realme 9i 5G review
The Realme 9i 5G is a budget-friendly smartphone that's making waves in the market with its impressive features and sleek design. The phone boasts a minimalist look with a glossy polycarbonate back that gives it a premium feel, despite being an affordable device. Weighing just 187g and measuring 8.1mm in thickness, it's comfortable to hold and use with one hand. The Realme 9i 5G features a 6.6-inch full HD+ display with a resolution of 2,480 x 1,080 pixels, providing sharp visuals and smooth scrolling due to its 90Hz refresh rate. The phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset, which balances performance and efficiency. It comes in two RAM options (4GB or 6GB) paired with either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. The camera setup includes a triple camera configuration with a 50MP main sensor, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP portrait lens for better depth and portrait shots. The front camera is an 8MP selfie camera with eye beautification features. Battery life is also impressive, with a massive 5,000mAh battery that can easily get you through a full day of usage. The phone runs on Realme UI 3.0 based on Android 12, offering a clean and user-friendly interface. It supports 5G connectivity for faster internet speeds, making it a great choice for those looking for an affordable 5G smartphone. The Realme 9i 5G is one of the best budget 5G smartphones in 2023, offering a great balance of features and affordability. Priced around $190, it's a solid choice for those seeking a reliable and feature-packed device without breaking the bank.
Build Quality and Design
The Realme 9i 5G boasts an impressive build quality that belies its budget-friendly price tag. The phone's sleek, minimalist design features a glossy polycarbonate back that reflects light in an almost metallic way, giving it a premium feel. Weighing just about 187 grams and measuring only 8.1 mm in thickness, the Realme 9i 5G is comfortable to hold and use with one hand. The triple camera setup on the back is placed individually, giving the phone a modern aesthetic that's sure to turn heads. The available colors – Metallica Gold and Rocking Black – are both stylish and sleek. One of the standout features of the Realme 9i 5G is its display. The 6.6-inch full HD+ screen offers sharp, crisp visuals with a resolution of 2,480 x 1,080 pixels. What's more impressive is the 90Hz refresh rate, which ensures smoother scrolling and transitions that enhance the overall user experience. While not an AMOLED panel, the display still delivers good brightness levels at around 400 nits, making it visible outdoors and in sunlight. Colors are punchy, and overall, the viewing experience is great for this price range. In terms of build quality, the Realme 9i 5G feels solid and well-constructed, with a premium feel that's hard to find in budget smartphones. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button is fast and responsive, adding to the phone's overall usability. Overall, the Realme 9i 5G's build quality and design are major strengths of this budget smartphone. With its sleek looks, comfortable size, and impressive display, it's a great choice for anyone looking for an affordable device that won't compromise on style or functionality.
Battery Life
One of the most crucial aspects of any smartphone is its battery life, and the Realme 9i 5G delivers admirably in this department. The phone boasts a massive 5000mAh battery, which easily gets you through a full day of usage, whether it's streaming videos, gaming, or simply browsing the internet. In my tests, I found that the phone's battery life was more than sufficient for my needs. Even with heavy use, including watching videos and playing games, the phone managed to last an entire day without needing to be recharged. This is a testament to Realme's efficient power management and the phone's robust hardware. Additionally, the phone supports 18W fast charging, which is a welcome feature for those who need to top up their battery quickly. While it may not be the fastest charging speed on the market, it's still quite efficient, allowing you to charge the phone from 0 to 100% in about 1.5 to 2 hours. The Realme 9i 5G's battery life is a highlight of this budget-friendly smartphone, making it an excellent choice for those who want a device that can keep up with their daily needs without breaking the bank. At just around $190, this phone offers great value for money, and its impressive battery life is a significant factor in its appeal.
