Huh?? Sorry you mean redmi note 9 vs redmi note 8 ah? Or are you seriously talking about mi 9 a 2 years old phone (Mi9)?
Though I assume you are talking about note 9 vs note 8 then. Actually unless you are comparing note 9 you gotten it a super value duper sales vs you getting note 8 at super super expensive pricing?
Otherwise note 9 pricing on average closer to note 8 pro and note 8 pro has no issue on updates for global, as I owned a global (sg xiaomi funan warrantied set and an EU set.
EU surely much slower in updates. But global note 8 pro is better. But that update. Note 8 pro in terms of feature is better than note 9 unless you manage to get the note 9 nfc version (regardless you using it or not as we are comparing it objectively).
But by all means still get the note 9 if you like the looks or just want something newer and value for money is not something on your list.
Can't speak of how well Mi 9 software update situation is right now but personally I will choose Mi 9 over Note 8. The update situation for Note 8 Global ROM is just a complete mess now.
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