The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Coolpad Cool 10A and Realme 9i 5G represent two distinct approaches. The Cool 10A aims for extreme affordability, while the Realme 9i 5G attempts to deliver a more modern 5G experience. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which phone offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the vast majority of users, the Realme 9i 5G is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 810 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Coolpad Cool 10A’s Unisoc SC9863A, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. The faster 18W charging is also a significant advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 5, 7, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 29. Released 2021, March 29 | 2022, August 18 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, August 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 165 x 76 x 8.8 mm (6.50 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) | 164.4 x 75.1 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.96 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Unspecified MP, 46mm (telephoto)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Soulful Blue, Rocking Black, Gold |
| Models | - | RMX3612 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 180 EUR |
Coolpad Cool 10A
- Extremely affordable price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Potentially longer battery life due to less powerful chipset (though slower charging)
- Significantly slower performance
- Outdated 28nm chipset
- Slow 10W charging
Realme 9i 5G
- Much faster performance with Dimensity 810
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Faster 18W charging
- Slightly higher price
- May not have a significantly larger battery capacity
- LCD display likely similar to Coolpad
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Given the context data focuses on processing power, we can infer both likely utilize LCD panels. The Realme 9i 5G, positioned slightly higher in the market, likely benefits from a higher peak brightness and potentially better color calibration. The Cool 10A, aiming for cost reduction, likely uses a simpler panel. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both, typical for this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, we can assume both phones feature basic camera setups. The Realme 9i 5G, given its positioning, likely has a larger main sensor and potentially more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The Cool 10A likely prioritizes cost savings, resulting in a simpler camera system. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely inconsequential; image quality will be limited by the sensor size and lens quality.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Realme 9i 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 810, fabricated on a 6nm process, is a far more efficient and powerful chipset than the Coolpad Cool 10A’s 28nm Unisoc SC9863A. The Dimensity 810’s Cortex-A76 cores (2x2.4 GHz) offer a substantial performance advantage over the Cool 10A’s Cortex-A55 cores (4x1.6 GHz & 4x1.2 GHz). This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Realme 9i 5G. The 6nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn't specified, the Realme 9i 5G’s 18W charging is a clear advantage over the Cool 10A’s 10W charging. This means significantly faster top-ups, reducing downtime. Even if the Cool 10A has a slightly larger battery, the slower charging speed will be a noticeable drawback. The Dimensity 810’s 6nm efficiency also contributes to better battery life during typical usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Coolpad Cool 10A if your primary need is a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Realme 9i 5G if you prioritize 5G connectivity, smoother performance for apps and occasional gaming, and faster charging speeds – even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc SC9863A in the Coolpad Cool 10A struggle with modern apps like TikTok or Instagram?
Yes, the Unisoc SC9863A is a low-end chipset and will likely exhibit noticeable lag and slowdowns when running demanding apps like TikTok or Instagram, especially with multiple apps open simultaneously. The Realme 9i 5G’s Dimensity 810 will provide a much smoother experience.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Realme 9i 5G actually useful if I don't live in an area with widespread 5G coverage?
Even with limited 5G coverage, the Realme 9i 5G benefits from the more modern modem technology, which can improve 4G LTE performance and future-proof the device for when 5G becomes more readily available in your area. The Dimensity 810 also offers improved Wi-Fi capabilities.
❓ Can I expect to play demanding games like PUBG Mobile on the Coolpad Cool 10A?
While you *can* technically run PUBG Mobile on the Coolpad Cool 10A, the experience will be far from ideal. Expect low frame rates, significant lag, and potentially frequent crashes. The Realme 9i 5G will offer a much more playable experience, though you may still need to lower graphics settings.
