Xiaomi Redmi 9C is one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, but around its screen there is a lot of controversy. Users often wonder: how many hertz on the Redmi 9C is 60 or 90? In this article, we will understand what the refresh rate of the screen this model actually has, why it is important, and how to measure it correctly, and you will learn whether it is possible to accelerate the screen to 90 Hz, and how this will affect autonomy and performance.
Many people confuse the refresh rate of the screen (measured in hertz, Hz) with the CPU frequency or clock frequency of the GPU. In fact, it is a parameter that determines how many times a second the picture on the display is updated. The higher the value, the smoother the animation, but also the faster the battery goes down. In the case of the Redmi 9C, the official specs clearly indicate a standard 60 Hz, but some users claim that they saw different values in the settings. Let's figure out where the truth is and where the marketing tricks are.
The official screen specs Xiaomi Redmi 9C: what says the manufacturer
According to the official website of Xiaomi, Redmi 9C fitted IPS-resolution-screen 720 × 1600 pixel (HD+) diagonally 6.53 The technical specifications are clearly:
- 🔄 Screen refresh rate: 60 Hz (standard).
- 🎯 Pixel density: ~269 PPI.
- 🖥️ Aspect ratio: 20:9.
- 🌈 Color scheme: 70% NTSC (typical value for budget models).
Importantly, the Redmi 9C is a low-end device, and in 2020 (the year of the model’s release), 60Hz was the standard for this price range, with higher frequencies (90Hz, 120Hz) only found in flagships or mid-range smartphones, such as the Redmi Note 9 Pro or POCO X3.
⚠️ Note: Some sellers or resellers may indicate incorrect characteristics in the product description, such as "90 Hz" to attract customers. Always check the data on the official Xiaomi website or in the documentation of the device.
How to check the screen frequency on Redmi 9C: step-by-step instructions
If you are in doubt about the refresh rate of your Redmi 9C, you can check it in several ways.
- Through Android Settings: Go to Settings → Display → Additional Settings → Screen Update Frequency. In Redmi 9C, this item will be missing or show a single value of 60 Hz.
- Use apps: Install utilities like Display Tester or AIDA64 They're showing the actual refresh rate of the screen. Open the app. AIDA64|Go to the "Display" section"|Find the line "Refresh rate"|Compare the value with official data-->
- Fluidity Test: Run a high frame rate video (e.g. 60 FPS) on YouTube and enable FPS display in the player settings. If the screen supports 60 Hz, the video will play smoothly.
If all methods are 60Hz, then your Redmi 9C doesn't support higher frequencies, and any claims to the contrary are either a mistake or a deception.
Is it possible to overclock the screen Redmi 9C to 90 Hz: myths and reality
You can find instructions on the Internet to accelerate the Redmi 9C screen to 90 Hz using an engineering menu or custom firmware, but this is physically impossible without replacing the display module.
- 🔧 Hardware Limitations: The Matrix in Redmi 9C It's designed to run at 60 Hz. Attempting to force the frequency to increase will lead to artifacts or screen failure.
- 📱 Lack of support in drivers: Helio processor G35 and graphics accelerator PowerVR GE8320 Not optimized for 90 Hz.
- ⚡ Overheating and battery discharge: Even if overclocking were possible, it would cut battery life by 20-30%.
⚠️ Note: Using unofficial firmware or modifications to the engineering menu to change the screen frequency may result in loss of warranty, device overheating or display failure. Xiaomi is not responsible for such actions.
If you really need a 90Hz smartphone, consider richer models like:
| Model | Screen frequency | Processor | Price (roughly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10 | 90 Hz (AMOLED) | Snapdragon 678 | 15 000–18 000 ₽ |
| POCO X3 Pro | 120 Hz (IPS) | Snapdragon 860 | 18 000–22 000 ₽ |
| Redmi Note 11 | 90 Hz (AMOLED) | Snapdragon 680 | 16 000–20 000 ₽ |
Why you need a high screen frequency: games, videos and everyday use
The screen refresh rate affects three key aspects:
- Games: In dynamic games (e.g. PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile), the high frequency (90+Hz) gives the advantage of a smoother picture. However, on the Redmi 9C with its 60 Hz and weak processor, the difference will be minimal.
- Scrolling and animation: When scrolling web pages or smartphone menus, 90Hz makes movement smoother. But for most users, the difference between 60 and 90Hz is not critical.
- Video: Modern videos are usually shot at 24-60 FPS. A 60 Hz screen is great at playing them. Higher frequencies (120 Hz+) are only relevant for content recorded in high FPS (e.g. slow-motion).
For the Redmi 9C, 60Hz is the optimal balance between smoothness, performance and autonomy.The device was originally positioned as a budget smartphone for everyday tasks, rather than for gaming or professional video work.
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If you want smooth gaming, pay attention to the graphics settings. In PUBG Mobile on Redmi 9C, it is better to set the "Balanced" mode - this will reduce the load on the processor and reduce the number of friezes.
Redmi 9C compared to other Xiaomi models by screen frequency
To better understand the Redmi 9C’s place in Xiaomi’s lineup, compare it to other popular models in terms of screen refresh rate and other key parameters:
| Model | Screen frequency | Type of matrix | Processor | Target audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi 9A | 60 Hz | IPS LCD | Helio G25 | Minimalists, older users |
| Redmi 9C | 60 Hz | IPS LCD | Helio G35 | Budget users, social networks, video |
| Redmi Note 9 | 60 Hz | IPS LCD | Helio G85 | Middle class, games on medium settings |
| POCO M3 | 60 Hz | IPS LCD | Snapdragon 662 | Budget gaming |
| Redmi Note 10 Pro | 120 Hz | AMOLED | Snapdragon 732G | Advanced users, gamers |
As you can see from the table, the Redmi 9C is at the bottom of the line in terms of screen frequency, but that's justified by its price and target audience. If you want a higher frequency, look at the Redmi Note or POCO models with the Pro console.
The effect of screen frequency on autonomy: how much is lost battery at 90 Hz
One of the main disadvantages of high refresh rates is increased battery consumption, according to tests from GSMArena, switching from 60 Hz to 90 Hz increases the screen power consumption by 15-25%, and by 120 Hz – up to 30-40%.
For the Redmi 9C with its modest 5000mAh battery and the less energy-efficient Helio G35 processor, even the standard 60Hz provides about 1.5-2 days of battery life with moderate use. If the screen supported 90Hz, the battery life would be reduced to 1 day or less.
- 🔋 60 Hz: ~1.5-2 days (social networks, calls, videos).
- 🔋 90 Hz (hypothetically): ~1 day with the same use).
- 🔋 120 Hz: ~0.7-1 day (only for flagships with large batteries).
So for the Redmi 9C, 60Hz is a reasonable trade-off, and if you want autonomy, you better leave the standard settings and not try to artificially increase the frequency.
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For most users, the difference between 60 Hz and 90 Hz is only noticeable in games or when scrolling fast, and in everyday tasks (messaging, video, social networks), it is almost invisible, but saves battery life.