The Honor X7d 4G and Realme 9i 5G represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver value, they take different approaches: the Honor prioritizes endurance and a proven chipset, while the Realme offers the allure of 5G connectivity and a slightly newer processor. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and consistent performance, the Honor X7d 4G emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 685 chipset, coupled with a remarkable 71-hour endurance rating, provides a more reliable experience than the Realme 9i 5G, despite the latter's 5G capability. However, the Realme 9i 5G is a viable option for those who absolutely require 5G access.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 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 | 2025, August 25 | 2022, August 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, September 15 | Available. Released 2022, August 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 166.9 x 76.8 x 8.2 mm (6.57 x 3.02 x 0.32 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 208 g (7.34 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Tempered glass, Mohs level 4 | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1610 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~261 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.77 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 15, MagicOS 9 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 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 | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 35W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6500 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Desert Gold, Ocean Cyan, Meteor Silver, Velvet Black | Soulful Blue, Rocking Black, Gold |
| Models | LGN-LX1 | RMX3612 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 71:00h endurance, 1600 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class A | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Honor X7d 4G
- Exceptional 71-hour battery life
- Faster 35W wired charging
- Efficient Snapdragon 685 chipset
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Potentially less powerful CPU for bursty tasks
Realme 9i 5G
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- More aggressive CPU core configuration
- Modern chipset (Dimensity 810)
- Slower 18W wired charging
- Likely shorter battery life
- Potential for thermal throttling
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific display specs are missing, both likely utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. The focus here is on processing power, not pixel density. The absence of high refresh rates is expected, and the real-world impact of minor display differences will be minimal for typical usage scenarios.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the price point, both phones likely employ similar sensor configurations, potentially with a primary sensor around 13-50MP. Image processing will be a key differentiator, and brand-specific algorithms will influence the final image quality. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is expected on both devices. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 9i 5G’s MediaTek Dimensity 810 (6nm) features a more aggressive CPU configuration with 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 cores compared to the Honor X7d 4G’s Snapdragon 685 (6nm) which has 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 cores. While the Dimensity 810’s A76 cores offer a theoretical performance advantage in bursty tasks, the Snapdragon 685’s A73 cores, combined with Qualcomm’s optimization, often translate to smoother sustained performance and better power efficiency. The Snapdragon 685’s 6nm process also contributes to improved thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Realme 9i 5G’s 5G modem will consume more power than the 4G modem in the Honor X7d.
Battery Life
The Honor X7d 4G truly shines in battery endurance, boasting a remarkable 71-hour rating and a 1600 cycle lifespan. This suggests a significantly longer usable life and less degradation over time compared to the Realme 9i 5G. While the Realme 9i 5G doesn’t have a published endurance rating, the Honor’s advantage is substantial. The Honor also supports 35W wired charging, significantly faster than the Realme 9i 5G’s 18W charging. This translates to quicker top-ups, minimizing downtime. The faster charging speed of the Honor X7d 4G effectively mitigates any potential capacity difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X7d 4G if you need exceptional battery life, a stable and efficient processor for everyday tasks, and aren't heavily reliant on 5G connectivity. It's ideal for users who prioritize longevity and consistent performance over bleeding-edge features. Buy the Realme 9i 5G if you prioritize 5G access for faster data speeds and are willing to trade some battery life and potentially thermal stability for that connectivity. This phone is best for users in areas with strong 5G coverage who frequently stream or download content on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 810 in the Realme 9i 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 810 is a capable chipset, but its thermal performance can be a concern in sustained workloads. While the 6nm process helps, the more aggressive CPU configuration may lead to throttling under heavy load, potentially resulting in frame drops and reduced performance over extended gaming sessions. The Snapdragon 685 in the Honor X7d 4G is generally more thermally efficient.
❓ How much faster is 5G on the Realme 9i 5G compared to 4G on the Honor X7d 4G in real-world scenarios?
The speed difference between 5G and 4G depends heavily on network availability and congestion. In areas with strong 5G coverage, the Realme 9i 5G can achieve significantly faster download and upload speeds. However, in areas with limited 5G coverage, the difference may be negligible, and the phone will fall back to 4G, negating the benefit. The Honor X7d 4G provides a consistently reliable 4G experience.
❓ What is the expected lifespan of the Honor X7d 4G's battery, given its 1600 cycle rating?
A 1600 cycle rating indicates the battery can be fully charged and discharged 1600 times with minimal degradation. Assuming a typical daily charge cycle, this translates to over 4 years of reliable battery performance. This is a significant advantage over devices with lower cycle ratings, suggesting the Honor X7d 4G will maintain its battery capacity for a longer period.
