Redmi Note 9S review: a BEST BUY to mature !!!
The Redmi Note series has always been in the spotlight of the tech scene for the best rapporto qualità / prezzo that has long accompanied the various generations of smartphones. The market however was populated with valid alternatives and therefore the company had to perfect its lineup by minimizing compromises, introducing the newborn Redmi Notes 9S, European cousin of the Indian version of Redmi Note 9 Pro. So let's find out together in ours Full review made available thanks to the sending of the sample by Gearbest.
SAR values (limits: 10g for head and body / 2,0 W / Kg - 10 for limbs / 4,0 W / Kg):
- Head: 0,72 W / Kg
- Body: 0,98 W / Kg (5mm distance)
- Limbs: 2,35 W / Kg (distance of 0 mm)
Unboxing - Redmi Note 9S
Inside the sales package we find the following equipment:
- Redmi Notes 9S;
- silicone cover;
- USB data cable - USB Type-C;
- wall power supply with European socket and max output at 22.5W;
- pin for the SIM slot;
- instruction manual.
The examination of our copy starts right from the design and its construction that we could shortly define as elegant but massive. It starts from the back, erroneously defined by me on video as made of plastic, instead this is covered with a thin glass Corning Gorilla Glass 5, very resistant but at the same time a real magnet for fingerprints and dirt in general, therefore to admire the shiny effect of the coloring we should have a cloth to always carry with us.
The body lines are interrupted only by the Redmi logo, the various phone certifications but above all by a centrally positioned photo module, with 4 really protruding optics where in a black band we also find the single Flash Led accompanied by the writing 48 MP - ROOM. Even the photographic module is protected by Gorilla Glass 5 glass, but honestly the feeling that it can get scratched when placed on a surface, the flat smartphone, is so great, therefore better to use the cover provided that eliminates any difference in height, protecting our Redmi Note 9S both on the edges and in the ferment of the Type-C entrance thanks to the dedicated silicone flap.
The perimeter frame of the phone is instead made of plastic with satin color, in contrast with the gloss of the rear body, giving a character of modernity and elegance at the same time. On the upper part we find the indispensable IR transmitter and the second microphone for the reduction of the noises in call, while specularly the company delights us with the presence of the jack from 3.5 mm for wired earphones, charging port Type-C with OTG support, main microphone and mono system speaker, which is very powerful in volume without ever distorting even if the low tones are slightly subdued respecting the mids and highs. However, the sound is also good as a speakerphone.
On the left side we find the small hole to access the slot, where we find it 2 compartments dedicated to SIM cards in Nano format with support for 4G + on both slots, as well as a compartment dedicated to the insertion of a micro SD to expand the integrated memory with support up to 512 GB, without therefore renouncing the Dual SIM Dual Standby function.
On the right side instead we have the usual volume balance positioned poco above the inlet that hosts the power button with embedded fingerprint sensor. I had left biased towards this choice, with the idea of finding it uncomfortable and instead he is in the right place where you would expect to find it resulting comfortable but above all precise even with single portions of the registered finger. However, this is not the only way to unlock Redmi Note 9S, as we can take advantage of the Face Unlock, which is lightning fast in its function and reliable even in low ambient light conditions.
Overall, the Redmi Note 9S is really well built and despite its size of 165.75 x 76.68 x 8.8 mm and a weight of 209 grams, the ergonomics are guaranteed as the daily usability, thanks to slightly narrower shapes than for example the old phablets of the MAX series, making themselves appreciated for the rounded lines and not at all angular that facilitate the grip. Special mention should also be made to P2i coating against splashes and splashes of water as well as the gasket inserted at the end of the SIM tray, effectively making the device "waterproof". I use the quotation marks as we do not have an IPXX certification but the various drop tests available on YouTube show that Redmi Note 9S can withstand diving for about 5 minutes, enough time to recover the smartphone in case of accidental falls into the water.
The design revolution of Redmi Note 9S, however, does not only pass from what has been told so far but mainly due to the use of a display designed to fascinate the user, Thanks to a hypnotic central hole where the selfie camera is drowned, surrounded by a black border that most likely prevents the display backlight from causing interference.
The panel used uses classic technology IPS, has a diagonal of 6,67 inches and resolution Full HD + (2400 x 1080 pixels) and excellent brightness, 450 NIT, which in fact combined with the integrated Sunshine mode, allow a excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The panel also enjoys the protection of a fifth generation Gorilla Glass, protection however enriched (for the first time in the history of the brand) by the presence of one pre-applied plastic film (OnePlus style), but what catches the eye are the small size of the frames, of the chin and the upper band where there is a large ear capsule in which depth, light and even a small sensor have been placed Monochromatic notification LED.
