Xiaomi Mi 9T: what year is it and why is it still popular?

A brief history of the model: why the Mi 9T became a cult

The Xiaomi Mi 9T (also known as the Redmi K20 in some regions) came to market at the height of the manufacturers’ war for affordable flagship devices, debuting in 2019, a time when the brand was actively increasing its presence in Europe and Russia, offering equipment with the characteristics of top models at the price of the middle segment. Mi 9T became a logical continuation of the Mi 9 line, but with key improvements that made it one of the best-selling devices of the year.

The model’s main feature was a retractable selfie module that allowed for a frameless display without a monobrae or cutout. This solution was revolutionary for the budget segment and favorably distinguished the Mi 9T from competitors like the Samsung Galaxy A50 or Huawei P30 Lite. In addition, the smartphone received a Snapdragon 730 processor – at that time one of the most powerful chipsets in its class, which still copes with most modern tasks.

Interestingly, the Xiaomi Mi 9T is often confused with the Mi 9T Pro (aka Redmi K20 Pro), which was released later in 2019. The main difference is the processor: the Pro version of the stand Snapdragon 855, which made it a full-fledged flagship. However, the base model of the Mi 9T was more balanced in terms of price / quality and is still in demand in the secondary market.

Official release year: when exactly came out Xiaomi Mi 9T

The exact date of the announcement of Xiaomi Mi 9T is June 12, 2019. the Presentation took place at the event in Madrid (Spain), where the company presented several devices, including the Mi 9T Pro and accessories for the Mi Ecosystem ecosystem. Sales in global markets (including Russia) began in two weeks - from June 26, 2019.

In China, the smartphone was released under the name Redmi K20 and debuted a little earlier – May 28, 2019. This was due to the peculiarities of branding: the Redmi line was originally positioned as a more affordable alternative to the main Mi series, but by 2019 the boundaries between them began to blur. In fact, the Mi 9T and Redmi K20 are the same device with minor differences in firmware and configuration.

In India, the model was sold under the third name Poco F1 Successor (unofficially), although officially POCO had already become a separate brand, and this confusion with the names often leads customers astray, especially when looking for parts or firmware.

Technical specifications: what makes the Mi 9T relevant in 2026

Despite the fact that almost 5 years have passed since its release, the Xiaomi Mi 9T is still a competitive device for everyday tasks.

• 📱 Display: 6.39" AMOLED, permit 2340×1080 (Full HD+), support HDR, brightness 600 Even today, the screen looks modern thanks to its deep black and high contrast.
• 🔥 Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 (8 cores, 2.2 GHz) with Adreno 618 graphics accelerator. Performance comparable to Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (2023) in everyday tasks.
• 📸 Main camera: triple module 48 MP (main, Sony) IMX582) + 8 MP (telephoto, 2× zoom) + 13 MP (super wide-angle) Support for video recording in 4K@30fps.
• 🤳 Front camera: 20 MP, retractable mechanism (resource - up to 300,000 cycles.
• 🔋 Battery: 4000 mAh with fast charging support 18W. In 2026, this is enough for a full day with moderate use.
• 🗃️ Memory: 64/128 GB of internal memory (UFS 2.1) + 6 GB RAM. No microSD support, which was a drawback even in the 2019 year.

For comparison: in 2026 smartphones of the budget segment (up to 20 000) ₽) Often get processors level Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 or Helio G99, That's a real-world performance that's inferior to the Snapdragon 730 in multitasking and graphics. 9T It can still compete with new devices in its price range.

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If you plan to buy Mi 9T used, be sure to check the state of the retractable mechanism of the camera - its repair costs 30-50% of the cost of the smartphone.

