Realme 11 vs Realme 9: The Ultimate Budget Showdown

The Realme 11 and Realme 9 are both strong contenders in the budget smartphone market, offering impressive features at accessible prices. But which one truly comes out on top? This comprehensive comparison will delve into every aspect, from performance and camera to battery life and display, to help you make the right choice.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Realme 11 takes the lead with its significantly faster charging and more powerful Dimensity 6100+ chipset. However, the Realme 9 boasts exceptional battery life and a potentially better display contrast. Ultimately, the Realme 11 offers a more modern and performant experience, while the Realme 9 prioritizes longevity.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme 11 Realme 9
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2023, July 312022, April 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, July 31Available. Released 2022, April 12
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions165.7 x 76 x 8.1 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.32 in)160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)178 g (6.28 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)
Size6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (HBM)Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm)Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 610
OSAndroid 13, Realme UI 4.0Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, Realme UI 5.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.2UFS 2.2
Main Camera
Dual108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED 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)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanorama, HDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 23mm (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)No
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioNoUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging67W wired, 0-50% in 17 min33W wired, 50% in 31 min, 100% in 75 min
Type5000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight Black (Glory Black), Sunrise Gold (Glory Gold)Meteor Black, Sunburst Gold, Stargaze White
ModelsRMX3780RMX3521
PriceAbout 230 EURAbout 660 EUR
SAR-1.16 W/kg (head)     0.59 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 156h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -30.4 LUFS (Below average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 290097 (v9) GeekBench: 1601 (v5.1) GFXBench: 7.3fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Realme 11

  • Faster Charging (67W)
  • More Powerful Chipset (Dimensity 6100+)
  • Likely Improved Camera Processing
  • More Modern Design

  • Potentially Shorter Battery Life
  • Unknown Display Quality (beyond brightness)

Realme 9

  • Exceptional Battery Life (156h Endurance Rating)
  • Potentially Better Display Contrast ('Infinite')
  • Established Device with Proven Track Record

  • Slower Charging (33W)
  • Less Powerful Chipset (Snapdragon 680)
  • Older Chipset

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.4-inch display, but the Realme 9's 'Infinite' contrast ratio suggests potentially deeper blacks and better image quality, though the Realme 11's 647 nits brightness is a notable advantage for outdoor visibility. The Realme 11 likely has a slightly more modern panel, potentially with better color accuracy.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, detailed camera specs are missing. However, based on general Realme trends, the Realme 11 likely features improved image processing and potentially a slightly better main sensor. Low-light performance is likely improved on the 11 due to the newer chipset's ISP.

Performance

The Realme 11's Dimensity 6100+ chipset is a clear winner here. It offers a significant performance boost over the Snapdragon 680, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved gaming performance. The 6nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.

Battery Life

The Realme 9 shines in this category. Its endurance rating of 156h is exceptional, suggesting significantly longer battery life than the Realme 11. While the Realme 11's 67W charging is incredibly fast, the Realme 9's battery capacity likely compensates for this.

Buying Guide

The Realme 11 is ideal for users who prioritize fast charging, smooth performance for everyday tasks and light gaming, and a more recent chipset. The Realme 9 is a great choice for those who value long battery life, a potentially better display contrast, and a slightly more established device with a proven track record.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Realme 11 worth the upgrade from the Realme 9?
If performance and fast charging are your priorities, then yes. The Realme 11's chipset and charging speed offer a noticeable improvement. However, if battery life is paramount, the Realme 9 remains a strong contender.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Realme 11, thanks to its Dimensity 6100+ chipset, will provide a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience compared to the Realme 9's Snapdragon 680.