In 2022, Xiaomi completely confused everyone with the names of its smartphones. The company first announced the Redmi Note 9 Pro and Note 9 Pro Max in India without saying anything about the regular Note 9, and then introduced the global version of the Note 9 Pro, which was called Note 9s.
This is exactly what we will talk about today. This device has cool characteristics and promises to become one of the most popular smartphones of the year. However, upon closer acquaintance, you realize that not everything with him is as smooth as it seems at first glance. Read our review of Redmi Note 9S and you will know about all the advantages and disadvantages of the new product.
Characteristics of Xiaomi Redmi Note 9s
- Screen: 6.67″, IPS, FHD+ (2400×1080 px), 20:9, 395 ppi;
- Processor: Snapdragon 720G (8×1.8-2.3 GHz, 8 nm), Adreno 618 graphics;
- Permanent memory: 64/128 GB (UFS 1);
- RAM: 4/6 GB;
- Main camera: 48 MP (f/1.8, 26mm, PDAF) + 8 MP (f/2.2, 13mm, ultra-wide angle) + 2 MP (f/2.4, depth sensor) + 5 MP (f/2.4, macro), 4K video /30fps;
- Front camera: 16 MP (f/2.5);
- Battery: 5020 mAh, fast charging 18 W;
- SIM: 2 x NanoSIM (hybrid slot);
- Wireless communications: LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, GPS, IR sensor.
- Ports: USB Type-C (2.0), 3.5 mm;
- Security: fingerprint scanner, Face Unlock;
- OS: Android 10 + MIUI 11;
- Dimensions: 165.8 x 76.7 x 8.8, weight – 209 grams;
- Color: Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Gray.
Redmi Note 9S is not yet officially sold in Russia, but the device can already be bought on the gray market. The version with 4/64 GB of memory costs 18-19 thousand rubles, which is comparable to current prices on Aliexpress.
Net
There are no fundamental differences in wireless functions between Redmi 9 smartphones. Each version is equipped with a Bluetooth 5 module and supports 4G cellular networks, GPS, Glonass and Beidou satellite navigation systems. However, the Redmi 9A was left without an NFC chip, so it is clearly not for those who like to pay with their phone. And radio without headphones and dual-band Wi-Fi only work in the Redmi 9 version.
| Redmi 9 | Redmi 9C | Redmi 9A | |
| cellular | LTE, WCDMA, GSM | LTE, WCDMA, GSM | LTE, WCDMA, GSM |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4 / 5 GHz | 802.11 b/g/n | 802.11 b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | v5.0 | v5.0 | v5.0 |
| Navigation | Glonass, GPS, Beidou | Glonass, GPS, Beidou | Glonass, GPS, Beidou |
| NFC | Eat | Eat | No |
Design and ergonomics
Note 9s is one of the first Redmi, which stands out from other smartphones in its segment in terms of design. Despite the fact that Xiaomi collected ideas from around the world: the square main camera was spotted from Huawei, the side scanner from Honor, and the sub-screen front camera from Samsung, the new product looks very original and distinctive.
The Note 9s body is made of Gorilla Glass 5, the side frame is plastic, but since it was made matte, the device looks quite solid. The back cover reflects light beautifully, but is a real magnet for fingerprints, so it is better to carry the device in a case.
The Note 9s's square camera protrudes beyond the body and adds a few millimeters to its thickness, but due to the large size of the module, the phone doesn't wobble on a flat surface when you press the display, which can be considered a plus.
At the bottom of the smartphone there is a USB-C port, a headphone jack and a multimedia speaker. A full triple slot for 2 SIM and a memory card is on the left, and the volume rocker and power button are on the right edge.
The fingerprint scanner is built into the power button, which is slightly recessed into the body, making it easy to find the right place blindly. Typically, side scanners are much more convenient than under-screen counterparts, and Redmi Note 9s once again confirms this. The scanner is very fast and reliable, it works without errors.
