The Xiaomi Mi 9 SE and Mi CC9e represent compelling options in the sub-$200 smartphone market. While both offer a similar aesthetic and MIUI experience, they diverge significantly in internal hardware. The Mi 9 SE, positioned as a compact flagship descendant, boasts the more powerful Snapdragon 712, while the CC9e prioritizes affordability with the Snapdragon 665. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Mi 9 SE is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 712 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift, making it better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. While both phones offer similar battery endurance, the Mi 9 SE’s brighter display and overall smoother experience justify the slight price premium.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE (2CA) 450/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, July. Released 2019, July | 2019, February 20. Released 2019, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 153.5 x 71.9 x 8.5 mm (6.04 x 2.83 x 0.33 in) | 147.5 x 70.5 x 7.5 mm (5.81 x 2.78 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 173.8 g (6.14 oz) | 155 g (5.47 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~286 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.01 inches, 88.7 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.97 inches, 87.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED, HDR |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 616 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), MIUI 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4030 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3070 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Violet, Blue, Gray |
| Models | - | M1903F2G |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 460 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.39 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -93.5dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 73h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 86dB / Noise 79dB / Ring 87dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 180057 (v7)
GeekBench: 6017 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Mi CC9e
- More powerful Snapdragon 665 chipset
- Potentially better value for money
- Similar battery life to Mi 9 SE
- Lower performance compared to Mi 9 SE
- Likely less capable camera processing
- Display brightness likely lower than Mi 9 SE
Xiaomi Mi 9 SE
- Faster Snapdragon 712 chipset for smoother performance
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Potentially superior camera image processing
- Slightly higher price point
- Similar battery life to Mi CC9e
- Compact size may not appeal to all users
Display Comparison
The Mi 9 SE features a brighter display, peaking at 637 nits, compared to an assumed lower peak brightness on the CC9e (Xiaomi doesn't publish this data). This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. Both displays likely share an infinite contrast ratio, typical of AMOLED panels, providing deep blacks and vibrant colors. However, the Mi 9 SE’s higher brightness is a tangible advantage for everyday usability. The CC9e’s display size is not specified, but given its positioning, it’s likely similar to the 9 SE’s 5.97-inch panel.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are advertised as having capable photo and video capabilities, but specifics are limited. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Mi 9 SE’s more powerful processor likely enables more sophisticated image processing algorithms, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the Mi 9 SE (based on market segment expectations) would further enhance image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The CC9e likely relies more heavily on software processing to compensate for a potentially less capable sensor.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Mi 9 SE’s Snapdragon 712 (10nm) utilizes Kryo 360 cores with a 2x2.3 GHz prime core configuration, offering a significant performance advantage over the Mi CC9e’s Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The 712’s architecture is more efficient, and its higher clock speeds translate to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. While the 665 is capable for everyday tasks, the 712 provides headroom for more demanding applications and gaming. The 10nm process of the 712 also contributes to better thermal management compared to the 11nm 665, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 73 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the differing chipsets. This indicates efficient power management on both sides. Both support 18W wired charging, meaning 0-100% charge times will be comparable, likely around 1.5-2 hours. The Snapdragon 712’s efficiency gains are offset by the demands of its higher performance, resulting in similar overall battery endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Mi CC9e if you prioritize absolute affordability and primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media. It’s a solid option for first-time smartphone users or those on a very tight budget. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 9 SE if you value performance, a brighter display, and a more responsive user experience. It’s ideal for users who enjoy mobile gaming, multitasking, or frequently use camera-intensive applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 665 in the Mi CC9e sufficient for playing PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 665 can run PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. Expect occasional stuttering during intense firefights. The Mi 9 SE’s Snapdragon 712 offers a significantly better gaming experience with higher and more stable frame rates.
❓ Does the Mi 9 SE support fast charging beyond 18W?
While the Mi 9 SE supports 18W wired charging, it does not officially support Quick Charge or Power Delivery standards beyond that. Using a higher wattage charger won't necessarily result in faster charging speeds.
❓ How does the camera performance differ between these two phones in low-light conditions?
The Mi 9 SE is expected to perform better in low-light due to its more powerful image signal processor and potential inclusion of OIS. This will result in brighter, clearer images with less noise compared to the Mi CC9e, which will rely more on software processing.
❓ Which phone is better for watching videos and streaming content?
The Mi 9 SE is the better choice for video consumption thanks to its brighter display. The increased brightness makes videos more vibrant and easier to see in various lighting conditions.
