Replacement of camera glass with Xiaomi Redmi 9A: prices 2026, where cheaper and how to save money

Why does the camera glass on Redmi 9A burst and when exactly you need to change it?

The camera glass on the Xiaomi Redmi 9A is one of the most vulnerable parts of the smartphone. Even a slight fall on asphalt or hitting a hard surface can lead to cracks, chips or complete destruction of the protective glass. Unlike the main screen, which is often protected by hardening, the camera glass is usually thinner and has no additional layers, making it the first candidate for damage when mechanically exposed.

But not always a crack is a reason for an urgent replacement, and if the camera continues to focus normally and the photo is free of artifacts (blurring, glare or dark spots), you can temporarily do without repair, but there are three critical signs in which it is dangerous to delay the replacement:

• 🔍 There were glare or rainbow spots in all the photos – this means that the glass fragments hit the lens.
• 📵 The camera stopped focusing or it makes an error: "I failed to connect to the camera".
• 💧 Under the glass visible moisture or condensate - this is a threat of corrosion of the internal parts of the module.

Redmi 9A owners often face this problem because of its design: the camera glass protrudes 1-1.5 mm above the body, making it vulnerable even with light impacts. According to service centers, 3 out of 10 repairs of this smartphone are due to damage to the camera glass.

How much does it cost to replace camera glass in service centers (prices 2026)

The cost of replacement depends on three factors: region, type of service (official or unofficial), and quality of parts used. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, prices are 20-30% higher than in the regions, but the quality of work is usually better.

It’s important to understand that official Xiaomi services will likely offer you a complete replacement of the camera module, not just glass. This increases the cost, but guarantees original quality. In informal workshops, they often install counterparts from third-party manufacturers (such as Huaqin or Sunwoda), which can transmit lights worse or scratch faster.

⚠️ If you are offered a replacement camera glass on Redmi 9A 500₽ — It's a reason to be wary, and it's probably using low-quality plastic instead of glass or glue, which eventually turns yellow.

Self-replacement: is it possible to save money and what risks

Replace the camera glass with Redmi 9A It's technically possible, but it requires precision, patience and special tools. + glue + tools: 300 to 800₽. However, savings can turn into new problems, if you do not take into account the nuances:

• 🔧 Difficulty to dismantle: glass is glued to the metal frame of the module, and to remove it, you need to carefully heat the part with a hair dryer (temperature 60-80).°C), otherwise the glue will not lag, and the glass will crack even more.
• 🧲 Dust and garbage: when replaced at home, there is a high risk of moulds falling under new glass, which Later will lead to glare in the photo.
• 📏 Glue layer thickness: If you apply too much glue, the glass will “drowse” in the module, and the camera will be worse focused on close objects.

If you are planning to do a self-repair, here is the minimum set of tools you will need:

Buy original glass (article: MDY11-EM-16X for Redmi 9A)

Thermophen or building hair dryer with temperature control

Plastic mediator or guitar mediator for glass shaking

UV glue for glass (e.g. LOCA or B-7000)

Alcohol and lilaless wipes for cleaning

Lube or magnifying glass for quality control-->

The average replacement time for beginners is 2-3 hours. Experienced craftsmen can do it in 20 to 40 minutes. If you've never done a micro-repair of electronics, it's best to practice on an unnecessary device or watch detailed video instructions before you start work.

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Before replacing the glass, take a photo of the camera module from different angles - this will help to correctly install the new glass in the center and avoid distortions.

What distinguishes the original glass from the analogue: is it worth overpaying?

In the Xiaomi Redmi 9A parts market, there are three types of camera glass: original (OEM), quality, and low-cost counterfeits, the difference between them not only in price, but also in durability, optical properties, and even the impact on photo quality.

The main difference between the original glass is the anti-reflective coating, which reduces the amount of glare in the photo. In cheap analogues, this coating does not exist, which can cause rainbow spots in pictures against the sun. In addition, the original glass is thinner by 0.1-0.2 mm, which is important for proper focusing.

