The Realme 9i and Realme C55 are both strong contenders in the budget smartphone market, offering compelling features at attractive price points. But which one truly delivers the best value? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall user experience to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme C55 edges out the 9i thanks to its brighter display, faster charging (for a 50% charge), and exceptional battery endurance. While the 9i boasts a slightly more powerful chipset, the C55's overall package provides a more polished and user-friendly experience 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 10 | 2023, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 10 | Available. Released 2023, March 08 |
| 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) | 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Dragontrail Pro Glass | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4 | 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 - Vietnam
UFS 2.1 - India | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", 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 | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | 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 | 33W wired, 100% in 70 min | 33W wired, 50% in 29 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Sun Shower, Rainy Night, Rainforest |
| Models | RMX3491 | RMX3710 |
| Price | € 149.90 / $ 209.00 / £ 140.09 | ₹ 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
- Slightly more powerful chipset
- 6nm process for efficiency
- Good value for money
- Less bright display
- Slower charging
- Battery life not as exceptional as C55
Realme C55
- Brighter display (659 nits)
- Exceptional battery life (123h endurance)
- Faster charging (50% in 29 min)
- Stylish design
- Slightly less powerful chipset
- 12nm process less efficient than 9i's
Display Comparison
The Realme C55 takes the display crown with a measured peak brightness of 659 nits, significantly brighter than the 9i. Both offer a 1264:1 contrast ratio, ensuring deep blacks and vibrant colors. The C55's superior brightness makes it more usable outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed camera comparisons require more in-depth testing. The Realme C55 likely offers slightly better image processing due to Realme's software optimizations. Both phones offer standard photo and video capabilities.
Performance
The Realme 9i's Snapdragon 680 chipset, built on a 6nm process, generally offers slightly better performance than the C55's Helio G88 (12nm). However, the difference isn't massive in everyday use. The 9i might handle more demanding games at higher settings, but the C55 remains smooth for typical tasks.
Battery Life
The Realme C55 shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 123 hours. The 9i's battery life is still respectable, but the C55 provides significantly longer usage between charges. The C55 also charges faster to 50%.
Buying Guide
The Realme 9i is a good choice for users prioritizing raw processing power for gaming or demanding apps. The Realme C55 is ideal for those who value long battery life, a vibrant display for media consumption, and quick charging capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme 9i's slightly more powerful chipset might offer a marginal advantage in demanding games, but both phones are capable of handling most games smoothly.
❓ How does the camera quality compare?
Both phones offer decent camera performance. The Realme C55 may have slightly better image processing, but a full camera comparison would require more extensive testing.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Realme C55 has significantly better battery life, with an endurance rating of 123 hours compared to the 9i.