Of the useful, but rarely seen functions, the Note 9S received an IR sensor and a notification indicator - a tiny white LED located in the earpiece grille. The smartphone does not have any IP rating, but it is claimed to have P2i splash-proof coating, so in theory it is not afraid of heavy rain.
In terms of ergonomics, the Redmi Note 9S is a large and heavy phone that weighs 209 grams. It fits comfortably in the palm of your hand due to the rounded back cover, but its impressive dimensions do not allow it to be handled normally with one hand.
Fingerprint scanner and facial recognition function
The fingerprint scanner in the side button of the smartphone is an excellent solution by Xiaomi designers and engineers. It is placed at the ideal height, which allows you to unlock the smartphone exactly at the moment when you take the device in your hand. Your finger fits precisely on the scanner and fingerprint recognition occurs even before you even look at the screen.
From the above it has already become clear that the scanner operates at the highest speed. But this is worth mentioning separately. Due to the fast animation and rapid response of the scanner, the delay when moving from the lock screen to the desktop is minimal. The whole process takes a fraction of a second.
The stability of the fingerprint scanner is at the proper level. The sensor may not recognize your finger only if it is wet or dirty. Under normal conditions, there were absolutely no problems with recognition stability.
And by the way, if you use Redmi Note 9S, be sure to use the life hack associated with the scanner . Create an additional fingerprint scan on your left hand, selecting the middle or ring finger (the one that in your case lies flat on the scanner). This will allow you to unlock your smartphone even when your right hand is occupied and you have to take the device with your left hand.
The smartphone also has a face scanning unlock function . In optimal conditions, morning or afternoon, it works great. Face detection is completed in a second, after which it immediately goes to the main screen. But in the evening and at night you won’t be able to use the function. The front camera no longer consistently recognizes faces - this is a problem with all similar functions that do not use an IR projector.
In addition, recognition does not work well if foreign objects appear on the face, be it a protective mask or sunglasses.
The verdict is clear and logical: the fingerprint scanner is the main security mechanism of a smartphone .
Display
Redmi Note 9s is equipped with a large 6.67-inch IPS display with FullHD+ resolution and a pixel density of 395 ppi, which is enough for sharp and detailed images. Let's start with the good: the contrast and color rendition of the matrix are not bad, but it has an extremely mediocre maximum brightness - only 430 nits, which makes information difficult to read under sunlight. There are also problems with viewing angles; the picture fades noticeably even with a moderate diagonal deviation.
Unlike the previous generation with a waterdrop notch, the front camera is now located in a hole in the center of the screen. Does it interfere with using the device? Well, the hole itself is quite large and it would be impossible to call it invisible even if you wanted to. The notch can be disguised by using dark wallpapers and a dark theme in MIUI 11, but many users will rightly find it annoying.
In general, the screen with a trendy front camera may suit undemanding users, but this is definitely not the strongest part of this smartphone.
Performance
All versions of Redmi Note 9 are powered by the Snapdragon 720G processor, which is a new chipset that was introduced just a few months ago. In terms of performance, it is on par with the Snapdragon 730/730G, and in some cases even beats it. We ran the Note 9S through basic synthetic tests, the results of which can be seen in the screenshots below.
Under load, the smartphone heats up, but there is practically no throttling. The performance drop on the first run is only 6%, on the second run - 12%.
The Note9s has one of the best processors for the money, so the smartphone is perfect for gaming. In Call of Duty: Mobile, you can comfortably play on high graphics settings and ultra frame rates at 40-60 fps; we set medium settings and get a stable 60fps. In PUBG the situation is similar, World Of Tank runs at maximum speed at 60 fps. If you play in a case, the back of the case can heat up to 48 degrees - this is a lot, so it’s better to get rid of the bumper during gaming sessions. Without a cover, the temperature does not rise above 43 degrees, and this is already a completely acceptable indicator.
