The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Note 11i and Realme 9i 5G are two strong contenders vying for your attention. Both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a decent smartphone experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 9i 5G emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 810 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Infinix Note 11i’s Helio G85, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While both share 18W charging, the Realme’s superior processing power justifies the slight price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 | 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, November 15 | 2022, August 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 15 | Available. Released 2022, August 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 173.2 x 78.7 x 8.8 mm (6.82 x 3.10 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~387 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.95 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~84.2% 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 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, XOS 7.6 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide) |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Unspecified MP, 46mm (telephoto)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green | Soulful Blue, Rocking Black, Gold |
| Models | - | RMX3612 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 180 EUR |
Infinix Note 11i
- Potentially lower price point
- Likely similar battery capacity to Realme 9i 5G
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Less powerful Helio G85 chipset
- Less efficient 12nm process
- Inferior gaming performance
Realme 9i 5G
- More powerful and efficient Dimensity 810 chipset
- Superior 5G performance
- Better image processing capabilities
- Slightly higher price
- May not offer significantly longer battery life in real-world use
- Still a budget device with inherent limitations
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. However, details like peak brightness and color accuracy are missing. The Realme 9i 5G’s advantage lies in its potential for better image processing due to the more powerful chipset driving the display. Bezels are expected to be similar on both, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones feature a primary camera and supporting lenses (likely including a depth or macro sensor). The Realme 9i 5G benefits from the Dimensity 810’s superior image signal processor (ISP), which will likely result in better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The ISP handles noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image processing, giving the Realme an edge. The presence 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) is a significant upgrade over the Infinix Note 11i’s Helio G85 (12nm). The 6nm process inherently offers better power efficiency, leading to less heat generation and potentially sustained performance during demanding tasks. The Dimensity 810’s CPU, with 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 cores, outperforms the Note 11i’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. This translates to faster app loading times and a more responsive user experience. While both phones likely feature similar RAM configurations, the chipset’s processing power will be the bottleneck for the Note 11i.
Battery Life
Both devices are equipped with 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds – approximately 2-3 hours for a full charge. The actual battery capacity isn’t specified, but given the market segment, both likely fall in the 5000mAh range. The Realme 9i 5G’s more efficient Dimensity 810 chipset will likely result in slightly better battery life, as it consumes less power during everyday tasks. This efficiency offsets any potential difference in battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Note 11i if you prioritize a slightly lower upfront cost and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Realme 9i 5G if you value smoother performance for gaming, streaming, and multitasking, and want a device that feels more future-proof thanks to its more advanced chipset and 5G capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme 9i 5G experience significant throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 810’s 6nm process and improved thermal design (compared to the Helio G85) should mitigate throttling better than the Infinix Note 11i. While it won’t match flagship-level cooling, you can expect more sustained performance during gaming, though some reduction in clock speeds is still possible.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on both phones compatible with all 5G networks?
Compatibility depends on your region and carrier. Both phones likely support a range of 5G bands, but it’s crucial to check with your carrier to ensure compatibility with their specific 5G network before purchasing. The Dimensity 810 generally offers broader 5G band support than older MediaTek chips.
❓ How does the Helio G85 in the Infinix Note 11i handle multitasking compared to the Dimensity 810?
The Helio G85 will struggle with heavy multitasking. Switching between multiple apps will likely result in noticeable lag and app reloading. The Dimensity 810, with its more powerful cores and improved memory management, handles multitasking significantly more smoothly, allowing you to run more apps concurrently without performance degradation.
