Xiaomi Redmi 2020 Smartphone Lineup: Displays, Colors, and Global Differences

Introduction

2020 was a breakthrough year for Redmi, Xiaomi’s budget and mid-range powerhouse. From the affordable Redmi 9A to the flagship K30 Pro, Redmi covered every price segment with remarkable precision. It was also the year when AMOLED displays began to appear in mid-range devices, while LCD panels still dominated most models worldwide. And let’s not forget the colorful designs that made Redmi phones instantly recognizable.

The Evolution of Redmi in 2020

Before 2020, Redmi was mainly known for delivering solid LCD-based smartphones at unbeatable prices. But in 2020, the brand diversified rapidly — launching more than a dozen major models across global and Chinese markets. This was also the year when POCO began to emerge as an independent global brand, rebranding certain Redmi devices for international release.

Understanding Display Types

LCD vs. AMOLED: The Core Difference

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display): Known for durability and affordability. It offers consistent brightness but lacks deep contrast.
AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic LED): Produces vivid colors, deeper blacks, and better energy efficiency. It’s more premium but costly.

In 2020, Redmi began experimenting with AMOLED on select models — especially those targeting the mid-to-high-end markets like the Redmi 10X Pro and K30 Pro.

Global vs. China Variants

If you ever wondered why a Redmi Note 9 Pro in India looks different from one in China, you’re not alone. Xiaomi’s regional differentiation strategy caused major confusion in 2020.

For instance:

The Redmi 10X 5G in China used an AMOLED screen and a Dimensity chip,
The global Note 9 Pro relied on Snapdragon 720G and an LCD panel.

Even the colors and design finishes varied significantly by market — reflecting each region’s style preferences.

The Summary Table of Redemi and POCO Smartphone Launches in 2020

Here’s a summary including their model names, release dates, display types, and available colors:

Brand / Series	Model	Launch Date	Display Type	Available Colors
Redmi Note 9 Series (Global)	Redmi Note 9 Pro	April 2020	LCD	Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Black
	Redmi Note 9S	March 2020	LCD	Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Gray
	Redmi Note 9	May 2020	LCD	Forest Green, Midnight Gray, Polar Purple
	Redmi Note 9 Pro Max (India)	March 2020	LCD	Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Black
Redmi Note 9 Series (China / Redmi 10X)	Redmi 10X 5G / 10X Pro	May 2020	AMOLED	Twilight Purple, Lunar Gold, Deep Sea Blue, Star White
	Redmi Note 9 Pro (China)	March 2020	LCD	Autumn Light, Silent Sky, Ocean Star
Redmi K30 Series (China)	Redmi K30 5G	Dec 2019 / 2020 Main Sales	LCD	Phoenix Red, Deep Sea Light, Purple Illusion, Time Monologue
	Redmi K30 Pro / Zoom Edition	March 2020	AMOLED	Sky Blue, Moonlight White, Space Gray, Ring Purple
	Redmi K30 Ultra	August 2020	AMOLED	Moonlight White, Midnight Black, Mint Green
	Redmi K30S Ultra	October 2020	LCD	Interstellar Black, Moonlight Silver
Redmi 9 Series (Global)	Redmi 9	June 2020	LCD	Carbon Gray, Sunset Purple, Ocean Green, Pink
	Redmi 9A	June 2020	LCD	Nature Gray, Sky Blue, Lake Green
	Redmi 9C / 9C NFC	June 2020	LCD	Midnight Gray, Twilight Blue, Sunrise Orange
POCO Series (Global)	POCO F2 Pro (based on Redmi K30 Pro)	May 2020	AMOLED	Neon Blue, Phantom Purple, Electric Gray, Ice White
	POCO X3 (NFC)	September 2020	LCD	Shadow Gray, Cobalt Blue
	POCO M2 Pro (based on Redmi Note 9S/Pro)	July 2020	LCD	Out of the Blue, Green and Greener, Two Shades of Black

Redmi Note 9 Series (Global)

Overview

The Redmi Note 9 lineup was the backbone of Redmi’s global strategy in 2020. Built with LCD panels and quad-camera setups, it targeted the mid-range crowd seeking performance without breaking the bank.

Redmi Note 9 Pro

Release: April 2020
Display: LCD
Colors: Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Black
A sleek design with Gorilla Glass 5 and a centered punch-hole camera made it one of the best-selling Redmi phones of the year.

Redmi Note 9S

Release: March 2020
Display: LCD
Colors: Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Gray
Nearly identical to the Note 9 Pro, this model was popular in Europe and Asia due to its lower price.

Redmi Note 9

Release: May 2020
Display: LCD
Colors: Forest Green, Midnight Gray, Polar Purple
The base model in the Note 9 family offers massive battery life and reliable performance.

Redmi Note 9 Pro Max (India)

Release: March 2020
Display: LCD
Colors: Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Black
Exclusive to India, this variant featured faster charging and a slightly upgraded camera system.

Redmi Note 9 Series (China) – The 10X and Beyond

In China, Redmi ditched the “Note 9” name and introduced the Redmi 10X series, marking a major milestone.

Redmi 10X 5G / 10X Pro

Release: May 2020
Display: AMOLED (first in mid-range Redmi history)
Colors: Twilight Purple, Lunar Gold, Deep Sea Blue, Star White

These phones were the first affordable 5G Redmi models and set new standards for mid-tier devices with vibrant AMOLED screens and in-display fingerprint sensors.