If we talk about performance in everyday tasks, then the 6/128 GB version is doing great. Don't expect the super smooth experience of the Note 9s like devices with 90Hz and 120Hz screens, but it's stable, responsive, and handles heavy apps open and running well in the background.
There is one more thing that I would like to highlight about the Redmi Note 9S - it is an extremely pleasant vibration. Unlike most mid-range devices and even some Chinese flagships, the new Redmi uses a more expensive linear vibration motor. The smartphone produces a “thoroughbred” tactile response when interacting with the interface, which will be a pleasant surprise for people who have never used top-end devices.
Is it worth buying Redmi 9C
Redmi 9C has many advantages that are far superior to other brands' mobile phones thanks to Xiaomi, which never skimps on presenting the latest specifications to its entry-level products.
The chipset performance of this phone is truly one of the best in the budget smartphone market. Moreover, the three-camera combination can also provide pretty good photo quality for mobile phones in this class.
For those of you who want a cheap mobile phone for gaming and photography, the Xiaomi Redmi 9C is one of the best smartphones you can get in this price segment. For around $100, you also get the phone with a 5,000mAh battery.
Camera Redmi Note 9S
The smartphone is equipped with a quad camera, which consists of a 48-megapixel Samsung GW2 sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle module, a 5-megapixel macro sensor and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. It can record 4K video at 30fps and slow-mo videos at 960fps.
The main camera shoots in 12 MP resolution, since the default is 4-into-1 pixel binning. In sufficient light, it quickly focuses and takes clear photos with correct color reproduction and contrast. It is best to shoot with AI mode turned off, since automatic enhancements lead to oversaturation of colors, especially greens.
The 120-degree ultra-wide-angle camera allows you to fit a variety of subjects into the frame and controls edge distortion well. Color rendition and dynamic range are practically the same as the main module, which is good news.The Note 9S does not have a telephoto camera, but 10x digital zoom is available. From a quality point of view, using a zoom greater than 5x does not make sense. Detail at 10x is only enough for purely technical purposes, such as reading a separated character.
The macro camera is commendable, it takes clear pictures in good light and has autofocus, which is not often found even among flagship devices. Not having to guess whether the subject is the right distance from the phone definitely makes macro photography easier, so Redmi has to be commended for that.
But night photography on the current firmware of the Note 9S is lame. Firstly, automation often makes mistakes with shutter speed, which is why the pictures often come out blurry. Secondly, even with the night mode turned on, which for some reason is not supported by the width, obvious noise appears and detail suffers. The camera will probably be improved with updates, but so far the quality does not meet expectations from the GM2 sensor, which is implemented better in many smartphones.
The resolution of the front camera is 16 MP, it takes selfies with average detail and works quite clearly in portrait mode - the separation of objects from the background is almost always accurate, the bokeh effect does not look too artificial.
Note9s records 4K video without stabilization, so in most cases you will shoot at 1080p/30fps. Autofocus works correctly when shooting video, and the sound quality is good.
Speaker
The multimedia speaker of the Note 9S has remained virtually unchanged compared to the previous generation of the series. The smartphone has mono sound, but quite loud and high-quality, without distortion at maximum. For music lovers, there is a headphone jack, as well as support for aptX and Bluetooth version 5.0 codecs for wireless audio. No disconnections or connection problems were noticed when using Airpods.
Brief review of the Redmi 9 smartphone
Compared to Redmi 8, the new budget Xiaomi smartphone has made a significant step forward, receiving a matte body, a high-resolution screen and significantly more powerful hardware - the only regret is that the maximum screen brightness has decreased, but otherwise there are only improvements.
The device under review can definitely be recommended for purchase to those users who are not annoyed by the MIUI shell, poor night photography and unsuccessful unlocking in the dark, and who are not bothered by the lack of an LED event indicator.
The unique features of the review hero are an IR transmitter for controlling equipment and FM radio operation without headphones.