However, compared to previous generations, the sensors work wonderfully just as it is wonderful and priceless to have a Notification LED, refined and discreet, without disturbing at night. We do not find physical keys but only those on the screen, which can also be eliminated via software thus taking advantage of the comfortable ones gesture made available by MIUI.
But let's talk about the performance of this display, which could arouse suspicion because of the hole dedicated to the selfie camera, and instead I can tell you that you will get used to it in a few minutes. This allows us to deal with a panel practically full screen able to give unique emotions with certain multimedia contents, thanks also to the support Widevine L1 DRM, which precisely allows you to take advantage of HD videos from streaming platforms such as Netflix. Too bad that DRMs are conly half fortified, as for example on platforms like Amazon Prime Video the usable quality is limited to 480p, instead
Anyway i colors, contrasts and chromatic nuances are really appreciable on this large panel, without suffering from fading in strong angles, qualitatively superior to many others of even higher price range. A quality that we can appreciate even more in the gaming phase, an activity that seems to dress best in terms of performance on this Redmi Note 9S, thanks to the use of a processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G, octa-core with 8nm production process, Kryo 465 structure of which 2 Gold cores a 2.3 GHz and 6 Silver cores at 1.8 GHz, which are accompanied by one GPU Adreno A618 @ 750 MHz, 4 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 64 GB of UFS 2.1 storage, at least in our case as the 6/128 GB variant is already available.
At the level of connectivity instead we find Double-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, FM radio, form GPS with hooking of Galileo satellites but unfortunately it turns out no NFC sensor for mobile payments. A lack that could be important for many, perhaps even too many who may be influenced by the judgments of others. So the question you should ask yourself is how much do you use this technology? Maybe many will answer for nothing, so you will agree that it is not a big shortcoming, which instead could be such in relation to 4G + connectivity.
Basically we have the support for 20 bandwidththerefore zero problems with any national operator, while in relation to 4G +, a clarification should be made, as Note 9S is the twin of Note 9 Pro for the Indian market on which 4G + support is specified, while no mention is made on the brand's global website regarding the Note 9S. By doing some tests, limit yourself in the neighborhood where I live for reasons you know well (Quarantine Covid-19), by inserting the Iliad SIM card as the only one available to me capable of exploiting the 4G + signal, I was able to verify that this was hooked but in a discontinuous way compared to, for example, a Mi Note 10.
Going back to the performance chapter instead, the hardware used in Redmi Note 9S it's more than practical a satisfy every situation of smartphone use, from single internet browsing, to social media, to chats, to the sharing of multimedia contents, to use in hotspots, photos, videos, Gaming, often with frame rates a 60fps even with titles like PUBG and Asphalt 9, thanks to the presence of the modality Game Turbo by MIUI. In short, a complete 360 ° device, although perhaps the software is still immature, as on several occasions I was able to witness the crash of applications in the bakground as well as the fact that in the rapid passage of photographic shots from normal mode, 2X, wide and then 48 MP, for the latter the system went in loop in the processing of the image, taking over 1 minute with the result of a shot from a few Kb and not defined at 48 MP. It should be noted that just as I was shooting the video an update of a few MB was received which brought the security patches of March 2020 and optimized some fixes, just like what I just told you. However, this update upsets other peculiarities, such as the presence of TikTok filters for the Short Video mode but above all the 4G + icon now replaced with a perennial LTE without the possibility of understanding if we are actually benefiting from the maximum network signal power. In short, it seems that this Redmi Note 9S finds it hard to understand which market it belongs to, European or Indian?
Overall, a super functional user experience, made even more pleasant by the interface MIUI 11 which basically takes advantage of the functions of the operating system Android 10. I would not dwell on the software as MIUI we know it as it was our sister and almost daily new features are implemented and in this version there is no shortage of the necessary news such as the Dark mode and the return of the app Themes. In any case, you must think that you are buying a terminal with Android 10 out-of-the-box, therefore at least Android 11 should be guaranteed without any particular problems. For MIUI lovers and purists instead Redmi Note 9S, but now all the brand's new smartphones are even more Googlecentric, starting with the loss of the Messages and Dialer app in favor of those Android stocks, the loss of the App Vault in favor of the Google Feed (lateral swipe to the right from the Home) to the loss of the MIUI browser, indispensable for many.
