Xiaomi's Mi series has consistently delivered impressive value. But with multiple models, choosing the right one can be tricky. We're pitting the flagship Mi 9 Pro against the more budget-friendly Mi 9 Lite to see which phone offers the best experience for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Mi 9 Pro is the clear winner for performance and charging speed thanks to its Snapdragon 855+ chipset and 40W charging. However, the Mi 9 Lite offers exceptional battery life and a more affordable price point, making it a compelling option for budget-conscious users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 41 - China | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, September | 2019, September 16. Released 2019, September 16 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame (7000 series) | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 157.2 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm (6.19 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) | 156.8 x 74.5 x 8.7 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 179 g (6.31 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, HDR10 | Super AMOLED, HDR, 430 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) | Qualcomm SDM710 Snapdragon 710 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) | Adreno 616 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 11 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.2, 54mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom
16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm, PDAF | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired, QC4
30W wireless
10W reverse wireless | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4030 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dream White, Titanium Black | Pearl White, Aurora Blue, Onyx Grey |
| Models | - | M1904F3BG |
| Price | About 500 EUR | About 320 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.15 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.42 W/kg (head) 1.40 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -90.3dB / Crosstalk -93.1dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 106h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.2 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 175478 (v7), 215277 (v8)
GeekBench: 5989 (v4.4), 1518 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro
- Blazing-fast Snapdragon 855+ performance
- 40W fast charging (wired & wireless)
- Likely superior AMOLED display
- Improved camera capabilities
- Higher price point
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to the Lite
- No specific camera specs provided
Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite
- Exceptional battery life (106h endurance rating)
- More affordable price
- Decent display with high contrast
- Good for everyday tasks
- Slower Snapdragon 710 processor
- 18W wired charging (slower)
- Likely LCD display
- Less powerful camera
Display Comparison
The Mi 9 Pro likely boasts a superior AMOLED display with vibrant colors and deeper blacks, potentially with a higher refresh rate (though not explicitly stated). The Mi 9 Lite's 597 nits brightness is respectable, and the 'infinite' contrast ratio suggests good image quality, but it's likely an LCD panel. Expect better viewing angles and overall visual fidelity on the Pro.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Mi 9 Pro's higher-end chipset likely allows for better image processing and potentially more advanced camera features. Expect improved low-light performance and more detail in photos from the Pro. The Mi 9 Lite's camera is still capable, but it won't match the Pro's quality.
Performance
Here's where the Mi 9 Pro truly shines. The Snapdragon 855+ is a significant upgrade over the Mi 9 Lite's Snapdragon 710. Expect dramatically faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and significantly better gaming performance on the Pro. The Lite is adequate for everyday tasks but will struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
The Mi 9 Lite's endurance rating of 106h is incredibly impressive, suggesting exceptional battery life. The Mi 9 Pro, while having a decent battery, will likely drain faster due to its more powerful processor and brighter display. However, the Mi 9 Pro's 40W charging will more than compensate for this with incredibly fast charging times.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro is ideal for power users, gamers, and anyone who prioritizes speed and fast charging. The Mi 9 Lite is a great choice for those seeking long battery life, a decent camera, and a more accessible price tag without sacrificing too much.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mi 9 Pro worth the extra money?
If you prioritize performance, fast charging, and a potentially better display, then yes. The Mi 9 Pro offers a flagship experience. However, if you're on a budget and value battery life above all else, the Mi 9 Lite is a strong contender.
❓ What resolution do these phones have?
The Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro has a 1080 x 2340 resolution. The Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite also has a 1080 x 2280 resolution.
