The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Oppo A36 and Realme 9i are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at an affordable price, but which one comes out on top? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 9i edges out the Oppo A36 thanks to its significantly faster 33W charging. Both phones share the same Snapdragon 680 chipset, but the Realme 9i's charging speed provides a noticeable advantage in daily use. Overall, a solid choice for budget-conscious users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 10 | 2022, January 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 14 | Available. Released 2022, January 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Dragontrail Pro), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Dragontrail Pro Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 - Vietnam
UFS 2.1 - India |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | 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 | - | 33W wired, 100% in 70 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Black, Blue |
| Models | PESM10 | RMX3491 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | € 149.90 / $ 209.00 / £ 140.09 |
Oppo A36
- Clean software experience
- Compact design
- Decent performance for the price
- Slow charging
- Lower resolution camera compared to Realme 9i
- Basic camera features
Realme 9i
- Fast 33W charging
- Higher resolution main camera
- Larger display
- Good value for money
- Slightly larger and heavier than Oppo A36
- Potential for more pre-installed apps (Realme UI)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch display, likely with an LCD panel and a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels (FHD+). While both offer a decent viewing experience, the Realme 9i might have slightly better color accuracy or brightness due to potential panel variations. Expect similar refresh rates, likely 60Hz.
Camera Comparison
The Oppo A36 likely features a triple camera setup with a 13MP main sensor, 2MP depth sensor, and 2MP macro lens. The Realme 9i boasts a 50MP main sensor, along with 8MP ultrawide and 2MP macro lenses. The Realme 9i's higher resolution main sensor should result in better image quality, especially in well-lit conditions. Video recording capabilities are likely similar, around 1080p at 30fps.
Performance
Performance is virtually identical. Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680, a capable mid-range chipset. Expect smooth multitasking and adequate performance for everyday tasks and light gaming. The 6nm process contributes to decent power efficiency.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life. However, the Realme 9i's 33W fast charging is a significant advantage, allowing for much quicker top-ups compared to the Oppo A36's slower charging speed (likely around 10W).
Buying Guide
The Oppo A36 is a good choice for users prioritizing a clean software experience and a slightly more compact design. The Realme 9i is ideal for those who value faster charging and a slightly larger display, making it better for media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both have 5000mAh batteries, offering all-day usage. However, the Realme 9i charges significantly faster.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 680 chipset good for gaming?
The Snapdragon 680 is suitable for light to moderate gaming. Don't expect to run demanding titles at high settings.
