What video accelerator is used in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro: a full analysis of the Adreno 618 GPU

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is still one of the most popular mid-range smartphones, despite the release of newer models, and its success is facilitated by a balanced “stuffing” where the GPU occupies a special place. But what kind of video accelerator is installed in this device? How does it cope with modern games and graphics tasks? And can it be improved in software?

In this article, we will take a closer look at the Adreno 618 GPU that underpins the Redmi Note 9 Pro, analyze its specifications, compare it to competitors, and give practical tips on how to optimize performance. If you plan to buy this smartphone for gaming or graphics, here you will find answers to all the key questions.

Technical characteristics of the video accelerator Adreno 618 in the Redmi Note 9 Pro

The Adreno 618 graphics processor is part of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G system chip on which the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is built. It is not a flagship GPU, but also not a budget one - it occupies an intermediate position, offering a good balance between performance and power consumption.

The main parameters of Adreno 618:

• 🔹 Architecture: Adreno 600 (6th generation, like the Adreno 630 in the Snapdragon 845)
• 🔹 Process technology: 8 nm (Samsung) LPP)
• 🔹 Frequency GPU: up to 750 MHz (depending on firmware and temperature)
• 🔹 Support API: OpenGL ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.1, OpenCL 2.0
• 🔹 Maximum resolution of the display: 2520×1080 upon 60 Hz

It’s important to understand that the Adreno 618 isn’t a discrete graphics chip — it’s integrated into the processor. This means it uses shared RAM (LPDDR4X in the case of the Redmi Note 9 Pro) and doesn’t have its own video memory. The amount of graphics memory available depends on the system’s settings and can range from 1 to 3 GB.

Compare the Adreno 618 to other popular GPUs in smartphones of the same price range:

The Adreno 618 is about 10-15% weaker than the Adreno 620 (from the Snapdragon 730G), but it also shows better energy efficiency compared to the Mali-G76 in the Helio G90T. This makes it a good choice for long gaming sessions without heavy overheating.

Game Performance: What will the Adreno 618 pull?

The big question for most users is: which games will go on the Redmi Note 9 Pro without lags?The answer depends on the graphics settings, but in general, the Adreno 618 handles most popular mobile games at mid-settings.

Here are some of the best settings for popular games (tests were conducted on MIUI 12.5 with FHD+ screen resolution):

• 🎮 PUBG Mobile: Balanced settings / 40 FPS (Possible rare drawdowns up to 30 FPS shootout)
• 🎮 Call of Duty: Mobile: Average Graphics / 60 FPS (Maximum adjustments are possible, but with drawdowns)
• 🎮 Genshin Impact: Low Graphics / 30 FPS (In the middle settings, strong lags are possible)
• 🎮 Free Fire: Ultra settings / 60 FPS (steady)
• 🎮 Asphalt 9: Average graphics / 30 FPS (High schedule is possible, but with drawdowns)

For comparison: on Snapdragon 730G (Adreno 620) the same games work 10-20% It's better, but it's not a big difference for casual gaming, but for flagship chips like Snapdragon. 865 Adreno 650) The gap is more significant - before 50-70% play-play.

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To reduce heat and improve FPS in games, activate the performance mode in the MIUI settings: Settings → Special Features → Performance mode.

If you plan on playing at maximum settings in Genshin Impact or Honor of Kings, the Redmi Note 9 Pro may be disappointing, but PUBG Mobile, Free Fire or Brawl Stars will have enough performance.

How to check the video accelerator on Redmi Note 9 Pro?

If you want to make sure your smartphone does have an Adreno 618 installed, rather than some other GPU (like after buying a used phone), there are a few ways to do that.

Method 1: Through Android Settings

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times to activate the Developer Mode.
3. Go back to the main settings menu and find a new section for developers.
4. Scroll down to the Equipment block - there will be a GPU Renderer string with the video accelerator name.

