Xiaomi, or rather Redmi, has launched a new rehash of one of its phones from last year, altering a couple of specifications as well as the name to, we suppose, get rid of the stock of another mobile in Asian regions. In this case it is the Redmi 9C who becomes this Activ version of the entry range.
Those who expected a more robust version of the Redmi 9 will be disappointed, since this is not like the launch of Active phones from other brands, a family where more durable terminals are included, without simply reaching the stores with a change of RAM ( 6 GB compared to the Redmi 9 that offers 4 GB in all areas) and some peculiarity in its camera.
Don’t wait too long on the Redmi 9 Activ’s datasheet .
Cheap mobile features
The smartphone follows the same design language as the Redmi 9, with a square camera module on the rear and a waterdrop notched display on the front. The Redmi 9 Activ will be offered in carbon black, coral green and metallic purple color options and hardware-wise the device sports a 6.53-inch IPS LCD panel, an eight-core MediaTek Helio G35 SoC CPU and other features like the following.
Simple display
The mobile has a 6.53-inch IPS LCD screen with a 20: 9 aspect ratio. It is a screen that does not have great attractions, with a brightness of 400 nits and a ratio of 269 dpi.
Of course, it has the classic filter against blue light with different modes to adjust the color temperature and that can be configured as we see fit depending on the surrounding light.
Performance without fanfare
Again inside the smartphone there is a MediaTek processor, in this case the same Helio G35 that has been accompanying the family for months to offer a maximum working frequency of 2.3 GHz. It is accompanied by a Power VR8320 GPU running at 680 MHz that does what it can with simple games and apps but from which we cannot demand too much.
The device is paired with up to 4 or 6 GB of RAM and 64 or 128 GB of integrated storage, which would be the great change of the phone and that adds that much-needed extra power to the whole. Expansion of the internal memory of the device via MicroSD is also supported.
Deceptive camera
In the camera department, the Redmi 9 Activ features a dual rear camera setup consisting of a 13-megapixel primary sensor with an f / 2.2 lens and a 2-megapixel depth sensor with an f / 2.2 lens.
Be careful, the design of the back, square with “3 sensors” and an LED flash can imply that, indeed, there are 3 different lenses on the back but as this image shows, there are only two. Aesthetic issues (and wanting to sell more, of course).
In front of the screen we have a 5 MP sensor with f / 2.2 aperture and a 77.8º viewing angle that helps us both to take self-portrait photos and to unlock the mobile with the face, although there is a fingerprint reader on the back of it.
The MIUI app to take photos allows you to play with different modes and apply filters in real time as well as having a powerful photo editor.
Battery more than enough
Again we must thank Xiaomi that, aware of the limitations of other aspects of the phone, autonomy continues to be one of the firm’s workhorses. It may not be in terms of charging speed, since the Redmi 9 Activ is quite slow when it comes to recharging the smartphone for what we are used to today, but it is at the capacity level with its 5,000 mAh.
There is no data on the autonomy of this component but given the low resolution of its screen we will be able to get through the day of use without major problems.
Lights and shadows
Of course, the fact that the mobile now integrates more memory and greater storage is something that we must celebrate, as well as being able to buy mobile phones with such a low budget.
But with so many similar options on the market, even within the Redmi catalog, this type of launch only confuses the customer, almost as much as does that supposed “triple camera” that, as we have said, actually only hides a pair of sensors.
Another 3 points in favor of the phone are the presence of a 3.5mm audio jack, a capacitive fingerprint scanner and an IR sensor.
Redmi 9 Activ price
In addition to RAM and storage, Redmi’s cheap smartphone debuts colors carbon black, coral green and metallic purple. It is put on sale in India starting at Rs 10,000, that is, just over 100 euros to change.