The Realme 6i and Samsung Galaxy A31 represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, they diverge significantly in key areas like battery endurance and processing power. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity and performance, the Realme 6i emerges as the stronger contender. Its significantly superior battery life (186h vs 124h) and more powerful Helio G80 chipset provide a smoother, more reliable experience, making it the better all-around choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - SM-A315F |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - SM-A315F |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 17. Released 2020, March 29 | 2020, March 24. Released 2020, April 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.4 x 9 mm (6.47 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) | 159.3 x 73.1 x 8.6 mm (6.27 x 2.88 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6768 Helio P65 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
2 MP B/W, f/2.4 | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
5W reverse wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White Milk, Green Tea, Blue Soda | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush Blue, Prism Crush Red, Prism Crush White |
| Models | RMX2040 | SM-A315F, SM-A315F/DS, SM-A315G/DS, SM-A315G, SM-A315N |
| Price | About 400 EUR | £ 139.00 / € 138.27 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.49 W/kg (head) 1.68 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 186h
| Endurance rating 124h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1610:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-30.5 LUFS (Below average)
|
-30.9 LUFS (Below average) |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 202275 (v8)
GeekBench: 5890 (v4.4), 1349 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 151815 (v8)
GeekBench: 5096 (v4.4), 1216 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 6i
- Significantly longer battery life (186h endurance)
- More powerful Helio G80 chipset for better performance
- 18W fast charging with 5W reverse charging
- Lower peak display brightness (528 nits)
- Less established brand recognition compared to Samsung
Samsung Galaxy A31
- Brighter display (635 nits) for outdoor visibility
- Samsung’s established software ecosystem
- Brand recognition and perceived reliability
- Shorter battery life (124h endurance)
- Less powerful Helio P65 chipset
- Slower charging speed (15W)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A31 boasts a brighter display, reaching 635 nits compared to the Realme 6i’s 528 nits. This translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. However, the Realme 6i counters with a 1610:1 contrast ratio, suggesting deeper blacks and a more vibrant image, despite the lower peak brightness. Samsung advertises an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, which is a marketing term and doesn't necessarily equate to superior real-world performance. Both displays utilize nominal contrast ratios, meaning the actual experience may vary. The brighter screen of the A31 will be preferable for outdoor use, but the 6i's contrast will be more noticeable indoors.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a photo/video focused camera setup, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics on sensor size or aperture, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the focus should be on the primary sensor performance, as the inclusion of 2MP macro lenses on both devices offers limited practical benefit. Image processing will likely differ, with Samsung typically favoring more saturated colors and the Realme aiming for a more natural look. The G80’s image signal processor (ISP) may offer slightly faster processing speeds, potentially improving low-light performance.
Performance
The Realme 6i’s Mediatek Helio G80 chipset represents a clear advantage over the Galaxy A31’s Helio P65. While both are 12nm chips with similar CPU core configurations (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x Cortex-A55), the G80 features a more powerful GPU, resulting in better gaming performance. The slight clock speed difference in the A55 cores (1.8 GHz vs 1.7 GHz) is negligible in everyday tasks. The G80’s architecture is optimized for gaming, offering a smoother experience in demanding titles. The A31 will handle basic tasks adequately, but the 6i provides a more responsive and future-proof experience.
Battery Life
The Realme 6i’s endurance rating of 186 hours significantly surpasses the Galaxy A31’s 124 hours. This translates to a substantial difference in real-world usage, with the 6i likely lasting a full day longer on a single charge. While the A31’s 15W charging is adequate, the 6i’s 18W charging offers a faster top-up. Furthermore, the 6i includes 5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices – a feature absent on the A31. The larger endurance rating of the 6i is a key differentiator for users who prioritize battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 6i if you need a phone that can comfortably last a full day – or even two – on a single charge, and if you occasionally enjoy mobile gaming. The Helio G80 provides a noticeable performance edge. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A31 if a brighter display is paramount, and you prioritize Samsung’s software ecosystem and brand recognition, accepting a trade-off in battery life and processing speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio P65 in the Galaxy A31 struggle with demanding games like PUBG?
The Helio P65 is capable of running PUBG, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Realme 6i’s Helio G80 offers a noticeably better gaming experience, allowing for higher settings and more consistent performance.
❓ How much faster is the 18W charging on the Realme 6i compared to the 15W charging on the Galaxy A31?
While the difference isn't massive, the 18W charging on the Realme 6i will typically reduce charging times by approximately 15-20% compared to the Galaxy A31’s 15W charging. This means a slightly quicker top-up when you’re running low on battery.
❓ Is the contrast ratio difference between the two phones noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the Realme 6i’s 1610:1 contrast ratio will result in deeper blacks and a more vibrant image, particularly when viewing content in darker environments. While the Galaxy A31’s brighter screen is beneficial outdoors, the 6i’s contrast will be more apparent indoors.
❓ Does either phone support NFC for contactless payments?
Neither the Realme 6i nor the Samsung Galaxy A31 officially support NFC. This is a common omission in budget smartphones, so users relying on contactless payments will need to consider alternative options.
