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.
🏆 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.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, July 31 | 2022, April 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, July 31 | Available. Released 2022, April 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.7 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) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (HBM) | 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 Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, 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 | Panorama, HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, 23mm (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 | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 67W wired, 0-50% in 17 min | 33W wired, 50% in 31 min, 100% in 75 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black (Glory Black), Sunrise Gold (Glory Gold) | Meteor Black, Sunburst Gold, Stargaze White |
| Models | RMX3780 | RMX3521 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 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.