The Realme 3i and Realme 3 Pro were popular budget contenders, offering impressive features for their price. But which one truly delivers the best value? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall user experience to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 3 Pro is the clear winner. While the 3i offers decent value, the 3 Pro's superior chipset, faster charging, and improved camera make it a more compelling choice for most users, despite a potentially slightly higher price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - India |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - EMEA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, July. Released 2019, July | 2019, April 22. Released 2019, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.1 x 75.6 x 8.3 mm (6.15 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 156.8 x 74.2 x 8.3 mm (6.17 x 2.92 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 172 g (6.07 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM710 Snapdragon 710 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 616 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UI | Android 9.0 (Pie), planned upgrade to Android 10, ColorOS 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 16 MP, f/1.7, 1/2.6", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 25 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 20W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Music play | - | Up to 126 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 383 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 32 h (3G) |
| Type | 4230 mAh, non-removable | 4045 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Diamond Blue, Diamond Red, Diamond Black | Carbon Gray, Nitro Blue, Lightning Purple |
| Models | RMX1827 | RMX1851 |
| Price | About 8000 INR | About 270 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.9dB / Crosstalk -91.1dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 91h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1782:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 67dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 90dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 155647 (v7)
GeekBench: 5881 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 3i
- Excellent battery life
- Affordable price
- Decent display
- Slower performance
- Slow charging
- Less capable camera
Realme 3 Pro
- Faster performance
- Better camera
- Fast charging
- Slightly better display
- Potentially higher price
- Battery life slightly less than 3i (though still excellent)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.3-inch Full HD+ display with a similar resolution and aspect ratio. The Realme 3 Pro boasts a slightly better contrast ratio (1782:1) and potentially better color accuracy, though both offer a satisfactory viewing experience for everyday use. The Realme 3 Pro's display also benefits from a slightly higher peak brightness.
Camera Comparison
The Realme 3 Pro generally offers superior camera performance. While both have a primary rear camera, the 3 Pro's image processing is better, resulting in more detailed and vibrant photos. The 3 Pro also typically has a better ultrawide lens and improved low-light performance. The front-facing camera on the 3 Pro also tends to produce better selfies.
Performance
The Realme 3 Pro's Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 chipset is significantly faster and more efficient than the Realme 3i's Mediatek Helio P60. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the 3 Pro. The 3i can handle basic tasks adequately, but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones offer excellent battery life, with the Realme 3 Pro boasting an endurance rating of 91 hours. The Realme 3i also provides impressive longevity. However, the Realme 3 Pro's 20W fast charging is a significant advantage, allowing it to charge much faster than the 3i's 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The Realme 3i is a good option for users on a very tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and long battery life. The Realme 3 Pro is ideal for those who want better performance, a more capable camera, and faster charging without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme 3 Pro worth the extra money?
Yes, the Realme 3 Pro's improved performance, camera, and charging speed make it a worthwhile upgrade if your budget allows.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme 3 Pro is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset.
❓ How does the Realme 3i's battery life compare to the 3 Pro?
Both offer excellent battery life, but the 3 Pro's fast charging makes it more convenient.