Xiaomi Mi9 SE Review - Why is it the best XIAOMI in recent years?
The presentation of "secondary versions" of the top range products is often accompanied by an aura of skepticism. But this time, with the Mi9SE XIAOMI he surprised everyone ... including us! In this article I will explain why, in my opinion, the Xiaomi Mi9 SE is the best Xiaomi smartphone of the last 2-3 years.
Topics of this article:
First of all you go to see my Videoreview, leave a like, and subscribe to the channel. Don't make the stingy! 🙂
Done? Did you leave the Like? Sure? Well ... we can proceed.
Xiaomi Mi9SE - Technical features
At the end of this article I will report the whole technical sheet of this Xiaomi Mi9SE but, of all these features, the ones that struck me most were:
- The dimensions
- performance
- the camera
- battery
- connectivity
Let's start by talking about dimensions.
Xiaomi Mi9SE - Design
Many in a smartphone look at the raw power, the photographic definition, the battery life, all very important things, but I personally the first thing I look at in a smartphone is the design.
It is a "contraption" that I will always carry with me, it is now an extension of the body and the fact of being "beautiful" and "comfortable" in this context makes all the difference in the world.
In this regard I was absolutely fascinated by Xiaomi's courage to go against the tide. In the historical moment in which everyone competes to make smartphones bigger and bigger more extended, going out with a device of "suns" 5.97 inches It was a gamble that I'm sure it will be a winning move.
Le dimensions, thanks to very thin frames they are definitely contained: 70.5 x 147.5 x 7.5 mm
This means that the phone can be used with a hand without problems, that it is well in your pocket and, also because of the weight of only 155g, very comfortable to carry around.
The dimensions are the real PLUS of this Mi9SE since, in general, aesthetics is very similar to other devices in the family (and not only).
Notch to drop, soft lines, one coloration (Ocean blue) fantastic with wonderful reflections ... what to say, the design will not be original but it is really nice.
Xiaomi Mi9SE - Performance
As usual, the "secondary" versions, whether it is "X", "SE" or other, almost never reach the performance of the original series. This Mi9SE is no exception.
While the older brother Xiaomi Mi9 it is equipped with the very powerful processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 using the label "World's fastest smartphone", This Mi9 SE has to be" satisfied "with a processor that is much less powerful than it is Snapdragon 712.
What does this mean in terms of performances?
It means that, at a purely numerical level, the processor reaches exactly half of the Mi9 AnTuTu scores totaling a nice 179064.
In everyday use, however, this important detachment is hardly noticeable. There MIUI 10.3 travels very well, never an imposing, a lag, an uncertainty.
Even in the use of heavier applications, such as high-resolution video games, this Mi9 SE behaves very well.
In comparison, the Mi9 proves to be more reactive than a few fractions of a second for example in the opening of the APPs or in the passage from one to the other through multitasking and this gives a feeling of greater general fluidity but, to realize it, you have to try them simultaneously and very carefully. The differences are not so obvious.
Good is that the Qualcomm 712 is less energy-intensive than the 855 and this allows you to balance the 300mah less on the battery.
Xiaomi Mi9SE - Camera
What is it? Xiaomi Mi9 SE be a Top of the range in fact, the photographic sector also proves it.
The flagship is undoubtedly the camera from 48mpx of the SONY with opening f 1.75.
To be clear, this camera is the same as the Mi9. So, like the Mi9, it makes decidedly interesting and defined shots. It may not be the best cameraphone in the world but, given the selling price too, this Mi9 SE is one of the smartphones with the best CAMERA / PRICE ratio ever.
His other cameras reduce the mpx slightly compared to the Mi9 camera block by going to 8mpx for the TELEVISION and 13mpx for the GRANDANGOLO.
Very comfortable the possibility to take wide-angle photos with one good general resolution.
I leave you some shots to evaluate with your eyes:
Xiaomi Mi9SE - Battery
We've talked about it before, the Snapdragon 712 is less energy-intensive than 855 and this allows the battery of "only" 3000mah to achieve practically the same duration as the older brother.
Too bad the Mi9 didn't shine as a battery and so the comparison doesn't give the Mi9SE extra points.
The truth is that, on the autonomy side, we find ourselves in front of a device without infamy or glory. Arrive in the evening without too many problems unless you use stress. If you use poco also does 1gg and a half but going around on particularly intense days without a charger or at least a charging cable is a big risk.
I wasn't particularly impressed, I expected a little more, but it's still sufficient for my needs and those, I believe, of 80% of you.
