Realme 9 5G Speed vs Motorola Edge 20 Fusion: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range 5G Contenders
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Realme 9 5G Speed is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion’s Dimensity 800U, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Realme 9 5G Speed | Motorola Edge 20 Fusion |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 66 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - International | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 10 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 14 | Available. Released 2021, August 27 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Panda Glass), plastic back | Glass front |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.8 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 166 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.54 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| - | Water-repellent design | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Panda Glass | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 144Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G57 MC3 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 | Android 11 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 2.2 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, 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 | 30W wired, 50% in 25 min | 30W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Starry Glow, Azure Glow | Electric Graphite, Cyber Teal |
| Models | RMX3461 | - |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 250 EUR |
Realme 9 5G Speed
- Superior chipset performance with the Snapdragon 778G 5G
- More efficient 6nm fabrication process for better battery life and thermal management
- Potentially better image processing capabilities
- Realme’s UI can be polarizing for some users
- May lack the refined design aesthetic of the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion
Motorola Edge 20 Fusion
- Clean and near-stock Android experience
- Potentially more refined design and build quality
- Competitive 30W fast charging
- Older Dimensity 800U chipset offers less performance
- Less efficient 7nm process may lead to shorter battery life
- Image processing may lack the dynamic range of the Snapdragon 778G
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature standard LCD panels, given their price points. However, the lack of detailed display specs necessitates focusing on the core performance differences. The Motorola Edge 20 Fusion’s display is likely tuned for color accuracy, a common Motorola trait, while Realme often prioritizes vibrant, punchy colors. Without specific nit brightness or color gamut data, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information beyond the presence of a main sensor, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the chipset’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) plays a crucial role. The Snapdragon 778G’s ISP is generally more advanced, offering better image processing capabilities, particularly in low-light conditions. Motorola’s image processing tends towards natural colors, while Realme often boosts saturation. The absence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device suggests a reliance on software stabilization, where the Snapdragon 778G’s superior processing power could provide an edge.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 9 5G Speed’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) is a significant step up from the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion’s MediaTek Dimensity 800U (7nm). The Snapdragon 778G utilizes newer Cortex-A78 cores in its CPU configuration (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) compared to the Edge 20 Fusion’s older Cortex-A76 cores (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). This translates to better single-core and multi-core performance. Furthermore, the 6nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 778G offers improved power efficiency, potentially leading to better sustained performance and less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The GPU within the Snapdragon 778G is also more capable, offering a smoother experience in graphically intensive titles.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 30W wired charging, offering a 50% charge in approximately 25 minutes. This is a competitive charging speed for this price segment. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 778G’s superior power efficiency in the Realme 9 5G Speed could offset a potentially smaller battery capacity, resulting in comparable or even slightly better real-world battery life. The Dimensity 800U, while efficient, is less so than the 6nm Snapdragon.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 9 5G Speed if you need a phone capable of handling demanding games and applications with ease, and value a more modern chipset architecture for potential software support longevity. Buy the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion if you prioritize a clean software experience and a potentially more refined design aesthetic, and your usage is primarily focused on everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light media consumption.