I can really vouch for Xiaomi phones. I've had a long journey starting from the very cheapest phones which were crap; Xiaomis starting with the Redmi Note are delightful (the plain and A Redmi not-Notes are iffy specs-wise, though quality is fine). I've had 10+ people buy RNotes over the last 3 years, mostly as upgrades to iPhones 4S to 6S, and all have been delighted especially by the much better battery life and pics (only in daylight, low-light pics suck). They're pleasant hardware, their MIUI skin isn't too stupid (some good ie Dual Apps and Dual workspaces, some bad ie messy Settings and a crazy Security app), they've got all the features that matter (TouchID, SD slot, Audio jack, even IR remote and FM radio), and now 2 SIMs at the same time as the SD card. NFC depends on country though. The 2 biggest drawbacks: older models had an iffy mic (not sure about this new ones), which combined with bad low-light selfie cam made for subpar (not delightful, mostly not OK, just bearable) Skype calls. And the screen is very (very ! ) glare-y. I'd recommend this RNote, or the very similar Realme 6 / 6Pro to 80% of users. Clearly not to Anandtech's tech-hungry ones, nor to avid photographers.
I agree with most of what you say but that data collection they're doing is really creepy and should be able to be turned off but can't be. It sucks because I've used Xiaomi phones and really liked them.
Custom ROMs are a requirement of mine on any Android device. You can't trust any of these OEMs. The community dissects the source code for the custom ROMs and what they can't fix in code (like kernel limitations) they fix elsewhere (like blocking level 2 access to the microphone and cameras except for whitelisted processes.)
As we all know, the only secure Android phone out-of-the-box is a Blackberry, which are good devices if you are willing to sacrifice performance and pay more.
There you go with your slandering. Do Apple and Google collect data from you? I’m sure they collect much more than the Chinese, even on the same Chinese-made devices that you’re talking about here. Not to mention they track you 24/7. The bigger issue here is that given the opportunity, they will use your data to harm you. I doubt the Chinese government can do anything to citizens of other countries.
You imbecile should not use a phone or any electronic device if you’re so worried about privacy. But I know you’re not that stupid because you can not be evil and stupid at the same time.
Think they added a switch to disable data collection in incognito mode. Regardless, it seems that the data collection only happened in the stock apps e.g. Mi browser, stock music app etc so if you avoid the stock apps you should be fine
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I just got (and returned) a Mi Pro 8 8/128 these days, selling at just above €300.
It sports the older 845 that should still be quite a bit ahead of the 730, even if the performance of both is simply "enough" for what I, or in this case one of my sons would do with a phone.
The reason I finally decided to return it, is that Xiaomi is no longer enjoying custom ROM developer support and without the control and longevity these custom ROMs provide, it's simply not the same value proposition, especially later in the life cycle of the product.
In case of the Mi 8 Pro, I couldn't even get it rooted, because none of the TWRP variants that are floating around still seemed to work with the Android Q, which landed on the Mi 8 Pro, right in the middle of the setup (I think it went from O via P to Q right after unpacking). Those two updates were rather reassuring in a way, but somehow I felt that March 2020 Q would also be the last update ever from Xiaomi for the device. And then there is simply too many pre-installed apps that shout "convenience" while perhaps doing "privacy intrusion" and without root you can't even trace and tell.
It's a shame, because otherwise it is an excellent phone, very snappy hardware, feature complete, wonderful screen and good options to make that fat notch disappear optically (OLED be thanked!), most of which was needed to support face-unlock, which is completely gone with Android Q, probably for security reasons (too easy to overcome).
Equivalent OnePlus devices sell for €150 more, very probably only because they come with full LinageOS backing and thus will remain useful for a couple more years (so I got myself a OnePlus 7 Pro and passed my perfectly fine Oneplus 5 on as a Mi 8 Pro replacement instead).
This whole shuffle was only necessary, because one of the many LeEco Le Max 2 devices in the family finally succumbed to old age, back screen, battery and a partially defect USB-C port. The others have just gone to Android Q or LineageOS 17.1, having launched on Marshmallow in 2016.
