Xiaomi Redmi 9T Review - Android Smartphone with Pretty High Specifications

If we talk about the Xiaomi brand in the Redmi class that is under the Redmi Note, of course, it will be immediately directed at an affordable price. Especially at this time, Xiaomi has issued Redmi 9T which has affordable prices. Xiaomi has also completed this device with a fairly high specification in its class. What is this one device?

The Xiaomi Redmi 9T smartphone, which is reviewed this time has a carbon gray color. Seeing from the camera layout as a whole, the shape is very similar to his brother who will break away from Xiaomi, namely Poco M3. Redmi 9T Like Poco M3 which was changed back case with a plus an ultrawide camera.

Redmi 9t is also one of the first entry-level devices brought by Xiaomi to have a camera with a resolution of 48 MP. It seems, the 48 MP camera module already has an affordable price because of high resolution like 64 MP and 108 MP has begun to be used widely on mainstream devices. After Redmi 9t and Poco M3, it seems like many entry-level devices will use the camera with these high-resolution cameras.

The specifications owned by Redmi 9t are also super similar to Poco M3. Redmi 9T uses Snapdragon 662 which is still used by devices that cost more than $ 193.65. Xiaomi itself dares to sell it at the lowest price of $ 128.21.

Redmi 9t also filled the entry-level class with a very large battery. This of course makes the device with this full HD + screen will last up to two days. This is also one of the selling values of a device called "big battery winner".

Sales package

This is what can be obtained in the sales package from Xiaomi Redmi 9T. Xiaomi itself included a charger with 22.5 watts for devices that only support this 18 Watts. This is because the price of a 22.5 watts charger can be obtained more affordable and can be used to charge other devices.

Design

The rear design of the Xiaomi Redmi 9t is indeed quite different from his brothers. On the case made of plastic, there are quite large red writing logos. This is similar to Poco X2 Pro which has a big logo in the middle. But on Redmi, the article is on the lower left side.

The Xiaomi Redmi 9T screen has a resolution of 2340 × 1080 which is the same as her brother, Redmi 9. The screen with this type of IPS has been protected with Gorilla Glass 3. These hard resolutions and glass of course making this smartphone entry-level feel like the mainstream class. The screen also still gets additional protection in the form of a scratch-resistant layer.

On this screen anyway, Xiaomi still uses a waterdrop design which is a small-sized notch. This means that a hole will be found at the top left of the screen which is a camera for selfies. A design like this also does not waste the screen, because around the camera hole the screen still provides a look and can be touched.

The design of the camera placement on Xiaomi Redmi 9t is also made quite beautiful. There are four cameras on the back with a flash designed in a box with two different colors. The camera with a 48 MP resolution itself is in the middle. While the macro camera is placed alone and looks pretty tiny.

At the top of the infrared sensor, 3.5mm audio port, microphone, and additional speakers to present stereo sounds. The volume goes up and down and the power button is placed on the right side. And at the bottom, there is a USB-C slot, speaker, and main microphone. Slot Nano-SIM and microSD (three slots) are located on the left.

I got this smartphone using MIUI 12.0.5 (not 12.5). The operating system itself still uses Android 10. By using MIUI 12, for those who have never felt it, the feel is quite different from MIUI 11 because it feels more responsive. There are also many features offered such as presenting the App Drawer and the notification center that is distinguished by the Quick menu.

Network

Xiaomi Redmi 9T uses the SOC intended for devices in the mainstream class. The system on the chip itself uses a modem X11 that has been included in category 13. This modem has supported the Carrier Aggregation up to 2 connections. Theoretically, the download speed of this modem can reach 390 Mbps.

This smartphone has supported bandwidth 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 and 41 for 4G networks. Of course, this network canal supports everything used by cellular operators in Indonesia. The modem itself supports a 5 GHz WiFi network with 802.11ac and of course, it will be quite fast when making data transfer wirelessly.

Camera

Xiaomi stunted again by presenting a 48 MP sensor in the entry-level class. Xiaomi again uses Isocell GM1 which will take pictures better when the tetra cell technology is used. 48 MP itself can take pictures well when the light is quite good. However, I suggest taking pictures at 12 MP because it will enlarge the dimensions of the sensor.

The image produced by the camera from Xiaomi Redmi 9t does look pretty good. However, often Dynamic Range from the camera looks a little messy when the light is quite strong. But for business noise and sharpness of images, it seems that Xiaomi Redmi 9T is still the best in the entry-level class.

