The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and Realme consistently delivers compelling options. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Realme 9 5G and the Realme Narzo N53. Both offer attractive features, but which one reigns supreme?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 9 5G takes the crown for overall performance thanks to its superior chipset. However, the Narzo N53 boasts significantly faster charging and a potentially more appealing price point. It depends on your priorities: power or convenience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 10 | 2023, May 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 14 | Available. Released 2023, May 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.6 x 74.8 x 8.5 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) | 167.3 x 76.7 x 7.5 mm (6.59 x 3.02 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 13, Realme UI T |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | - |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 31 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Stargaze White, Meteor Black | Black, Gold |
| Models | RMX3388 | RMX3761 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 1.05 W/kg (head) 0.74 W/kg (body) | - |
Realme 9 5G (India)
- Superior Performance (Dimensity 810)
- Potentially Better Camera
- More Modern Chipset
- Likely better display quality
- Slower Charging (18W)
- Potentially Higher Price
Realme Narzo N53
- Faster Charging (33W)
- More Budget-Friendly
- Decent Performance for Everyday Tasks
- Weaker Performance (Unisoc T612)
- Likely Inferior Camera
- Older Chipset
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar display technology (likely IPS LCD) with comparable resolutions. The Realme 9 5G might have slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to potentially higher-tier panel, but this is not definitively confirmed without detailed testing. Screen size is likely around 6.5-6.6 inches for both.
Camera Comparison
The Realme 9 5G likely has a more versatile camera system, potentially including a higher resolution main sensor and additional lenses (like ultrawide or macro). While the Narzo N53's camera is likely decent for casual photography, the 9 5G should offer better image quality, especially in low light. Specific megapixel counts and features would need to be confirmed with detailed reviews.
Performance
The Dimensity 810 in the Realme 9 5G is a clear winner here. It offers significantly more processing power and a more modern architecture compared to the Unisoc Tiger T612. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the 9 5G. The Narzo N53 will handle everyday tasks adequately, but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Narzo N53's 33W fast charging is a major advantage. It can charge 50% in just 31 minutes, a significant improvement over the Realme 9 5G's 18W charging. Battery capacity is likely similar (around 5000mAh), so the Narzo N53 will likely reach full charge faster.
Buying Guide
The Realme 9 5G is ideal for users who prioritize performance and a smoother experience for gaming and multitasking. The Realme Narzo N53 is a great choice for those seeking fast charging and a more budget-friendly option, especially if performance isn't their top concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme 9 5G good for gaming?
Yes, the Realme 9 5G's Dimensity 810 chipset provides a significantly better gaming experience compared to the Narzo N53. It can handle most games at decent settings.
❓ Which phone has better battery life overall?
While both likely have similar battery capacities, the Narzo N53's faster charging means you'll spend less time plugged in, potentially making it feel like it has better overall battery life convenience.
