What video accelerator is installed in Xiaomi Redmi 9 Pro: technical details and practical tips

Xiaomi Redmi 9 Pro is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2020, which is still actively used due to the balanced characteristics. However, many owners still do not know which video accelerator is responsible for graphics performance in this model. This article will not only reveal the technical specifications, but also help to understand how the GPU affects gaming performance, video rendering and everyday tasks.

We will analyze the official data from Qualcomm and Xiaomi, compare the Redmi 9 Pro with other smartphones on the same chipset, and give practical recommendations for optimizing the GPU. If you plan to play modern games, mount videos or just want to understand the capabilities of your device โ€“ this information will be useful.

Official characteristics of the video accelerator in Redmi 9 Pro

Xiaomi Redmi 9 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G, one of the most successful mid-range chipsets of 2020. The SoC uses the Adreno 618 graphics accelerator, which is responsible for processing graphics. It's not the most powerful GPU on the market, but it does a great job at most of the tasks in its price segment.

The main parameters of Adreno 618:

  • ๐Ÿ”น Architecture: Adreno 600 (6th generation, like the Snapdragon 855, but with reduced features).
  • ๐Ÿ”น Process technology: 8 nm (production by Samsung).
  • ๐Ÿ”น Frequency: up to 750 MHz (can vary depending on firmware and thermal throttle).
  • ๐Ÿ”น Support API: OpenGL ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.1, OpenCL 2.0.

Itโ€™s important to understand that the Adreno 618 is not a standalone chip, but an integrated solution inside the Snapdragon 720G. This means it uses shared RAM (RAM) with the processor, which can affect performance in heavy applications. For example, when you run a Genshin Impact game on medium settings, the GPU will actively use up to 2-3 GB of the available 6 GB of RAM.

๐Ÿ“Š How to use your Redmi 9 Pro?
Games
Social networks and messengers
Photo/video
Documentation work
Another option

Comparison of Adreno 618 with other GPUs in Xiaomi smartphones

To better understand the Adreno 618, compare it to graphics accelerators from other popular Xiaomi models and competitors.

Smartphone modelChipsetGPUGPU frequency (MHz)Productivity (approx., GFLOPS)
Redmi 9 ProSnapdragon 720GAdreno 618750~250
POCO X3 NFCSnapdragon 732GAdreno 618 (improved)825~280
Redmi Note 10 ProSnapdragon 732GAdreno 618825~280
Mi 10T LiteSnapdragon 750GAdreno 619950~350
Samsung Galaxy A52Snapdragon 720GAdreno 618750~250

The table shows that the Adreno 618 in Redmi 9 Pro is inferior to newer solutions, such as the Adreno 619 in the Snapdragon 750G. However, the difference in performance is not always critical: for example, in games like Call of Duty: Mobile or PUBG Mobile, the difference between 250 and 350 GFLOPS will be noticeable only at the maximum graphics settings.

โš ๏ธ Attention: Manufacturers often optimize firmware for specific models, POCO X3 NFC Adreno 618, but on the Snapdragon 732G, can perform better in benchmarks due to more aggressive cooling and power consumption adjustment.

How to check the video accelerator on your Redmi 9 Pro

If you doubt that your Redmi 9 Pro does have an Adreno 618 installed, it can be easily checked using standard Android tools or third-party apps.

  1. Through Android settings: Go to Settings โ†’ About Phone โ†’ Full Specification. The Processor or Graphics section should show the GPU model. However, some firmware may not have this information.
  2. With CPU-Z: Download CPU-Z from Google Play, open the System on Chip (SoC) tab, and the GPU section will show the name of the video accelerator and its frequency.
  3. Through AIDA64: This application provides even more detailed information, including API support (OpenGL, Vulkan) and driver version.

Make sure your phone is at least 50 times charged%|Close all background applications|Connect to stable Wi-Fi (if you download applications)|Check the version. MIUI (Updates can affect the display of information)-->

If you see another GPU name in the test results (such as Mali-G57), it could mean that:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ You donโ€™t have a Redmi 9 Pro, but a different model (like the Redmi 9 on Helio). G80 s GPU Mali-G52).
  • ๐Ÿ”ง The firmware has been changed (the castom software can replace the information about the hardware).
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ The phone has a chipset replaced (rarely, but it happens during repairs).

Adreno 618 performance in games and applications

Adreno 618 is a mid-range GPU that can run most mobile games, but with reservations.

  • ๐ŸŽฎ PUBG Mobile: Smooth + Ultra (40 FPS) or Balanced + HDR (30 FPS). With long sessions, overheating and falling are possible FPS before 20-25.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Call of Duty: Mobile: High (Graphics) + Max (frames) - stable 40-50 FPS.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Genshin Impact: Low (30 FPS) or Medium (20-25 FPS) periodic-friest.
  • ๐ŸŽฌ Adobe Premiere Rush: Video Rendering in the Video 1080p It is possible, but the export will be in 1.5-2 Time is longer than on the flagships.

To improve the gaming experience, it is recommended:

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Enable game mode in Settings โ†’ Special facilities โ†’ Game turbo.
  • โ„๏ธ Use a cooling stand or play in a cool room (at temperatures above 40)ยฐC is thermothrottled).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Close background apps before launching the game (especially messengers and browsers).

๐Ÿ’ก

If the game has lags, try lowering the screen resolution to 720p in the developer settings (Settings โ†’ About Phone โ†’ MIUI version โ€“ tap 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings โ†’ Developer โ†’ Minimum width).

