Realme 9i vs Realme 8 5G: A Detailed Comparison

Choosing a budget smartphone can be tough. The Realme 9i and Realme 8 5G are both strong contenders, offering compelling features at affordable prices. But which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison breaks down everything you need to know.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Realme 9i takes the lead with its faster Snapdragon 680 chipset and significantly quicker 33W charging. However, the Realme 8 5G offers 5G connectivity and exceptional battery life, making it a solid choice if 5G is a priority and you value longevity.

PHONES
Phone Names	Realme 9i	Realme 8 5G

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands	-	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41	1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India

Launch
Announced	2022, January 10	2021, April 21
Status	Available. Released 2022, January 10	Available. Released 2021, April 28

Body
Build	Glass front (Dragontrail Pro), plastic frame, plastic back	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)	162.5 x 74.8 x 8.5 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.33 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	190 g (6.70 oz)	185 g (6.53 oz)

Display
Protection	Dragontrail Pro Glass	-
Resolution	1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size	6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)	6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ)	IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits

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 Dimensity 700 (7 nm)
GPU	Adreno 610	Mali-G57 MC2
OS	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4	Android 11, upgradable to 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, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
	UFS 2.2 - Vietnam UFS 2.1 - India	UFS 2.1

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm	16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide)
Triple	50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens	48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	Panorama	HDR
Single	16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm	16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (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	5.1, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes (market/region dependent)	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
Radio	No	Unspecified
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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	33W wired, 100% in 70 min	18W wired
Type	5000 mAh	5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Blue	Supersonic Blue, Supersonic Black
Models	RMX3491	RMX3241
Price	€ 149.90 / $ 209.00 / £ 140.09	About 170 EUR

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 118h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: 1413:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-27.8 LUFS (Good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 302059 (v8), 361505 (v9) GeekBench: 1784 (v5.1) GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Realme 9i

Faster Processor (Snapdragon 680)
33W Fast Charging
Slightly Newer Design
Good Value for Performance

Shorter Battery Life than Realme 8 5G
No 5G Connectivity

Realme 8 5G

5G Connectivity
Exceptional Battery Life (118h Endurance)
Good Low-Light Camera Performance (potentially)

Slower Processor (Dimensity 700)
18W Slow Charging
Older Design

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.5-inch display with a 90Hz refresh rate and a nominal contrast ratio of 1413:1, offering a smooth and vibrant viewing experience. While both are good, the Realme 9i might have slightly better color accuracy due to its newer panel, but this is difficult to definitively confirm without testing.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is comparable, with both phones offering decent image quality in good lighting conditions. The Realme 8 5G might have a slight edge in low-light scenarios due to software optimization, but the 9i's newer image processing could compensate. Both offer standard photo and video capabilities.

Performance

The Realme 9i's Snapdragon 680 chipset (6nm) provides a noticeable performance boost over the Realme 8 5G's Dimensity 700 (7nm). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the 9i. The 9i's Kryo 265 cores are generally more efficient.

Battery Life

The Realme 8 5G boasts an impressive endurance rating of 118 hours, significantly outperforming the Realme 9i. However, the Realme 9i's 33W fast charging allows it to replenish its battery much faster, mitigating the difference in overall battery life.

Buying Guide

The Realme 9i is ideal for users prioritizing performance and fast charging for everyday tasks and gaming. The Realme 8 5G is better suited for those who need 5G connectivity and prioritize extended battery life above all else.