Display
The Realme 9i 5G boasts an impressive display that's sure to please even the most discerning users. The phone features a 6.6-inch full HD+ screen with a resolution of 2408 x 1080 pixels. This results in sharp, crisp visuals whether you're watching videos, gaming, or browsing the web. What truly stands out is the 90Hz refresh rate. This means smoother scrolling and transitions that enhance the overall user experience. While it's not an AMOLED panel, the display still manages to offer good brightness levels at around 400 nits, making it visible outdoors and in sunlight. Colors are punchy and well-balanced, with minimal color shift or degradation even when viewing from different angles. The display is also quite responsive, with accurate touch input that's essential for gaming and other interactive activities. The 90Hz refresh rate is a notable feature that sets the Realme 9i 5G apart from its competitors in this price range. It's a significant improvement over the standard 60Hz found on many budget phones. While not perfect, the display is still impressive considering the phone's affordability. In terms of overall performance, the display holds up well against more expensive devices. The Realme 9i 5G may not have the most advanced display technology, but it's a solid showing for a budget device. If you're in the market for an affordable smartphone with a good screen, the Realme 9i 5G is definitely worth considering. 8/10 * Smooth 90Hz refresh rate * Good brightness levels (400 nits) * Responsive display * Punchy colors * Not an AMOLED panel * Limited display options in this price range
Camera
The Realme 9i 5G is a budget-friendly smartphone that has been making waves in the market with its impressive features and affordable price tag. One of the standout aspects of this device is its camera setup, which is designed to deliver high-quality images and videos without breaking the bank. At the back, you'll find a triple camera setup consisting of a 50MP main sensor, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. The primary camera boasts an f/1.8 aperture, which allows it to capture detailed and sharp photos in good lighting conditions. The colors produced by this sensor are natural and vibrant, making them perfect for everyday photography. The inclusion of a macro lens is a welcome addition, allowing users to take close-up shots with impressive detail. The 2MP depth sensor also helps to improve portrait mode shots by detecting the subject's edges and separating it from the background. On the front, you'll find an 8MP selfie camera that takes clear and well-detailed photos, especially in good lighting conditions. Eye beautification features are also available on this camera, making it perfect for social media and video calls. In terms of performance, the Realme 9i 5G's cameras hold their own against more expensive smartphones. The rear camera can record 1080p videos at 30 FPS, which is decent for casual videography. While it may not be as smooth or detailed as some higher-end devices, it gets the job done without any major issues. The Realme 9i 5G's camera setup is a highlight of this budget-friendly smartphone. With its triple camera configuration and impressive image quality, it's clear that Realme has put thought into delivering high-quality photos without breaking the bank. While there may be some compromises in terms of video recording capabilities, the overall performance of the cameras is commendable for a device in this price range. If you're looking for an affordable smartphone with great camera capabilities, the Realme 9i 5G is definitely worth considering. With its impressive triple camera setup and good image quality, it's clear that Realme has aimed to deliver high-quality photography without breaking the bank.
Price and Value
In today's competitive smartphone market, finding a device that offers great value for money can be a challenge. The Realme 9i 5G, priced at around $190, is an interesting contender that checks many boxes for a budget-friendly smartphone. The Realme 9i 5G's price point is its most significant selling point. At just $190, it offers a wealth of features that are usually reserved for more expensive devices. The phone's sleek design, smooth 90Hz display, and decent camera performance make it an attractive option for those looking to upgrade without breaking the bank. While the Realme 9i 5G may not be perfect, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. The phone's 6nm Dimensity 810 chipset provides seamless performance, while the 5,000mAh battery ensures a full day of use. The camera setup, although not exceptional, is more than capable for casual photography and videography. The Realme 9i 5G is an excellent choice for those seeking a budget-friendly smartphone that delivers on its promises. With a price point that's hard to beat, this phone offers great value for money, making it a solid option for anyone looking to upgrade without breaking the bank. If you're in the market for a reliable and feature-packed device, the Realme 9i 5G is definitely worth considering.
Performance
The Realme 9i 5G is a budget-friendly smartphone that aims to deliver top-notch performance without breaking the bank. Under the hood, it's powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset, a 5G-capable processor that strikes a balance between performance and efficiency. In our tests, the phone handled everyday tasks with ease, from multitasking to social media browsing, and even casual gaming was a breeze. The device comes with two RAM options - 4GB or 6GB - paired with either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, making it perfect for those who want a seamless user experience. One of the standout features of the Realme 9i 5G is its ability to handle resource-intensive tasks without breaking a sweat. We were able to run multiple apps simultaneously and even used some high-end games without any issues. Additionally, the phone's performance was noticeably smoother with the Razer Ram expansion feature enabled. However, during intense gaming sessions or video editing, we did notice some slight lag, but it wasn't enough to detract from the overall experience. The device's cooling system also kept temperatures in check, making it a reliable choice for those who want to enjoy demanding tasks without worrying about overheating. Overall, the Realme 9i 5G's performance is impressive, considering its price point. It's a great option for those looking for an affordable smartphone that can handle everyday tasks with ease and even some more demanding activities.