Particular mention should be given to new haptic vibration motor which translates into faster tactile feedback. The best typing experience I have had on a smartphone.
One thing we really can't fault is theautonomy offered by this Redmi Note 9S, which integrates a large battery from 5020 mAh, capable of exceeding all expectations. Practically with moderate use we arrive safely at 2 days of use. In my case without ever hooking WiFi signal, as I don't have one, I managed to get to about 9 hours and 30 minutes of active screen with still 20% remaining charge. There is also support for fast charge at 18W, however without buying separate chargers, as the one supplied also offers a 22,5W output. Charging takes place in poco less than 2 hours.
And finally we came to chapter camera, which in the case of Redmi Note 9S consists of well 5 modules, of which 1 on the front and 4 on the rear, set in a square and composed as follows:
- the camera in the upper right is the primary one with a sensor from 48 MP from 1/2 ″ to 6 elements, super pixel 4 in at 1.16nm, pixel surface at 0,8nm and focal aperture ffinal match.. (SAMSUNG S5KGM2 SENSOR)
- the camera in the lower right is the one dedicated to the collection of depth data, resolution from 2 MP, 1,75nm pixel surface and focal aperture ffinal match.. (SENSOR GC02M1)
- the lower left camera performs the function of Macro with resolution a 5 MP with automatic focus up to 2 cm, 1,12nm pixel surface and focal aperture ffinal match.. (SAMSUNG S5K5E9 SENSOR)
- finally the camera in the upper left is ultra wide-angle lens with FOV 119 ° and focal opening ffinal match.. (OMNIVISION SENSOR OV8856)
La selfie camera instead it offers a resolution from 16 MP, 1,0nm pixel surface and focal aperture ffinal match.. (OMNIVISION SENSOR OV16A1Q)
Without the necessary presentations we can certainly say that for the price range to which our Redmi Note 9S is placed, the shots obtained are more than satisfactory. What amaze me are Macro photos that seeing the sensor more resolute than the previous generations, are a positive surprise in terms of definition and sharpness. The result obtained with the Wide lens, as the final surrender makes available to the washed out colors compared to reality.
Also good i video lesson, which can be shot with maximum resolution 4K is 30 fps, but only at 1080p 30 fps can we benefit from one digital stabilization which behaves very well, perhaps too much, because in some cases with rapid changes of framing you can notice the sharp detachment of the images.
In evidence, it turns out excellent focus and the colors are rendered very well and the brightness is satisfactory. Even the effect Bokeh it has improved compared to the past, both with the rear and front cameras. The latter, however, also seems to offer a minimum of stabilization, being able to be exploited if necessary also as a Vlog camera, considering the possibility of recording videos in Full HD at 30 fps.
I didn't like the Night Mode instead, which in my opinion should be refined, considering the poor results that instead result positive in the case of selfie shooting with the help of the virtual flash. Lastly, there is no shortage of registration methods Slow Motion up to 960 fps, Time Lapse, Cinema function, filters as well as the Pro mode with which to bring out the best of the photographer in you.
Amazon.it
In conclusion Redmi Note 9S, is aexcellent choice to bet on. A smartphone with his defects true, but all solvable with a software update and all forgivable considering the record-breaking autonomy it offers us, a refined design and admirable performance in every respect. Unfortunately if we consider the Amazon price, this goes to clash with Realme 6 which for example offers the NFC sensor. We therefore recommend keeping you up to date through our Telegram channel, because this small but great smartphone in recent days has touched minimum prices that actually decree it as a best buy. Currently the Redmi Note 9S is available on both Gearbest in the variant 4 / 64 GB Global a about 194 euros on a flash offer or on Amazon in the variant 6/128 GB for 229 euros.
one question: Are there on-screen notifications (like on the MiA3)?
thank you
Sorry this 9s would be the 9pro released in India, will the 9pro max arrive in Italy?
Hello Emanuele, starting from the fact that as I did with Redmi Note 8, if I buy this device, I will replace the ROM by putting the Indian one, as it is provided with both a dialer and a sms app miui and in this case also a browser. As in the RN8 in this RN9S, missing the dialer I miss the app to record the phone calls ??? Thanks for the answers.
The “CallX” application fonctionne très bien sur RN8 et RN9S. Dommage que Xiaomi a fait the impasse sur sa capacité à enregistrer les appels. Une mise à jour serait bienvenue.
