Xiaomi Redmi 9A launches in India for under $100

Update, September 2, 2020 (4:20 AM ET): The Xiaomi Redmi 9A is coming to India, the company confirmed in a brief virtual announcement.

It’s the same device that launched in Malaysia and several other markets earlier this year, including a 6.53-inch display, a MediaTek Helio G25 chipset, and a 5,000mAh battery. On paper, it’s a pretty solid budget option especially when the sticker price is factored in.

On that note, the Redmi 9A will be available on Amazon from September 4 with the sale kicking off at 12PM IST (2:30 AM ET). The device will also be listed on Xiaomi’s Mi Store and other retailers. The 2GB/32GB version will cost Rs. 6,799 (~$93) while the 3GB/32GB model will retail for Rs. 7,499 (~$102).

Original article, June 30, 2020 (02:02 AM ET): We’ve known about the Redmi 9A and Redmi 9C for a couple of weeks now, and Xiaomi Malaysia teased the launch earlier this week. Now, the regional division has launched the budget-focused phones in the market, and you’re looking at two very cheap devices.

Xiaomi Malaysia confirmed on Facebook that the Redmi 9A starts at 359 Malaysian Ringgit (~$84), making it a very affordable purchase. However, the phone will have a flash sale price of 319 Malaysian Ringgit (~$75) when it goes on sale on July 7. For the price, you’re getting a 6.53-inch HD+ screen, MediaTek Helio G25 chipset, 2GB RAM, 32GB expandable storage, a 5,000mAh battery, and a single 13MP rear camera (plus a 5MP selfie shooter).

Meanwhile, the Xiaomi Redmi 9C has a recommended price of 429 Malaysian Ringgit (~$100), and you’re getting a couple of extras for the price. More specifically, you’re getting a slightly better Helio G35 SoC, a rear fingerprint scanner, and a 13MP triple camera setup. Otherwise, you’ve still got the same screen, battery size, and selfie camera.

This also marks the first time we see MediaTek’s Helio G25 and G35 processors, and the Taiwanese firm has been marketing them as gaming-focused SoCs. But truth be told, these chips look like the previously announced Helio P22 and Helio P35 processors.

We’ve got the same octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU (albeit at 2Ghz and 2.3Ghz respectively), a budget-focused PowerVR GE8320 GPU, and a 12nm manufacturing process. However, the firm says these chips are equipped with the HyperEngine suite of technologies, allowing for more efficient resource management, and faster switching between Wi-Fi and LTE.

Nevertheless, we wouldn’t recommend buying phones with these processors specifically for gaming, but these new devices still look like great entry-level phones for the price. Xiaomi has also confirmed to Android Authority that these phones will indeed be coming to more markets, including Europe. But the firm said exact launch dates and markets would be forthcoming at a later stage.