Xiaomi Mi9: 60 or 90 Hz? Full review of screen refresh rate

The Xiaomi Mi9, released in 2019, is still a popular choice among users who value the balance of performance and price. However, there is a lot of controversy surrounding its screen — especially when it comes to refresh rates. Many people mistakenly confuse the Mi9 with later models of the series (such as the Mi9T or Mi9 Pro), where 90 hertz displays have already appeared. So how much hertz does the Xiaomi Mi9 actually have?

In this article, we will not only give you an accurate answer to the question of screen frequency, but also understand how this affects the user experience, you will learn whether you can overclock the display to 90 Hz software, how to check the actual refresh rate, and why the Mi9 was the last flagship Xiaomi with 60-hertz screen before switching to high-frequency panels, and we will compare it with competitors of the time and explain whether today to buy this smartphone with modern standards.

Xiaomi Mi9 screen specs: what the manufacturer says

According to official Xiaomi data, the smartphone Mi9 fitted AMOLED-resolution-screen 2340×1080 pixels (Full) HD+) diagonally 6.39". Most importantly, the screen refresh rate is 60 Hz. That's confirmed:

• 📄 Technical specifications on the Xiaomi website (archive versions of 2019).
• 🔧 Service manuals and documentation for repair centers.
• 📊 Tests by independent laboratories such as DisplayMate or GSMArena.
• 💡 Statements by Xiaomi engineers in interviews (for example, about switching to 90 Hz only in the U.S.) Mi9T Pro).

It is important to understand that 60Hz is a hardware constraint built into the display module level. Unlike later models (for example, the POCO F1 with acceleration to 90Hz through custom firmware), the Mi9 does not support frequency increase even software. Attempts to force 90 Hz via ADB or modified cores lead to image artifacts or complete screen failure.

⚠️ Note: Some Chinese forums have instructions for "overclocking" the screen Mi9 Up to 90 Hz through file editing build.prop. These methods not only do not work, but can also lead to damage to the display controller due to excess of the permissible loads on the hardware.

Why users confuse the Mi9 with the 90 hertz models

The main reason for the misconception lies in the marketing strategy of Xiaomi 2019, the company has released several devices under the brand Mi9, but with different screens:

* The Mi9T Pro received 90Hz in only some regional versions (e.g. India), and European and Chinese versions remained at 60Hz.

Another confusion is that the Mi9 and Mi9T Pro look very similar, and some reviews compare them as direct competitors, and many users are unaware that refresh rates and sensor frequencies (such as 180 Hz for touchscreen) are different parameters, the latter being responsible for the responsiveness of the touch layer, but not affecting the smoothness of the image.

How to check the screen frequency on Xiaomi Mi9

If you’re in doubt about the specs of your device, there are a few ways to make sure the screen is actually running at 60Hz:

1. Through Developer Settings: Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version and tap 7 times on this item. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers. Find the Screen Update (Mi9 doesn’t have it – it’s already a 60Hz sign).
2. Using apps: Install CPU-Z or AIDA64 – the frequency will be specified in the “Display” section. Use Screen Refresh Rate Tester (available on Google Play).

Visual test:

• Take another smartphone camera (with a shooting rate of 240 FPS) scrolling the Mi9 screen. At 60 Hz, there will be a noticeable flicker.

Check the phone model in the settings|Update. MIUI last-minute|Reset the settings to factory.|Contact the Xiaomi Service Center-->

Interestingly, some custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience) can display the option “90 Hz” in the settings, but this is just a visual deception – the real frequency remains 60 Hz. FPS game- and interface-wise.

Comparison with competitors 2019: who offered 90 Hz

In 2019, 90Hz screens were a rarity even among flagships.The Xiaomi Mi9 competed with the following devices:

• 📱 OnePlus 7 Pro — 90 Hz (AMOLED, 3120×1440).
• 📱 ASUS ROG Phone II — 120 Hz (AMOLED, 2340×1080).
• 📱 Samsung Galaxy S10+ — 60 Hz (Dynamic) AMOLED, 3040×1440).
• 📱 Google Pixel 4 — 90 Hz (OLED, 2280×1080).
• 📱 Huawei P30 Pro — 60 Hz (OLED, 2340×1080).

As you can see, the Mi9 wasn’t an outsider — most of the flagships of that year had 60-hertz screens. However, after six months, that changed: OnePlus and ASUS proved that high refresh rates improve the user experience, especially in games and when scrolling the interface. Xiaomi responded to this only in 2020, releasing the POCO F2 Pro and Mi 10 from 90 Hz.

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If you are critically interested in high screen frequency, consider alternatives: POCO X3 Pro (120 Hz) or Redmi Note 10 Pro (120 Hz) at a similar price in the secondary market.

Does screen frequency affect performance and autonomy?

The frequency of updates is directly related to two key aspects:

1. Game performance: At 60 Hz, the maximum FPS in games is limited to 60 frames per second, even if the iron is capable of delivering more. For example, in PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile Mi9 with a Snapdragon 855 processor, it easily outputs 90+ FPS, but the screen will only show 60. This creates a “screen tearing” effect if the mode is not synchronized.
2. Autonomy: Higher frequency requires more power. According to GSMArena tests, switching from 60 Hz to 90 Hz increases battery consumption by ~15-20%. For a Mi9 with a 3300 mAh battery, this would mean a 2-3-hour reduction in operating time when used actively.

On the other hand, 60 Hz has its advantages:

• ⚡ Less processor heat during graphics processing.
• 🔋 Longer battery life (relevant to the Mi9 low-powered).
• 🎮 Stable. FPS in games without drawdowns (as there is no need to render extra footage).

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For most tasks (social networks, videos, instant messengers), 60 Hz is enough. The difference from 90 Hz is noticeable only in dynamic scenes: games, scrolling web pages, interface animations.

Can I improve the smoothness of the Mi9 without changing the screen?

While the hardware limit of 60Hz is impossible to bypass, there are ways to make the interface visually smoother:

1. Enable animations: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (activate developer mode), then in For Developers, install: Window: animation scale 0.5x Go: animation scale 0.5x Animator: duration of animator 0.5x
2. Use light launchers: Install Nova Launcher or Lawnchair – they are optimized for smooth scrolling.
3. Turn it off. MIUI-Optimization: In the same developer menu, deactivate the optimization options MIUI and Transition animation MIUI.
4. Update the firmware: The latest versions of MIUI 12/13 (even for the Mi9) have improved animation optimization.

⚠️ Warning: Some "tweaks" to speed up the interface (e.g., disabling Hardware Overlay) can lead to artifacts in games or problems with the display of video!

Should you buy Xiaomi Mi9 in 2026 with 60 Hz?

The decision to buy depends on your priorities:

Who's good for a Mi9?

• 🎨 Designers and Photographers (Excellent) AMOLED-color-screen).
• 💼 Users who need a compact flagship to work with.
• 🎮 Gamers who play with fixed projects FPS (For example, Genshin Impact at 60. FPS).

Who better to choose an alternative:

• 🏃 Those who spend a lot of time on social networks (scrolling at 90 Hz is noticeably smoother).
• 🔋 For those who care about autonomy (battery) Mi9 in 5 years, it's been degraded).
• 🔄 Those who plan to use a smartphone for longer than 1-2 years (software support will soon end).

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Xiaomi Mi9 Screen Frequency