One smartphone from the Chinese Xiaomi has only just been discussed, and the next one is already being announced. This is also the case with this Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro, which will be released next to the regular Xiaomi Mi 9T. Don't be scared away by Xiaomi's confusing offer, because this smartphone is also very worthwhile.
Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro
Price € 429,-Colors Black, Blue, Red
OS Android 9.0 (MIUI 10)
Screen 6.4 inch amoled (2340 x 1080)
Processor 2.8GHz octa-core (Snapdragon 855)
RAM 6GB
Storage 64 or 128GB
Battery 4,000mAh
Camera 48, 8, 13 megapixel (rear), 20 megapixel (front)
Connectivity 4G (LTE), Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, GPS, NFC
Format 15.7 x 7.4 x 0.9 cm
Weight 191 grams
Other fingerprint scanner behind screen, usb-c, dualsim, 3.5mm jack
Website //www.mi.com/nl 9 Score 90
- Pros
- Camera
- Complete
- Price quality
- Powerful
- Negatives
- Fingerprint Scanner
- Miui software
Xiaomi is not the only smartphone manufacturer to release so many smartphones, so you can't see the wood for the trees. Huawei and Honor have a hand in it, but also Samsung for example. This Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro is the fourth member of the Mi 9 family, next to the Xiaomi Mi 9, Xiaomi Mi 9T and the even cheaper Xiaomi Mi 9SE. These devices particularly stood out because of their extremely good price-quality ratio. It is not surprising that this is also the strong point of this Pro version. In fact. This Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro is the best smartphone from Xiaomi that I have tested so far. Perhaps the best smartphone in its price range.
Mi 9T vs. Mi 9T Pro
The Pro version is slightly more powerful and faster than the regular Mi 9T. This version also has a better camera sensor (Sony's IMX 586), which is also on expensive smartphones such as the OnePlus 7 Pro. This 48 megapixel lens recently received an honorable mention in our smartphone camera test, although the photo results depend of course on the manufacturer's tuning. You can read later in the review how Xiaomi scores.
The Pro version has the fastest Snapdragon processor of the moment, the Snapdragon 855. That provides a noticeable speed difference. Especially if you run heavier apps and games. It's no surprise that the Mi 9T Pro is a bit more expensive than the regular 9T: 429 euros compared to 349. However, this higher price is completely worth it.
On the outside you can't see the difference between the 9T and 9T Pro. The devices look identical and the same (very solid) screen panel is also used. Xiaomi knows how to use the entire front of the device for the screen, thanks to thin screen edges and a pop-up camera. A fingerprint scanner is placed under the screen. Unfortunately, the fingerprint scanner on this phone is also a lot less accurate and fast than a physical fingerprint scanner.
racing monster
The appearance of the Pro variant may be identical to the regular 9T. In the benchmarks and in daily use you notice a considerable difference in favor of the Pro. These benchmarks are again very similar to the regular Mi 9. Confusing. Nevertheless, the Snapdragon 855 with 6 GB of RAM are perfectly fine, especially within the price range. In addition, you get 64GB of (expandable) storage space and there is a version with 128GB storage, which you can buy for 449 euros.
However, a small difference with the regular Xiaomi Mi 9 is that the Pro version has a noticeably longer battery life due to the large battery. Depending on your use, the battery lasts about a day and a half. Maybe two with a little frugal use. Charging is lightning fast with the fast charger, unfortunately wireless charging is not possible.
The Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro also has a 3.5 mm jack, so you can simply connect your headphones or speaker.
Cameras
I also had a déjá-vu moment when testing the cameras. The Mi 9T Pro has three camera sensors, with the 48 megapixel lens (the IMX 586) being the main lens that takes the best photos. An 8-megapixel telephoto lens and a 13-megapixel wide-angle lens are also placed. That is almost identical to the Xiaomi Mi 9, which has a slightly better wide-angle lens. The telephoto and wide-angle lens make the Mi 9T Pro a versatile camera smartphone, where you can zoom in and zoom out by switching lenses.
When it comes to the camera, Xiaomi also manages to score good points here. Of course, this camera does not measure up to the best camera smartphones of the moment from Samsung, Google and Huawei. For this price range, however, you get a versatile camera that takes good photos. That is not surprising, because the used Sony sensor can be found on many smartphones in the same or more expensive price ranges. Xiaomi also knows how to fine-tune this sensor.
The three zoom levels of the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro.
Miui
Then we have now arrived at the only serious flaw of the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro. The Miui shell that Xiaomi is rolling out over its smartphones is many steps back from the Android foundation it is based on. Bloatware and other forms of advertising are built in, the fact that you can turn off the advertising and turn off some apps is a stalemate. The operating system is also less stable and apps that are active in the background are stopped much too aggressively, so that fitness and VPN apps, for example, do not work properly. Android One is a dirty word for many Chinese smartphone makers, but had Xiaomi offered it on this 9T Pro, this smartphone might have achieved the maximum score.
Alternatives to the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro
The best alternatives to the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro? They come from the Chinese manufacturer itself. The aforementioned Xiaomi 9T looks identical, but has slightly less powerful specifications and a less good camera for a few tens less. The Xiaomi Mi 9 has similar specifications, a slightly better wide-angle camera… But is less complete due to its missing audio connection. Those who have too much trouble with Xiaomi's software shell should consider the Google Pixel 3A. Although you do compromise on specifications and design with this phone, you have a clean Android version and a great camera with this smartphone.
Conclusion: Buy Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro?
Do not be confused by the range of all those different smartphones from Xiaomi that are difficult to distinguish from each other. The Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro is the best and most complete smartphone that Xiaomi offers and embarrasses expensive brands such as Samsung, Apple, OnePlus, Huawei and Sony by offering a smartphone for a much better price where you do not make concessions in any way. need to do. I'm not going to mince words either: the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro is one of the best smartphone deals you can find.
