The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and Realme consistently delivers impressive devices. Today, we're pitting the Realme V30 against the Realme 9i to see which offers the best value. Both promise solid performance and features, but which one truly reigns supreme?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 9i edges out the V30 thanks to its known Snapdragon 680 chipset, faster charging, and generally more established reputation. While the V30 might offer some improvements in other areas, the 9i's reliable performance and charging make it the slightly better choice 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 | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, February 09 | 2022, January 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 20 | Available. Released 2022, January 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Dragontrail Pro), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 8.1 mm thickness | 164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Dragontrail Pro Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 600 nits | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 - Vietnam
UFS 2.1 - India |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| 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 | 5 MP (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | Yes | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired, 100% in 70 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold | Black, Blue |
| Models | RMX3618 | RMX3491 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | € 149.90 / $ 209.00 / £ 140.09 |
Realme V30
- Potentially improved design
- Possible display enhancements (unknown)
- Unknown chipset performance
- Unconfirmed battery and charging specs
- Less established reputation
Realme 9i
- Reliable Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Fast 33W charging
- Good battery life
- Established reputation
- Display refresh rate not as high as some competitors
- Camera performance is good, but not exceptional
Display Comparison
While specific V30 display details are scarce, it's likely to feature a similar LCD panel to other Realme devices in its class. The Realme 9i boasts a 6.67-inch 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering smoother visuals. The 9i likely wins here due to the higher refresh rate.
Camera Comparison
The Realme 9i typically features a 50MP main camera, offering good image quality in well-lit conditions. The V30's camera specifications are currently unknown, making a direct comparison difficult. We'll assume the 9i holds a slight advantage until more V30 camera details emerge.
Performance
The Realme 9i's Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) chipset is a known quantity, offering efficient and reliable performance for everyday tasks and light gaming. The V30's Mediatek chipset is less established, and its performance remains to be seen. The Snapdragon 680 generally provides a more consistent experience.
Battery Life
The Realme 9i's 5000mAh battery, coupled with 33W fast charging (100% in 70 minutes), provides excellent battery life and quick top-ups. The V30's battery capacity and charging speed are currently unknown, but it's unlikely to surpass the 9i's performance in this area.
Buying Guide
The Realme V30 is a good option for users prioritizing a potentially improved display and design, and who are comfortable with a less-known chipset. The Realme 9i is ideal for those seeking a dependable, well-rounded budget phone with a proven processor, fast charging, and a strong track record.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme V30 worth waiting for if more details are released?
It depends. If the V30 offers significant improvements in display or camera quality, it could be a compelling option. However, until more information is available, the Realme 9i remains a safer bet.
❓ Which chipset is better: Mediatek (V30) or Snapdragon 680 (9i)?
The Snapdragon 680 is generally considered more reliable and has a better track record for performance and efficiency in budget smartphones. The Mediatek chipset in the V30's performance is currently unknown.