Those weren't even expensive when they launched and apart from an undersized battery have well withstood the test of times and power-user kids.
I believe that's because Mi 8 Pro isn't really common smartphone among developers, not because it's Xiaomi phone in general. I've Mi 9T Pro and it has healthy amount of custom rom.
Its been a while where 300 US device get flagship like xiaomi poco f1.with its 845. Now mid price down ro 720 or 730. Price 855 865 may be to far from mid price now. Btw, poco has lineage os too like oneplus one.
I would love a test of a 730 device to get an idea how it would compare to an 845. I don't expect a 730 or other 7 series to match an 855 (or 865), but for a daily driver with limited or no gaming, they might do just fine. Also, possibly easier on battery use.
Not much different than the ramming up your backside that Google has been doing for ages now with Android, biometrics, health data, search, mail, text, call logs, location, app usage, browsing, voice conversations, home video cameras, thermostat settings and anything else those grubby little creeps can get their hands on. How is it any different that you're selling out yourself to Xiaomi as well as Google and Facebook? It's just one more messed up, twisted company that wants to know all about you in exchange for cheap hardware or free candy services. There is pretty much no escaping how disgusting Android and Chrome-based platforms are these days with Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple huffing and puffing to catch up.
The only problem with these phones is that they are becoming more and more expensive. I used Xiaomi fir the last years starting with the very popular Note 3 pro down to Mi6 , Mi8.
The problem is that Mi10 is super expensive and Mi9 lacks flagship features (OIS ???) .
Now , in the past 300+ USD could give you a lot of phone. Problem si that today same 300USD gives u same performance 3 years ago.
These cameras, CPU, GPU are below Mi6 from 3 years ago. They are just ramping up the price.
Probably there will be a newcomer, these guys will find themselves in Samsung position. It was Huawey => became superexpensive , now Xiaomi . Who is next ?
Only the gpu is inferior in 720/730 compared to your 835 mi6. The cpu is better, more efficient, has a huge battery, bigger display, fast charging, sd slot, headphone jack, etc. Have you tested the cameras or seen comparisons? I dont think these new cameras are worse at all. Ois is probably the only thing you will miss.
You got it all wrong . I'm not using mi6 . I used to be Mi6 user. I'm using USD 300 worth of Mi8 that is FAR SUPERIOR to any of these new phones that cost the same amount of money almost 2 years later.
The point is that there is no way I will upgrade to Mi9 ( that has far worse lenses) or to Mi10 that has a x3 pricetag. Better phone for sure , i would love 5G and new cameras but x3 times the price 2.5 years later .... really ?
Did you buy mi 8 from a chinese site like aliexpress or something? Or the global price at launch was 300$? The price for note 9 pro here in india is 180$. Should be about the same in china too.
I have read this article and I found really informative and valuable content on your site. The way you explained the features of Redmi Note 9 & 9 Pro is really good. I will look for more contents on your site and will visit regularly for more updates.
Thank your your valuable contents. Regards: TECX SPOT
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StormyParis - Friday, May 1, 2020 - link
I can really vouch for Xiaomi phones. I've had a long journey starting from the very cheapest phones which were crap; Xiaomis starting with the Redmi Note are delightful (the plain and A Redmi not-Notes are iffy specs-wise, though quality is fine). I've had 10+ people buy RNotes over the last 3 years, mostly as upgrades to iPhones 4S to 6S, and all have been delighted especially by the much better battery life and pics (only in daylight, low-light pics suck).They're pleasant hardware, their MIUI skin isn't too stupid (some good ie Dual Apps and Dual workspaces, some bad ie messy Settings and a crazy Security app), they've got all the features that matter (TouchID, SD slot, Audio jack, even IR remote and FM radio), and now 2 SIMs at the same time as the SD card. NFC depends on country though.
The 2 biggest drawbacks: older models had an iffy mic (not sure about this new ones), which combined with bad low-light selfie cam made for subpar (not delightful, mostly not OK, just bearable) Skype calls. And the screen is very (very ! ) glare-y.
