baseus or Remax) for 1,500–2,000. ₽.
- Clean up: Remove unnecessary apps and cache through Settings → Storage. Use SD Maid for deep cleaning.
- Disable animations: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode), then set Windows Animation = 0.5x in Developer Settings.
- Use of light firmware: Firmware such as MIUI Lite or Havoc OS reduces the load on the processor.
Instructions for battery replacement:
- Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-map.
- Heat the back cover with a hairdryer (temperature not higher than 60 ° C).
- Carefully tuck the lid with a plastic spatula, starting at the bottom edge.
- Disconnect the battery plume and remove the old battery.
- Install a new battery and assemble the phone in reverse order.
What happens if the battery is not replaced correctly?
7. The future of Xiaomi Mi 9: Should we wait for the return?
The probability of the Xiaomi Mi 9 coming back to the official market is near zero, but there are several scenarios in which the model could return to the market:
- 🔄 Re-released under another title: How it was with the Mi 9 SE, The Mi 9 Lite was returned in 2021 in some regions.
- 📦 Residues Sale: From time to time, Xiaomi clears warehouses by selling old models at bargain price (for example, through AliExpress or local distributors).
- 🛠️ Exchange programs: Some stores (for example, Svyaznoy or M. Video) accept old smartphones in trade-in, offering discounts on new models.
However, even if the Mi 9 is on sale, it is only justified in three cases in 2026:
- You need a backup phone with a good camera.
- You need a smartphone for experiments (firmware, moding).
- You found the device in perfect condition at a price below 7,000 ₽.
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If you want a reliable smartphone for years to come, consider the current Xiaomi 13/14 or Redmi K70 models, which are not only more powerful, but will also receive upgrades until 2027.