Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S: what processor is installed and what is it capable of?

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S became one of the most popular mid-range devices in 2020, and its success is largely due to its balanced performance, among which the CPU plays a key role. If you are planning to buy this device or already own it, it is important to understand what the heart of the device, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G chipset, can do.

This article will not only answer the question, “What is the processor in the Redmi Note 9S,” but also cover all the technical nuances, from architecture and process to real-world performance tests, compare it to competitors, understand the power consumption and give practical recommendations for optimizing the performance of a smartphone, and for those who like numbers, a detailed benchmarks table and analysis of gaming capabilities are prepared.

It's worth noting that the Snapdragon 720G is not just a marketing ploy, it's a really powerful chip for its time, and it's in between budget and flagship solutions, offering users up to 25 percent performance gains over its predecessor, the Snapdragon 710, in multithreaded tasks, but about everything in order.

Technical characteristics of the Snapdragon 720G processor in the Redmi Note 9S

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G chipset (the SM7125 model) is built on Samsung’s 8nm process technology, which provides a good balance between performance and energy efficiency. It is the first processor in the 700 series to receive the “G” suffix, which emphasizes its focus on game scenarios.

The architecture is based on:

• 🔹 2 Kryo 465 Gold cores (based on) Cortex-A76) clock speeds up to 2.3 GHz – responsible for heavy tasks;
• 🔹 6 Kryo 465 Silver cores (based on) Cortex-A55) Up to 1.8 GHz – optimized for background processes;
• 🔹 Adreno 618 Graphics Accelerator with Support API Vulkan 1.1 and up to 575 MHz;
• 🔹 Snapdragon modem X15 LTE Support for up to 800 Mbps download.

The Snapdragon 720G features support for Elite Gaming, a suite of technologies to enhance the gaming experience, including:

• 🎮 Improved smoothing (True) 10-bit HDR);
• 🎮 Optimization of input delays (Game Fast Load);
• 🎮 Support for 90Hz displays (although in Redmi Note) 9S screen).

It is important to understand that despite marketing claims about “gaming” orientation, Snapdragon is a snapdragon. 720G Don't pull on the modern AAA-play at maximum settings, but for PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile or Genshin Impact on average, its capabilities are enough with a margin.

Comparison with competitors: Snapdragon 720G vs other chipsets

To give an objective view of the Redmi Note 9S processor, compare it to the closest analogues from Qualcomm and MediaTek, and the table below shows the key parameters that affect performance and energy efficiency:

The table shows that the Snapdragon 720G is inferior to the Dimensity 800U in performance and support for 5G, but bypasses the Helio G90T in energy efficiency due to a more slim process technology. Interestingly, the difference with the Snapdragon 730G is minimal - the main difference in GPU frequency and optimization for games.

⚠️ Note: When choosing between Redmi Note 9S Redmi Note 9 Pro (with Snapdragon) 720G Snapdragon 750G Please note that the difference in productivity is ~15-20%. Note, however. 9 Pro supports 5G, What may be critical for future relevance of the device.

If you want to maximize gaming performance, you should look at smartphones on Dimensity 800U or Snapdragon 750G. But for everyday tasks and midbudget games, the Snapdragon 720G in the Redmi Note 9S remains a great choice.

Performance Tests: benchmarks and real work

To evaluate the capabilities of the Redmi Note 9S processor, we refer to the data from synthetic tests and real-world use cases. Below are the average results for this chipset (may vary slightly depending on the software version and temperature conditions):

• 📊 AnTuTu 9: 270,000–285,000 points;
• 📊 Geekbench 5 (Single-Core): 560–580;
• 📊 Geekbench 5 (Multi-Core): 1 700–1 800;
• 📊 3DMark Wild Life: 1 400–1 500 (FPS: 8.5–9.5).

In the real world, this means:

• 📱 Smooth interface operation MIUI (even on heavy subjects);
• 🎮 Stable 40-60s FPS into PUBG Mobile on settings HD + High;
• 📸 Quick processing of photos (including: HDR night-time);
• 📺 Comfortable video viewing in resolution before 4K@30fps.