I'd recommend this RNote, or the very similar Realme 6 / 6Pro to 80% of users. Clearly not to Anandtech's tech-hungry ones, nor to avid photographers.
ads295 - Saturday, May 2, 2020 - link
I agree with most of what you say but that data collection they're doing is really creepy and should be able to be turned off but can't be.It sucks because I've used Xiaomi phones and really liked them.
ianmills - Saturday, May 2, 2020 - link
Custom roms are available for all their snapdragon based phones so its an option to avoid data collectionSamus - Thursday, July 30, 2020 - link
Custom ROMs are a requirement of mine on any Android device. You can't trust any of these OEMs. The community dissects the source code for the custom ROMs and what they can't fix in code (like kernel limitations) they fix elsewhere (like blocking level 2 access to the microphone and cameras except for whitelisted processes.)As we all know, the only secure Android phone out-of-the-box is a Blackberry, which are good devices if you are willing to sacrifice performance and pay more.
sonny73n - Sunday, May 3, 2020 - link
There you go with your slandering. Do Apple and Google collect data from you? I’m sure they collect much more than the Chinese, even on the same Chinese-made devices that you’re talking about here. Not to mention they track you 24/7. The bigger issue here is that given the opportunity, they will use your data to harm you. I doubt the Chinese government can do anything to citizens of other countries.You imbecile should not use a phone or any electronic device if you’re so worried about privacy. But I know you’re not that stupid because you can not be evil and stupid at the same time.
ads295 - Sunday, May 3, 2020 - link
What does Google track after I've paused everything possible from their dashboard, such as Web and Activity Tracking, etcflyingpants265 - Monday, May 4, 2020 - link
I'm guessing you don't know much about China.Retycint - Thursday, May 7, 2020 - link
So I'm guessing you do? Please enlighten us on China, thenRetycint - Thursday, May 7, 2020 - link
Think they added a switch to disable data collection in incognito mode. Regardless, it seems that the data collection only happened in the stock apps e.g. Mi browser, stock music app etc so if you avoid the stock apps you should be finehildegardrdungan - Monday, May 11, 2020 - link
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I just got (and returned) a Mi Pro 8 8/128 these days, selling at just above €300.It sports the older 845 that should still be quite a bit ahead of the 730, even if the performance of both is simply "enough" for what I, or in this case one of my sons would do with a phone.
The reason I finally decided to return it, is that Xiaomi is no longer enjoying custom ROM developer support and without the control and longevity these custom ROMs provide, it's simply not the same value proposition, especially later in the life cycle of the product.
In case of the Mi 8 Pro, I couldn't even get it rooted, because none of the TWRP variants that are floating around still seemed to work with the Android Q, which landed on the Mi 8 Pro, right in the middle of the setup (I think it went from O via P to Q right after unpacking). Those two updates were rather reassuring in a way, but somehow I felt that March 2020 Q would also be the last update ever from Xiaomi for the device. And then there is simply too many pre-installed apps that shout "convenience" while perhaps doing "privacy intrusion" and without root you can't even trace and tell.
It's a shame, because otherwise it is an excellent phone, very snappy hardware, feature complete, wonderful screen and good options to make that fat notch disappear optically (OLED be thanked!), most of which was needed to support face-unlock, which is completely gone with Android Q, probably for security reasons (too easy to overcome).
Equivalent OnePlus devices sell for €150 more, very probably only because they come with full LinageOS backing and thus will remain useful for a couple more years (so I got myself a OnePlus 7 Pro and passed my perfectly fine Oneplus 5 on as a Mi 8 Pro replacement instead).
This whole shuffle was only necessary, because one of the many LeEco Le Max 2 devices in the family finally succumbed to old age, back screen, battery and a partially defect USB-C port. The others have just gone to Android Q or LineageOS 17.1, having launched on Marshmallow in 2016.
Those weren't even expensive when they launched and apart from an undersized battery have well withstood the test of times and power-user kids.
