The Indian budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 6i and Xiaomi Redmi 9 represent compelling options for users seeking affordability. However, they cater to slightly different priorities. The Redmi 9 focuses on providing essential features at the lowest possible price, while the Realme 6i aims to deliver a more robust experience, particularly for gaming, with a more powerful chipset and faster charging.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and convenience, the Realme 6i is the clear winner. Its Helio G90T chipset and 30W charging significantly outperform the Redmi 9’s Helio G35 and 10W charging. However, if budget is the absolute primary concern, the Redmi 9 remains a viable, if slower, option.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 27. Released 2020, August 31 | 2020, July 24. Released 2020, July 31 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 162.1 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm (6.38 x 2.94 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (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, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 30W wired, PD, 100% in 55 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Sky Blue, Sporty Orange | Eclipse Black, Lunar White |
| Models | M2004C3MI | RMX2002 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | 0.51 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) | - |
Xiaomi Redmi 9 (India)
- More affordable price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Potentially longer battery life (depending on capacity)
- Significantly slower performance
- Extremely slow 10W charging
- Less enjoyable gaming experience
Realme 6i (India)
- Much faster Helio G90T processor
- 30W fast charging (0-100% in 55 mins)
- Smoother multitasking and gaming
- Superior image processing capabilities
- Higher price compared to Redmi 9
- Potentially slightly shorter battery life (depending on capacity)
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. Both utilize LCD panels, and detailed specifications like resolution and refresh rate are absent from the provided data. However, the focus should be on the underlying performance difference. The Realme 6i’s more powerful chipset will contribute to smoother scrolling and animations, indirectly enhancing the perceived display quality. The Redmi 9, constrained by its processor, will likely exhibit more noticeable lag during UI transitions.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Realme 6i’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Helio G90T will likely result in better image processing, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Redmi 9’s G35 will be adequate for basic photography, but will struggle with dynamic range and noise reduction compared to the 6i. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and lens apertures makes a definitive statement impossible, but the chipset advantage leans heavily towards the Realme 6i.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Realme 6i’s Mediatek Helio G90T (12nm) features a dual-core Cortex-A76 setup alongside six Cortex-A55 cores, clocked at 2.05 GHz and 2.0 GHz respectively. This architecture is designed for sustained performance and gaming. In contrast, the Redmi 9’s Helio G35 (12nm) utilizes four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.3 GHz and another four at 1.8 GHz. While the higher clock speed on the A53 cores *sounds* impressive, the older architecture and fewer high-performance cores mean the G90T will deliver substantially better CPU and GPU performance. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Realme 6i.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn't specified, the Realme 6i’s 30W wired charging is a game-changer. The ability to charge from 0-100% in just 55 minutes provides a significant convenience advantage over the Redmi 9’s slow 10W charging. Even if the Redmi 9 has a slightly larger battery, the Realme 6i’s faster charging will minimize downtime. The G90T’s efficiency, while higher performance, is also reasonably good, meaning the Realme 6i won’t necessarily suffer a dramatic battery life penalty despite the increased power draw.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9 (India) if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, messaging, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Realme 6i (India) if you prefer a smoother experience for gaming, multitasking, and appreciate the convenience of significantly faster charging, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme 6i’s Helio G90T handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Helio G90T is specifically designed for gaming. It will comfortably run PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The Redmi 9’s Helio G35 will struggle with these titles, requiring significantly lower settings and potentially experiencing noticeable lag.
❓ How much faster is the 30W charging on the Realme 6i compared to the 10W charging on the Redmi 9 in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Realme 6i can fully charge in approximately 55 minutes, while the Redmi 9 will likely take over 3 hours to reach 100%. This means you can quickly top up the Realme 6i during short breaks, whereas the Redmi 9 requires overnight charging for a full battery.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio G90T and Helio G35 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, even for everyday tasks, the Realme 6i will feel noticeably snappier. App loading times will be faster, scrolling will be smoother, and multitasking will be less prone to lag. The Redmi 9 will function adequately, but the experience won’t be as fluid.