But when the lighting is bad like at night, don't occasionally take pictures without the help of the flash LED. Unfortunately, the night mode on this device produces poor images. Even if it is taken with manual mode, this smartphone can produce a pretty good image at night. Hopefully, Xiaomi fixes the night mode algorithm so that this device can take pictures better.

Selfie cameras on this smartphone can also produce a decent image. Even so, the picture still produces noise that is quite visible in the dark part. The level of sharpness is also quite good even though the details are not all caught clearly. Even so, the results can still be used when taking certain moments.

The existing macro camera has only 2 MP resolution. Like most smartphones on the market, the results are slightly unsatisfactory. Even so, the results can still be used for some of the needs of shooting.

Then what about the 48 MP resolution? Is it just a gimmick? Well, you can say yes and no. Yes because indeed this resolution cannot be used at any time and the results are also not as good as when using 12 MP. Not because there are times when we can take the image details better than when using 12 MP.

Performance

Using CIP Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 makes this device have a Qualcomm Kryo 260 Gold and Silver processor. Kryo 260 Gold is made with a base of Cortex A-73 and Kryo 260 Silver is made with a Cortex A53 base. With each cluster using 4 processor cores, it can be relied upon in various usage scenarios, including playing and working every day.

Using Xiaomi Redmi 9t to play is indeed quite pleasant. Moreover, the price of this device is made quite affordable by Xiaomi. However, the gaming performance of his brother, namely the Redmi 9 is still better because it uses a newer processor, namely Cortex A75 and A55.

In testing this device to play, I use two games that are currently busy being discussed. The two games are Genshin Impact and Pub Mobile. Because of the weight of the graphics of these two games to run by Snapdragon 662, I use the lowest setting with the highest frame rate that can be presented by the game.

At the pub mobile, I get the average frame rate is 30 fps. In this number, some players can play without having to feel dizzy. But it is different from Genshin Impact who gets an average of 27 fps in the Lowest settings. Some players may be able to receive such frame rates, but it is indeed quite a visible lag created due to limitations of specifications.

When used to work, this smartphone doesn't feel like a problem at all. Trello, Slack, Gmail, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Chrome can I run smoothly without obstacles. When typing by using a default keyboard there is also no problem at all.

I also use this device for the delivery of children's school assignments. Transfer transcoding on this one device does take a little longer, but the results obtained will not have a problem. Editing on this smartphone is also quite convenient, even though the video rendering time will take a little long time.

Battery

It was undeniable that the battery test took a long time. Especially with Redmi 9T which has a capacity of 6000 mAh. This device itself has used the FHD + screen that is slightly more wasteful compared to the HD + screen that is commonly used on smartphones in the entry-level class.

By using MP4 video with a resolution of 1080p rotated continuously, Redmi 9T can last up to 17 hours 13 minutes. But when used to play, of course, it won't last until that time. The charging of the battery itself will take approximately two and a half hours from completely up to full.

Redmi 9T specifications

Type: Smartphone
Screen size: 6.53 inch
OS version: Android 10, MIUI 12
CPU: Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm), Octa Core
CPU speed: 2 GHz
Internal memory: 64 GB, 128 GB
RAM: 4 GB, 6 GB
External memory: microSD
Battery: Lithium Polymer 6000 mAh, Non-Removable
Screen resolution: IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ), 2340 x 1080 Pixel
Network: 2G, 3G, 4G
Camera: Back 48 MP + 8,2,2 MP + 8,2,2 MP + 8,2,2 MP, Front 8 MP
Dimensions size: 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm
Weight: 198 g
Other features: Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Proximity, Compass
Price: $ 152.50 (Price depends on the place of purchase)

Conclusion

Looking for a smartphone at a cheap price of course in line with the low specifications also obtained. But this might be different from the smartphone offered by Xiaomi in 2021. This is evidenced by Redmi 9T who entered the entry-level class.

By using Qualcomm Snapdragon 662, Xiaomi Redmi 9T has qualified performance to run games and applications for work. Having a 6000 mAh battery means ensuring that this smartphone can be used for anything without having to find a socket for one full day. In addition, the screen that has used Gorilla Glass 3 also guarantees that this device will be far from the problem of cracking due to a hit.

By using a 48 MP resolution, the camera on this device has technology that can take pictures quite well. However, this certainly applies when the light conditions are good. The results can still be relied upon to take any moments.

The price offered by Xiaomi to buy Redmi 9T with the specifications I get (6/128 GB) is $ 152.50. Xiaomi also has a 4/64 GB version that has a cheaper price, which is $ 128.21. This of course makes those who want to have a smartphone entry-level do not have to use low specifications.