The Xiaomi Mi 9, launched in 2019, is still a hot choice for price-performance users, and its core core is a processor that determines its speed, energy efficiency and gaming or multitasking capabilities. But what chip is it? And why was it considered the flagship of its day?
Many people still confuse the Mi 9 with later versions. 9T Mi 9 SE), In this article, we will examine the characteristics of the Snapdragon 855, its architecture, compare it with competitors, and answer the question: should you buy the Mi 9 in 2026 in terms of hardware? You will also learn how to test the processor on your device and optimize its performance.
If you are planning to buy a used Xiaomi Mi 9 or just interested in the history of mobile chips, this article is for you. We will not limit ourselves to dry numbers: we will analyze real use cases, typical problems and even myths around this processor.
What processor is in Xiaomi Mi 9: official data
Xiaomi Mi 9 is equipped with 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor (codename) SM8150), It was the first flagship chip Qualcomm, which supports networks. 5G (via external modem X50, But it wasn't used in the Mi 9. Let's look at some of the key features:
- 🔹 Architecture: 1 core of Kryo 485 Gold (Cortex-A76) at 2.84 GHz + 3 Kryo cores 485 Gold at 2.42GHz + 4 Kryo 485 Silver cores (Cortex-A55) 1.8 GHz.
- 🎮 Graphics: Adreno 640 with Vulkan 1.1 support, OpenGL ES 3.2. and hardware acceleration HDR.
- 🤖 AI Acceleration: A separate Hexagon 690 unit with up to 7 trillion operations per second (for 2019, it was a record).
- 📡 Modem: Snapdragon X24 LTE (up to 2 Gbps per download, without 5G in the basic version of the Mi 9).
Interestingly, the Snapdragon 855 was Qualcomm’s first chip to use a dynamic core architecture — meaning the Gold and Silver cores could work simultaneously, optimizing load — allowing the smartphone to deliver high performance in both gaming and everyday tasks without overheating.
By comparison, Huawei’s rival Kirin 980 (also 7nm) had a similar architecture, but lost about 10 to 15 percent in the AnTuTu and Geekbench tests, while Samsung’s Exynos 9820 overtook the Snapdragon 855 in some scenarios due to its more aggressive clock speed.
Snapdragon 855: Why it was revolutionary
The Snapdragon 855 chip was the first in Qualcomm’s lineup to switch to a 7nm process (versus the 10nm in the Snapdragon 845).
- ⚡ Energy efficiency: energy consumption has decreased ~20%, which extended battery life.
- 🔥 Performance: increase in single-core tests was up to 45% compared to SD 845.
- 🎥 Camera support: hardware acceleration for video shooting 4K HDR and photo processing with a resolution of up to 192 MP.
The Adreno 640 GPU deserves special attention. It supported:
- 🎮 Elite Gaming Technology (Improved Anti-Amulation, Reduced Delays in Games).
⚠️ Attention: Some Xiaomi Mi 9 firmware (especially custom ones) may have Adreno hardware acceleration disabled to save charge.This leads to lags in games. → Battery → Performance mode.
More about the 7 nm process technology
Comparison with other processors: who is stronger?
In 2019, the Snapdragon 855 competed with several top-end chips. Let’s see how it looks compared to them in key benchmarks (data at release):
| Processor | AnTuTu (v7) | Geekbench 5 (Single-Core) | Geekbench 5 (Multi-Core) | Energy efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon 855 | ~360 000 | ~750 | ~2 600 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Kirin 980 | ~330 000 | ~690 | ~2 500 | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ |
| Exynos 9820 | ~350 000 | ~770 | ~2 550 | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ |
| Apple A12 Bionic | ~390 000 | ~1 100 | ~2 800 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
As you can see from the table, Snapdragon 855 confidently led among Android chips, but inferior to Apple A12 Bionic (which, by the way, was released six months earlier) SD 855:
- 🏆 Best Optimization for Games (Thanks to Adreno 640 and Vulkan Support).
- 📶 Faster modem (X24 LTE against X20 Kirin 980).
- 🤖 A wide range of smartphones (from Xiaomi to OnePlus and Samsung).
But he also had weaknesses:
- 🔋 Higher power consumption in games compared to the Kirin 980 (due to aggressive overclocking of Gold cores).
- 🌡️ Proneness to overheating during prolonged load (especially in Xiaomi Mi 9 due to the compact body).
💡
Snapdragon 855 will remain relevant for most tasks in 2026, but in heavy games such as Genshin Impact, it may require a lower graphics setting.
How to check the processor on your Xiaomi Mi 9
If you bought Xiaomi Mi 9 used or doubt the originality of the hardware, check the processor yourself.
Method 1: Through system settings
- Open the Settings. → The phone.
- Find the line Processor Model or Processor.
- The following should be indicated: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 or SM8150.
