Realme 10 5G vs Realme 9 5G: how’s the new Realme phone different from its predecessor

Realme quietly launched a brand-new smartphone in China last week. Called the Realme 10 5G, the phone is a successor to the Realme 9 5G and brings with it a bunch of upgrades. This includes your usual suspects like more powerful processors, better camera hardware, and more. So what exactly does the new Realme 10 5G bring to the table and how does it compare to the Realme 9 5G? In this piece, we will be comparing the two phones to see what the new Realme 10 5G has to offer in comparison to its predecessor.

Realme 10 5G vs Realme 9 5G: price

The Realme 10 5G is available in two variants. The base version offers 8GB RAM along with 128GB storage and is priced at CNY 1,299 (around Rs 15,000). The 8GB RAM with 256GB storage is priced at CNY 1,599 (around Rs 18,000). The device is available in Gold and Stone Crystal Black colour options. It is not yet known if and when Realme will launch the smartphone globally.

The Realme 9 5G on the other hand, starts at Rs 15,999 for the 4GB + 64GB variant. The top-of-the-line variant with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage is priced at Rs 17,499. This phone is available in four colour options. This includes Stargaze White, Meteor Black, Supersonic Black, and Supersonic Blue.

Realme 10 5G vs Realme 9 5G: specifications, features

Display

The Realme 10 5G packs a 6.6-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2408 x 1080p and a pixel density of 401ppi. It offers a refresh rate of 90Hz and a touch sampling rate of 180Hz. It also offers a 90.4% screen-to-body ratio.

By comparison, Realme 9 5G packs a slightly smaller 6.5-inch display, with a resolution of 2400 x 1080p. However, this does mean that the phone offers a slightly higher pixel density of about 405ppi. Also, the phone offers the same refresh rate and touch sampling rate of 90Hz and 180Hz respectively.

Processor

This is where things start getting a little complicated. At the heart of the Realme 10 5G is a MediaTek Dimensity 700 5G SoC. This octa-core processor is based on the 7nm process and offers a maximum clock speed of 2.2GHz. Graphics duties are handled by an Arm Mali-G57 MC2 GPU.

By comparison, the Realme 9 5G packs a more powerful MediaTek Dimensity 810 5G chipset. This octa-core SoC is based on the smaller 6nm process and offers a higher maximum clock speed of 2.4GHz. It too packs an Arm Mali-G57 MC2 GPU.

Memory

This is where the Realme 10 5G makes a return to form. The phone offers 8GB LPDDR4X RAM with 128GB and 256GB UFS2.2 storage options.

Meanwhile, the Realme 9 5G offers 4GB and 6GB RAM options. For storage, it offers 64GB and 128GB options, both with the USF2.1 standard.

Camera

Both smartphones offer a triple-rear camera setup. The Realme 10 5G packs a 50MP primary camera with an aperture of F1.8. It is aided by a 2MP macro camera and a depth sensor. At the front is an 8MP camera that is housed inside a water drop notch.

The Realme 9 5G packs a 48MP primary unit with an F1.8 aperture. Like the Realme 10 5G, it too is aided by a 2MP macro camera and a depth sensor. However, at the front you do get a 16MP camera that is also housed inside a water drop notch.

Battery

In terms of battery, both smartphones offer reasonably large 5000mAh capacity. However, while the Realme 10 5G offers 33W fast charging, the Realme 9 5G has to make do with 18W fast charging.

Connectivity and software

The Realme 10 5G is a dual SIM phone with SA/NSA dual networking modes. When it comes to location systems, GPS/AGPS, Beidou, Glonass. The phone comes preloaded with Realme UI 3.0, which is based on Android 12.

The Realme 9 5G is also a dual SIM phone with SA/NSA dual networking modes. It offers location support for GPS/AGPS, Beidou, Glonass, QZSS, Galileo. The device comes with Realme UI 2.0 out of the box, which is based on Android 11.