Video accelerator in Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: Adreno 509 features, tests and comparison with analogues

Smartphone graphics performance is one of the key factors influencing the user experience, whether it’s gaming, video processing or working with a user. AR-Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, released in January 2019, has become one of the most popular budget devices due to its balanced performance. But what video accelerator is responsible for processing graphics in this model? This is the Adreno 509, an integrated graphics core from Qualcomm that works in tandem with the Snapdragon 660 processor.

Many users still confuse the video accelerator with a CPU or even a separate graphics card, like in a PC. In fact, in mobile devices, the graphics core is built into the chipset and cannot be replaced or upgraded. In the case of the Redmi Note 7, this means that the Adreno 509 is the only option, and its capabilities are determined not only by hardware, but also by the optimization of the firmware. Next, we will analyze what this video accelerator is capable of, how to test it and compare it with competitors.

It is worth noting that the Redmi Note 7 was released in several versions, including versions for different markets (for example, the Redmi Note 7 Pro with the Snapdragon 675 and Adreno 612). However, the base model in question uses the Adreno 509, which is important to consider when searching for information or comparing with other devices.

Adreno 509: What’s Hiding Under the Hood

The Adreno 509 is a graphics core developed by Qualcomm for mid-range chipsets like the Snapdragon 660, built on the Adreno 500 architecture that debuted in 2016, but still holds true for budget and mid-range smartphones.

• 🔹 Architecture: Adreno 500 (14 nm process technology)
• 🔹 Frequency: up to 650 MHz (may vary depending on firmware)
• 🔹 Support API: OpenGL ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.0, OpenCL 2.0
• 🔹 Maximum resolution of the display: 2560×1600 (QHD+)
• 🔹 Support HDR: Yes (HDR10)
• 🔹 Cash: 128 KB L2 (particulate CPU)

One of the key features of the Adreno 509 is the support for the Vulkan API, which allows game and application developers to use GPU resources more efficiently. For example, in games running Unity or Unreal Engine 4, this can give performance gains of up to 20-30% compared to OpenGL. However, not all applications are optimized for Vulkan, so the real effect depends on the specific software.

Important: In some firmware (e.g., custom builds based on AOSP), the GPU frequency can be lowered to 500-550 MHz for energy savings, which affects performance. You can check the current frequency using specialized utilities, which will be discussed later.

How to check the video accelerator on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7

If you are in doubt about which GPU is installed in your Redmi Note 7, or want to know its current parameters (frequency, boot, temperature), use one of the proven methods.

• 📱 Through the About Phone menu: Open Settings → The phone. → General information. Find the line "CPU model" and it will indicate the Snapdragon 660.

With the help of applications:

• CPU-Z (Section "SoC" → "GPU Renderer")
• AIDA64 (Installation "Device" → "GPU")
• DevCheck (section "Hardware" → "GPU")

Performance test:

3DMark

GFXBench

For more detailed diagnosis, you can use ADB-For example, to find out the current frequency. GPU, Connect your smartphone to your PC and do it:

adb shell cat /sys/class/kgsl/kgsl-3d0/gpuclk

This command will output the current frequency in kilohertz (e.g., 650,000 means 650 MHz).

Close all background applications|Connect the charger (tests drain the battery)|Disconnect the energy-saving mode|Make sure your smartphone doesn’t overheat.-->

Adreno 509 Performance: Tests and Real Opportunities

On paper, the Adreno 509 looks good for the budget segment, but how does it perform in real-world tasks?

The table shows that the Adreno 509 is inferior to the newer Adreno 512 (which is used in the Snapdragon 665) by about 10-20%, but at the same time comparable to the Mali-G72 MP3 from MediaTek. This means that for most modern games at medium performance settings, there is enough, but you will have to put up with FPS drawdowns in heavy scenes.

The limitations are particularly noticeable in open-world games such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Mobile. Here, Redmi Note 7 can only deliver stable 30 FPS on minimal graphics settings, while less demanding projects such as Clash Royale or Brawl Stars do not have problems even on maximum settings.

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If you see lags in games, try turning on Performance mode in your battery settings (Settings → Battery → Performance Mode) and this will turn off background optimization and give the GPU more resources.

Comparison with competitors: who is stronger?

To objectively evaluate the Adreno 509, compare it to the graphics cores of other chipsets that were used in smartphones 2018-2019:

• 🆚 Adreno 506 (Snapdragon 636): Nana 20-25% It is weaker than that found in Redmi Note. 6 Pro.
• 🆚 Adreno 512 (Snapdragon 665): Nana 15-20% More efficient but more energy efficient.
• 🆚 Mali-G72 MP3 (Helio P70): On a level but less optimized for Vulkan.
• 🆚 Adreno 610 (Snapdragon 675): V 1.5-2 More powerful, used in the Redmi Note 7 Pro.

Interestingly, in some tests, the Adreno 509 beats the Mali-G72 MP3 due to better driver optimization from Qualcomm. However, in real games, the difference is often offset by poor optimization of the games themselves for specific GPUs.

If you choose between the Redmi Note 7 and devices on the Helio P70 (like the Realme 3), the difference is minimal in terms of graphics, but the transition to the Snapdragon 675 (like the Note 7 Pro) will give a noticeable increase in performance.

Frequent graphics problems on the Redmi Note 7 and their solutions

Despite the reliability of the Snapdragon 660, some users are experiencing problems with the Adreno 509, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

• 🔥 Overheating and trottling: With prolonged loads (for example, in games) GPU It can overheat, which leads to a decrease in frequency and a fall FPS. ⚠️ Note: If the processor temperature exceeds 70°C, this can cause the device to automatically shut down. Use cooling stands or lower graphics settings in games.
• 🖥️ Screen artifacts: Rarely, but there are complaints of flickering, stripes or image distortions, usually due to firmware damage or display malfunction.Solution: Try resetting to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and reset. If the problem persists, contact the service.
• 🎮 Low. FPS in games: Even at minimal settings, some games may slow down.Solution: Turn off background app activity in Settings → Annexes → Autostart and turn on the performance mode.

If graphics problems have occurred after a firmware update, try rolling back to a previous version of MIUI or installing custom firmware (like Pixel Experience), where GPU drivers are often better optimized.

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Most graphics problems on the Redmi Note 7 are not hardware-related, but software optimization. Updating drivers or changing firmware can significantly improve performance.

Can I improve the performance of the Adreno 509?

Unfortunately, the hardware capabilities of the Adreno 509 cannot be changed, it is an integrated solution, but there are several ways to make the most of the existing GPU:

• 🔧 Overclocking: It is theoretically possible to increase the frequency GPU s 650 MHz 700-750 MHz using custom cores (such as FrancoKernel), but this requires unlocking the bootloader and risks overheating.
• 📱 Firmware optimization: firmware based on Android 10/11 (For example, LineageOS is often better optimized for graphics than stock MIUI.
• 🎯 Developer Settings: Turn on the option Do not turn off the screen while charging and turn off animations (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (5 times) → For developers).
• 🔄 Clearing the cache GPU: Sometimes helps reset the cache of the GPU through Recovery (wipe cache partition item).