The Realme 9i and Motorola Moto G52 occupy a fiercely competitive segment: the sub-$200 4G smartphone market. Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680, making a direct performance comparison less crucial than examining the nuances in charging, design, and overall user experience. This comparison dives deep to reveal which phone delivers the most value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing faster charging and a slightly more aggressive design, the Realme 9i emerges as the winner. Its 33W charging capability offers a tangible benefit over the Moto G52’s 30W, reducing downtime. However, the Moto G52 remains a strong contender for those valuing a more understated aesthetic.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 10 | 2022, April 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 10 | Available. Released 2022, April 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Dragontrail Pro), plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 160.1 x 74.5 x 8 mm (6.30 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent design |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Dragontrail Pro Glass | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~86.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4 | Android 12, planned upgrade to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 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, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 100% in 70 min | 30W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Charcoal Gray, Porcelain White |
| Models | RMX3491 | XT2221-1, XT2221-2 |
| Price | € 149.90 / $ 209.00 / £ 140.09 | About 470 EUR |
Realme 9i
- Faster 33W charging for quicker top-ups
- Potentially more vibrant display colors
- More eye-catching design (subjective)
- Realme’s UI can be more cluttered than Motorola’s
- Potentially less consistent software updates
Motorola Moto G52
- Clean and minimalist software experience
- Motorola’s reputation for timely software updates
- More understated and professional design
- Slower 30W charging
- Potentially less vibrant display colors
- May lack some of the extra features found in Realme’s UI
Display Comparison
Both the Realme 9i and Moto G52 lack detailed display specifications in the provided data. However, given their price point, we can infer both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The absence of information regarding refresh rates suggests a standard 60Hz experience on both. The real-world difference will likely come down to color calibration and peak brightness, areas where Realme often pushes for more vibrant, saturated colors, while Motorola typically aims for greater accuracy. Bezels are likely comparable, given the similar overall design philosophies in this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality will heavily depend on the primary sensor and image processing algorithms. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit. The Snapdragon 680’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is capable, but won’t deliver flagship-level image quality. Expect decent performance in well-lit conditions, but struggles in low-light scenarios. Motorola’s image processing tends towards more natural colors, while Realme often boosts saturation.
Performance
The core performance is identical: both devices are equipped with the Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) chipset and an Octa-core CPU configuration (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver). This means everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light multitasking will feel virtually the same on both phones. The 6nm process node ensures reasonable power efficiency, but neither phone is designed for demanding gaming. Thermal throttling will likely be a factor during extended gaming sessions, and performance will be capped by the Snapdragon 680's capabilities. RAM configurations, not provided, will be a key differentiator in multitasking performance.
Battery Life
The Realme 9i’s 33W wired charging is the key differentiator here. While the Moto G52 offers 30W charging, the 3W difference translates to a noticeably faster 0-100% charge time – Realme claims 70 minutes, suggesting the Moto G52 will take closer to 80-90 minutes. Battery capacity isn’t specified, but both likely fall in the 5000mAh range, offering all-day battery life for moderate users. The faster charging of the Realme 9i is particularly beneficial for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 9i if you need rapid charging and a vibrant, attention-grabbing design. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their phones throughout the day and appreciate a bolder aesthetic. Buy the Motorola Moto G52 if you prefer a more subtle, minimalist design and prioritize a clean software experience. It’s a solid choice for users who value simplicity and longer-term software support from Motorola.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 680 in either phone struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 680 is a budget-focused chipset. While it can run PUBG Mobile, you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a playable frame rate. Expect some stuttering and frame drops during intense action sequences. Neither phone is ideal for serious mobile gaming.
❓ How does Realme’s UI compare to Motorola’s My UX in terms of bloatware?
Realme UI is generally known to include more pre-installed apps (bloatware) than Motorola’s My UX. Motorola aims for a near-stock Android experience with minimal additions, offering a cleaner and more streamlined user interface. If you prefer a less cluttered experience, the Moto G52 is the better choice.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed (33W vs 30W) really noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 3W difference in charging speed is noticeable. While both phones offer fast charging, the Realme 9i’s 33W charging will shave off approximately 10-20 minutes from a full charge compared to the Moto G52’s 30W. This is particularly beneficial for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