Method 2: Using applications

Install one of these apps from Google Play:

• 📱 CPU-Z (subset → GPU Renderer)
• 📱 AIDA64 (display → GPU)
• 📱 DevCheck (Hardware tab)

Method 3: Through ADB (for advanced users)

Connect your phone to your PC, activate Debugging over USB and execute the command:

adb shell cat /proc/gpuinfo

In the conclusion, you will see a line called the GPU.

Activate the Developer Mode

Install CPU-Z or AIDA64

Check the line "GPU Renderer"

Compare with the official characteristics of Snapdragon 720G-->

If you see a different name (such as Mali-G76) than Adreno 618, this may mean that:

• 🔧 There is another chipset in the phone (possibly a fake).
• 🔧 Firmware modified (castom core).
• 🔧 There was an error in the system (reboot the phone).

Can I improve or overclock the video accelerator?

Many users are wondering: can you improve the performance of the Adreno 618 software? Theoretically, yes, but with serious reservations. Overclocking the GPU on smartphones is always a compromise between performance and stability.

Here are the main methods of “improvement” of the GPU:

• ⚡ Activation of the performance mode: B MIUI There is a hidden mode that increases the clock frequency GPU. Activated through Settings → Battery → Performance mode.
• ⚡ Custom cores: Some firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS) allow you to install alternative cores with optimized settings GPU.
• ⚡ Overclocking utilities: Apps like Kernel Adiutor or FrancoKernel can change frequencies GPU, but require root rights.
• ⚡ Cooling: Using cooling stands or lowering the body temperature can prevent trottling (automatic frequency reduction when overheating).

