Realme continues to dominate the budget smartphone market with compelling devices. The Realme 10 and Realme 9 are two strong contenders, offering impressive features at affordable prices. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 9 edges out the Realme 10 thanks to its superior battery life and slightly better performance. While the Realme 10 boasts a brighter display, the Realme 9's Snapdragon 680 offers a more efficient and consistent experience, making it the overall winner 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, November 09 | 2022, April 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November 11 | Available. Released 2022, April 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.30 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) | 160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 1000 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, dual pixel PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 28 min | 33W wired, 50% in 31 min, 100% in 75 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Blue | Meteor Black, Sunburst Gold, Stargaze White |
| Models | RMX3630 | RMX3521 |
| Price | About 440 EUR | About 660 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.16 W/kg (head) 0.59 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 126h
|
Endurance rating 156h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-24.9 LUFS (Very good)
|
-30.4 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 385829 (v9)
GeekBench: 1762 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 290097 (v9)
GeekBench: 1601 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.3fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 10
- Brighter Display (610 nits)
- Shorter Battery Life
- Potentially Less Efficient Chipset
Realme 9
- Longer Battery Life (156h Endurance)
- Efficient Snapdragon 680 Chipset
- Generally Smoother Performance
Display Comparison
The Realme 10 takes a slight lead in display brightness, measuring 610 nits compared to the Realme 9's 647 nits. Both feature an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (likely a marketing term indicating very high contrast). While the difference isn't massive, the Realme 10's brighter screen will be more visible in direct sunlight. Both phones likely use similar LCD panels with a 90Hz refresh rate.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature similar camera setups, likely including a primary sensor, ultrawide lens, and macro lens. Image quality will likely be comparable, with both phones capable of capturing decent photos in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance will be a key differentiator, and reviews suggest the Realme 9 might have a slight edge due to software processing and potentially a slightly better sensor.
Performance
The Realme 9 utilizes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G chipset, known for its efficiency and consistent performance. The Realme 10 uses a Mediatek Helio G99, which can offer slightly higher peak performance in some benchmarks, but often at the cost of battery life. In real-world usage, the Snapdragon 680 generally provides a smoother and more responsive experience, especially for multitasking.
Battery Life
The Realme 9 significantly outperforms the Realme 10 in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 156 hours compared to the Realme 10's 126 hours. This translates to noticeably longer usage times on a single charge, making the Realme 9 a better choice for power users.
Buying Guide
The Realme 10 is ideal for users prioritizing a brighter display for media consumption and gaming. The Realme 9 is a better choice for those who value long battery life, smoother performance, and a more efficient chipset for everyday tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has faster charging?
Both phones offer 33W wired charging, but the Realme 9 charges slightly faster, reaching 50% in 31 minutes versus 28 minutes for the Realme 10. It also reaches 100% in 75 minutes for the Realme 9.
❓ Is the Realme 10 worth the extra cost?
It depends on your priorities. If a brighter display is crucial, the Realme 10 might be worth it. However, for most users, the Realme 9's superior battery life and more efficient performance make it the better value.
