Xiaomi Redmi 9 Activ Review, Pros and Cons – The Redmi brand usually details mid-range and entry-level phones, although they are full of features and cost-effective, the company introduces the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Activ. It is more like the Redmi 9 copy from India. However, there are several differences in the Redmi 9 international variant.
While there aren’t many changes to the interior and design compared to the previous variant, you’ll notice updated storage options. The Xiaomi Redmi 9 Activ smartphone was launched in India on September 24th, but currently no information about the global release. But at the same time, it is a good value for money. Let’s start with a detailed review of the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Activ smartphone.
Table of Contents
Xiaomi Redmi 9 Activ Review
Highlights
- The phone features a 6.53 inches IPS LCD display that features a 400 nit brightness rating on top.
- Hardware is powered by a 12nm MediaTek Helio G35 chipset under the hood, providing PowerVR GE8320 GPU.
- The MIUI 12 Custom Interface software layer offers additional customization capabilities.
- A 13 MP dual camera is present as the rear camera configuration and offers a 5 MP waterdrop notch selfie camera.
- Behind the scenes, the Li-Po 5000 mAh battery life is powered by a 10W charger.
Design and Display
The phone bears the old remnant of the Redmi 9 with no minimal change in physical appearance. The Redmi 9 Activ smartphone is available in three stunning color options. If you want to go a little daring then, without a doubt, Coral Green and Metallic Purple are worth your while. But if you’re looking for something classic and professional, the Carbon Black shade option is a decent choice.
However, you’ll get the usual plastic build quality with a standard camera island. The 9mm thickness gives the phone a bulky construction, while the handset weighs around 194 grams. As for safety features, you’re getting a rear-mounted one that works quickly and delivers a smooth experience. In addition, it also received a waterproof coating on the top.
Moving on to the front screen, you’re getting a pretty standard 6.53-inches IPS LCD V notch screen that packs HD+ resolution. Furthermore, the Redmi 9 Activ offers a brightness rating of 400 nits, which is enough according to the entry-level segment; at the same time, the bezels are quite thick, while the display has not received corning gorilla glass protection.
Memory and Internal
The performance aspect of Xiaomi Redmi 9 Activ equips a decent MediaTek Helio G35 chipset, designed to perform everyday tasks without any problem, and you can easily run various light applications and games. However, the visual aspect is one of the significant negative factors for the phone. Even if you get the PowerVR GE8320 GPU, advanced gaming is not possible.
The software then provides the Android 10 OS supported by MIUI 12 custom interface from which you can build your ecosystem. Despite being an economical phone, you will notice some bloatware apps here and there while using it. But what is more concerned is that you may get delayed Android 12 or might not even get it in the worst-case scenario
In terms of storage options, you can choose this device from two options. For the initial variant, 4GB RAM tags along with 64GB eMMC 5.1 memory type. On the other hand, the superior variant offers 6GB of RAM with 128GB storage limits. Plus, you’re getting a dedicated secondary storage option to expand the room.
Camera
Redmi 9 Activ image optimization software is of medium quality and you may not notice the small details in videos and photos. There will be constant grain in the photos, but the rendering of the AI software is improved compared to the previous generation smartphone. Although low light photography is still a big mess.
As for the spec sheet, you will receive a dual camera island as the main camera including the 13MP main lens and 2MP depth perception lens. As for the front camera, the company deploys a 5MP lens. With this setting, you will have no problems shooting in daylight and you will get satisfactory results.
The native camera offers decent-level features so you can enhance your photo experience. There are filters and HDR options available to improvise the overall quality, while the bokeh effect also looks stable but the edge looks a little softer. In terms of videography, you’re getting 1080p video recording without video stabilization support.
Battery and Others
The Redmi 9 Activ comes with a Li-Po 5000 mAh battery that comes under the hood that will provide over 8 hours of screen time. So, watch your favorite shows on the best streaming platform or you can also surf the Internet. On the other hand, the micro-USB 2.0 port supplies the power via the 10W charger.
For this charger, it will take more than two hours to completely fill the battery. As for the price, communication, and sensors department, you’re getting the best according to standards. Plus, the sound output is wide compared to the competition, and you also get a 3.5mm jack. Last but not least, the price of $120 (Rs 9,499) approx justifies its overall value for the specs and features.
Xiaomi Redmi 9 Activ Specifications Detail
Down below you can see the full specifications of the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Activ smartphone.
| Specifications | Xiaomi Redmi 9 Activ |
| Network | 2G, 3G, 4G |
| Announced | September 2021 |
| SIM | Dual SIM |
| Dimensions | 6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 inches |
| Weight | 194 g |
| Size | 6.53 inches |
| Display | IPS LCD 400 nits brightness 20:9 ratio ~269 PPI density |
| Protection | Water-repellent coating |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Chipset | 12 nm – MediaTek Helio G35 |
| CPU | Octa-core 4×2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 |
| Card slot | Yes (dedicated slot) |
| RAM | 4GB, 6GB |
| Internal | 64GB, 128GB eMMC 5.1 |
| Camera | 13 MP (wide), PDAF 2 MP (depth) LED flash, HDR Max – 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie | 5 MP (wide) HDR Max – 1080p@30fps |
| Loudspeaker | Yes |
| 3.5mm jack | Yes |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| GPS | Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| NFC | No |
| Infrared port | No |
| Radio | Yes |
| USB | Micro USB 2.0, USB On-The-Go |
| Sensors | Rear-mounted fingerprint, accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery | Li-Po 5000 mAh Charging 10W |
| Colors | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Purple |
| Expected Price | $129 (Rs 9,999) approx. |
Xiaomi Redmi 9 Activ Pros and Cons
Down below you can see the list of pros and cons (advantages and disadvantages) of the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Activ smartphone.
Pros
- Offers 5000 mAh huge battery.
- Tall IPS LCD display with 400 nits brightness.
- Fast working fingerprint scanner.
- Improved MIUI 12 customization interface.
- Dedicated micro SD card support.
- Water repellent coating.
- Decent price
Cons
- Gorilla Glass Protection is missing.
- Android 10 instead of the latest version.
- Only 10W charger.
- Default refresh rate and 720p resolution screen.
- Average camera performance.
- Without NFC and 5G support.
- Not good for playing high-end games.
Conclusion
The Xiaomi Redmi 9 Activ is a low-budget smartphone that brings the right level of hardware and software to satisfy users’ needs. But at the same time, the company provides multiple copy versions as well. For example, the Redmi 9A Sport is entirely a copy of the Redmi 9i Sport with less storage space. The same thing applies to the Redmi 9 Activ phone, but if you’re looking for a decent phone with a low budget for general uses and the camera is your secondary concern, then the Redmi 9 Activ is a great option.
But if you’re looking for a better alternative, you can also check out the recent release of the Infinix Zero X Neo variant, which is a decent choice to look at in the meantime.