⚠️ Attention: Acceleration GPU If you don't cool down properly, you can overheat, shut down your phone suddenly, and reduce battery life. On the Redmi Note 9 Pro, overclocking the Adreno 618 above 800 MHz can be unstable. If you do decide to experiment, here are the safe limits for the Adreno 618: Standard Value Maximum Safe Risk Frequency GPU (MHz 750 800 850+ Tension. GPU (850 875 900 mV+ Temperature (°C) up to 42 to 48 50+ For most users, the best solution is not to overclock, but to optimize existing performance: 🔧 Close the background apps before playing. 🔧 Turn off animations in Settings → Special facilities → Remove animations. 🔧 Use game utilities like Game Turbo (built into the game) MIUI). Comparison with other smartphones: who is stronger? To better understand the features of the Adreno 618, let’s compare it to the other two. GPU other popular smartphones in the same price range (2020-2021) 3DMark Wild Life and GFXBench Redmi Note 9 Pro show the following results: 📊 3DMark Wild Life: ~1200 points (vs) ~1500 Snapdragon 730G). 📊 GFXBench Manhattan 3.1: ~25 FPS (vs ~30 FPS Helio G90T). 📊 GFXBench Car Chase: ~12 FPS (vs ~15 FPS Dimensity 800U). For clarity - a table of comparison with the main competitors: Smartphone model Chipset GPU 3DMark Wild Life PUBG (middle-class FPS) Redmi Note 9 Pro Snapdragon 720G Adreno 618 1200 38-40 Realme 6 Pro Snapdragon 720G Adreno 618 1180 37-39 POCO X3 NFC Snapdragon 732G Adreno 620 1450 45-48 Samsung Galaxy M31s Exynos 9611 Mali-G72 MP3 950 30-32 Redmi Note 10 Pro Snapdragon 732G Adreno 620 1500 48-50 Redmi Note 9 Pro loses to newer models on Snapdragon 732G roughly 15-20% in graphics tests, but bypasses smartphones on Exynos 9611 Helio G80. If you care about gaming, POCO X3 NFC or Redmi Note 10 Pros will be the best choice, but it's not so clear: Adreno. 618 Better optimized for Vulkan API, This gives you an advantage in some games (for example, in Call of Duty: Mobile, it can show more stable features). FPS, more Mali-G76 Helio G90T). Frequent problems with GPU Even though the Adreno 618 is reliable, Redmi Note 9 Pro users sometimes experience graphical glitches. Here are the most common problems and ways to fix them: Problem 1: Artifacts in games (strips, flickers, texture distortions: 🔧 Overheating GPU (often). 🔧 Unstable firmware (especially customized ones) ROM). 🔧 Damage to drivers after update. Solutions: 🛠️ Reboot the phone. 🛠️ Clear the cache. GPU In Settings → Annexes → All applications → Graphic driver → Warehouse → Clear the cache. 🛠️ Reverse to the previous firmware version if the artifacts appeared after the update. Problem 2: Heavy heating during games: 🔥 Background processes (messengers, social networks) are launched). 🔥 Trottling due to poor cooling. 🔥 High-setting graphics in the game. Solutions: 🧊 Use a cooling cover or fan. 🧊 Activate the performance mode in MIUI. 🧊 Lower your graphics settings in the game (e.g. in the game) PUBG Choose Balanced instead of Balanced HD). Issue 3: Low FPS In games, although the phone is powerful: 🎯 Game restrictions (e.g. Genshin Impact artificially reduces gameplay) FPS mid-chipset). 🎯 Background updates to applications. 🎯 Unoptimized firmware. Solutions: 🎮 Turn on the game mode in the notification curtain. 🎮 Turn off automatic application updates. 🎮 Try the firmware. MIUI EU (It is often better optimized for gaming). 💡If there's a problem with GPU They're after a phone drop or moisture hit, and most likely, the motherboard is damaged, and in this case, only repairs at the service center will help. ⚠️ Note: If after the firmware update, games start to fly out or show a black screen, this may be due to damage to Adreno drivers. In this case, only a rollback to the previous version will help. MIUI Or a full flashing through Fastboot. Adreno's future. 618: Should I Buy a Redmi Note? 9 Pro in 2026 Since the Redmi Note? 9 Pro's been done. 4 year (released in March) 2020). Is this smartphone relevant today, especially in terms of graphics performance? 2026 year: ✅ Excellent price/performance ratio (you can find a price/performance ratio) 10-15 thousand rubles). ✅ Support for most modern games on medium settings. ✅ Good optimization. MIUI for Adreno 618. ✅ A reliable chipset without critical bugs: ❌ An outdated version of OpenGL ES (3.2 instead 3.3 chip-in). ❌ No support for Ray Tracing and other advanced graphics technologies. ❌ In demanding games (for example, Diablo Immortal) you will have to set minimum settings. ❌ No official support for new versions of Android (last version) MIUI — If you want a smartphone exclusively for gaming, it is better to look at the newer models: 📱 POCO X5 Pro 5G (Adreno 642L, 40% more powerful). 📱 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (Dimensity 1080 with Mali-G68). 📱 Realme 10 Pro+ (Adreno 642L, similarly POCO X5 Pro) However, if the budget is limited and the tasks are PUBG Mobile, Free Fire or Brawl Stars, the Redmi Note 9 Pro is still a good choice. 💡For maximum performance in games on Redmi Note 9 Pro use firmware MIUI 12.5 – It’s better optimized for Adreno 618 than the newer versions. FAQ: Answers to popular questions 🔍 Can I replace the video accelerator in the Redmi Note 9 Pro? No, Adreno. 618 integrated into the Snapdragon chipset 720G It's not a removable component, and it's only possible to replace it with the motherboard, which is not economically feasible. 🔍 Why antouche GPU Does the AnTuTu version you use may not be optimized for Adreno? 618. Also, background processes or overheating can reduce results. 3DMark or GFXBench. 🔍 Does Adreno support 618 Ray Tracing? 618 It doesn't support Ray Tracing hardware, but it only came from Adreno. 650 (Snapdragon 865) newer. 🔍 What? FPS Will Genshin Impact be on minimals? 720p Genshin Impact will be issued 25-30 FPS rare-slip 20. For stable 60 FPS You need at least a Snapdragon. 865. 🔍 Can I install drivers for Adreno? 618 manually? No, the Android GPU drivers are embedded in the core and cannot be upgraded separately, and the only way to do that is to upgrade MIUI to the latest version.