I have flashed indian / indonesian rom with miui dialer and i solved the problems. Look the guide on XDA 😉
I confirm the absence of dialers, messages, app evalu and my browser to give space to what Google offers
Thank you for your reply but I wanted to know, if the google dialer is installed, the app to record phone calls is also missing. Thanks in advance
The ability to record calls is missing
Thanks 😉
Sorry but will the 9pro max version be released in Italy?
I don't think this version is the one intended for our market. Regarding the fact that it can collide with Realme 6, without a shadow of a doubt the Realme is lower in all if not for the refresh at 90hz of the display (moreover of inferior quality).
And why shouldn't it be destined for our market? Redmi Note 9S is exclusive to the Global market and therefore also Italian
In the same way for which the Redmi Note 8 was not, in spite of all it was indicated as global and inevitably also European, then proved false. Or because Xiaomi has not made any announcement about its sale in Europe, or because it is not sold in their store nor is there any mention. Or also, as you well know, because the abbreviation of the rom does not have any Eu wording, as in any smartphone officially sold in Europe. About the term Global can be, without mistake, an abbreviation that identifies Smartphones sold outside China, with... Read the rest »
I'm sorry you warmed up so much. Mine was a legitimate question, as saying that it is not for our market is untruthful. We must not put any doubt in this regard.
On what basis are you saying it is for our market? That it can be used without problems and that it is for our market do not have the same value.
Don't you doubt yourself? But did you read and understand what I wrote?
Don't you think that Xiaomi can follow the same path as the Note 8T, presenting an ad hoc model for Europe, perhaps with NFC?
Oh well, I expected more from you, instead of receiving an answer empty of content and in parentheses I did not warm up. Hello
But who told you that we are not waiting for a version with NFC? Of course we are waiting for it but this does not imply that Redmi Note 9S is not also for our market. I honestly don't understand your sterile controversy.
A little logic no, true. If Xiaomi presented an identical model with NFC (a European prerogative) it would be the real model for Europe. In practice the same thing done with the RN 8 and RN 8T (the only one officially present on the European market, in the Physical Mi Stores and on their online store and which give the right to the guarantee). You are hard to understand, then whether this is okay is another matter or if it will be officially sold, that's okay. But how many did you buy the Remi Note 8 and after less than a month they found themselves with... Read the rest »
Too bad that this has been made official in Italy or the 9s without NFC and is already on Amazon and on my Italian store so I think she messed up ... Then maybe another one will come out for Italy which is the 9 pro besides this
Just to make you understand what you have said so far how much it had no foundation, given that Redmi Note 9S is in the official Xiaomi Italia price list. Look here: https://www.mi.com/it/redmi-note-9s
The camera bug does it well to me with the note 8 pro after the update to android 10, we hope they will solve it soon, try it too a note 8 pro
We have already tried Redmi Note 8 Pro but now we no longer have this terminal
Ok thanks, maybe some other user can confirm, I tried to manually re-download the last update again, but it is two days that it tells me try again in one or two minutes, possible that they have blocked it?
here instead you will find the EEA rom
Redmi Note 9 Pro / 9S - EEA Stable ROM V11.0.1.0.QJWEUXM
Recovery: https://bigota.d.miui.com/V11.0.1.0.QJWEUXM/miui_CURTANAEEAGlobal_V11.0.1.0.QJWEUXM_473d5b5a93_10.0.zip
Fastboot: https://bigota.d.miui.com/V11.0.1.0.QJWEUXM/curtana_eea_global_images_V11.0.1.0.QJWEUXM_20200403.0000.00_10.0_eea_b3988cfeed.tgz
Redmi Note 9 Pro / 9S - Global Stable ROM V11.0.5.0.QJWMIXM
Recovery: https://bigota.d.miui.com/V11.0.5.0.QJWMIXM/miui_CURTANAGlobal_V11.0.5.0.QJWMIXM_5e22f9d2d8_10.0.zip
OTA: https://bigota.d.miui.com/V11.0.5.0.QJWMIXM/miui-blockota-curtana_global-V11.0.3.0.QJWMIXM-V11.0.5.0.QJWMIXM-10010d6cf1-10.0.zip
Wait, as written in the first post I have the note 8 pro, my question was why it does not let me download the latest package in the system update check section, for days I have been waiting two three minutes and try again, I suspect that yes they noticed some bugs and they blocked it, you who are certainly more experienced than me what do you think?