Mi 9T vs Mi 9: What’s the difference and which model to choose today

Often, customers confuse the Xiaomi Mi 9T with the Xiaomi Mi 9, which was released six months earlier in February 2019. Despite the similar names, these are fundamentally different devices:

• 🏆 The Mi 9 is a flagship with a Snapdragon 855, a frameless screen (but with a “drop” for a selfie camera) and a more compact body. Its main drawbacks are a small battery (3300 mAh) and the lack of a 3.5 mm connector.
• 💎 Mi 9T — "lightweight version with Snapdragon 730, retractable camera and battery for 4000 mAh. But here retained the audio jack and added AMOLED-The screen (Mi 9 has a screen too) AMOLED, but with a different coating).

In 2026, the choice between these models depends on the priorities of:

⚠️ Note: If you want to keep up with the long term, avoid both models – official updates. MIUI They're going to be discontinued in 2022. 9T has a more active custom firmware community (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

At a secondary market price, the Mi 9T is typically 20 to 30 percent cheaper because of its less top-end CPU, but for the same money it offers better autonomy and more modern design. The Mi 9 is only worth considering if you are critically interested in maximum performance for games or heavy applications.

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For most users, the 2026 Xiaomi Mi 9T is a better investment than the Mi 9, thanks to a better balance of features and price.

Update support: is the Mi 9T up to date in 2026?

Official support for the Xiaomi Mi 9T by the manufacturer ended in September 2022, the last version of MIUI for the model was MIUI 13 based on Android 11.

• ❌ No more security updates from Google.
• ❌ No official Android support 12/13/14.
• ✅ Work custom firmware (for example, LineageOS 20 on Android 13).
• ✅ Developer community actively releases unofficial patches for vulnerabilities.

For most users, the lack of updates is not critical if the smartphone is used for social networks, instant messengers and video.

⚠️ Attention: Banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.) can block work on outdated versions of Android. API or use of web versions of services.

If you are planning to buy the Mi 9T in 2026, consider the following points:

State of the retractable mechanism of the camera (should work smoothly, without creaking)

MIUI version (last official version - 13.0.8.0)

Battery condition (capacity not lower than 80% of the original)

The presence of traces of opening (may indicate the replacement of the display or battery)-->

How much is Xiaomi Mi 9T in 2026: prices and where to buy

In the secondary market, the cost of the Xiaomi Mi 9T varies depending on the condition, configuration and region.

When buying, pay attention to the following points:

• 🔋 Battery: Even with careful operation, its capacity falls by 20 to 30 percent in 5 years. It'll cost 2,000 to 3,500 to replace. ₽.
• 📸 Camera: check autofocus and stabilization. A common problem is dusting the retractable module.
• 🔌 Charging: the original power supply unit on 18W worth ~1 500 ₽. Many sellers slip cheap analogues that spoil the battery.

Where to buy Mi 9T in 2026:

⚠️ Avoid shopping on international platforms (AliExpress, eBay) - there is a high probability of running into "gray" imports with unofficial firmware or fake. Also, we do not recommend taking a device with a root or unlocked bootloader - this may indicate attempts to bypass activation after theft.

Frequent problems and maintainability: what breaks down in the Mi 9T

Like any device from 5 years ago, the Xiaomi Mi 9T has typical "diseases": here are the most common malfunctions and their solutions:

Plus Mi. 9T — It's very maintainable. It's easy to find parts on AliExpress or at local service centers. ~5 000 ₽, battery — ~1 200 ₽, a) the retractable mechanism of the chamber — ~3 000 ₽. For comparison: repair of modern smartphones with glue screens (for example, the iPhone 13) costs 2-3 times more expensive.

If you plan to repair the device yourself, consider:

• 🔧 A special glue will be required to replace the battery (for example, B-7000) and plastic blades.
• 🔥 When working with a retractable camera, be sure to turn off the battery - the mechanism is sensitive to static electricity.
• 📱 Fastboot requires an unlocked bootloader (procedure takes 72 hours to wait).

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Xiaomi Mi 9T is one of Xiaomi’s most repairable smartphones, and most of the problems are fixed by replacing the modules, not the entire board.

FAQ: answers to popular questions about Xiaomi Mi 9T