Choosing a budget smartphone can be tough, especially with so many options available. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Realme 9i 5G and the Realme C55. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one deserves your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme C55 edges out the 9i 5G thanks to its faster charging, brighter display, and impressive battery life. While the 9i 5G offers 5G connectivity, the C55's overall package provides better value for most users.
| 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, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 7, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 18 | 2023, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 24 | Available. Released 2023, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.1 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.96 x 0.32 in) | 165.6 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 187 g (6.60 oz) | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda Glass | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Unspecified MP, 46mm (telephoto)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 29 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Soulful Blue, Rocking Black, Gold | Sun Shower, Rainy Night, Rainforest |
| Models | RMX3612 | RMX3710 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | ₹ 8,399 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 123h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1264:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-31.8 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 257263 (v9)
GeekBench: 1452 (v5.1), 1413 (v6)
GFXBench: 9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 9i 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- Slightly better chipset performance
- Decent display
- Slower charging (18W)
- Less bright display
- Potentially shorter battery life
Realme C55
- Excellent battery life (123h endurance)
- Fast charging (33W)
- Brighter display
- Good value for money
- Slightly less powerful chipset
- 12nm process less efficient than 9i 5G's 6nm
Display Comparison
The Realme C55 boasts a significantly brighter display (659 nits vs unspecified for 9i 5G) and a high contrast ratio (1264:1), offering a more visually appealing experience. Both phones likely feature similar LCD panels, but the C55's brightness advantage is noticeable, especially outdoors. The 9i 5G's display is adequate but lacks the punch of the C55.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems for their price range. The Realme C55 likely has a slight edge in image processing due to Realme's software optimizations. Expect decent photo and video quality from both, but don't expect flagship-level performance. Low-light performance will be a weak point on both.
Performance
The Realme 9i 5G's Dimensity 810 chipset generally offers slightly better raw performance than the Helio G88 in the C55, particularly in gaming. However, the difference isn't massive, and both phones handle everyday tasks smoothly. The 6nm process of the Dimensity 810 also contributes to slightly better power efficiency.
Battery Life
The Realme C55 shines in this category. Its endurance rating of 123h is exceptional, suggesting significantly longer battery life than the 9i 5G. Coupled with 33W fast charging (50% in 29 minutes), the C55 offers a superior charging and battery experience compared to the 9i 5G's 18W charging.
Buying Guide
The Realme 9i 5G is ideal for users who prioritize 5G connectivity and a slightly more powerful chipset for gaming. The Realme C55 is a better choice for those seeking long battery life, fast charging, a vibrant display, and a more balanced overall experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme 9i 5G worth it if I need 5G?
If 5G is a must-have, the 9i 5G is the only option here. However, consider if the slightly better performance justifies the trade-offs in battery life and charging speed.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Realme C55 has significantly better battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 123 hours, far exceeding the 9i 5G's likely performance.
