The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Oppo A57e and Realme 9i 5G both aim to deliver affordable 5G connectivity, but they take drastically different approaches to achieving that goal. The A57e prioritizes a streamlined experience with a focus on efficiency, while the 9i 5G aims for a performance boost with a more powerful chipset. This comparison will dissect the key differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 9i 5G is the better choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 810 chipset, built on a 6nm process, provides a significant performance advantage over the Oppo A57e’s Helio G35, making it more capable for gaming and demanding applications. While the A57e boasts faster 33W charging, the 9i 5G’s superior processing power justifies the trade-off.
| 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, 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 / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 31 | 2022, August 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 31 | Available. Released 2022, August 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.95 x 0.31 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) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| | IP5X (dust), IPX4 (water) resistance | - |
| 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 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 600 nits | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, ColorOS 12.1 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm | 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), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 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 | Yes | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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, 50% in 30 min | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glowing Black, Glowing Green | Soulful Blue, Rocking Black, Gold |
| Models | CPH2387 | RMX3612 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 180 EUR |
Oppo A57e
- Faster 33W charging for quick power-ups
- Potentially longer battery life due to optimized software
- Streamlined user experience focused on simplicity
- Significantly weaker processor performance
- Less capable for gaming and demanding apps
- Older chipset architecture
Realme 9i 5G
- More powerful Mediatek Dimensity 810 chipset
- Improved performance for gaming and multitasking
- More efficient 6nm fabrication process
- Slower 18W charging
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
Neither Oppo nor Realme provide detailed display specifications for these models. However, given their price points, we can assume both utilize LCD panels. The key difference lies under the hood. The Realme 9i 5G’s Dimensity 810 chipset includes a more capable ISP, potentially leading to better image processing for display output. While both likely target a 60Hz refresh rate, the 9i 5G’s processor could handle higher refresh rates if software allows, offering a smoother visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Realme 9i 5G benefits from the more powerful ISP integrated into the Dimensity 810 chipset. This ISP can handle more complex image processing algorithms, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. While both phones likely feature a primary camera and depth sensor, the 9i 5G’s image signal processing capabilities will likely yield superior image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The A57e’s G35 chipset lacks the advanced features found in the Dimensity 810’s ISP.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Realme 9i 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6nm) features a more modern CPU architecture – two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.4GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores – compared to the Oppo A57e’s Helio G35 (12nm) which uses four older Cortex-A53 cores at 2.3GHz and another four at 1.8GHz. The 6nm fabrication process of the Dimensity 810 also translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling. This means the 9i 5G will maintain higher sustained performance during prolonged tasks like gaming. The A57e’s G35 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Oppo A57e’s 33W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Realme 9i 5G’s 18W charging. Oppo claims a 50% charge in 30 minutes, which is significantly faster than the 9i 5G. However, the Dimensity 810’s 6nm process is more power-efficient than the Helio G35’s 12nm process. This means the 9i 5G, despite potentially having a similar or slightly smaller battery capacity (specs not provided), could offer comparable real-world battery life due to reduced power consumption. The faster charging of the A57e is beneficial for quick top-ups, but the 9i 5G’s efficiency mitigates the charging speed difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A57e if you prioritize long battery life and fast charging above all else, and your usage primarily consists of basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the Realme 9i 5G if you want a phone that can handle more demanding applications, occasional gaming, and offers a smoother overall experience thanks to its more powerful processor and more efficient architecture.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme 9i 5G struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty?
While the Dimensity 810 isn't a flagship chipset, it's capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. Expect some frame drops during intense action, but it's a significantly better gaming experience than the Oppo A57e’s Helio G35, which would likely struggle even at the lowest settings.
❓ How much of a difference will the 6nm process make in real-world battery life on the Realme 9i 5G?
The 6nm process of the Dimensity 810 is considerably more power-efficient than the 12nm process of the Helio G35. This means the 9i 5G will consume less power for the same tasks, potentially offsetting the slower charging speed and providing comparable or even better battery life, especially during demanding activities like gaming or video streaming.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Oppo A57e enough to fully charge the phone in under an hour?
Oppo claims 50% charge in 30 minutes, suggesting a full charge will likely take around 60-75 minutes. While faster than the Realme 9i 5G, it's not exceptionally fast compared to some other phones in this price range, but still a significant advantage over the 18W charging.
