The sub-$250 5G market is heating up, and the Realme 9i 5G and ZTE S30 SE are two strong contenders. Both aim to deliver 5G connectivity without breaking the bank, but they achieve this with different approaches to chipset selection and overall design. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 9i 5G emerges as the better choice. Its Dimensity 810, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance edge over the ZTE S30 SE’s Dimensity 700, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While both share the same 18W charging, the Realme’s slightly more refined software experience adds to its appeal.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 5, 7, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 31 | 2022, August 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 03 | Available. Released 2022, August 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.8 x 77 x 9.6 mm (6.53 x 3.03 x 0.38 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 | 210 g (7.41 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.1% 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 (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, MyOS 11 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Unspecified MP, 46mm (telephoto)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Soulful Blue, Rocking Black, Gold |
| Models | 8030N | RMX3612 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 180 EUR |
ZTE S30 SE
- Potentially lower price point
- Reliable Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset
- Adequate for basic smartphone tasks
- Less efficient 7nm process
- Potentially lower performance in demanding tasks
- May exhibit more thermal throttling
Realme 9i 5G
- More efficient 6nm Dimensity 810 chipset
- Better performance for gaming and multitasking
- Potentially longer battery life
- May be slightly more expensive
- 18W charging is relatively slow
- Software experience may vary
Display Comparison
Neither ZTE nor Realme provide display specifications beyond resolution in their marketing materials. However, given the price bracket, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The key difference lies under the hood: the Realme 9i 5G’s Dimensity 810 benefits from a 6nm process, potentially allowing for more efficient display power management. While both will likely offer adequate viewing angles and color reproduction for everyday use, the Realme’s chipset could contribute to slightly better battery life during prolonged screen-on time.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are absent from the provided data. However, given the market segment, it’s safe to assume both phones feature a primary camera alongside supporting lenses (likely depth and macro). The image processing capabilities of the Dimensity 810 in the Realme 9i 5G *could* offer slightly improved image quality, particularly in low-light conditions, due to its more advanced ISP (Image Signal Processor). Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement, but the Realme’s chipset provides a potential edge.
Performance
The core of the difference between these two phones is the chipset. The Realme 9i 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6nm) boasts a slightly higher CPU clock speed (2.4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz on the ZTE S30 SE’s Dimensity 700, 7nm). More importantly, the 6nm fabrication process is more efficient, leading to better thermal performance and sustained clock speeds. This means the Realme 9i 5G is less likely to throttle under heavy load, making it the better option for gamers and power users. Both phones feature an octa-core configuration with the same Cortex-A76 and A55 core arrangement, but the 6nm process gives the Realme a clear advantage.
Battery Life
Both the ZTE S30 SE and Realme 9i 5G are equipped with 18W wired charging. While this isn’t particularly fast by today’s standards, it’s adequate for this price range. The Realme 9i 5G’s more efficient Dimensity 810 chipset, built on a 6nm process, will likely translate to better battery life overall. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the chipset efficiency will have a greater impact on real-world usage than a minor difference in mAh.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE S30 SE if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Realme 9i 5G if you want a more responsive experience for gaming, streaming, and multitasking, and appreciate a slightly more modern chipset architecture for future-proofing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme 9i 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Realme 9i 5G’s Dimensity 810 chipset, with its 6nm process and higher clock speeds, is better equipped to handle PUBG Mobile than the ZTE S30 SE’s Dimensity 700. While you may need to adjust graphics settings for optimal performance, the 9i 5G should provide a smoother and more consistent gaming experience.
❓ Is the 18W charging speed on both phones sufficient for daily use?
While 18W charging isn’t the fastest available, it’s adequate for these budget 5G phones. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours. However, the Realme 9i 5G’s more efficient chipset may mean you won’t need to charge as frequently, mitigating the slower charging speed.
❓ How does the 6nm process of the Dimensity 810 impact real-world performance compared to the 7nm Dimensity 700?
The 6nm process is more efficient, meaning the Dimensity 810 consumes less power for the same level of performance. This translates to less heat generation, reduced thermal throttling, and ultimately, more sustained performance during demanding tasks like gaming or video editing. The ZTE S30 SE's 7nm Dimensity 700 will likely throttle sooner under load.
