The budget 5G smartphone market is heating up, and Realme is leading the charge. The Realme 10 5G and Realme 9i 5G are two compelling options, but which one offers the best value? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 10 5G edges out the 9i 5G thanks to its faster charging and slightly more powerful chipset. However, the 9i 5G remains a strong contender, especially if you prioritize battery life and a potentially lower price point. It's a close call!
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 5, 7, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, November 11 | 2022, August 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November 11 | Available. Released 2022, August 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.1 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.96 x 0.32 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 | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Unspecified MP, f/2.8, 46mm (telephoto)
2 MP (macro) | 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, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (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 |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | 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 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 | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold | Soulful Blue, Rocking Black, Gold |
| Models | RMX3663 | RMX3612 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 180 EUR |
Realme 10 5G
- Faster Charging (33W)
- Slightly More Powerful Chipset (Dimensity 700)
- Potentially Better Display (Color Accuracy/Brightness)
- Potentially Smaller Battery
- May be slightly more expensive
Realme 9i 5G
- Excellent Battery Life
- More Budget-Friendly
- Efficient Dimensity 810 Chipset
- Slower Charging (18W)
- Slightly Less Powerful Chipset
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature a 6.6-inch FHD+ display with a 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rate (verify specific models). The Realme 10 5G might have slightly better color accuracy or brightness, but the difference will be minimal for most users. Expect similar viewing experiences overall.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar, with a 50MP main sensor and a depth sensor on both devices. The Realme 10 5G might have slightly improved image processing algorithms, resulting in marginally better photos in certain lighting conditions. Video recording capabilities should be comparable.
Performance
The Realme 10 5G's Dimensity 700 chipset holds a slight advantage over the Realme 9i 5G's Dimensity 810. While both are capable of handling everyday tasks, the 700 offers a bit more headroom for demanding apps and games. Expect slightly faster app loading times and smoother performance on the 10 5G.
Battery Life
The Realme 9i 5G is expected to have a larger battery capacity (potentially 5000mAh or higher) compared to the Realme 10 5G (likely around 4880mAh). This translates to longer battery life on the 9i 5G, especially considering its less power-hungry chipset.
Buying Guide
The Realme 10 5G is ideal for users who prioritize faster charging speeds and a bit more processing power for smoother multitasking and gaming. The Realme 9i 5G is a great choice for those seeking excellent battery life and a more budget-friendly option, willing to compromise slightly on charging speed and raw performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme 10 5G worth the extra money?
If faster charging and slightly better performance are important to you, then yes. However, the 9i 5G offers excellent value for its price.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Realme 10 5G's Dimensity 700 chipset provides a slight edge in gaming performance, but both phones are capable of playing most games smoothly.