Redmi Note 9 Pro (China Version)

Release: March 2020
Display: LCD
Colors: Autumn Mirror Lake, Silent Starry Sky, Ocean Star

Unlike the global variant, this Chinese version packed a Snapdragon 750G and a 108MP main camera — showcasing Redmi’s experimental nature in its domestic market.

Redmi K30 Series (China)

The K30 lineup was Redmi’s most ambitious series ever — covering nearly every tech enthusiast’s wish list.

Redmi K30 5G

Release: December 2019 (Main sales in 2020)
Display: 120Hz LCD
Colors: Flower Shadow, Deep Sea Light, Purple Mirage, Time Monologue
A unique dual-punch-hole LCD panel and high refresh rate made it stand out.

Redmi K30 Pro / Zoom Edition

Release: March 2020
Display: AMOLED
Colors: Sky Blue, Moonlight White, Space Gray, Purple Ring
A true flagship with pop-up cameras and no punch holes — one of the cleanest designs of 2020.

Redmi K30 Ultra

Release: August 2020
Display: 120Hz AMOLED
Colors: Moonlight White, Midnight Black, Mint Green
A celebratory model for Redmi’s anniversary, merging high-refresh AMOLED with MediaTek’s Dimensity 1000+.

Redmi K30S Ultra

Release: October 2020
Display: 144Hz LCD
Colors: Interstellar Black, Moonlight Silver
A rebadged Xiaomi Mi 10T, offering a performance-focused LCD display for enthusiasts.

Redmi 9 Series (Global Budget Segment)

2020’s Redmi 9 lineup redefined what budget phones could do.

Redmi 9

Release: June 2020
Display: LCD
Colors: Carbon Gray, Sunset Purple, Ocean Green, Pink
An all-rounder for students and first-time smartphone buyers.

Redmi 9A

Release: June 2020
Display: LCD
Colors: Nature Green, Sky Blue, Granite Gray
A simple and sturdy phone for everyday essentials.

Redmi 9C / 9C NFC

Release: June 2020
Display: LCD
Colors: Midnight Gray, Twilight Blue, Sunrise Orange
Budget-friendly with a triple-camera setup and NFC option for select regions.

POCO Series (Global Market)

POCO’s re-emergence in 2020 introduced Redmi’s DNA to new audiences worldwide.

POCO F2 Pro

Release: May 2020
Display: AMOLED
Colors: Neon Blue, Phantom Purple, Electric Gray, Ice White
Essentially a rebranded Redmi K30 Pro, it became the affordable flagship of the year.

POCO X3 (NFC)

Release: September 2020
Display: 120Hz LCD
Colors: Shadow Gray, Cobalt Blue
A mid-range marvel offering flagship-level refresh rate and battery life.

POCO M2 Pro

Release: July 2020
Display: LCD
Colors: Out of the Blue, Green and Greener, Two Shades of Black
Based on the Note 9S/Pro platform, this was POCO’s answer to India’s competitive mid-tier market.

Color Palettes Across Regions

Redmi embraced vibrant, gradient-based colors in 2020. From Aurora Blue to Sunrise Orange, each color was chosen to reflect youth and energy. Interestingly, the same color might have different names depending on region — for example, “Aurora Blue” in global markets could appear as “Twilight Purple” in China.

Design Philosophy in 2020

Redmi shifted from plain matte finishes to reflective glass-like bodies, mimicking premium aesthetics. The brand emphasized symmetry, polished camera modules, and metallic accents, giving even budget phones a flagship feel.

Market Strategy and Differentiation

Redmi’s 2020 playbook was all about localization:

China: High-performance devices like K30 Pro and 10X Pro with AMOLED displays.
Global: Mass-market phones with LCDs to maintain low prices.
POCO: Targeted the tech-savvy crowd who wanted flagship performance without the price tag.

Display Technology in Focus

Redmi’s careful rollout of AMOLED displays in 2020 paved the way for their widespread use in later generations (like the Note 10 series). Still, their high-refresh LCD panels — especially the 120Hz and 144Hz ones — proved that LCD technology could still compete.

User Reception and Popular Models

Models like the Redmi Note 9 Pro, Redmi 9A, and POCO X3 NFC became best-sellers across continents. Fans praised their battery life, performance, and vibrant colors, while reviewers noted Redmi’s smart balance between innovation and cost efficiency.

Conclusion

The year 2020 was a defining chapter for Redmi. The brand successfully transitioned from a value-oriented player to a global powerhouse, pioneering a mix of affordability, style, and technology. Whether it was AMOLED innovation in China or value-packed LCDs worldwide, Redmi proved that you don’t need to spend big to enjoy a beautiful display and stunning design.

FAQs

1. Which Redmi 2020 phone had an AMOLED display?
The Redmi 10X series, K30 Pro, and K30 Ultra were the main models featuring AMOLED displays.

2. What was the most popular Redmi phone in 2020?
The Redmi Note 9 Pro was among the top sellers globally due to its performance and affordability.

3. Did all POCO phones in 2020 come from Redmi designs?
Mostly yes — POCO F2 Pro and M2 Pro were based on Redmi K30 Pro and Note 9 series, respectively.

4. Why did Redmi keep using LCD screens for most global phones?
LCD screens were cheaper and easier to produce, helping Redmi maintain its value-for-money strategy.

5. Were there color differences between Chinese and global Redmi phones?
Yes, color names and shades often differed between markets to suit regional tastes and branding.

Loly

Hi, I’m Loly, the funder of MoPhoneParts.com, I’ve been running a factory in China that makes Mobile Phone Parts for 8 years now, and the purpose of this article is to share with you the knowledge related to cellphone parts from a Chinese supplier’s perspective.