Method 2: Appendix CPU-Z
- 📱 Install. CPU-Z Google Play.
- 🔍 Open the SoC tab (System on Chip).
- 📋 Check the fields: Model - must be Snapdragon 855. Cores — 8 nuclei (1×2.84 GHz + 3×2.42 GHz + 4×1.8 GHz). GPU — Adreno 640.
Method 3: Command Prompt (for Advanced)
adb shell cat /proc/cpuinfoIn the output, look for lines with a model name – there should be a mention of Kryo 485.
☑️ Verification of the originality of the processor
⚠️ Attention: If in CPU-Z displays another processor (e.g. Snapdragon 730), most likely you sold Xiaomi Mi 9 SE Or a fake, in which case, check it out. IMEI via IMEI.info.
Performance in games and benchmark tests
Xiaomi Mi 9 with Snapdragon 855 still pulls most modern games, but with caveats. Here are the real results in popular titles (graphics customization - balanced, resolution) FHD+):
| Game. | Average FPS | Max. temperature, °C | Time of autonomy, mines |
|---|---|---|---|
| PUBG Mobile (HDR + Ultra) | 40–45 | 78–82 | 120–150 |
| Call of Duty: Mobile (Max) | 55–60 | 75–80 | 140–170 |
| Genshin Impact (Mediocre) | 30–35 | 85+ (trottilling) | 90–110 |
| Asphalt 9 (Max.) | 50–55 | 70–75 | 130–160 |
As you can see, the Mi 9 can handle most games, but in Genshin Impact, trottling (automatic frequency reduction due to overheating) begins at high settings.
- 🧊 Use a cooling cover or fan.
- ⚙️ Enable Performance Mode in Battery Settings.
- 🔄 Close the background apps (especially Facebook and Instagram that load the processor).
💡
If there are jerks in the game, try to turn off anti-aliasing in the graphics settings - this will reduce the load on the game. GPU 15-20%.
In benchmark tests, the Snapdragon 855 in the Mi 9 shows the following results (2026):
- AnTuTu 10: ~300,000–320,000 against ~360,000 in 2019).
- Geekbench 6: ~650 (single-core), ~2 000 (multi-core).
- 3DMark Wild Life: ~1,800–2,000 (for comparison, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a ~12 000).
The performance decline is due to battery wear and Android updates that are optimized for new chips. However, for everyday tasks (social media, video, navigation), the Mi 9 is still quite fast.
Typical Processor Problems and How to Solve Them
Despite the reliability of the Snapdragon 855, owners of Xiaomi Mi 9 sometimes face problems.
1. overheating when charging or playing
- 🔥 Reason: Thin body + gold-core.
- ❄️ Solution: Use original charging (fast charging) 27W heats the chip more than 18W). Turn off the background activity of applications in Settings → Battery → Optimize. Install Coolify or CPU Master for manual frequency limitation of cores.
2. Delays after update MIUI
- 🐢 Reason: New versions MIUI Optimized for Snapdragon 865/870 and loading old chips.
- ⚡ Solution: Retrace on MIUI 12.5 (most stable version for Mi 9) Enable Developer Mode and limit background processes (Settings) → For developers → Process limit. Set GSILagFix (requires root).
3. Fast battery discharge
- 🔋 Cause: Battery wear and tear + High power consumption Adreno 640.
- 🔌 Solution: Replace the battery (original capacity - 3300 mAh, after 2-3 years of operation remains ~60 percent Activate Economy Mode in Settings → Battery. Turn off the Always Active Display and Auto Brightness.
What to do if the Mi 9 is not turned on?
Should you buy Xiaomi Mi 9 in 2026?
The price of the used Xiaomi Mi 9 in the secondary market ranges from 8 000 to 15 000 rubles (depending on the condition).
✅ Buy if:
- 💰 Your budget is limited, but you need a 2019 flagship chip.
- 🎮 You play in PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty or Mobile Legends in Medium Settings.
- 📸 You need a camera (the main module 48 MP with Sony optics) IMX586 It is still competitive).
- 🔄 You are ready to change the battery (cost) ~1 500 rubles).
❌ Not buying if:
- 🆕 You need support. 5G (Mi 9 only 4G LTE).
- 🎥 You're filming a video in 8K frequently used AR-applications.
- 🔋 You need a smartphone with more than 1.5 days of battery life (even with the new battery, the Mi 9 keeps a maximum of a day).
- 📱 You are planning to upgrade to Android 14+ (Official support ends on Android 11).
💡
Xiaomi Mi 9 in 2026 is a great option for gamers on a budget, but not for those who want long-term support for updates or updates. 5G.
If you are considering buying the Mi 9, please note:
- 🔍 Battery status: check with AccuBattery (capacity must be at least 2,500 mAh).
- 🛠️ Warranty sticker: If it is ripped, it may have been repaired.
- 📡 Work modules communication: test Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 and NFC.