The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 9i and Samsung Galaxy A23 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at an affordable price, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will break down every aspect, helping you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A23 edges out the Realme 9i thanks to its superior display, longer battery life, and Samsung's reliable software support. While the Realme 9i boasts faster charging, the A23's overall package provides a more polished and enduring 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 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 | 2022, March 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 10 | Available. Released 2022, March 25 |
| 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) | 165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4 mm (6.51 x 3.03 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Dragontrail Pro Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | PLS LCD, 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, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| 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 |
| | UFS 2.2 - Vietnam
UFS 2.1 - India | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF, OIS
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| 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 | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.2, (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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| 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, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 100% in 70 min | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | RMX3491 | SM-A235F, SM-A235F/DS, SM-A235F/DSN, SM-A235M, SM-A235M/DS, SM-A235N |
| Price | € 149.90 / $ 209.00 / £ 140.09 | £ 99.00 / ₹ 14,999 |
| SAR | - | 0.48 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.36 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 130h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1241:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 273554 (v9)
GeekBench: 1632 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 9i
- Faster Charging (33W)
- Slightly More Compact Design
- Aggressive Pricing
- Lower Display Brightness
- Potentially Less Consistent Camera Performance
- Shorter Battery Life
Samsung Galaxy A23
- Brighter Display (464 nits)
- Exceptional Battery Life (130h Endurance)
- Samsung's One UI Software
- Likely Larger Screen
- Slower Charging (25W)
- Potentially Higher Price
- Design may be less exciting
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A23 takes the display crown. While both phones feature similar contrast ratios (1241:1), the A23's measured 464 nits peak brightness offers a noticeably better viewing experience, especially outdoors. The A23 likely has a slightly larger screen as well, contributing to its overall advantage. The Realme 9i's display is adequate but lacks the vibrancy and brightness of the A23.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is a complex area. While both phones are advertised as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, detailed camera specs are missing. Generally, Samsung's image processing tends to be more consistent and pleasing to a wider audience. The A23 likely benefits from Samsung's established camera software. The Realme 9i might offer some unique camera features, but overall, the A23 is expected to deliver slightly better image quality.
Performance
Both devices share the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset and CPU configuration, meaning performance will be largely comparable for everyday tasks. Expect smooth navigation, app loading, and multitasking. Gaming performance will be adequate for less demanding titles, but neither phone is a powerhouse. Software optimization will play a key role in the perceived speed.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A23 dominates in battery life. Its endurance rating of 130 hours significantly surpasses what's known about the Realme 9i. While the Realme 9i offers faster 33W charging, the A23's longer battery life means you'll need to charge it less frequently.
Buying Guide
The Realme 9i is ideal for users prioritizing fast charging and a slightly more compact design. The Samsung Galaxy A23 is a better choice for those who value a vibrant display, exceptional battery life, and the stability of Samsung's One UI.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Samsung Galaxy A23 is expected to receive longer software updates and security patches due to Samsung's commitment to supporting its devices.
❓ Is the Realme 9i worth buying if fast charging is a priority?
Yes, the Realme 9i's 33W charging is significantly faster than the A23's 25W, making it a good choice for those who need to quickly top up their battery.