If you take most of your photos indoors or in cloudy weather, the difference between OEM and good ones is minimal. But if you shoot often outside in bright sunshine, you better not save. Counterfeit glass can start to get cloudy in 3-6 months because of the oxidation of the adhesive layer.

Where to buy replacement parts: verified sellers and what to look for

When buying camera glass for Redmi 9A, the key is to avoid counterfeiting, even in well-known sites like AliExpress or Wildberries, they sell low-quality counterparts under the guise of originals, and here are proven sources where you can order parts with minimal risk:

• 🛒 Official Xiaomi distributors (e.g. Mi Store or Xiaomi Shop) – only sell here OEM-Details, but prices are higher than the market.
• 🌍 Foreign stores: AliExpress (sellers with a rating of 98%+), eBay (filter by reviews), Amazon (section "Xiaomi Parts").
• 🏬 Local service centers: many workshops sell parts in bulk and can sell glass at wholesale price (ask when contacting).
• 🛠️ Specialty stores: FixPriceService, Mobile-Repair, Chip and Deep (available in most major cities).

When choosing, pay attention to:

1. Part Article: For the Redmi 9A, the original camera glass is labeled MDY11-EM-16X or K55A-CAMERA-GLASS.
2. Material: It should be labeled "Tempered Glass" and not "Plastic" or "Acrylic".
3. Component: Good kits have not only glass, but also glue, wipes for cleaning and instructions.

⚠️ Attention: AliExpress often sells "universal" glass for all Redmi models. 9A, They have a different diameter (16.5 mm instead of 17.2 mm) and thickness!

What to do if the camera becomes worse after the replacement

If the camera glass is replaced after repair, but the photos are blurred, with glare or incorrect color reproduction, the problem may be one of four factors:

1. Incorrect installation of glass: if it is offset relative to the center of the lens or glued at an angle, the light will be refracted incorrectly. Solution: reglue the glass using a pattern for centering (you can print it from the Internet).
2. You get dust or glue on the lens: even microscopic particles can scatter light, so you can take the module apart, clean the lens with alcohol, and glue the glass.
3. Low-quality glass: cheap ones often have a greenish or yellowish hue, so you can replace them with the original or the quality one.
4. Camera damage: If the glass is overheated or the module is deformed, autofocus may be affected.Solution: diagnostics in the service (the entire module may need to be replaced).

To check what exactly the problem is, take test pictures in different conditions:

• 📸 In bright light: if there are rainbow spots - a problem in the glass or its installation.
• 🌑 In the dark with a flash: if the photo is too dark, it may be too thick and block the light.
• 🔍 Macrosnip (close distance): if the object is not in focus, the centering of the glass is disturbed or autofocus is damaged.

If you have replaced the glass yourself and are experiencing a deterioration in quality, try resetting the camera to factory settings: go to Settings → Apps → Camera → Storage → Clear data. Sometimes this helps to return the normal operation of autofocus.

Alternative ways to protect the camera: so that you do not have to change the glass

Replacing the camera glass is always a waste of time and money, and it’s much easier to protect the vulnerability in the Redmi 9A beforehand.

• 🛡️ Impact-resistant case with camera protection: choose models with raised edges (for example, Spigen Tough Armor or Ringke Fusion-X.
• 📱 Protective film on camera: thin (0.1 mm) tempered film costs 200-400₽ It's a bit scratch-proof. Minus can make macrophotos worse.
• 🔄 Sandwich method: glue transparent tape on the glass of the chamber (for example, 3M Scotch, 2-3 layers. It's temporary, but it'll save you with light strokes.
• 🧲 Magnetic Holder: If you often put your phone on metal surfaces (like in a car), use a magnetic pocket or stand to keep the camera from rubbing against the surface.

If you drop your phone often, consider a gadget insurance option, for example, in Sberbank Insurance or Alpha Insurance you can insure Redmi. 9A Mechanical damage for 500–1000₽ It's cheaper than paying for every repair.

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Even the strongest glass will not save the camera when falling from a height of more than 1 meter to a hard surface, the main rule of protection is not to put the phone down with the camera and use a case with sideways.

FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing camera glass with Redmi 9A