realme 9 Pro review
The Realme 9 Pro is the successor to the Realme 8s 5G, targeting budget gamers with its impressive specs and design. The vanilla 9 Pro has a bigger screen, battery, and brand new chipset compared to its sibling, but a less impressive camera setup. The phone's design is identical to its predecessor, with a distinctive camera island on the back. The glossy back catches fingerprints easily, but at least it's not slippery. The power and volume keys are easy to reach, and the fingerprint reader is fast and reliable. The 6.6-inch IPS LCD panel has a 120Hz refresh rate, good contrast, and brightness. The phone uses the Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, which is great for day-to-day tasks and decent with games. It runs on Android 12 out of the box, with Realme UI 3.0 on top. The battery life is excellent, with up to 134 hours of endurance. The camera setup includes a 64MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro camera. While daytime photos are average for the price point, night mode improves low-light shots significantly. However, low-light shots without night mode are soft, and shadows are underexposed. The phone can only record up to Full HD videos on the main and ultra-wide cameras, with disappointing results. Colors are warmer than desired, and sharpness, detail, and dynamic range are not great. While the Realme 9 Pro is a solid mid-ranger with impressive specs and display, it has some drawbacks, including a less impressive camera setup and video recording capabilities. If you prioritize 5G capability, this phone is a good option; however, if you're looking for the best value on the market, consider non-5G options like the Poco X3 Pro.
Build Quality and Design
The Realme 9 Pro boasts a sleek design that is reminiscent of its predecessor, the Realme 8s 5G. The phone's build quality is sturdy, with a plastic back and frame that provides a comfortable grip. However, the glossy finish on the back can be prone to fingerprints and smudges. One notable feature of the Realme 9 Pro's design is its camera island, which is identical to its sibling, the Realme 9 Pro Plus. The midnight black version I reviewed had a distinctive look, while the other variant, Sunrise Blue, has a light-shifting design that changes color when hit by UV lights. The power button and volume keys are conveniently located on the right side of the phone, with the power key doubling as a fingerprint reader. While this feature is fast and reliable, it can be cumbersome to use if you prefer not to press the button every time you want to unlock the phone. On the front, the Realme 9 Pro features a punch-hole camera in the upper left corner, surrounded by relatively slim bezels. The LCD panel itself measures 6.6 inches diagonally and boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, which can be set to 60Hz or automatically adjust based on system usage. Overall, the Realme 9 Pro's design is modern and eye-catching, but may not be to everyone's taste. While it feels sturdy in hand, the glossy finish can be a bit too slippery for some users' liking.
Battery Life
The Realme 9 Pro boasts an impressive 5,000mAh battery that has undoubtedly been the highlight of my testing experience. The device's ability to provide a substantial amount of power has impressed me in every single test. During our extensive battery life tests, the Realme 9 Pro consistently delivered outstanding results, with a whopping 134 hours of endurance. This is an incredible feat, especially considering the phone's mid-range status. I was able to easily go about my day without worrying about running out of juice, and even extended periods of heavy usage didn't seem to faze the battery. The charging speed of the Realme 9 Pro is also noteworthy, with the 33W Dart charger rapidly topping up the battery. While it may not be the fastest charger on the market, its respectable zero-to-52 percent charge in just 30 minutes and a full charge in an hour and 14 minutes make it a convenient feature. In today's world of increasingly power-hungry smartphones, the Realme 9 Pro stands out as a beacon of hope. Its enormous battery life ensures that you'll be able to enjoy your phone without worrying about running out of power, even with heavy usage. Whether you're a gamer, social media enthusiast, or simply someone who likes to stay connected throughout the day, this device is an excellent choice for anyone seeking unparalleled battery life.
Display
The Realme 9 Pro boasts a 6.6-inch IPS LCD panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it a compelling option for those seeking a smooth visual experience. The display is crisp and vibrant, with a full HD resolution that's perfect for consuming content on the go. In terms of performance, the display excels in various aspects. The high refresh rate makes scrolling and navigating through menus feel seamless, while the 120Hz mode provides an extra layer of smoothness when interacting with apps and games. However, it's worth noting that not all system menu elements are optimized for the higher refresh rates. Some menus ran at 90Hz, while others remained at 60Hz, creating a slightly disjointed experience. Games, unfortunately, were stuck at 60Hz, which may be a letdown for those seeking a more immersive gaming experience. The display's color accuracy is decent but not outstanding, with whites and grays exhibiting a bluish tint even when using the Natural Color Mode. The maximum brightness of 567 nits ensures comfortable outdoor viewing, although the color accuracy could use some improvement. In conclusion, while the Realme 9 Pro's display has its strengths, it falls short in certain areas. The high refresh rate and crisp resolution are definite positives, but the inconsistent performance and subpar color accuracy hold it back from being truly exceptional.
