Oppo K10 Energy vs Realme 9 Pro+: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Oppo K10 Energy and Realme 9 Pro+ represent compelling options for users seeking a balance of performance and affordability. While both devices operate within a similar price bracket, they diverge significantly in their core hardware choices – Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 778G 5G in the K10 Energy versus MediaTek’s Dimensity 920 in the 9 Pro+. This comparison will dissect these differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing fast charging and a potentially smoother overall experience, the Realme 9 Pro+ emerges as the winner. Its 60W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the Dimensity 920 offers a slight edge in raw processing power. However, the K10 Energy remains a strong contender for those valuing Qualcomm’s established software optimization and potentially better long-term software support.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo K10 Energy Realme 9 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE-A, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
AnnouncedNot announced yet2022, February 16
StatusCancelledAvailable. Released 2022, February 21
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back
Dimensions164.4 x 75.9 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.99 x 0.33 in)160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)182 g (6.42 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)
Size6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM)Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LMali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 11, ColorOS 11.2Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanoramaHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYes-
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCUnspecifiedYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired 5W reverse wired60W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 44 min (advertised)
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, BlueMidnight Black, Aurora Green, Sunrise Blue, Free Fire Limited Edition
Models-RMX3392, RMX3393
Price-€ 289.90 / $ 390.00 / ₹ 25,999
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.73 W/kg (body)    
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 117h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 495096 (v8), 416031 (v9) GeekBench: 2335 (v5.1) GFXBench: 27fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Oppo K10 Energy

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G offers a balanced performance profile.
  • Potential for longer software support due to Qualcomm’s ecosystem.
  • 5W Reverse Wired Charging

  • Slower 30W charging compared to the Realme 9 Pro+
  • Missing display specifications hinder a full comparison.

Realme 9 Pro+

  • 60W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
  • MediaTek Dimensity 920 provides a performance edge in gaming.
  • Excellent 117h endurance rating

  • Realme UI may not appeal to all users.
  • Potential for less consistent software updates compared to Oppo.

Display Comparison

The Realme 9 Pro+ boasts an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting a vibrant display experience, though specific brightness nits are not provided. The Oppo K10 Energy’s display specifications are absent, making a direct comparison difficult. However, given its positioning, it likely utilizes an IPS LCD panel, potentially lacking the OLED’s superior contrast and color accuracy found in the Realme. The absence of refresh rate data for both devices is a notable omission, impacting perceived smoothness during scrolling and gaming.

Camera Comparison

The Realme 9 Pro+’s camera system is the more detailed of the two, though specific sensor details are missing. The focus should be on the main sensor, and the Realme’s likely larger sensor size (based on market positioning) will capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance. The Oppo K10 Energy’s camera specifications are not provided, making a meaningful comparison impossible. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to its low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).

Performance

The Realme 9 Pro+’s MediaTek Dimensity 920 (6nm) features a dual-cluster CPU configuration with 2x 2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the Oppo K10 Energy’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm), which employs a 1x 2.4 GHz Cortex-A78, 3x 2.2 GHz Cortex-A78, and 4x 1.9 GHz Cortex-A55 setup. While the Dimensity 920 has higher clocked A78 cores, the Snapdragon 778G’s triple A78 configuration could offer sustained multi-core performance. Both chips are built on a 6nm process, suggesting comparable efficiency, but the Dimensity 920’s Mali-G68 MC4 GPU generally outperforms the Snapdragon 778G’s Adreno 642L in graphical benchmarks, benefiting gaming and graphically intensive tasks. The K10 Energy's RAM configuration is unknown, while the 9 Pro+ likely utilizes LPDDR4X, impacting memory bandwidth.

Battery Life

The Realme 9 Pro+’s 60W wired charging, with a claimed 100% charge in 44 minutes, is a significant advantage over the Oppo K10 Energy’s 30W charging. While the K10 Energy offers 5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent in the 9 Pro+, the faster charging speed of the Realme is more impactful for daily use. The Realme 9 Pro+ also boasts an endurance rating of 117 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. The K10 Energy’s battery capacity is unknown, but the faster charging of the Realme likely offsets any potential capacity difference.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo K10 Energy if you need a reliable performer with a proven chipset and prioritize Qualcomm’s ecosystem. It’s ideal for users who value consistent performance over peak speeds and appreciate a potentially longer software support lifecycle. Buy the Realme 9 Pro+ if you prefer faster charging speeds, a potentially more responsive user interface thanks to the Dimensity 920, and are comfortable with Realme’s UI customizations. This phone is geared towards users who are always on the go and need to minimize downtime.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 920 in the Realme 9 Pro+ experience significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 920 is a capable chip, sustained performance can be affected by thermal throttling. However, Realme typically implements effective cooling solutions, and user reports suggest throttling is manageable, though not entirely absent, during prolonged gaming. The Snapdragon 778G in the K10 Energy is known for its thermal efficiency, potentially offering more consistent performance over longer periods.
❓ Is the 5W reverse wired charging on the Oppo K10 Energy useful for topping up accessories like earbuds or smartwatches?
Yes, the 5W reverse wired charging is a convenient feature for emergency charging of small accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches. While it's not a fast charging solution, it can provide a crucial power boost when you're away from a wall outlet. The Realme 9 Pro+ lacks this feature, making the K10 Energy a better choice for users who frequently rely on accessories.
❓ How does Realme's UI compare to Oppo's ColorOS in terms of bloatware and user experience?
Both Realme UI and Oppo’s ColorOS are based on Android, but Realme UI generally offers a lighter, less cluttered experience with less pre-installed bloatware. ColorOS, while feature-rich, can sometimes feel overwhelming with its extensive customization options. User preference plays a significant role, but those seeking a cleaner Android experience may prefer Realme UI.