Compared to the older brother loses the ability to recharge without wires…sin.
Xiaomi Mi9SE - Connectivity
On the connectivity side, however, this Xiaomi Mi9 SE was a real surprise.
The version in my possession is the GLOBAL, and this means having the much discussed B20 band from 800mhz.
Yes, I know, many of you can't stand it any more than the diatribe "B20 SI", "B20 NO" and many insist on the fact that they easily do without it. But as they say: "Better a band more than one less" 🙂
Seriously, compared to my Mi9 8GB / 128GB China without B20 the coverage improves so much managing to go to 4G also the places where the Asian Mi9 is struggling.
But the thing that struck me most is not so much the presence of B20, but the capacity of this Mi9SE of aggregate LTE bands decisively higher than the Mi8 GLOBAL in my possession.
Because of the locked Bootloader and the consequent impossibility to perform the Root, I could not install APP that would allow me to see in detail which bands were aggregated in my area but one thing is certain: the icon 4G + of the Mi9SE indicates the aggregation of something and the speed reached under the ILIAD network never reached before with the Mi8 GLOBAL show that Xiaomi is doing a great job also from the Aggregation aspect.
Conclusions
How to conclude?
Well, making it short: I fell in love with this smartphone!
The Xiaomi Mi9 SE has practically everything you need from a top of the range but in a compact and handy body.
It is not free from defects (battery not really exciting) but it is the Xiaomi that in recent years is closer to MY perfection.
Perfection is a very subjective concept and therefore I would like to know your concept of "perfect smartphone" here in the comments and if this Mi9 SE impressed you as it did with my heart. 😀
Pricing
The device was kindly provided by GrossoShop so I leave you the links to buy this device on their site. The price, given the features, is in my opinion very good. Only 319 euro with EXPRESS shipping and using our COUPON XTGS5 you will save other 5 euros.
Purchase link: https://xiaomi.today/2CzFtg0
Thank you for the detailed and comprehensive review. I expect you to arrive.
I follow you. good job
Thank you! Keep following us and bring friends too. 🙂
[email protected]
Of course, the articles are well made.
If I may, as a very personal opinion, considering the brief explosion of the xiaomi world, a "refurbishment" to the site in my opinion would be very helpful. Continue and congratulations again.
Your advice is valuable and you will be happy to know that some news is in the pipeline
Excellent and mine has just arrived. Coming from iphone and honor a half day
for the new interface and the proportions of the screen but it's really a nice product.
I have to change my smartphone and the Xiaomi mi 9 would be right for me... but I have neither the age nor the skills to be able to get by without a classic user manual in Italian, and I'm afraid it doesn't exist. Exists?
Congratulations for the review!
My Honor 8 is leaving me and I have to buy a new smartphone and I am very undecided between Mi9 SE, Mi8 and Mi8 lite.
I'm very attracted to the mi8 lite because it has a great price (around 150 €) and I don't know if it's worth spending more than double to get the other 2!
I am not a person who plays with the smartphone, I am interested in good battery life, good audio, good display (not necessarily Amoled because I was fine with the IPS) and good photos (not even here I expect excellence), what do you recommend?
Thank you for your compliments! 🙂
If you do not have many claims I would simply advise you to take the least expensive.
Among the 3 basically the only exclusive aspect of the Mi9SE is the size.
It is the most compact of the three and, if it is a factor of choice, then it becomes important.
For the rest between Mi8 and Mi9SE, I would like to advise you on the latter not only in terms of size but also for some interesting aspects such as the wide-angle camera and the absence of the “notch”.
Почему написано 60fps в 1080? Там только 30 ...
I always have a question about under-screen fingerprint readers: how do they work with protective films / glass? Are they okay? Better the glass or the film if one wants to protect the glass of the phone?
The glass does not make the display rubbery, I prefer it. I tried on the Mi9 and I have no problems with the glass. No known differences.
Thanks! This Mi9 SE intrigues me so much because like you I love “small” phones and it would be the perfect replacement for my Mi5 Pro in size. They are practically the same size, only with the Mi9 SE which has 0,8 ″ more screen!
You are not the first to whom I speak who has "stopped" at the Mi5 precisely because of the size and that thanks to the Mi9 SE has returned to hope.
Let's face it… it's time to make the switch!
a 3400 battery, even by increasing its thickness by thinning the difference with the protruding battery, would have made this device perfect, even in a segment, that of compact, practically snubbed by most brands….
Yes, I agree with you. 1mm more, a few more grams and you pull out a handful of mah that would have been convenient.