This story was originally published on Jan 8, 2021, and last updated on Jan 27, 2021.

UPDATE: 2021/01/27 8:35 P.M. GMT+8 BY NICOLE BATAC

Xiaomi Philippines has officially launched the Redmi 9T in the country after its global launch earlier this month.

The Redmi 9T’s base model with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage retails for PHP 6,990, while the variant with 6GB RAM + 128GB of storage costs PHP 7,990. It comes in Carbon Gray, Twilight Blue, Sunrise Orange, and Ocean Green. It doesn’t look like the NFC variant will be sold here.

You can purchase the Redmi 9T through Xiaomi’s official brand stores on Lazada and Shopee starting Friday, January 29. If you want to get a discount, Xiaomi will offer PHP 500 off the base version throughout the release day. The handset will also be available at Authorized Mi Stores and resellers, with freebies available on the release date.

Xiaomi didn’t mention the Redmi Note 9T, but we’re hoping this budget-friendly 5G phone will make its way here, too.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Xiaomi’s Redmi series expands with two new additions: one brings 5G to the entry-level market, and another comes with a big battery to last you days.

If you follow Xiaomi’s launches, the Redmi Note 9T and Redmi 9T will seem familiar. Both are considered international variants of devices launched in China in November 2020. The former is regarded as a tweaked variant of the Redmi Note 9 5G, and the latter a modified version of the Redmi Note 9 4G.

Let’s take a look at what we’re getting from each handset, shall we?

Redmi Note 9T

With a tagline that says, “Ready Set, 5G,” you can already tell what Xiaomi wants you to remember about the Redmi Note 9T. The company’s first Redmi handset with 5G packs in a MediaTek Dimensity 800U processor with dual 5G support, promising “flagship-grade” performance that’s up to “100% faster” than previous generations. Dual 5G means you can insert two 5G-capable SIM cards into this device, and both will work simultaneously. It’s an investment into this next-gen connectivity without making a big dent in your budget.

Speaking of budget, the Redmi Note 9T comes in 4GB RAM + 64GB storage and 4GB + 128GB storage options. The 64GB option costs € 229 (around PHP 13,500), while the 128GB is priced at € 269 (PHP 15,857). The company will offer an early bird price of € 199 (PHP 11,731) for 64GB model and € 249 (PHP 14,678) for the 128GB model. According to Xiaomi, the Redmi Note 9T will be available starting January 11, but this date might vary for the local launch. We also don’t know if both variants will be available. We’ll let you know for any updates.

For this international variant, this handset comes in two shades—Nightfall Black and Daybreak Purple. The triple rear cameras are arranged in a design similar to the Huawei Mate 30 Pro, with a circular module at the phone’s top center. If you want to keep it within the brand, it looks like an evolution of the Redmi 9’s camera module. 

The Redmi Note 9T comes with a primary 48-megapixel 4-in-1 Super Pixel sensor with f/1.8 aperture and AF, a 2-megapixel depth sensor with f/2.4 aperture, and a 2-megapixel macro sensor with f/2.4 aperture and FF. It also comes with an LED flash. Sadly, no ultrawide or telephoto sensors here.

There’s nothing else on the back except for the Redmi branding and the word “5G” at the bottom. Like the Redmi Note 9 5G, the fingerprint sensor is relegated to the side. 

In front, there’s a sizeable 6.53-inch FHD+ Dot Display with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. It is only interrupted by a punch-hole at the upper left corner for the 13-megapixel selfie shooter.

The Redmi Note 9T is also the first Redmi handset to get dual speakers with smart orientation. It knows how you’re holding the phone, so it delivers the sound to you properly.

We won’t know for sure how much battery the Redmi Note 9T will get through in a day until we put it through its paces. But we’re pretty confident a full workday is achievable with its 5,000mAh battery. Xiaomi includes a 22.5W charging brick in the box, but it only supports 18W fast-charging (which we still welcome anyway). 

And, of course, we have an unboxing video ready for you already!

Redmi 9T

If you’re not really in the market for a 5G-ready handset, Xiaomi is also offering the Redmi 9T in four configurations: 4GB RAM + 64GB storage at € 159 (PHP 9,373), 4GB + 64GB with NFC at € 169 (PHP 9,962), 4GB + 128GB at € 189 (PHP 11,141), and 4GB + 128GB with NFC 199 (PHP 11,731). The non-NFC variant will be available starting tomorrow, January 9, while the NFC model will arrive in early February. Again, we still have to confirm what variants will be available locally.

This smartphone runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 chipset, which powers the Poco M3. The Redmi 9T does share a lot of the Poco M3’s specs. It also runs on a large capacity 6,000mAh battery with 18W fast-charging via USB-C port, which is a first for the Redmi series. It comes with a 22.5W charger, too, and supports reversed wired charging. But it doesn’t include the cable in the box. 

The Redmi 9T also features a 6.53-inch FHD+ Dot Drop display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection and TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light certification for low blue-light emission that can protect your eyes from eye strain.

There are more color options with this handset, but sadly, not the eye-catching Poco Yellow. The Redmi 9T comes in Carbon Gray, Twilight Blue, Sunrise Orange, and Ocean Green. It has a more conventional camera module layout for its rear quad-camera setup, with the sensors stacked on top of each other vertically in the upper left corner of the handset’s back.

The Redmi 9T adds an 8-megapixel ultra-wide sensor with a 120-degree field of view and f/2.2 aperture to the setup. Otherwise, it shares the Poco M3’s 48-megapixel main sensor, 2-megapixel depth camera, and 2-megapixel macro lens. In front, there’s also an 8-megapixel camera with f/2.0 aperture.