Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro was released in 2020, but still remains one of the most talked about budget devices on the market. The secret of its popularity is its balanced characteristics: a powerful processor, a capacious battery and a camera with a 64-megapixel sensor. But is it really that good in practice? We analyzed hundreds of owner reviews to identify real advantages and hidden flaws, which are silent in advertising.

In this article you will find not only dry technical data, but also personal user experience - from a student who uses his phone to study, to a gamer testing his phone for performance in PUBG Mobile And Genshin Impact. We will also compare Redmi Note 9 Pro with competitors like Samsung Galaxy M31 And Realme 6 Proto help you make informed choices.

Technical specifications: what's under the hood?

With my heart Redmi Note 9 Pro is the processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G — one of the best in its class at the time of release. It is built using an 8nm process technology and is equipped with a graphics accelerator Adreno 618, which ensures smooth operation even in resource-intensive games. Here are the key parameters:

  • 📱 Screen: 6.67" IPS LCD resolution 2400×1080 (Full HD+), refresh rate 60 Hz
  • 🤖 Operating system: MIUI 11 based on Android 10 (upgradable to MIUI 14)
  • 🔋 Battery: 5020 mAh with support for 30 W fast charging
  • 📸 Main camera: 64 MP (wide-angle) + 8 MP (ultra-wide) + 5 MP (macro) + 2 MP (depth sensor)
  • 💾 Memory: 64/128 GB built-in + slot for microSD up to 512 GB

The specs look impressive on paper, but how do they perform in real-life use? For example, 60Hz display today it is considered outdated compared to the 90- and 120-Hz screens of competitors. A Snapdragon 720G processor, despite its power, it heats up under prolonged loads - many gamers write about this.

📊 Which parameter is most important to you in a smartphone?
  • Performance
  • Camera
  • Battery life
  • Display
  • Design

Camera reviews: 64 MP - marketing or real quality?

Main trump card Redmi Note 9 Pro — four-module camera with 64-megapixel sensor. In practice, users note that The actual default photo resolution is 16 MP (pixels are combined to improve light sensitivity). To take a photo in full 64 megapixels, you need to manually switch the mode in the settings.

Here's what the owners say about the shoot:

  • 🌄 Daylight: The photos are detailed, but sometimes overexposed (especially the sky). HDR doesn't work perfectly.
  • 🌃 Night shooting: In mode Night Mode 2.0 The camera performs better than average, but is inferior to flagships Google Pixel or Huawei P40.
  • 🎥 Video: Maximum resolution - 4K@30fps, but without stabilization. There is noticeable jerking when moving.
  • 🔍 Macro and ultra wide: The 5-megapixel macro module takes pictures with low detail, and the 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens distorts the edges of the frame.
Parameter User rating (out of 5) Comments
Daytime photos 4.2 "Colors are natural, but sometimes autofocus sags"
Night photos 3.7 "Noise is visible even with Night Mode, but for a budget it's normal"
Portrait mode 4.0 "Background blur is realistic, but sometimes cuts off hair"
Video 4K 3.5 “It’s unpleasant to watch without stabilization, it’s better to shoot in Full HD”

🔹 Conclusion: Camera Redmi Note 9 Pro good for its price segment, but don't expect miracles. If photography is a priority for you, consider Google Pixel 4a or Samsung Galaxy A52.

How to enable shooting in 64 MP?

1. Open the application Camera.

2. Tap the ⚙️ (settings) icon.

3. Select Photo resolution.

4. Activate the option 64 MP.

⚠️ In this mode, photos take up ~30 MB each!

Productivity and games: are modern projects up to par?

Snapdragon 720G is positioned as a “gaming” processor, but how relevant is it in 2026? According to reviews, the phone handles confidently:

  • 🎮 PUBG Mobile on settings HDR + Ultra (average FPS: 38-42)
  • 🏹 Genshin Impact on Medium settings (slows down in battles with a lot of effects)
  • 🏎️ Asphalt 9 on Maximum (gets warm after 30 minutes of play)

🔥 Overheating problem - one of the most common complaints. During a long gaming session, the case temperature can reach 45-47°C, which leads to throttling (automatic performance reduction). Some users solve the problem with:

Use a case with a heat sink

Disable background apps

Reduce screen brightness to 50%

Activate performance mode in Settings → Accessibility → Game Mode-->

⚠️ Attention: If you plan to play at maximum settings for more than an hour, be prepared for FPS drop by 15-20% due to overheating. For comparison: Realme 6 Pro with the same processor it heats up less thanks to a better cooling system.

Battery and charging: is it really enough for 2 days?

Battery capacity in 5020 mAh - one of the main advantages of the model. According to reviews, when moderate use (social networks, instant messengers, 2-3 hours of video per day) the phone holds 1.5-2 days. However, there are nuances:

  • 🔌 Fast charging 30W: Charging from 0 to 100% takes ~65 minutes, but the original power supply is often not included (depending on the region).
  • 📉 Battery degradation: After 1.5-2 years, the capacity drops by 15-20% - typical for Li-Po batteries.
  • 🔄 MIUI optimization: The system aggressively closes background processes, which saves battery but interferes with notifications (for example, in Telegram or WhatsApp).