It is important to note that at long loads (for example, an hour-long game session), the processor begins trottling, an artificial frequency reduction to prevent overheating. In the Redmi Note 9S, this manifests itself after ~25 minutes of intense play, when the FPS can drop by 10-15%.

• 🔧 Using a gamepad (reduces heat from the sensor);
• 🔧 Disabling background applications;
• 🔧 Lowering the screen brightness to 50–60%.

Optimizing the work of the processor: how to improve performance

Even with the balanced performance of the Snapdragon 720G, it can be optimized for specific tasks.

Disable interface animation in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (5 times tap) → Additional settings → Windows / transition animation (select 0.5x)

Activate Performance Mode in Settings → Battery → Performance Mode

Limit application background activity in Settings → Apps → Permissions → Autorun

Update to the latest version of MIUI (fixes bugs with trottling)

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For game scenarios, it is recommended:

1. Install Game Turbo (built-in Xiaomi software) and enable Performance mode;
2. Turn off “Adaptive Brightness” in the display settings;
3. Use a cooling stand (reduces the temperature by 5-8 ° C).

⚠️ Warning: Avoid “overclocking” apps from Google Play (for example, CPU Not only will they not increase Snapdragon performance, but they will also not increase Snapdragon performance. 720G, but can lead to overheating or malfunction due to conflict with built-in power management mechanisms Qualcomm.

If you notice a significant performance drop (hangs, slow app loading), follow the following steps:

1. Clear the cache through Settings → Memory → Clear the cache;
2. Check the CPU load in Settings → Battery → Battery usage (norm: up to 20% in idle);
3. Reset the settings to factory (pre-save data!).

Charging your smartphone and games;

- Use of covers with poor ventilation;

- Placement of the device under direct sunlight (temperature above 50)°C accelerates chip degradation).-->

Energy efficiency and heating: weak spots of the Snapdragon 720G

Despite the advantages, the Snapdragon 720G has two key drawbacks: heating and power consumption at peak loads. According to tests from NotebookCheck, the chipset consumes up to 4.5 watts in games, which leads to:

• 🔥 Heating the back panel to 45-48°C (in the area of the cell);
• 🔋 Accelerated battery discharge (up to 15-20% per hour) PUBG Mobile).

By comparison, the Dimensity 800U, on the same process, (7nm), has 30% less power consumption at similar performance, due to the more modern architecture of the Cortex-A76/A55 cores and an optimized memory controller.

To minimize heat and extend battery life:

• 🔋 Use the “Balanced” Battery Mode in the Settings;
• 🔋 Turn off the "Constantly Active Display»;
• 🔋 Set a limit FPS in games (e.g. 30) FPS Genshin Impact).

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The Snapdragon 720G is optimal for everyday tasks, but not suitable for long-term gaming without recharging. For games, choose smartphones with a battery of 5000 mAh or chipsets of 7 nm and thinner.

Compatibility with custom firmware and acceleration

Owners of the Redmi Note 9S are often interested in the possibility of installing custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience) to improve performance.

• ✅ Supported firmware: LineageOS 18.1 (Android 11), Havoc-OS, ArrowOS;
• ⚠️ Risks: Warranty loss; Camera malfunction (due to closed Xiaomi drivers); Possible overheating due to lack of optimization for Snapdragon 720G.

As for overclocking, then:

• 🔧 CPU: The maximum core frequency is locked at the firmware level, and you can only change it through a modification of the kernel, which requires deep knowledge;
• 🔧 GPU: It is possible to increase the frequency of Adreno 618 to 650 MHz (from 575 MHz), but this leads to a high frequency of 650 MHz:

⚠️ Warning: Attempts to overclock through the engineering menu (#4636##) or applications like Kernel Adiutor can cause a device to fail completely. Qualcomm blocks the frequency change at the fuse bit level, and bypassing this protection often ends in hardware damage.

If you are critically interested in productivity, consider alternatives:

• 📱 POCO X3 NFC (same-sense 732G, but with better cooling);
• 📱 Realme 7 Pro (Snapdragon 720G + 65W charging);
• 📱 Redmi Note 10 Pro (Snapdragon 732G + 120Hz screen).

Frequent questions about the Redmi Note 9S processor