The Xiaomi Redmi 9T is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2021, and is still the right choice for users looking for a balance between price and performance. The centerpiece of any smartphone is its processor, and in the case of the Redmi 9T, we are talking about the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662, a chip that has caused a lot of controversy among experts and ordinary users. In this article, we will examine why this processor was chosen for the model, what its strengths and weaknesses are, and compare it with alternatives from MediaTek and other manufacturers.
If you’re planning to buy the Redmi 9T or already own it, but want to understand what its brain is capable of, this article will help you to put it all together. Not only will we look at the specifications of the Snapdragon 662, but we’ll also look at real performance in games, multitasking and everyday tasks. And we’ll also answer the question that many people are worried about: should you choose a smartphone with this processor in 2026 or better look at newer models?
Specifications of the Snapdragon 662 processor in the Redmi 9T
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 is an 8-core mid-range processor released in January 2020, built on Samsung’s 11nm process technology, making it somewhat less energy efficient than the more modern 7nm or 6nm chips, but for the budget segment, it’s a complete solution to keep the price of the device at an affordable level.
The architecture of the processor includes:
- 🔹 4 Kryo 260 Gold cores (based on) Cortex-A73) clock speed up to 2.0 GHz – responsible for productive tasks;
- 🔹 4 Kryo 260 Silver cores (based on) Cortex-A53) Up to 1.8 GHz – optimized for energy saving;
- 🔹 Adreno 610 Graphics Accelerator with OpenGL Support ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.1 and hardware acceleration H.265 (HEVC);
- 🔹 Snapdragon modem X11 LTE cat-supported 12/13 (before 600 Mbps for loading and 150 Mbps for impact).
Importantly, the Snapdragon 662 does not support 5G networks, which may be a critical disadvantage for some users in 2026, but in the budget segment, this is not uncommon – many models still come with only 4G LTE support.
Performance in benchmarks: what the tests show
To objectively assess the capabilities of the Snapdragon 662, we look at the results of popular benchmarks. In the AnTuTu 9 (2026) the Redmi 9T scores an average of 170,000-190,000 points, which corresponds to the level of budget smartphones. For comparison, the Snapdragon 665 (older model) shows ~200,000 points, and the MediaTek Helio G80 - about 205,000 points.
In Geekbench 5, the picture is as follows:
| Test | Snapdragon 662 (Redmi 9T) | Helio G80 (Redmi 9) | Snapdragon 665 (Redmi Note 8) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Core | 310–330 | 350–370 | 315–335 |
| Multi-Core | 1 300–1 400 | 1 250–1 350 | 1 350–1 450 |
| OpenCL (GPU) | 750–850 | 900–1 000 | 800–900 |
As you can see from the table, Adreno 610 is inferior to the graphics accelerators of competitors, which affects game performance. However, for everyday tasks (social networks, instant messengers, video watching), this is more than enough. But with modern games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Mobile, you can have problems at maximum settings - you have to reduce the graphics to medium or low settings.
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If you love mobile gaming, look out for smartphones with Helio G88 or Snapdragon 680 processors – they offer the best balance of price and performance in 2026.
Comparison with competitors: Snapdragon 662 vs Helio G80 vs Snapdragon 480
To see how good (or bad) the Snapdragon 662 is, compare it to its closest competitors in the budget segment: the main rivals are the MediaTek Helio G80 (installed in the Redmi 9) and the newer Snapdragon 480 (for example, in the Redmi Note 10 5G).
Key differences:
- 🔧 Process: Snapdragon 662 - 11 nm, Helio G80 — 12 nm, Snapdragon 480 - 8 nm, the latter wins in energy efficiency;
- 🎮 Graphics: Helio G80 has Mali-G52 MC2, 10-15% more powerful than the Adreno 610 in games;
- 📶 Network: Only the Snapdragon 480 supports 5G, limited 4G LTE;
- 🔋 Energy consumption: Snapdragon 662 more balanced in terms of heating than Helio G80, which warms up more strongly with prolonged loads.
