Choosing a budget smartphone can be tough. The Realme 8i and Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro are both popular contenders, offering a compelling mix of features and affordability. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 8i edges out the Redmi Note 9 Pro thanks to its superior battery life and slightly brighter display. However, the Redmi Note 9 Pro boasts faster charging and a more powerful chipset, making it a strong contender depending on your priorities. Ultimately, the Realme 8i offers better overall value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 09 | 2020, April 30 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 14 | Available. Released 2020, May 05 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) | 165.8 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.53 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (peak) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 10, MIUI 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, recording |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5020 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Black, Space Purple | Tropical Green, Glacier White, Interstellar Gray |
| Models | RMX3151 | M2003J6B2G |
| Price | About 440 EUR | € 136.00 / £ 164.28 |
| SAR | - | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.66 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 131h
| Endurance rating 123h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1285:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.4 LUFS (Average)
|
-28.6 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 279625 (v8)
GeekBench: 1785 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 8i
- Exceptional battery life
- Bright display
- Good value for money
- Stylish design
- Slightly less powerful chipset
- 18W charging is slower
- Camera could be improved in low light
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro
- Faster chipset for gaming and performance
- 30W fast charging
- Good camera quality
- Reliable brand
- Shorter battery life
- Nominal display specs
- Can be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
Both phones feature respectable displays, but the Realme 8i takes a slight lead with a measured brightness of 540 nits compared to the Redmi Note 9 Pro's nominal 1285:1 contrast ratio. While the contrast ratio is good, the Realme 8i's brightness makes it more visible in direct sunlight. Both offer similar color accuracy and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is subjective and depends on the specific scene. Both phones offer versatile camera setups with multiple lenses. The Redmi Note 9 Pro often produces slightly more detailed images in good lighting conditions, while the Realme 8i's image processing can sometimes result in more vibrant colors. Low-light performance is comparable.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro's Snapdragon 720G chipset (8nm) generally outperforms the Realme 8i's Helio G96 (12nm) in benchmarks and real-world usage. Expect smoother multitasking and better gaming performance on the Redmi Note 9 Pro. The Realme 8i is still capable for everyday tasks, but may struggle with more demanding games.
Battery Life
The Realme 8i shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 131 hours, significantly outperforming the Redmi Note 9 Pro's 123 hours. This translates to noticeably longer usage between charges.
Buying Guide
The Realme 8i is ideal for users prioritizing long battery life and a vibrant display for media consumption. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is a better choice for those who need faster performance for gaming or demanding apps and appreciate quicker charging speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro's Snapdragon 720G chipset provides better gaming performance than the Realme 8i's Helio G96.
❓ Does the Realme 8i support fast charging?
No, the Realme 8i only supports 18W wired charging, while the Redmi Note 9 Pro supports 30W fast charging.
❓ Which phone has a better camera overall?
The Redmi Note 9 Pro generally produces slightly more detailed images, but both phones offer capable camera systems.
❓ Is the Realme 8i worth buying in 2024?
Yes, the Realme 8i remains a good value option in 2024, especially if battery life is a priority. However, consider newer models if performance is crucial.
