Xiaomi Redmi 9T: full screen analysis - pros, cons and hidden nuances

Xiaomi Redmi 9T, released in January 2021, is still a popular choice among budget devices. One of the key features that consumers pay attention to is its screen. But what exactly lies behind the marketing slogans โ€œbright displayโ€ and โ€œimmersive viewing?โ€ In this article, we will analyze the technical characteristics of the screen, compare it with its counterparts and reveal the nuances that the manufacturer prefers to keep silent about.

Many users mistakenly believe that all budget smartphones have the same "cheap" screens. However, the Redmi 9T is an example of how even in the segment up to 15,000 rubles you can get a balanced display with decent color reproduction and decent brightness. But there are pitfalls, from low refresh rates to the features of the matrix that are worth considering before buying.

Technical characteristics of the screen Xiaomi Redmi 9T: figures and facts

Let's start with dry data. Xiaomi Redmi 9T fitted IPS LCD-diagonally 6.53 resolution 2340 ร— 1080 pixels (Full) HD+). The density of pixels is 395 PPI, It's a very clear picture without any noticeable pixelation, but there are a few key points:

  • ๐Ÿ”น Type of matrix: IPS LCD, not AMOLED โ€” This means lower contrast compared to flagships, but also no problems with the โ€œburnoutโ€ of pixels.
  • ๐Ÿ”น Upgrade frequency: standard 60Hz โ€“ no โ€œsmoothโ€ 90 or 120Hz, as in more expensive models.
  • ๐Ÿ”น Brightness: the stated maximum brightness is 400 nits, but in real conditions it is often lower (more on this below).
  • ๐Ÿ”น 19.5:9 โ€“ Elongated format, convenient for watching videos, but not always for simultaneous work with two applications.

It is important to note that the screen supports Reading Mode 3.0 technology, which reduces blue light levels, but is not a full replacement for hardware eye protection (unlike some of the screens). AMOLED-certified displays TรœV). Also in Redmi. 9T use a drop-shaped cutout for the front camera, which slightly reduces the usable screen area at the top.

Critical: Despite the declared resolution of Full HD+, the real quality of the picture depends on the setting of the color profile. By default, the smartphone uses the mode "Saturated", which distorts the colors in the direction of cold shades.

๐Ÿ“Š What type of screen do you prefer in a smartphone?
AMOLED
IPS LCD
Doesn't matter.
Other

IPS vs AMOLED: Why Xiaomi chose LCD for Redmi 9T

Many users are wondering why Xiaomi didnโ€™t come up with Redmi. 9T AMOLED-The answer lies in several factors, as some competitors have done (for example, the Realme Narzo 30 Pro in the same price segment:

  1. Cost of production. AMOLED-matrices are still more expensive IPS, This would affect the final price of the device.
  2. Energy consumption: Despite myths, AMOLED is not always more economical: when displaying light topics (such as web pages), IPS can perform better.
  3. Durability: IPS LCDs are not subject to pixel burnout, which is important for users who have not changed their smartphones in years.
  4. Budget AMOLEDs often have excessive saturation, whereas IPS is easier to calibrate.

But there's a downside to this, and IPS contrast is much lower, for example: while AMOLED can have a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1, Redmi 9T can barely get to 1,500:1, and you can see it when you watch a video in dark scenes, black looks more gray.

Another thing is the angles of view. IPS It is famous for its wide angles, in Redmi. 9T if the deviation is greater than 45ยฐ This is not critical for most tasks, but can be annoying when you share content.

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If you are interested in deep black, turn on the โ€œDark Themeโ€ mode in the screen settings and calibrate the white balance manually through Settings โ†’ Display โ†’ Color Mode โ†’ Custom.

Real brightness and visibility in the sun: tests and comparisons

The Redmi 9T's stated maximum brightness is 400 nits, but in practice it's more complicated. When adjusting the brightness automatically, the smartphone rarely rises above 350-370 nits, and in manual mode you can squeeze all 400 nits, but only for a short time (further, a decrease due to overheating).

For comparison, here is the brightness of competitors in the same price segment (2021):

ModelMax. Brightness (nite)Type of matrixVisibility in the sun
Xiaomi Redmi 9T400IPS LCDMedium
Samsung Galaxy M12420PLS IPSGood.
Realme Narzo 30A380IPS LCDWeak.
POCO M3400IPS LCDMedium

As you can see from the table, the Redmi 9T is not the brightest, but it is not far behind the competition. The main problem is reflective coating. The screen has a glossy surface that actively collects fingerprints and highlights. In sunny weather, text readability drops by 30-40% even at maximum brightness.

โš ๏ธ Warning: If you use your smartphone frequently outside, consider buying a matte protective film that will reduce glare but slightly reduce the clarity of the image.

Color Rendering and Calibration: How to Get Natural Colors

By default, Redmi 9T uses a color profile called "Saturated," which distorts colors toward cold colors, which is noticeable when compared to professional monitors or cameras, but you can choose from three modes in the settings:

  • ๐ŸŽจ Saturated โ€“ inflated contrast and cold tones (by default).
  • ๐ŸŽจ Standard - more natural color reproduction, but with a light greenish tint.
  • ๐ŸŽจ Custom - allows you to manually adjust the color temperature (from the 2500K before 10000K).

For accurate calibration, we recommend using the "User" mode with a temperature setting of 6500K (standard daylight). It is also useful to disable the "Automatic Color Temperature" option, as it often works incorrectly, especially in rooms with artificial lighting.

