Realme Q5 vs Realme 9 Pro: The Ultimate Budget Showdown

The Realme Q5 and Realme 9 Pro are both strong contenders in the budget smartphone market, offering impressive 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.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Realme Q5 takes the lead with its significantly faster 65W charging, a major convenience. However, the Realme 9 Pro boasts exceptional battery life and a brighter display. Ultimately, the Q5 is better for those prioritizing charging speed, while the 9 Pro excels in longevity and visual experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme Q5 Realme 9 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2022, April 202022, February 16
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 28Available. Released 2022, February 23
Body
Dimensions164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight195 g (6.88 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (peak)IPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 619
OSAndroid 12, Realme UI 3.0Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, Realme UI 5.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging65W wired, 100% in 48 min33W wired
Type5000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, YellowMidnight Black, Aurora Green, Sunrise Blue
ModelsRMX3478RMX3471, RMX3472
PriceAbout 200 EUR€ 248.86
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.71 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 134h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1601:1
Loudspeaker- -25.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 401894 (v9) GeekBench: 2020 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Realme Q5

  • 65W SuperDart Charging
  • Sleek Design
  • Decent Performance

  • Average Camera
  • Shorter Battery Life
  • Potentially Less Bright Display

Realme 9 Pro

  • Exceptional Battery Life
  • Bright Display
  • Versatile Camera System (likely)

  • Slower 33W Charging
  • Design may be less modern
  • Performance similar to Q5

Display Comparison

The Realme 9 Pro has a slight edge with its measured 567 nits max brightness, offering better visibility in direct sunlight. Both phones share a 1601:1 contrast ratio, promising deep blacks and vibrant colors. The 9 Pro's display is generally considered more visually appealing due to the higher brightness.

Camera Comparison

While both phones are listed as having 'Photo/Video' capabilities, the Realme 9 Pro is generally known to have a more versatile camera system, often including a main sensor with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) and a dedicated macro lens. The Q5's camera is decent but lacks the advanced features of the 9 Pro. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) are needed for a more precise comparison.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset and Octa-core CPU, meaning performance will be largely similar for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Expect smooth multitasking and responsive app usage on both.

Battery Life

The Realme 9 Pro shines here, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 134 hours. The Q5's battery life is respectable, but falls short of the 9 Pro's longevity. The 9 Pro's slower 33W charging compensates somewhat for the longer battery life.

Buying Guide

The Realme Q5 is ideal for users who frequently need to top up their phone's battery and value fast charging above all else. The Realme 9 Pro is a better fit for those who prioritize long battery life, a vibrant display for media consumption, and don't mind slower charging speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Realme Q5 good for gaming?
The Snapdragon 695 5G is capable of handling most games at medium settings. However, don't expect high-end gaming performance.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Realme generally provides decent software updates, but specific update timelines can vary. Check Realme's official website for the latest information.