The Adreno 618 does not support Ray Tracing and hardware acceleration for some effects in Unity/Unreal Engine 5, which may limit the possibilities in future games.

Frequent GPU issues in Redmi 9 Pro and their solutions

Despite the reliability of the Snapdragon 720G, some users are facing problems with the video accelerator.

  1. Artifacts on screen (strips, flickering, distortion): This can be caused by overheating, damage GPU Or a screen malfunction: ๐Ÿ”„ Reboot the phone. ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Check for physical damage (falls, moisture infestation). ๐Ÿ“ฑ Reset the settings to factory (Settings) โ†’ The phone. โ†’ If the problem persists, it is an excuse to contact the service center (possible defect) GPU motherboard).
  2. Severe overheating under load: Adreno 618 warms up with long games, but temperatures above 50ยฐC is already critical: ๐ŸงŠ Use a cooling cover or fan. ๐Ÿ”‹ Turn off fast charging during the game. ๐Ÿ”„ Reduce the load (reduce the load) FPS game-setting).
  3. Low. FPS In games despite low settings: Possible reasons: ๐Ÿ—‘๏ธ Completed storage (clear the cache in Settings) โ†’ Warehouse). ๐Ÿ”„ Outdated firmware (update) MIUI In Settings โ†’ Updating the system). ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Damaged drivers GPU (help with resetting).

โš ๏ธ Note: If after the update MIUI The games started to slow down, try to roll back to the previous version of the firmware through Fastboot. MIUI contain bugs in drivers GPU, Which Xiaomi only fixes in the following patches.

How to check the temperature of the GPU?
Open the AIDA64 app, go to Sensors, which will show the CPU and GPU temperatures, and the normal temperature under load is up to 45ยฐC. If the value is above 50ยฐC, it is recommended to stop the game session.

How to Improve GPU Performance on Redmi 9 Pro

If you don't like the current performance of the Adreno 618, you can optimize it a little bit with software and hardware, and it's important to understand that you can't get a radical increase in FPS, but you can improve stability and smoothness.

Programmatic methods:

  • ๐Ÿ”ง Include forced use GPU In the Developer Settings: Settings โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times) Additional settings โ†’ For developers โ†’ Force it. GPU-This will force the system to use Adreno 618 even for simple tasks, but can increase battery consumption.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Disable animations: In the same developer settings, set the window animation scale, transition animation scale and animator duration on 0.5x or off.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Use Xiaomi's Game Turbo: This firmware optimizes resource allocation during games. Turns on in the notification curtain when running supported games.

Hardware methods:

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Replace the heat paste (if the phone overheats frequently) is a time-consuming process that requires disassembling the device.
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Install a custom core (e.g. Kirisakura for Snapdragon) 720G), which improves frequency management GPU.

๐Ÿ’ก

The best balance between performance and autonomy is achieved at a GPU frequency of 650-700 MHz. Higher values give an increase in FPS, but reduce battery life by 15-20%.

Alternative ways to use the GPU in Redmi 9 Pro

Adreno 618 can be used not only for gaming, but also for other tasks that require graphic processing.

  • ๐ŸŽฅ Video editing: Apps like KineMaster or CapCut use GPU For example, overlaying effects or color correction will work faster when hardware acceleration is activated.
  • ๐Ÿค– Machine learning: TensorFlow Lite frameworks can use Adreno 618 to process neural networks (e.g., in image recognition applications).
  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ PC Connection in DeX Mode: Scrcpy or Vysor can display your phone screen to your computer and use it GPU remotely.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Cloud Gaming: Services like Xbox Cloud Gaming or GeForce NOW They stream video, but it's decoding on Adreno 618. GPU Wasn't loaded with other tasks.

Benchmarks can be used to test GPU performance in these scenarios:

  • 3DMark (Sling Shot Extreme)
  • GFXBench (Manhattan 3.1 and Aztec Ruins)
  • Antutu (GPU Test section).

Average results for the Adreno 618 in the Redmi 9 Pro:

  • ๐Ÿ“Š 3DMark Sling Shot Extreme: ~1800-2200 pointer.
  • ๐Ÿ“Š GFXBench Manhattan 3.1 (1080p offscreen): ~25-30 FPS.
  • ๐Ÿ“Š Antutu GPU: ~85 000-95 000 pointer.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the video accelerator in Redmi 9 Pro

Can I replace the GPU in Redmi 9 Pro with a more powerful one?
No, the Adreno 618 is integrated into the Snapdragon 720G chipset, and it's not a removable component, and it's only possible to replace it with the motherboard, which is not economically feasible.
Why does the GPU perform worse in benchmarks than in real games?
Benchmarks load the GPUs for as long as possible, leading to overheating and thermothrottle (reduced frequency). In games, the load is cyclical, so the FPS can be higher than in synthetic tests.
Does the Adreno 618 ray tracing support?
No, the Adreno 618 doesnโ€™t have hardware support for ray tracing, a feature that only appeared in the Adreno 650 (in Snapdragon 865 chipsets and later).
What is the maximum FPS you can get in Redmi 9 Pro games?
The theoretical maximum is 60 FPS (screen restriction), but in practice: In light games (Among Us, Brawl Stars) - stable 60 FPS. In medium (CODM, Free Fire) - 40-50 FPS. In heavy (Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail) - 20-30 FPS.
Does GPU overclocking affect the life of the chipset?
Yes, constant operation at higher frequencies accelerates the degradation of silicon and can reduce the life of the chipset on the basis of the 10-15%. In addition, acceleration increases heat generation, which negatively affects the battery and other components.