The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Coolpad Cool 20+ and Realme 9 Pro+ represent distinct approaches. The Cool 20+ aims for affordability, while the Realme 9 Pro+ pushes the boundaries of performance and charging speed within a similar price bracket. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 9 Pro+ is the superior choice. Its significantly more powerful Dimensity 920 chipset and blazing-fast 60W charging offer a smoother, more responsive experience and drastically reduce downtime. While the Coolpad Cool 20+ offers value, the performance gap is too large to ignore.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE (2CA) | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April | 2022, February 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April | Available. Released 2022, February 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 75.7 x 8.7 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 197.1 g (6.95 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769 Helio G85 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC3 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11, CoolOS 2 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8 (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF
0.3 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 60W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 44 min (advertised) |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Midnight Black, Aurora Green, Sunrise Blue, Free Fire Limited Edition |
| Models | - | RMX3392, RMX3393 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | € 289.90 / $ 390.00 / ₹ 25,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.73 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 117h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.3 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 495096 (v8), 416031 (v9)
GeekBench: 2335 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 27fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Coolpad Cool 20+
- Highly affordable price point
- Acceptable performance for basic tasks
- Potentially longer battery life (depending on capacity)
- Slow 10W charging
- Outdated Helio G85 chipset
- Likely inferior camera performance
Realme 9 Pro+
- Powerful Dimensity 920 chipset
- Ultra-fast 60W charging
- Excellent endurance rating (117h)
- Higher price compared to Coolpad Cool 20+
- Camera details are limited
- May run warmer under heavy load
Display Comparison
The Realme 9 Pro+ boasts an unspecified, but likely high-quality, display with an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting a vibrant viewing experience. The Coolpad Cool 20+ lacks detailed display specifications, implying a more basic panel. While both likely feature LCD technology given the price points, the Realme’s superior processing power allows for more sophisticated image processing, potentially enhancing color accuracy and dynamic range. The absence of refresh rate information for the Coolpad suggests it's limited to the standard 60Hz, while the Realme 9 Pro+ is likely to offer a smoother experience with a higher refresh rate (though not specified in the provided data).
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are limited for both devices. However, the Realme 9 Pro+ likely features a more advanced camera system, benefiting from the Dimensity 920’s superior image signal processor (ISP). While both phones may include multiple lenses, the Realme’s ISP will deliver better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The Coolpad Cool 20+ likely relies on software processing to compensate for its less capable chipset, potentially resulting in less detail and more noise in photos. The absence of OIS information for both suggests neither phone prioritizes optical image stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 9 Pro+’s MediaTek Dimensity 920 (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Coolpad Cool 20+'s Helio G85 (12nm). The Dimensity 920 utilizes more efficient 6nm fabrication, resulting in better thermal management and sustained performance. Its Cortex-A78 cores, clocked at 2.5 GHz, offer a significant performance boost over the Cool 20+'s 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The Realme’s likely use of faster LPDDR5 RAM (though not specified) further enhances performance compared to the Coolpad’s likely LPDDR4X implementation.
Battery Life
The Realme 9 Pro+’s 60W wired charging is a game-changer, advertised to reach 100% in just 44 minutes. This is a massive advantage over the Coolpad Cool 20+'s slow 10W charging. While the Coolpad may have a larger battery capacity (not specified), the Realme’s faster charging mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. The Realme 9 Pro+’s endurance rating of 117 hours suggests efficient power management, further enhancing its usability throughout the day. The Coolpad will require significantly longer to recharge, making it less convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Coolpad Cool 20+ if you prioritize absolute affordability and only need a phone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media. You'll accept compromises in performance and charging speed. Buy the Realme 9 Pro+ if you value a responsive user experience, enjoy mobile gaming, and appreciate the convenience of incredibly fast charging. It's a better investment for users who demand more from their smartphone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Realme 9 Pro+’s Dimensity 920 chipset get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 920 is a powerful chip, its 6nm process and the Realme 9 Pro+'s likely thermal management system should prevent excessive overheating. Some throttling is possible during extended, graphically demanding games, but it shouldn't significantly impact the overall experience. The Coolpad Cool 20+'s Helio G85 will likely throttle more aggressively due to its less efficient 12nm process.
❓ Is the 60W charging on the Realme 9 Pro+ compatible with all USB-C chargers?
The Realme 9 Pro+ supports 60W charging via the proprietary SuperDart Charge protocol, as well as PD3.0. While it will charge with other USB-C chargers, you'll need a charger that supports either SuperDart Charge or Power Delivery (PD) to achieve the full 60W charging speed. Using a standard 10W charger will result in significantly slower charging times.
❓ How does the Coolpad Cool 20+ perform with multitasking and app switching?
The Coolpad Cool 20+'s Helio G85 is adequate for basic multitasking, such as switching between messaging apps and web browsing. However, it may struggle with more demanding tasks like running multiple apps simultaneously or switching between resource-intensive applications. The Realme 9 Pro+’s Dimensity 920 offers a much smoother and more responsive multitasking experience.