If color accuracy is important to you (for example, for photo processing), install the Display Calibration app from Google Play and run a delta-E test. For Redmi 9T, the typical delta-E value in Standard mode is about 3.5 (the lower the better; ideal is less than 2).

How to check color reproduction without applications?
The easiest way to open test images with gray gradients in your browser (for example, on the Lagom LCD Test website). On the Redmi 9T screen in "Saturated" mode, you will likely see striping on dark gradients, whereas in "Standard" mode, transitions will be smoother.

60 Hz refresh rate: Will it be enough in 2026?

One of the main drawbacks of the Redmi 9T screen is the refresh rate of 60 Hz. In 2021, this was the norm for budget smartphones, but today even devices for 10,000 rubles offer 90 Hz or 120 Hz. The difference is noticeable to the naked eye:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ When scrolling through the feed of social networks or web pages, the picture looks less smooth.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ In high-drive games (for example, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile may be "teared" gameplay.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Interface animations MIUI They are less responsive than 90 smartphones.+ Hz.

But it's not all bad. For most everyday tasks (calls, instant messengers, video), 60 Hz is good enough, and low refresh rates have a positive effect on autonomy, as the screen consumes less power, which prolongs battery life.

If you are used to high frequencies, you can try to enable in the developer settings (Settings). โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Version. MIUI (tap) โ†’ Developer settings) option "Accelerate" GPU-It's not going to increase the actual screen frequency, but it's going to make the animations a little smoother.

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60Hz is not a sentence. For a budget smartphone, balance is the key. The Redmi 9T offers good resolution, acceptable brightness and long screen life, sacrificing smoothness for price and autonomy.

Comparison with competitors: who offers the best screen on the budget?

To objectively evaluate the screen Redmi 9T, compare it with the main competitors of 2021-2022 in the price range up to 15 000 rubles.

ParameterXiaomi Redmi 9TRealme Narzo 30 ProSamsung Galaxy M12POCO M3
Type of matrixIPS LCDSuper AMOLEDPLS IPSIPS LCD
PermissionFull HD+ (2340ร—1080)Full HD+ (2400ร—1080)HD+ (1600ร—720)Full HD+ (2340ร—1080)
Frequency of update60 Hz120 Hz90 Hz60 Hz
Max. brightness.400 nits450 nits420 nits400 nits
Screen protectionGorilla Glass 3Gorilla Glass 5โ€”Gorilla Glass 3

The table shows that Redmi 9T Realme Narzo 30 Pro is losing on all fronts. AMOLED, And 120 Hz, and more modern protective glass. But the Narzo 30 Pro costs 20 to 30 percent more, and the Galaxy is more expensive. M12, Despite the fact that 90 Hz, it has only HD-permission, which is critical for comfortable viewing of content.

Conclusion: Redmi 9T offers the best balance between resolution, brightness and price among competitors with IPS-If you're critical to smoothness, you should pay extra for it. POCO X3 Pro (from 120 Hz) IPS-display) or consider the used flagships of previous years.

Frequent Redmi 9T screen issues and how to fix them

Despite the reliability IPS-Matrix, Redmi users 9T Sometimes you have problems, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

  • ๐Ÿ”ง "The "flickering" of the screen at low brightness is associated with PWM (pulse-latitudinal modulation). Solution: increase the brightness to 30% or turn on the "Read" mode".
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Yellow shade after the update MIUI โ€” Resetting screen settings to factory (Settings) โ†’ Display. โ†’ Resetting color settings).
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Navigation gestures do not work in full-screen games โ€“ disable โ€œHide the cutoutโ€ in the display settings.
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Scratches on screen despite protective film - the original film in the kit is thin; it is recommended to replace it with glass 9H.

Special attention should be paid to the problem of "ghost" touches (when the screen spontaneously responds to touch), this can be caused by:

  1. Display plume malfunction (requires repair).
  2. Moisture is placed under the screen (even without visible traces).
  3. Conflict with a case that presses on the edges of the screen.

If your smartphone is warranty, contact the service center, otherwise you can try calibrating the sensor through the engineering menu (type ##4636## and select "Sensor Test").

โš ๏ธ Warning: If colored stripes or black spots appear on the screen after a fall, do not try to tap on your smartphone, this can aggravate the damage to the matrix. 90% of the time, you will need to replace the display module (cost) ~3,000 to 5,000 rubles).

Can the screen refresh rate be increased to 90 Hz software?
No, the 60Hz refresh rate is built into the hardware layer, no firmware or settings can change it, and the only way to get 90Hz is to buy another smartphone (like the POCO X3 NFC or Redmi Note 10 Pro).
Does the Redmi 9T screen support HDR?
Officially, no. The smartphone doesn't have HDR10 or Dolby Vision certification, but some videos on YouTube or Netflix can play with extended dynamic range thanks to software processing, but it's not real HDR.
What kind of shield is used on the screen?
The screen is covered with Gorilla Glass 3, which is an outdated version compared to Gorilla Glass 5/6, but it still provides basic scratch protection. It is recommended to stick 9H glass on for additional protection.
Why does the screen get dim when charging?
This is normal behavior for the Redmi 9T. The smartphone automatically lowers the brightness when charging to reduce battery heat.You can't turn it off, but you can manually increase the brightness once you connect the charge.
Is the POCO M3 screen suitable for the Redmi 9T?
Yes, the POCO M3 and Redmi 9T have the same display modules (B140HAN05.0) which means that the screen can be interchanged during repairs. However, make sure you buy the original part - Chinese counterparts often have the worst color reproduction.