Realme 9 Pro vs Realme 9i: The Ultimate Budget Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 9 Pro edges out the 9i thanks to its superior display, 5G connectivity, and generally more powerful chipset. However, the 9i offers a compelling alternative with its fast charging and slightly more efficient CPU for everyday tasks, making it a strong value proposition.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Realme 9 Pro | Realme 9i |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 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 - International | 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 - International | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 16 | 2022, January 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February 23 | 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 | 195 g (6.88 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 | 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, upgradable to Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| UFS 2.2 | 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), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) | 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 |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | 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 | 33W wired | 33W wired, 100% in 70 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Aurora Green, Sunrise Blue | Black, Blue |
| Models | RMX3471, RMX3472 | RMX3491 |
| Price | € 248.86 | € 149.90 / $ 209.00 / £ 140.09 |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 134h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1601:1 | - |
| Loudspeaker | -25.3 LUFS (Very good) | - |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 401894 (v9) GeekBench: 2020 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Realme 9 Pro
- Superior Display (Brightness & Contrast)
- 5G Connectivity
- Faster Performance (Snapdragon 695)
- Likely Better Camera
- Potentially slightly higher price
- Charging speed comparable to 9i
Realme 9i
- Fast Charging (70 min to 100%)
- Efficient CPU for everyday tasks
- Generally more affordable
- Good Battery Life
- 4G Connectivity Only
- Less Powerful Chipset
- Less Vibrant Display
- Potentially less capable camera
Display Comparison
The Realme 9 Pro boasts a significantly better display with a 1601:1 contrast ratio and a measured peak brightness of 567 nits, offering richer colors and better visibility in sunlight. The Realme 9i's display is adequate but lacks the same level of vibrancy and brightness. The 9 Pro likely also has a higher refresh rate (90Hz), further enhancing the viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer capable camera systems, the Realme 9 Pro likely has a more versatile setup with potentially better image processing and low-light performance. Specific camera specs (megapixel counts, aperture values) would need to be confirmed for a definitive comparison, but the 695 chipset generally supports more advanced camera features.
Performance
The Realme 9 Pro's Snapdragon 695 5G chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the 9i's Snapdragon 680 4G. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance. While the 9i's Kryo 265 cores are efficient, they can't match the 695's overall power.
Battery Life
Both phones offer a 5000mAh battery, providing excellent all-day battery life. The Realme 9i shines with its 33W fast charging, reaching 100% in just 70 minutes. The Realme 9 Pro also has 33W charging, but the endurance rating (134h) suggests slightly better overall battery efficiency.
Buying Guide
The Realme 9 Pro is ideal for users who prioritize a vibrant display, faster performance for gaming and multitasking, and future-proof 5G connectivity. The Realme 9i is a great choice for those seeking a reliable, affordable phone with fast charging and a focus on everyday usability.