Realme 9 5G vs Realme 9i: The Ultimate Budget Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 9i boasts faster charging and a slightly more powerful CPU for everyday tasks. However, the Realme 9 5G's 5G connectivity and Snapdragon 695 offer a future-proof advantage and potentially better gaming performance. It depends on your priorities: speed or future-proofing.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Realme 9 5G | Realme 9i |
| 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 12 | 2022, January 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 09 | Available. Released 2022, January 10 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Dragontrail Pro), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Dragontrail Pro Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.2 - Vietnam UFS 2.1 - India | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | Panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| 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 |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired, 100% in 70 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Meteor Black, Stargaze White | Black, Blue |
| Models | RMX3474 | RMX3491 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | € 149.90 / $ 209.00 / £ 140.09 |
Realme 9 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- Better GPU Performance
- Future-Proof Chipset
- Decent Main Camera
- Slower Charging
- Slightly Less Powerful CPU for Everyday Tasks
Realme 9i
- Faster 33W Charging
- Slightly More Powerful CPU for Everyday Tasks
- Good Value for Money
- Smooth Display
- No 5G Connectivity
- Less Powerful GPU
- Slower Performance in Demanding Games
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.6-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a smooth visual experience. The Realme 9i might have slightly better color accuracy due to its LCD panel, while the 9 5G's display is likely similar. Viewing angles and brightness are comparable.
Camera Comparison
The Realme 9 5G typically features a 48MP main camera, while the Realme 9i also has a 48MP main camera. Both phones offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is comparable, with both relying on software processing. The Realme 9i might have a slight edge in video recording due to potential software optimizations.
Performance
The Realme 9i's Snapdragon 680 generally provides slightly better performance for everyday tasks and multitasking due to its more efficient CPU architecture. The Realme 9 5G's Snapdragon 695 5G, while slightly less powerful in single-core tasks, offers better GPU performance and 5G capabilities, making it a better choice for gaming and future-proofing.
Battery Life
The Realme 9i shines here with its 33W fast charging, allowing for a full charge in around 70 minutes. The Realme 9 5G's 18W charging is significantly slower, taking considerably longer to reach a full charge. Both phones have a similar battery capacity (around 5000mAh), so battery life between charges is comparable when not accounting for charging speed.
Buying Guide
The Realme 9 5G is ideal for users who want 5G connectivity and are willing to trade slightly faster charging for it. The Realme 9i is a better choice for those prioritizing quick charging, smooth everyday performance, and a slightly more powerful CPU without needing 5G.