The Realme Q5i and Honor X9 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive budget 5G smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a smooth user experience without breaking the bank, but they achieve this through different approaches to chipset selection and feature prioritization. This comparison will dissect their key specifications to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and a slightly more refined software experience, the Honor X9 5G emerges as the winner. Its 66W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the Snapdragon 695 offers a stable, if not groundbreaking, performance profile. However, the Realme Q5i remains a strong contender for those focused on raw CPU performance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 18 | 2022, March 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 18 | Available. Released 2022, March 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 8.1 mm thickness | 166.1 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm (6.54 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.0 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.81 inches, 112.3 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 600 nits | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5 |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), unspecified sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 66W wired, 81% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black | Titanium Silver, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black |
| Models | RMX3574 | ANY-NX1 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 240 EUR |
Realme Q5i
- Potentially higher CPU performance with Dimensity 810
- Competitive price point
- 6nm chipset for improved efficiency
- Slower 33W charging
- Potentially less optimized software
- Uncertain camera performance
Honor X9 5G
- Significantly faster 66W charging
- Snapdragon 695 offers stable performance
- Potentially better software support from Honor
- Slightly lower peak CPU performance
- May be marginally more expensive
- Uncertain camera performance
Display Comparison
Neither Realme nor Honor provide display specifications beyond the basic existence of a screen. Assuming typical LCD panels for this price bracket, the display experience will likely be similar. Color accuracy and peak brightness are likely to be moderate. The absence of high refresh rates is expected, focusing on power efficiency. Bezels are likely to be noticeable on both devices, typical of budget offerings.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are absent. Given the price point, both phones likely feature a primary sensor paired with depth or macro lenses of limited utility. Image processing will be a key differentiator, with Honor historically leaning towards more saturated and vibrant images, while Realme often aims for a more natural look. Without knowing sensor sizes or apertures, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Snapdragon 695's ISP (Image Signal Processor) may offer slightly better noise reduction and dynamic range.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Realme Q5i utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6nm) with a CPU configuration of 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, while the Honor X9 5G features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) with 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 660 Silver cores. While both are 6nm chips, the Dimensity 810 generally exhibits higher raw CPU performance due to its faster Cortex-A76 cores. However, Qualcomm's Snapdragon typically excels in modem efficiency and sustained performance due to better thermal management. The Snapdragon 695's Kryo cores are designed for a balance of performance and power efficiency, potentially leading to smoother multitasking and less throttling during extended gaming sessions. RAM speed is not specified, but both likely utilize LPDDR4X to keep costs down.
Battery Life
The Honor X9 5G boasts a significant advantage with its 66W wired charging, capable of reaching 81% charge in just 30 minutes. The Realme Q5i is limited to 33W charging, resulting in considerably longer charging times. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging of the Honor X9 5G effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. This is a crucial benefit for users who prioritize minimizing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Q5i if you prioritize maximizing CPU performance for tasks like light gaming and multitasking, and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. Buy the Honor X9 5G if you value rapid charging, a more balanced overall experience, and potentially better long-term software support, even if it means a slight trade-off in peak CPU power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the Honor X9 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 695 is known for its relatively efficient thermal management. While it won't deliver flagship-level gaming performance, it's less prone to overheating and throttling compared to some other chips in this price range. Expect playable frame rates in most popular titles, but potentially with reduced graphics settings.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Realme Q5i slow compared to other phones?
Yes, 33W charging is relatively slow compared to the 66W charging offered by the Honor X9 5G. Expect a full charge to take significantly longer – likely over 1.5 hours – which may be inconvenient for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does the Dimensity 810 in the Realme Q5i support advanced 5G features like carrier aggregation?
The Dimensity 810 does support 5G carrier aggregation, but the extent of its support will depend on the specific network and carrier. This feature allows the phone to combine multiple 5G channels for faster and more stable data speeds.
❓ What kind of software updates can I expect on the Honor X9 5G?
Honor has improved its software update commitment in recent years. While not on par with Google or Samsung, the X9 5G is likely to receive at least one major Android version update and several security patches, offering a reasonable level of long-term support.