In short: the Snapdragon 662 is the gold standard for budget processors from 2020 to 2021, but by 2026 it is already obsolete. the Snapdragon 480 offers better energy efficiency and 5G support, and the Helio G80 offers slightly better graphics. However, the Redmi 9T benefits from competitors by optimizing MIUI and more balanced work in everyday tasks.
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For most users, the difference between the Snapdragon 662 and the Helio G80 will be subtle, and the choice should be made based on the other characteristics of the smartphone: screen, battery, camera.
Real Performance: Games, Multitasking, Heating
Benchmarks, but how does the Snapdragon 662 behave in real-world conditions?
1. Games:
- 🎮 PUBG Mobile: stable 30–40 FPS on the settings Balanced/HD. With a long game, more 30 minutes) possible brakes;
- 🎮 Free Fire: 60 FPS at high settings, but with periodic drawdowns up to 45-50 FPS;
- 🎮 Genshin Impact: Low-resolution settings only 720p, middle-class FPS — 20–25.
2 Multitasking: Redmi 9T is equipped with 4-6 GB of RAM (depending on the modification). At 4 GB, 5-7 applications are simultaneously stored in memory, at 6 GB - up to 10-12. However, when used actively, MIUI can aggressively close the background processes, especially if the power saving mode is turned on.
Heating and autonomy:
⚠️ Warning: For long gaming sessions (more than 40 minutes), the temperature of the processor can reach 45-50°C, which leads to trottling (automatic performance loss). To avoid overheating, it is recommended to play with the performance mode on in the battery settings and use a heat sink case.
In terms of autonomy, Redmi 9T performs well thanks to the battery of 6000 mAh. In mode of moderate use (social networks, messengers, calls), the smartphone lasts 2-2.5 days.
Use performance mode in battery settings |
Disable unnecessary background processes in Settings → Applications → Autorun|
Play with a connected charger (if the battery is below 50%)|
Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Warehouse-->
Optimizing performance: tips for owners of Redmi 9T
Even if the Snapdragon 662 isn’t a flagship processor, its performance can be improved with a few simple steps.
Developer settings:
- 🛠️ Turn it on. GPU-Acceleration: Go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times to activate Developer Mode, then in Settings → Additionally. → For developers, turn on Accelerate GPU-rendering;
- 🛠️ Turn off animation: in the same menu set the scale of animation windows, the scale of animation transition and the duration of the animator on the 0.5x or off.;
- 🛠️ Limit background processes: set the background process limit at 2-3.
Cleaning of the system:
Regularly delete cache and unnecessary files through Settings → Storage → Clean. Also, you should disable auto-run of unnecessary applications in Settings → Applications → Auto-Start.
Alternative firmware:
⚠️ Note: Installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) can improve performance, but will deprive you of official Xiaomi support and warranties.Be sure to back up data through Settings before firmware → Additionally. → Backup.
If you’re not willing to take risks, try reverting to an older version of MIUI (like MIUI 12.5 instead of MIUI 14).Newer versions often contain additional background processes that can slow down budget devices.
How to check the temperature of the processor?
Should I buy the Redmi 9T in 2026?
When it was released in 2021, the Redmi 9T was one of the best offerings in its price segment, but it's been 3 years -- is it relevant now?
Pros:
- ✅ Excellent autonomy thanks to a battery of 6000 mAh;
- ✅ Balanced productivity for everyday tasks;
- ✅ NFC IR port (rare for budget smartphones);
- ✅ Good optimization. MIUI For Snapdragon 662.
Cons:
- ❌ Older 11-nm process technology – more heating and battery consumption;
- ❌ No support. 5G;
- ❌ Adreno 610 graphics accelerator for modern games;
- ❌ MIUI With each update, it gets heavier for budget hardware.
Conclusion: If you need a reliable smartphone for calls, social networks and light games for up to 15 000 ₽, Redmi 9T But if the budget allows, it's better to look at newer models like the Redmi Note 12 with the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 or Poco. M5 helio G99.