Umidigi F3 vs Realme 9i 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Realme 9i 5G is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 810 chipset provides a substantial performance advantage over the Umidigi F3’s Helio P70, making it better suited for multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications. While the F3 offers reasonable efficiency, the 9i 5G’s performance uplift justifies the potentially slight price difference.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Umidigi F3 | Realme 9i 5G |
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 5, 7, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2022, August 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022 | Available. Released 2022, August 24 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 168.3 x 76.6 x 8.8 mm (6.63 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 164.4 x 75.1 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.96 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1650 pixels (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 106.2 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio P70 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.2 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide) |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", AF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF Unspecified MP, 46mm (telephoto) 2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5150 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Hawaii Blue, Matte Silver, Starry Black, Sunglow Gold, Galaxy Blue | Soulful Blue, Rocking Black, Gold |
| Models | - | RMX3612 |
| Price | - | About 180 EUR |
Umidigi F3
- Potentially lower price point
- Decent battery efficiency with Helio P70
- Suitable for basic smartphone tasks
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the Realme 9i 5G
- Older chipset may limit future software updates
- Likely inferior camera performance
Realme 9i 5G
- Superior performance with Mediatek Dimensity 810
- More efficient 6nm process node
- Better suited for gaming and multitasking
- Likely improved camera image processing
- Potentially slightly higher price
- May not offer drastically better battery life due to increased performance demands
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so we must infer. Given the price bracket, both likely feature LCD panels with 1080p resolution. However, the Realme 9i 5G, benefiting from a more recent release, likely boasts a higher peak brightness and potentially a smoother refresh rate (90Hz is common in this segment). The Umidigi F3, being an older model, may have narrower viewing angles and less accurate color reproduction. Bezels are likely comparable, but Realme generally focuses on a more modern aesthetic.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market positioning, both phones likely feature a primary camera around 48MP. The Realme 9i 5G, being a newer device, likely benefits from improved image processing algorithms and potentially a larger sensor size, leading to better low-light performance and dynamic range. The Umidigi F3 may rely on more aggressive noise reduction, potentially resulting in softer images. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and offers limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 9i 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6nm) is a significant upgrade over the Umidigi F3’s Helio P70 (12nm). The Dimensity 810 utilizes more modern CPU cores – 2x Cortex-A76 at 2.4GHz versus the F3’s 4x Cortex-A73 at 2.1GHz – resulting in substantially faster single-core and multi-core performance. The 6nm process node also translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling. While both are octa-core CPUs, the architectural improvements in the Dimensity 810 provide a more responsive and fluid user experience, especially noticeable in app loading times and multitasking. The Realme 9i 5G will handle graphically intensive games with greater ease.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds (approximately 2-3 hours for a full charge). Battery capacity isn’t specified, but the Dimensity 810’s superior power efficiency in the Realme 9i 5G could offset a potentially smaller battery size. The Helio P70 in the Umidigi F3, while efficient, is paired with a less optimized chipset, potentially leading to shorter screen-on times under heavy use. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the 9i 5G has a clear advantage in sustained performance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi F3 if you prioritize extreme budget consciousness and primarily need a phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Its Helio P70 chipset is adequate for these workloads and offers decent battery life. Buy the Realme 9i 5G if you value a smoother user experience, enjoy mobile gaming, or anticipate using more demanding apps. The Dimensity 810 provides a significant performance boost, making it a more versatile and future-proof option.