📊 Autonomy test (real user data):

Usage scenario Operating time (hours)
Continuous video viewing (YouTube, 50% brightness) 14-16
Games (PUBG Mobile, maximum settings) 5-6
Standby mode (Wi-Fi, notifications) up to 48

⚠️ Attention: If you are using mobile internet 4G/5G, battery life is reduced by 20-30%. Many also complain about self-discharge (up to 5% per night) after updating to MIUI 13+.

💡

To prolong battery life, avoid charging to 100% and discharging below 20%. The optimal range is 30-80%.

MIUI: pros and cons of firmware

Branded shell MIUI - a subject of controversy among users. On the one hand, it offers a lot of useful functions:

  • 🔒 Dual Applications: Ability to clone instant messengers (for example, two WhatsApp on one phone).
  • 🎨 Themes and customization: Thousands of free themes in Mi Theme Store.
  • 🛡️ Privacy Protection: Built-in application permission manager.

On the other hand, disadvantages of MIUI often outweigh:

  • 🗑️ Advertising in system applications (even in the settings!). Turns off only after Settings → Storage → Cleaning (turn off "Recommendations").
  • 🔄 Frequent updates, which are not always stable (for example, MIUI 13 broke the work of gestures for many users).
  • 📱 Lack of "pure" Android - some applications (for example, Google Pay) may not work correctly.

🔹 Conclusion: MIUI is suitable for those who love customization and additional features. If you want bare Android, consider Motorola Moto G Power or Nokia 5.4.

💡

After updating to MIUI 14, many users note an improvement in the smoothness of the interface, but the number of bugs with notifications has increased.

Design and ergonomics: is it comfortable to hold in your hand?

Redmi Note 9 Pro weighs 209 g - it's heavier than iPhone 12 (164 g) or Samsung Galaxy A52 (189 g). The body is made of plastic with matte finish, which does not slip in the hand, but collects fingerprints. Phone Dimensions - 165.8 × 76.7 × 8.8 mm, making it bulky for small hands.

Users note:

  • ✅ Pros:
    • 🔘 Power button with built-in fingerprint scanner - fast and accurate.
    • 🔊 Stereo speakers (top + bottom) - the sound is loud, but without bass.
    • 🌈 6 color options for the case (the most popular are Interstellar Black And Aurora Blue).
  • ❌ Cons:
    • 📦 No protection against water and dust (no IP certificate).
    • 🔌 The 3.5 mm headphone jack is located inconveniently - it makes it difficult to hold the phone in your hand.
    • 📶 4G antennas are located so that the signal disappears if you hold the phone “wrong”.

⚠️ Attention: If you plan to use the phone without a case, be careful - the back panel gets scratched even from the keys in your pocket. Many owners recommend purchasing a glass screen protector and a bumper case.

Is it worth buying Redmi Note 9 Pro in 2026?

At the time of release (2020) Redmi Note 9 Pro was one of the best budget smartphones, but today it has more modern competitors. Here are the arguments for And against purchases:

Pros Cons
💰 Low price (in 2026 you can find it for 12-15 thousand rubles) ⏳ Outdated 60Hz display
🔋 Excellent autonomy (5020 mAh) 🔥 Overheating under prolonged loads
📸 Good camera for its class 📱 MIUI with ads and bugs
🎮 Snapdragon 720G still handles modern games 📦 No official support for Android 13+

🔹 Who is it suitable for?

  • 📚 For students and schoolchildren - for studying, social networks and light games.
  • 📸 For photography lovers, which are not chasing flagship quality.
  • 💼 Business users - thanks to long battery life.

🔹 Who is it not suitable for?

  • 🎮 For avid gamers - due to overheating and 60 Hz screen.
  • 📱 For fans of "pure" Android.
  • 💎 For those who want premium design (plastic body, thick frames).

💡 Alternatives in 2026:

  • Redmi Note 12 Pro+ - better screen (120 Hz), 200 MP camera, but more expensive.
  • Samsung Galaxy M53 — AMOLED screen, 108 MP camera, but a weaker processor.
  • Realme 10 Pro - fast charging 67 W, but lower battery capacity.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

❓ Does it support Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G?

No, the model is equipped only with the module 4G LTE. For 5G you need to look at Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G (separate model) or newer smartphones in the series Note 11/12.

❓ Is it possible to install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS)?

Yes, but with reservations:

  • 🔓 You need to unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (the process takes up to 72 hours).
  • 📱 Not all functions will work (for example, support for the camera or fingerprint scanner may disappear).
  • ⚠️ The risk of the phone being “bricked” if the firmware is installed incorrectly.

❓ How much does it cost to replace a screen?

The cost of the original display in service centers is: 8-12 thousand rubles. Non-original modules can be found cheaper (4-6 thousand), but they often have worse color rendering quality. We advise you to contact only Xiaomi authorized servicesto avoid problems with the sensor.

❓ How to disable ads in MIUI?

Instructions:

  1. Go to Settings → Storage → Cleaning.
  2. Disable the option Recommendations.
  3. For applications (Camera, Music etc.) go to their settings and deactivate Personalized ads.
  4. Install ADB commands for deep shutdown (PC required).

❓ Is it possible to play Genshin Impact on maximum settings?

Technically yes, but with caveats:

  • 🎮 When settings 60 FPS + Medium quality FPS stays at 25-30.
  • 🔥 After 20-30 minutes of play, the case heats up to 45°C, throttling begins.
  • 💡 Recommended settings: 30 FPS + Low/Medium for stable operation.