Umidigi A9 Pro vs. Realme 8 Pro: Which Budget Phone Reigns Supreme?
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 8 Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 720G chipset offers significantly better performance and efficiency than the Helio P60 in the Umidigi A9 Pro, coupled with blazing-fast 50W charging. While the A9 Pro is cheaper, the performance gap justifies the price difference.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Umidigi A9 Pro | Realme 8 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020. Released 2020 | 2021, March 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 25 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 158.7 x 74.9 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.95 x 0.34 in) | 160.6 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.32 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak) |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio P60 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP*, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", AF 16 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens *32MP camera for the 64GB/4GB variant only | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 24 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| - | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, thermometer (skin temperature) | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 50W wired, 50% in 17 min, 100% in 47 min |
| Type | 4150 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Onyx Black, Forest Green | Infinite Blue, Infinite Black, Punk Black, Illuminating Yellow |
| Models | - | RMX3081 |
| Price | - | About 550 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.10 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 116h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -28.2 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 286666 (v8) GeekBench: 1678 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Umidigi A9 Pro
- Significantly lower price point
- Acceptable battery endurance (116h)
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Outdated Helio P60 chipset
- Slow 10W charging
- Likely inferior camera performance
Realme 8 Pro
- Faster Snapdragon 720G processor
- Ultra-fast 50W charging
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Higher price than the Umidigi A9 Pro
- No high refresh rate display
- May not be significantly better in battery life despite the same endurance rating
Display Comparison
Both devices share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting typical IPS LCD characteristics. However, detailed display specs like resolution, brightness, and color gamut are missing for the Umidigi A9 Pro. The Realme 8 Pro, while lacking high-end features like a high refresh rate, benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor for potentially better color accuracy. Without specific data on the A9 Pro’s panel, the Realme 8 Pro likely offers a more refined visual experience.
Camera Comparison
While both phones feature photo/video capabilities, the Realme 8 Pro likely holds an advantage due to its more modern image signal processor integrated within the Snapdragon 720G. The A9 Pro’s Helio P60 ISP is older and less capable. Without detailed sensor information for either device, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Realme 8 Pro’s chipset is more likely to support advanced features like better HDR processing and improved low-light performance. The presence of OIS on the Realme 8 Pro (a common feature in this price range) would further enhance image quality.
Performance
The Realme 8 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) represents a substantial leap over the Umidigi A9 Pro’s MediaTek Helio P60 (12nm). The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 720G translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling during sustained workloads. The CPU architecture also favors the Realme 8 Pro; its Kryo 465 Gold cores (2x2.3 GHz) are more powerful than the Cortex-A73 cores (4x2.0 GHz) in the Helio P60. This difference is particularly noticeable in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The A9 Pro’s Cortex-A53 cores (4x2.0 GHz) are less efficient and will struggle with multitasking.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an endurance rating of 116 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the Umidigi A9 Pro’s unspecified battery capacity. However, the Realme 8 Pro’s 50W wired charging is a game-changer. Reaching 50% charge in just 17 minutes and 100% in 47 minutes significantly reduces downtime compared to the A9 Pro’s slow 10W charging. This difference in charging speed is a major convenience factor for users who rely heavily on their smartphones.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi A9 Pro if you prioritize absolute affordability and basic smartphone functionality, and are willing to compromise on performance and charging speed. Buy the Realme 8 Pro if you value a smoother user experience, faster app loading times, better gaming capabilities, and significantly quicker charging – even if it means spending a bit more.