The Tecno Phantom 9 and Realme XT represent different approaches to the budget smartphone market. The Phantom 9 aims for a balance of features at a low price, while the XT prioritized performance with a more capable chipset. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Realme XT is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 712 chipset provides a substantial advantage over the Tecno Phantom 9’s Helio P35, coupled with 20W fast charging. While both offer similar battery endurance ratings, the XT’s faster charging is a significant convenience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, July. Released 2019, July | 2019, September 13. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 158.5 x 75.3 x 7.9 mm (6.24 x 2.96 x 0.31 in) | 158.7 x 75.2 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 164.4 g (5.78 oz) | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 616 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable | 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lapland Aurora | Pearl White, Pearl Blue |
| Models | AB7 | RMX1921 |
| Price | About 15000 INR | About 290 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.2dB / Crosstalk -91.4dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 100h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 89dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 185193 (v7)
GeekBench: 6102 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Phantom 9
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable for basic smartphone tasks
- 100h endurance rating
- Weak Helio P35 chipset
- Likely inferior display quality
- Slow charging speeds (assumed)
Realme XT
- Powerful Snapdragon 712 chipset
- Faster 20W charging
- Brighter display (447 nits)
- May be slightly more expensive
- Camera details are limited
- No standout display features (e.g., high refresh rate)
Display Comparison
The Realme XT boasts a measured peak brightness of 447 nits, a crucial advantage over the unstated brightness of the Phantom 9. While both displays have an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, the XT’s higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. The Phantom 9’s display specifications are largely unknown, making a direct comparison difficult, but it’s likely to be a lower-quality panel given the phone’s price point. The XT’s display is adequate for media consumption, but neither phone is likely to impress display enthusiasts.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but details are sparse. The Realme XT likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 712, offering superior image processing compared to the Phantom 9’s MediaTek ISP. Without specific sensor details for either phone, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the XT’s chipset provides a foundation for better image quality and video stabilization. The lack of detail regarding the Phantom 9’s camera suggests it’s unlikely to be a standout feature.
Performance
This is where the Realme XT truly shines. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 (10nm) is significantly more powerful than the MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm) found in the Phantom 9. The 712’s Kryo 360 Gold cores, clocked at 2.3 GHz, offer a substantial performance uplift over the Cortex-A53 cores in the P35. The 712’s more efficient 10nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended use. The Phantom 9’s Helio P35 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding games and multitasking.
Battery Life
Both the Tecno Phantom 9 and Realme XT share an endurance rating of 100 hours, suggesting similar battery life under typical usage. However, the Realme XT’s 20W wired charging is a game-changer. This allows for significantly faster charging times compared to the Phantom 9, which likely supports a much slower charging rate. The convenience of quickly topping up the battery is a major advantage for the XT, especially for users who frequently use their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Phantom 9 if you need a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and are on an extremely tight budget. Buy the Realme XT if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience for gaming, multitasking, and photography, and value faster charging speeds. The XT is the better choice for users who anticipate keeping their phone for more than a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme XT handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 712 in the Realme XT is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't match the performance of flagship chipsets, it provides a significantly better gaming experience than the Tecno Phantom 9’s Helio P35.
❓ How much faster is the Realme XT's charging compared to the Tecno Phantom 9?
The Realme XT’s 20W charging is substantially faster than the Phantom 9’s likely 10W or slower charging. This translates to a significantly reduced charging time, allowing you to quickly top up your battery when needed. Expect a full charge on the XT in around 1.5-2 hours, while the Phantom 9 could take 3+ hours.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Snapdragon 712 and Helio P35 noticeable in everyday use?
Absolutely. The Snapdragon 712 offers a smoother and more responsive experience in everyday tasks like app switching, web browsing, and opening applications. The Helio P35 in the Phantom 9 may exhibit noticeable lag or stuttering during these activities, especially with multiple apps open.
