The flagship smartphone Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro, released in 2019, is still a hot choice for users who value power and reliability. The main question that worries potential buyers and owners is what processor is in this device and how it affects performance. The answer is simple: under the hood hides Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+, one of the most advanced chipsets of its time.
This processor became an evolutionary version of the Snapdragon 855, gaining clock speed and improved energy efficiency. But why the Snapdragon 855+? The fact is that Xiaomi has staked on maximum performance for 5G, fast charging and advanced gaming capabilities. In this article, we will break down all the nuances from technical specifications to real tests and comparisons with competitors.
Technical characteristics of the Snapdragon 855+ processor in Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ chipset (codenamed SM8150-AC) is built on a 7nm process technology and belongs to the flagship segment.
- 🔹 Central processing unit (CPU): 8 Kryo cores 485 (1×2.96 GHz + 3×2.42 GHz + 4×1.8 GHz, architecture ARM Cortex-A76 and Cortex-A55.
- 🎮 Graphics processor (GPU): Adreno 640 with a frequency of up to 672 MHz (vs. 585 MHz in the base 855).
- 📡 Modem: Snapdragon X24 LTE (up to 2 Gbps) + support 5G via external modem X50 (The Mi 9 Pro uses this configuration).
- 🤖 Artificial Intelligence: Hexagon 690 DSP Supports Accelerated AI Tasks.
The feature of the Snapdragon 855+ is the increased clock frequency of the large core (from 2.84 to 2.96 GHz), which gives an increase in performance by 4-7% compared to its predecessor. Paired with the processor in the Mi 9 Pro, 8/12 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128/256/512 GB of UFS 3.0 drive - this guarantees minimal delays when working with data.
Architecture and Process Engineering: Why 7nm is Important
The 7nm process technology (from TSMC) is a revolutionary step for mobile chipsets, and compared to the previous generation of 10nm processors, it provides:
- ⚡ 20% less energy consumption with the same performance.
- 📈 Nana 15-20% Higher productivity with the same energy consumption.
- 🔋 The best thermal balance, which is critical for gaming loads.
The Snapdragon 855+ uses a dynamic architecture with three cores divided into clusters: 1×Prime (Cortex-A76) for peak loads, 3×Performance (Cortex-A76) for heavy tasks, and 4×Efficiency (Cortex-A55) for background processes, which allows you to optimize battery consumption without losing power.
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If your Mi 9 Pro is warming up in games, try limiting FPS to 60 fps in the graphics settings – this will reduce the load on the GPU and reduce heat generation.
Performance in Games and Benchmarks
Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro with Snapdragon 855+ shows outstanding results in synthetic tests and real games.
| Test | Result (Mi 9 Pro) | Comparison with Snapdragon 855 |
|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu 8 | ~480,000 points | +5-7% |
| Geekbench 5 (Single-Core) | ~750 points | +3% |
| Geekbench 5 (Multi-Core) | ~2,600 points | +4% |
| 3DMark Wild Life | ~3,200 points | +6% |
In games, the chipset shows stable 60 FPS in PUBG Mobile (HDR + Ultra settings), Call of Duty: Mobile (maximum settings) and Genshin Impact (medium settings). However, it is worth considering that long gaming sessions can lead to trottling (reduction of frequency) due to heat, this is typical for all flagships of 2019.
⚠️ Attention: If you notice a big drop FPS in games after a year of use, the cause may be wear and tear of the thermal paste, in which case it is recommended to contact the service center for replacement.
Comparison with competitors: Snapdragon 855+ vs Kirin 990 vs Exynos 9825
In 2019, the Snapdragon 855+ competed with the Huawei Kirin 990 and Samsung Exynos 9825.
- 🔧 Snapdragon 855+: Best Optimization for Games, Support 5G (via external modem, high frequency GPU.
- 📱 Kirin 990: Built-in 5G-modem, but weaker in graphics tasks (Adreno 640 vs. Mali-G76 MP16).
- 🤖 Exynos 9825: Good balance, but loses in energy efficiency (7nm) EUV Samsung is less mature than the TSMC).
In real tests, the Mi 9 Pro overtakes the Huawei Mate 30 Pro in games, but loses in autonomy due to less optimized MIUI software. But the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ with the Exynos 9825 shows similar results, but with better color reproduction of the screen.
Which processor is best for long-term work?
5G support: how it is implemented in the Mi 9 Pro
Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro became one of the first smartphones with support 5G But there's a nuance here: the Snapdragon 855 chipset.+ built-in 5G-Instead, it uses Qualcomm Snapdragon external modem. X50, influence:
- 📶 Speed: Up to 2 Gbps on the network 5G (Theoretically, the real value depends on the operator.
- 🔋 Energy consumption: Additional modem increases battery consumption 10-15% active-use 5G.
- 📱 Design: External modem takes up space on the board, which complicates repairs.
It’s important to understand that 5G in the Mi 9 Pro is more “checkmark” than full support. In 2026, as 5G networks have become wider, this smartphone will not show record speeds due to the limitations of the X50 (for example, the lack of support for mmWave).
Check the firmware version (must be at least MIUI 12)
Make sure that SIM-card 5G
Turn on the mode. 5G In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Preferred type of network
Reboot your smartphone after the changes-->
Cooling and trottling: the weak spot of the flagships of 2019
One of the main problems of the Snapdragon 855+ (and Mi 9 Pro in particular) is overheating under prolonged loads. Despite the use of liquid cooling (heat tube + graphite pads), the chipset begins to trottle after 20-30 minutes of intense play.
Causes of trolling:
- 🔥 Poor thermal conductivity of the housing (glass) + metal retains heat).
- 📉 Aggressive policies MIUI, which prioritizes performance over cooling.
- 🔋 Thermopaste wear over time (relevant for devices older than 2 years).
To reduce the heat, you can:
- Disable background processes in Settings → Applications → Autostart.
- Use Game Turbo's game settings to limit FPS.
- Remove the back cover and clean the dust from the radiator (requires care!).
⚠️ Note: If the processor temperature is greater than 85°C in plain, it's a sign of a malfunction, and possible causes: damage to the thermal paste, battery bloating, or a failure in the cooling system. Don't ignore this problem, because prolonged overheating shortens the life of the chipset!
The Snapdragon 855+ in 2026: Should you buy the Mi 9 Pro today?
5 years after the release of the Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro remains an interesting option for:
- 🎮 Gamers on budget – the chipset still pulls modern games on the medium settings.
- 📸 Photographers – a camera with a Sony sensor IMX586 (48 MP) is still competitive.
- 💰 Economical buyers - in the secondary market, the device is in the 2-3 cheaper than new flagships.
There are, however, downsides:
- ❌ No updates - the latest version MIUI Mi 9 Pro is coming out in 2022.
- ❌ Obsolete. 5G-modem — X50 Does not support modern ranges.
- ❌ Battery wear - battery capacity per 5 could have been reduced by 20-30%.
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The Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro in 2026 is suitable for everyday tasks and easy gaming, but not for long-term investments. If you need a smartphone for 3+ years, consider newer models with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/2.