The Realme 9i and Realme 10 are both strong contenders in the budget smartphone market, offering compelling features at attractive price points. But which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 10 edges out the 9i thanks to its slightly improved chipset, faster charging, and brighter display. While the 9i offers a solid experience, the 10 provides a more modern and refined feel, making it the better overall pick for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 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, November 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 10 | Available. Released 2022, November 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Dragontrail Pro), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 159.9 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.30 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Dragontrail Pro Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4 | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 - Vietnam
UFS 2.1 - India | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| 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 | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (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, 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 100% in 70 min | 33W wired, 50% in 28 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | White, Blue |
| Models | RMX3491 | RMX3630 |
| Price | € 149.90 / $ 209.00 / £ 140.09 | About 440 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 126h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.9 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 385829 (v9)
GeekBench: 1762 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 9i
- Affordable price
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Good battery life
- Solid build quality
- Slightly older chipset
- Slower charging
- Less bright display
Realme 10
- Improved chipset (Helio G99)
- Faster charging
- Brighter display
- Modern design
- Slightly higher price
- Potential for slightly less RAM in some configurations
Display Comparison
The Realme 10 boasts a brighter display with a measured 610 nits peak brightness, offering better visibility in sunlight. While the 9i's display is adequate, the 10's 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. Both likely feature similar resolutions and refresh rates (90Hz on the 10, likely 60Hz on the 9i).
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems, but the Realme 10 likely has a slight edge due to software optimizations and potentially a slightly improved sensor. Expect similar image quality in good lighting conditions, but the 10 might handle low-light scenarios a bit better. Video recording capabilities are likely comparable.
Performance
The Realme 10's Mediatek Helio G99 chipset generally outperforms the Snapdragon 680 in the 9i, particularly in gaming and demanding applications. The G99's Cortex-A76 cores provide a noticeable boost in performance compared to the 9i's Kryo 265 Gold cores. Both phones offer smooth multitasking for everyday use.
Battery Life
Both phones offer excellent battery life, with the Realme 10 claiming an impressive endurance rating of 126 hours. The Realme 9i also provides long-lasting power. However, the Realme 10's faster charging (50% in 28 minutes vs. 70 minutes for the 9i) is a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
The Realme 9i is a great choice for users prioritizing a reliable and affordable device for everyday tasks. The Realme 10 is ideal for those seeking a smoother experience, faster charging, and a slightly better camera, even if it comes at a slightly higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme 10 worth the extra money compared to the Realme 9i?
Generally, yes. The Realme 10 offers a more modern chipset, faster charging, and a brighter display, making it a worthwhile upgrade if your budget allows.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme 10 is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G99 chipset.