Fulljack - Saturday, May 2, 2020 - link
I believe that's because Mi 8 Pro isn't really common smartphone among developers, not because it's Xiaomi phone in general. I've Mi 9T Pro and it has healthy amount of custom rom.realbabilu - Friday, May 1, 2020 - link
Its been a while where 300 US device get flagship like xiaomi poco f1.with its 845. Now mid price down ro 720 or 730. Price 855 865 may be to far from mid price now.Btw, poco has lineage os too like oneplus one.
eastcoast_pete - Friday, May 1, 2020 - link
I would love a test of a 730 device to get an idea how it would compare to an 845. I don't expect a 730 or other 7 series to match an 855 (or 865), but for a daily driver with limited or no gaming, they might do just fine. Also, possibly easier on battery use.uefi - Friday, May 1, 2020 - link
Uh-ohhttps://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2020/0...
PeachNCream - Friday, May 1, 2020 - link
Not much different than the ramming up your backside that Google has been doing for ages now with Android, biometrics, health data, search, mail, text, call logs, location, app usage, browsing, voice conversations, home video cameras, thermostat settings and anything else those grubby little creeps can get their hands on. How is it any different that you're selling out yourself to Xiaomi as well as Google and Facebook? It's just one more messed up, twisted company that wants to know all about you in exchange for cheap hardware or free candy services. There is pretty much no escaping how disgusting Android and Chrome-based platforms are these days with Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple huffing and puffing to catch up.StormyParis - Friday, May 1, 2020 - link
That's the browser and some other Xiaomi apps. Use Firefox + privacy addons and legit apps for music and such.RaduR - Saturday, May 2, 2020 - link
The only problem with these phones is that they are becoming more and more expensive.I used Xiaomi fir the last years starting with the very popular Note 3 pro down to Mi6 , Mi8.
The problem is that Mi10 is super expensive and Mi9 lacks flagship features (OIS ???) .
Now , in the past 300+ USD could give you a lot of phone. Problem si that today same 300USD gives u same performance 3 years ago.
These cameras, CPU, GPU are below Mi6 from 3 years ago. They are just ramping up the price.
Probably there will be a newcomer, these guys will find themselves in Samsung position. It was Huawey => became superexpensive , now Xiaomi . Who is next ?
iphonebestgamephone - Sunday, May 3, 2020 - link
Only the gpu is inferior in 720/730 compared to your 835 mi6. The cpu is better, more efficient, has a huge battery, bigger display, fast charging, sd slot, headphone jack, etc. Have you tested the cameras or seen comparisons? I dont think these new cameras are worse at all. Ois is probably the only thing you will miss.RaduR - Monday, May 4, 2020 - link
You got it all wrong . I'm not using mi6 . I used to be Mi6 user. I'm using USD 300 worth of Mi8 that is FAR SUPERIOR to any of these new phones that cost the same amount of money almost 2 years later.The point is that there is no way I will upgrade to Mi9 ( that has far worse lenses) or to Mi10 that has a x3 pricetag. Better phone for sure , i would love 5G and new cameras but x3 times the price 2.5 years later .... really ?
iphonebestgamephone - Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - link
Did you buy mi 8 from a chinese site like aliexpress or something? Or the global price at launch was 300$? The price for note 9 pro here in india is 180$. Should be about the same in china too.TECX SPOT - Sunday, May 3, 2020 - link
Hello AnandTech!I have read this article and I found really informative and valuable content on your site.
The way you explained the features of Redmi Note 9 & 9 Pro is really good. I will look for more contents on your site and will visit regularly for more updates.
Thank your your valuable contents.
Regards: TECX SPOT
1_rick - Sunday, May 3, 2020 - link
At least two mentions of the Note 9 in the article call it the Note 8.flyingpants265 - Monday, May 4, 2020 - link
No front speakers = no buyMrunknown - Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - link
<a href="https://www.apidroid.com/2020/05/redmi-note-9-pro-... Note 9 is going be best budget phone till date. Very clean and clear details are shown in this post. Great Work Admin!!</a>Mrunknown - Thursday, May 7, 2020 - link
[Redmi Note is best smartphone till date](https://www.apidroid.com/2020/05/redmi-note-9-pro-...