Xiaomi has officially announced the Mi 9, the company’s latest flagship that runs on the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 mobile platform, comes with a new AI triple camera containing the latest 48-megapixel Sony IMX586 sensor, and is the world’s first smartphone to feature 20W wireless charging. They also announced a Mi 9 Transparent Edition that comes with 12GB of RAM and features a 7P lens for its camera with a maximum aperture of f/1.47. In addition, Mi 9 SE was also announced. It also comes with the flagship-level IMX586 camera sensor, and is targeted at those who like a smaller form factor.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 mobile platform
Powered by the newest generation Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, based on the 7nm manufacturing process, Mi 9 can achieve an Antutu benchmark score of over 380,000. The all-new Kryo 485 CPU has a maximum clock speed of 2.84GHz, with improved single-core performance of up to 45% over its predecessor, while the new Adreno 640 GPU gives up to a 20% boost. In addition, the fourth-generation AI Engine provides up to three times faster AI performance. Mi 9 is also equipped with LPDDR4x 2133MHz RAM.
6.39” AMOLED display and all-curved holographic design
Mi 9 has an all-curved back cover design, allowing it to fit comfortably in the hand. The Mi 9 features a stylish holographic rainbow spectrum, so it looks different every time it is picked up.
On the front, Mi 9 sports a 6.39-inch 19.5:9 Samsung AMOLED Dot Drop display. Under this display is a new and improved in-screen fingerprint sensor that unlocks the phone up to 25% faster than the previous generation, and works well even in low-light conditions. Holding the fingerprint sensor after unlocking will also bring up a new quick interface that lets the user quickly access common features like QR code scanning and performing an internet search.
Thanks to an improved COF process, Mi 9 has an incredibly narrow “chin” that’s just 3.6mm. The ambient light sensor and a third-generation ultrasonic proximity sensor sit below the screen, reducing the space needed around the three other sides, giving Mi 9 an incredibly thin bezel.
AI triple camera, third-place world ranking on DxOMark
Mi 9 is Xiaomi’s first flagship with an AI triple camera, with the main camera utilizing the latest 48-megapixel Sony IMX586 1/2″ sensor. Users can choose to shoot high-resolution 48-megapixel images, or in low-light conditions, take even clearer and brighter photos as Mi 9 will combine four pixels to one, resulting in very sensitive 1.6μm large pixels. A hybrid phase detection and laser autofocus system allows Mi 9’s camera to focus quickly and accurately, so you don’t miss your precious moments.
Mi 9’s 16-megapixel ultra wide-angle camera lets users take better shots of wide landscapes, buildings and group photos. It even corrects distortion usually seen on ultra wide-angle lenses so all your friends and family will be happy no matter where they stand in a group photo. This 16-megapixel camera can also take shots of objects as close as 4cm, allowing for extremely detailed macro photos.
The AI triple camera combination of the 48-megapixel main camera, 16-megapixel ultra wide-angle camera, and a 12-megapixel telephoto camera gave Mi 9 a score of 107 by the authoritative DxOMark website, giving it a third-place world ranking of all tested smartphones. In addition, a video score of 99 puts it at number one on DxOMark for video capture.
In addition to the improved night mode and 960fps video capture first seen in earlier Xiaomi flagships, Mi 9 now comes with new photo modes. Even with Mi 9 held in the hand, Supermoon mode allows users to capture clearer images of the moon even without a bulky tripod. An advanced motion tracking video mode lets you smoothly follow a moving object, such as someone skiing down a slope, producing a final video that feels like the camera was mounted on a gimbal.
World’s first 20W wireless charging
Inside the Mi 9 is a large 3300mAh battery, featuring a fast charging solution for both wired and wireless charging. This solution has received certification from renowned German institution TUV Rheinland for safe quick charging.
The 27W wired charging supports Qualcomm’s QC4+ standard, and enables Mi 9 to safely charge to 70% in just 30 minutes, and fully charge in 60 mins.
To achieve its wireless charging speeds, Mi 9 contains significant innovations in wireless charging architecture. A new wireless charging coil enhances the wireless charging efficiency and stability of the Mi 9, so it can hit the highest 20W wireless charging at its peak. Mi 9 is also the first smartphone certified by Qi EPP in China, which makes it compatible with other wireless charging pads.
Mi 9 Transparent Edition with 12GB RAM
Mi 9 Transparent Edition features a seamless all-curved glass body with a futuristic design carved using CNC micro-engraving technology. It is also one of the world’s first smartphones to adopt 12GB high-speed RAM, and has an upgraded large f/1.47 aperture and 7P camera lens.
Mi 9 SE – Compact flagship offering similar camera and in-screen fingerprint sensor
Announced together with the Mi 9 is the Mi 9 SE – a compact version of the Mi 9 featuring Qualcomm’s brand new Snapdragon 712 processor, an upgrade to the Snapdragon 710 chipset. Even with a 5.99“ large Dot Drop display, the size of the device is comparable to a classic phone with a 5.1” screen. Similar to Mi 9, Mi 9 SE offers LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 2.1 storage, Samsung AMOLED screen, holographic rainbow spectrum surface on the back cover, Sony IMX586 sensor as well as the latest in-screen fingerprint sensor module, making it a flagship within the compact phone category.
Xiaomi will host a global launch event #WeMakeItHappen in Barcelona, Spain on 24 February 2019 (
