The Umidigi G9C, launched in September 2024, is another strong entry in the budget smartphone market. It offers a good mix of performance, design, and camera capabilities, making it an appealing choice for consumers seeking affordable yet functional smartphones. With improved hardware and a few standout features, the G9C is a step above its counterparts in the same price range.
Design and Display
At 167.2 x 77 x 7.9 mm and weighing 189g, the Umidigi G9C shares a similar design to its sibling, the G9A. Its slim profile and lightweight build make it easy to handle, and it is available in two stylish colors: Rock Black and Grass Green. The G9C’s 6.75-inch IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and a more responsive experience, which is a significant upgrade over the standard 60Hz found in many budget phones. While the 720 x 1600 resolution (260 ppi) is modest, the large screen and decent pixel density make it suitable for watching videos and casual gaming.
Under the hood, the Umidigi G9C is powered by the MediaTek Helio G36 chipset, a 12nm octa-core processor that includes four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and four at 1.6 GHz. This, combined with 6GB of RAM, provides respectable performance for everyday tasks, multitasking, and light gaming. The PowerVR GE8320 GPU helps with graphic rendering, ensuring smooth performance for games that don’t demand high-end specs. The G9C runs Android 14, offering a fresh user interface and access to the latest software features and updates.
Storage-wise, the device comes with 128GB of internal storage, expandable via a microSD card using a hybrid SIM slot. This provides ample space for apps, photos, and videos, making the G9C an efficient device for everyday use.
Camera and Photography
One of the Umidigi G9C’s key highlights is its camera setup. The dual rear camera system includes a 50 MP primary sensor, which captures high-quality images with good detail, particularly in well-lit environments. The secondary 2 MP depth sensor enhances portrait shots, creating a clear subject focus with soft background blurring. Video recording maxes out at 1080p at 30fps, which is expected for a phone in this segment. On the front, the 8 MP selfie camera is sufficient for video calls and casual selfies.
Battery Life and Connectivity
Battery life is another strength of the Umidigi G9C, thanks to its 5000 mAh battery. The device supports 18W fast charging, a significant improvement over its predecessors, ensuring users can quickly recharge when needed. With a full day of moderate use, this phone can easily last without the need for a mid-day top-up.
Connectivity options are robust, including dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.4, GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, and even NFC, which is often missing in budget phones. It also comes with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for added security, a USB Type-C port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Conclusion
The Umidigi G9C offers excellent value for money, with a solid display, upgraded performance, and an impressive camera system for its price range. It is an ideal choice for users looking for an affordable smartphone without compromising essential features like battery life, connectivity, and everyday usability.