Camera
The camera setup on the Realme 9 Pro is a mixed bag. The phone features a 64-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. During the day, photos taken with the main camera look about average for the price point. There's wide dynamic range, great sharpness, and adequate detail, but some noise in over-sharpened halos can be distracting. One notable issue is a yellowish tinge across all photos, which might be due to an accurate color temperature metering. Colors are saturated, but not off-putting. There's no tele-camera here, but two-time zoom shots are respectable, with less sharpness and more noise compared to the main camera. The ultra-wide-angle camera produces limited dynamic range, noise, and washed-out colors in ultrawide shots. While there's almost no barrel distortion, the macro camera struggles, producing subpar images with a fixed 4-centimeter focus. Most shots are blurry, even when they're in focus, and detail is lacking. In low-light conditions, photos taken with the main camera are soft, and shadows are underexposed, while highlights are clipped and colors could use a boost. However, switching to night mode significantly improves images, making them look better-balanced, with more sharpness and color. Selfies taken with the 16-megapixel front camera are unsatisfactory, with a lot of noise, washed-out colors, and expected sharpness and detail lacking. Video recording is also underwhelming. The main camera can only record up to full HD videos, which lack great sharpness, detail, and dynamic range. Colors are warmer than desired, regardless of the scene. While the ultra-wide-angle camera doesn't suffer from the yellowish tinge, its video footage has even more limited dynamic range and overall is worse. In conclusion, while the Realme 9 Pro's camera setup has some redeeming qualities, it falls short in several areas. The phone's inability to record videos beyond full HD, combined with lackluster performance in low-light conditions and selfies, may deter some users.
Price and Value
In the realm of mid-range smartphones, the Realme 9 Pro stands out as a formidable contender. As the successor to the Realme 8s 5G, it builds upon its predecessor's strengths while introducing some notable upgrades. One of the most significant aspects of the Realme 9 Pro is its price-to-performance ratio. Priced competitively, this phone offers a compelling package that includes a big screen, long-lasting battery, and a brand-new chipset. The Snapdragon 695 5G processor, in particular, is a welcome upgrade, providing seamless performance for everyday tasks and decent gaming experiences. The Realme 9 Pro's camera setup, while not the most impressive, still delivers decent results in well-lit conditions. However, low-light shots can be soft, and the ultrawide camera struggles with dynamic range and noise. The macro camera, unfortunately, is a letdown, producing blurry images even when the subject is in focus. Despite these limitations, the Realme 9 Pro remains a solid choice for those seeking a 5G-capable mid-ranger. Its battery life is exemplary, lasting an impressive 134 hours on our tests, and charging is fast with the included 33W charger. If you're after the best value in the market, however, you might want to consider non-5G options like the Poco X3 Pro. While the Realme 9 Pro excels in its price segment, it's worth evaluating your priorities if 5G connectivity is crucial for you. Ultimately, the Realme 9 Pro offers a fantastic solution for those who need a reliable mid-range smartphone with decent specs and performance. While it may not set the world on fire in terms of innovation or exceptional value, it remains a solid choice for anyone seeking a capable device at an affordable price point.
Performance
The Realme 9 Pro boasts the Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, a brand new processor that has been revamped compared to its predecessor. This upgrade translates to impressive performance in day-to-day tasks and gaming. The phone launches with Android 12 out of the box, which is a welcome feature. In terms of multitasking, Realme UI 3.0 provides a snappy experience with plenty of customization options. Users can change everything from accent colors to icons and even quick toggles. This level of control makes navigating the interface seamless. The phone's performance is further enhanced by its efficient battery life, courtesy of a 5,000mAh power source that lasts an impressive 134 hours in our tests. The inclusion of a 33W Dart charger ensures rapid charging, reaching zero to 52 percent charge in just 30 minutes and a full charge within an hour and 14 minutes. The Realme 9 Pro's gaming capabilities are commendable, thanks to the Snapdragon 695 5G chipset's processing power. However, one notable exception is that games run at a fixed 60Hz refresh rate, regardless of any attempts to change it. This might be a drawback for some users who value high frame rates. In terms of overall performance, the Realme 9 Pro delivers satisfactory results, particularly in day-to-day tasks and gaming. While not exceptional, its capabilities make it a solid mid-range offering. If you're seeking a 5G-capable device with good performance, the Realme 9 Pro is definitely worth considering.