Another Xiaomi budget smartphone after the Redmi 9A will go on sale in the Philippines in a few hours, and it’s the company’s first MediaTek Helio G35 device.

(Update, August 27, 2021: There’s now Redmi 9C 2021, and it’s now available in the Philippines.)

(Update, September 27: Our review is finally up! Read Redmi 9C review: Budget done just right?)

Launched first in Malaysia June 30th, the Redmi 9C will be available on Shopee starting at 11:59 p.m. today, August 17, and on Lazada August 21. The model with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of built-in storage is priced at only P5,290 (around $109 converted), while the 3GB/64GB version costs P5,990 ($123). You can even buy the base model for P4,990 ($103) on the first-sale day on Lazada.

Pretty competitive prices for the value it offers — and can we say, “for something that looks good, too”? We’re in love with our Sunrise Orange review unit. If this particular Redmi 9C shade is too bold for you, you can always opt for the Midnight Grey or Twilight Blue color.

Make memories last with the #Redmi9C’s AI triple camera, capturing your favorite moments in vivid color, and fully immersing yourself with its large 6.53” HD+ display! pic.twitter.com/580Jca0UaA

— Xiaomi Philippines (@MiPhilippines) August 15, 2020

The Redmi 9C at a glance

The Redmi 9C boasts a 13-megapixel AI triple-rear camera with a design that’s similar to the one popularized by the Apple iPhone 11 series. The back panel is textured and does not attract fingerprints easily. That’s something that reviewers like us appreciate; it makes it easier for us to take pictures of the phone.

The front features a waterdrop — or what Xiaomi calls DotDrop — screen that measures 6.53 inches. Housed in the notch is a 5-megapixel selfie camera. The display has blue-light protection certification for a more comfortable viewing experience even after spending long hours on the handset.

SEE ALSO: Redmi 9 review: Does it meet, exceed, or betray expectations?

The Redmi 9C also gets a 5,000mAh battery, which is claimed to last 27 days on standby and can do 167 hours of music playback, 32 hours of calls, 10 hours of gaming, or 21 hours of video playback. It already runs a version of MIUI that’s based on Android 10.

We will be publishing our review of this smartphone soon, so do check back on our site often. If you’re looking for a premium Xiaomi model, too, cross your fingers that the company will bring in the Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra 10th-anniversary handset, which is currently the top-rated camera phone on DxOMark. We sure are; we’re always on the lookout for camera-focused models.

Xiaomi Redmi 9C specs

• 6.53-inch waterdrop HD+ LCD display
• MediaTek Helio G35 processor
• 2GB/3GB RAM
• 32GB/64GB storage
• 13-megapixel, f/2.2 main camera; 2-megapixel, f/2.4 macro camera; 2-megapixel, f/2.4 portrait camera
• 5-megapixel, f/2.2 front camera
• 5,000mAh battery with 10-watt charging
• Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted)
• MIUI 12 based on Android 10
• Colors: Sunrise Orange, Twilight Blue, Midnight Grey

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