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Autonomy
When you buy a smartphone with a powerful 5020 mAh battery and an energy-efficient 8nm processor, you count on excellent battery life. Does the Note 9S live up to expectations? Well, it doesn’t set any records, but it produces a stable 8-9 hours of active screen, which is enough for 2 days of work on a single charge with moderately intense use. In the continuous video playback test, it lasts 22 hours, and when playing PUBG at maximum brightness, the battery lasts for 5 hours and 15 minutes.
What is less pleasing is the charging speed. Despite the fact that the package includes a 22.5 W charger, the device itself only supports 18 W and charges from 0 to 100% in just over two hours. By modern standards, this is a lot, although if you are used to leaving your phone to charge overnight, you won’t notice any inconvenience. The situation should be better in Redmi Note 9 Pro with its 33-watt charging, but it is not yet clear whether it will be released on the international market.
Performance: the new Dimensity 800U takes its place
To compare performance, we added several budget 5G chipsets from Qualcomm: Snapdragon 690, 750G and 765G. When comparing smartphones in processor benchmarks, the results for similar chipsets are approximately identical - well, with the exception of the advanced Dimensity 1000+.
A positive point worth paying attention to is that the result of the Redmi Note 9T is comparable to the Realme 7 5G (with the same processor), which means that the new product from Xiaomi reveals the maximum potential of the chipset.
Moving on to comprehensive tests, you can see that Redmi Note 9T holds a high bar. By the way, AnTuTu is the only benchmark that shows the clear superiority of Realme 7 5G. This is interesting - most likely, the reason lies in the latter’s 120 Hz display, which allowed the smartphone to get higher scores in some graphics tests.
It is worth noting that we tested the top modification of the Redmi Note 9T with 4/128 GB memory, and its storage is built on a chip with a more advanced UFS 2.2 interface.
The Mali-G57 MC3 GPU performs as it should. In most scenarios, it even manages to slightly outperform the Snapdragon 750G, as well as the Dimensity 800 (without the “U” prefix) and the Snapdragon 765G. However, this is a very expected result, but the difference between the chipsets is insignificant.
If the performance of the Redmi Note 9T had to be described in one word, it would be “decent”. Both the processor and graphics accelerator in the Dimensity 800U are powerful enough for both everyday tasks and most popular games. Moreover, the Redmi Note 9T screen refresh rate is locked at 60 Hz.
Connection
Redmi Note 9S supports all current LTE bands in Russia, including Band 3, 7 and 20, and therefore there should be no problems with communication in any corner of our country. The speaker here is of high quality, the interlocutor can be heard well. But keep in mind that the Note 9 Pro does not have gangs 7 and 20, so when ordering a smartphone from China, do not save money and take the global version.
The main disadvantage of the new product for many will be the lack of NFC. It’s difficult to justify Redmi’s decision to deprive the smartphone of a cheap module, but if we remember the previous generation, the release of Note 8 without NFC and the release of the improved 8T a few months later, we can assume that the Chinese will do the same this time. Therefore, if contactless payment is fundamentally important to you, you should probably hold off on buying the Note 9S a little.
Sound and multimedia
The RN9S mono speaker delivers the clearest sound possible in virtually any environment. Even at maximum volume there is no crackling or wheezing. At the same time, the volume reserve is such that the call can easily be heard in the middle of a noisy street during rush hour. This speaker is also suitable for watching videos.
The 3.5 mm mini-jack is designed to connect classic wired headphones to a smartphone. You can enjoy high-quality sound. The smartphone out of the box can work with a large number of audio and video formats.
| Speakers | Mono |
| 3.5 mm jack | Yes |
| FM radio | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos | No |
| Sound formats | MP3, FLAC, WAV, M4A, APE, AAC, OGG Vorbis, AMR |
| Video formats | MP4, MKV, AVI, 3GP, WEBM, ASF |
