The Realme 9 and Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G represent compelling options in the competitive mid-range smartphone market. Both aim to deliver a balanced experience, but they diverge significantly in their approaches to battery technology and processing power. This comparison dissects these differences to help you determine which device best suits your priorities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity and rapid replenishment, the Realme 9 emerges as the winner. Its superior endurance rating of 156 hours, coupled with a respectable 33W charging speed, provides a more worry-free experience than the Poco X4 Pro 5G's shorter battery life despite its faster 67W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 07 | 2022, February 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 12 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) | 164.2 x 76.1 x 8.1 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 700 nits, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 | Android 11, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, dual pixel PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF - Global version
64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF - India version
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 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 | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 31 min, 100% in 75 min | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 70% in 22 min, 100% in 41 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Meteor Black, Sunburst Gold, Stargaze White | Laser Black, Laser Blue, Poco Yellow |
| Models | RMX3521 | 2201116PG |
| Price | About 660 EUR | € 160.40 / $ 419.99 / £ 255.00 / ₹ 12,940 |
| SAR | 1.16 W/kg (head) 0.59 W/kg (body) | 1.06 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 156h
|
Endurance rating 119h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-30.4 LUFS (Below average)
|
-26.8 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 290097 (v9)
GeekBench: 1601 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.3fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 335353 (v8), 384646 (v9)
GeekBench: 2063 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 9
- Exceptional battery life (156h endurance)
- Higher peak display brightness (647 nits)
- Efficient Snapdragon 680 processor
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Slower charging speed compared to Poco X4 Pro 5G
Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G
- Faster 67W charging
- 5G connectivity with Snapdragon 695
- Potentially better multi-core performance
- Significantly shorter battery life (119h endurance)
- Lower overall endurance rating
Display Comparison
Both the Realme 9 and Poco X4 Pro 5G feature displays with an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks. However, the Realme 9 boasts a measured peak brightness of 647 nits, a crucial advantage for outdoor visibility. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels given the price bracket, the Realme 9’s higher brightness translates to a more usable experience in direct sunlight. Details regarding refresh rates and panel technology (like PWM dimming) are missing, but the Realme 9’s brightness is a clear win.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering little specific insight. Without sensor size or aperture details, a direct comparison is difficult. The market segment suggests both will rely on primary sensors around the 64MP mark, but image processing algorithms will be the key differentiator. The absence of details regarding optical image stabilization (OIS) suggests neither phone prioritizes low-light photography. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit.
Performance
The Poco X4 Pro 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset represents a step up from the Realme 9’s Snapdragon 680 4G. The 695, built on the same 6nm process, features a different CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold cores and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver cores versus the Realme 9’s 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold and 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver. This translates to potentially better multi-core performance on the Poco, and crucially, 5G connectivity. However, the Realme 9’s 680 is still a capable performer for everyday tasks. The 6nm fabrication process on both chips ensures reasonable thermal efficiency, but the 695’s more complex architecture may generate slightly more heat under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Realme 9’s endurance rating of 156 hours significantly surpasses the Poco X4 Pro 5G’s 119 hours. This indicates the Realme 9 can last considerably longer on a single charge. While the Poco X4 Pro 5G compensates with 67W wired charging (capable of 70% in 22 minutes and 100% in 41 minutes), the Realme 9’s 33W charging (50% in 31 minutes, 100% in 75 minutes) is still respectable. The Poco’s faster charging is beneficial for quick top-ups, but the Realme 9’s longer battery life reduces the need for frequent charging in the first place.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 9 if you need exceptional battery life and prioritize minimizing downtime. It’s ideal for users who frequently travel or rely heavily on their phone throughout the day. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G if you prefer faster charging speeds and the potential benefits of 5G connectivity, even if it means sacrificing some overall battery endurance. This phone is better suited for users who can easily top up their device during the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the Poco X4 Pro 5G offer a noticeable gaming performance improvement over the Snapdragon 680 in the Realme 9?
While the Snapdragon 695 is a more powerful chipset, the difference in gaming performance won't be dramatic for most mobile games. Both chips are capable of running popular titles at medium settings, but the 695 may provide slightly smoother frame rates and better performance in more demanding games. However, thermal throttling could limit sustained performance on both devices.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Poco X4 Pro 5G in real-world usage compared to the 33W charging on the Realme 9?
The Poco X4 Pro 5G's 67W charging can replenish the battery significantly faster, reaching 70% in just 22 minutes. The Realme 9 takes approximately 31 minutes to reach 50%. This means if you're frequently running low on battery, the Poco X4 Pro 5G offers a quicker solution, but the Realme 9's longer battery life may negate the need for such rapid charging in many scenarios.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Poco X4 Pro 5G worth the trade-off in battery life for users in areas with limited 5G coverage?
If 5G coverage is spotty or unavailable in your area, the 5G capability of the Poco X4 Pro 5G offers little practical benefit. In such cases, the Realme 9’s superior battery life becomes a more valuable asset. 5G connectivity consumes more power, further exacerbating the Poco’s battery life disadvantage.
