The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Oppo A36 and the Realme 9i 5G. But which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 9i 5G edges out the Oppo A36 thanks to its 5G connectivity and slightly more powerful Dimensity 810 chipset. While the Oppo A36 offers a solid experience, the Realme's future-proofed connectivity and performance make it the better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 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 / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 10 | 2022, August 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 14 | Available. Released 2022, August 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 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 | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| 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 |
| 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) | 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 | 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 | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| 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 | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Soulful Blue, Rocking Black, Gold |
| Models | PESM10 | RMX3612 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 180 EUR |
Oppo A36
- Large Display
- Reliable 4G Connectivity
- Good Value for Money
- Decent Battery Life
- Less Powerful Processor
- Slower Charging
- Potentially Less Accurate Display
Realme 9i 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- More Powerful Processor (Dimensity 810)
- Slightly Better Camera Processing
- Faster Charging (18W)
- May be slightly more expensive
- Design might be less appealing to some
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, typically around 6.5 inches. The Oppo A36 likely uses an LCD panel, while the Realme 9i 5G may have a slightly better color accuracy and brightness. Resolution is likely FHD+ on both, offering sharp visuals. Expect similar viewing experiences overall, with the Realme potentially having a slight edge in color reproduction.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are often similar in this price range. Both phones likely feature a primary 50MP camera. Image quality will depend on software processing and sensor size. Expect decent daytime photos from both, but low-light performance might be a differentiator. Realme often has slightly better image processing algorithms. Expect both to have ultrawide and macro lenses.
Performance
The Realme 9i 5G's MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset generally outperforms the Oppo A36's Snapdragon 680. The Dimensity 810's Cortex-A76 cores provide a noticeable boost in CPU performance, making it better suited for multitasking and demanding apps. Gaming performance will also be superior on the Realme 9i 5G. The Oppo A36 is still capable for everyday tasks, but the Realme offers a smoother experience.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is likely around 5000mAh on both devices, offering all-day battery life. The Realme 9i 5G's 18W charging is a slight advantage over the Oppo A36, allowing for faster top-ups. However, neither phone boasts exceptionally fast charging speeds.
Buying Guide
The Oppo A36 is ideal for users prioritizing a large display and reliable 4G performance on a tight budget. The Realme 9i 5G is a better fit for those wanting 5G connectivity, a bit more processing power for gaming, and a slightly more modern feature set.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Oppo A36 good for gaming?
The Oppo A36 can handle basic games, but it might struggle with more demanding titles. The Realme 9i 5G offers a significantly better gaming experience.
❓ Which phone has better 5G support?
The Realme 9i 5G is the clear winner, as it supports 5G networks. The Oppo A36 is limited to 4G.
