Update, August 31, 2020 (1:50 AM ET): Early rumors suggest that the next Redmi device, dubbed the Redmi 9A, would feature more RAM and storage than the current variants, but Xiaomi may include a few additional niceties too.
It was initially believed that the phone would be called the Redmi 9i (see original article below), but a recent tweet shows that Xiaomi is sticking with the original name. The tweet also confirms that the company will include “a bigger, more vibrant display� on the device.
#Redmi9A will come with a bigger, more vibrant display. Just 3⃣ days to go for #DeshKaSmartphone.
The next #Redmi A series smartphone is launching on 2nd September 2020.
Get notified here: https://t.co/fFjhQACFtH pic.twitter.com/f6RajSTpe6
— Redmi India – #Redmi9 is here! (@RedmiIndia) August 30, 2020
It also shed light on the Redmi 9A release date for India, penned for September 2 with sales kicking off two days later. Read the original article below for more rumored details regarding the device.
Original article, August 27, 2020 (9:00 PM ET): Since the start of August, Xiaomi has announced three devices in India: the Redmi 9, Redmi 9 Prime, and Redmi 9C. But according to leaker Ishan Agarwal, the Chinese OEM could have one more device up its sleeve. Agarwal told Pricebaba Xiaomi is getting ready to announce another budget-friendly phone for India called the Redmi 9i.
Pricebaba suggests the 9i is likely a rebranded variant of the Redmi 9A with more RAM and additional internal storage. Xiaomi released the 9A in Malaysia in June. It features a 6.53-inch display with a 20:9 aspect ratio and 1,600 x 720 resolution. Internally, the phone features MediaTek’s recently announced Helio G25 chipset, a 5,000mAh battery, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage. The phone comes with a single 13MP primary camera with an LED flash and a 5MP camera for snapping selfies. On the software front, it comes with Xiaomi’s MIUI Android skin.
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At the very least, how the 9i would differ from the 9A is that it reportedly includes 4GB of RAM, and will come in 64GB and 128GB storage configurations. Additionally, the website says Xiaomi will sell the phone in three colors: Nature Green, Sea Blue, and Midnight Black.
Based on Agarwal’s track record and the tendency of smartphone companies to flood the Indian market with a variety of devices at different price points, it doesn’t seem unreasonable to suggest Xiaomi is prepping another Redmi 9 variant. If it’s real, we’ll likely learn more about the Redmi 9i soon enough.