Technology

Realme 9 5G review: 5G phone under budget Rs 14,999

Published on April 19, 2022

Review of the Realme 9 5G: A 5G-ready phone for Rs 14,999, but does it deliver on all fronts?

What constitutes a ‘good’ device at a given price point is frequently a source of heated debate. Is it only about the specifications? What about computer software? Are you willing to concede the camera? As someone who reviews many phones priced under Rs 20,000, I can tell you that there are no easy answers to these all questions. This particular segment, in my opinion, has become significantly more complicated this year for a variety of reasons.

For example, several 5G phones are being introduced for less than Rs 20,000, with some priced slightly higher. Moreover, the specifications are sometimes very similar, with minor differences between brands. All of this only adds to the user’s confusion. So, where does the Realme 9 5G fit in, and does it meet all of the criteria for a ‘good’ device? Here’s my opinion.

The Realme 9 5G costs Rs 14,599 for 4GB RAM and Rs 17,499 for 6GB RAM in India.

What’s the deal with the Realme 9 5G?

In my opinion, the Realme 9 5G has a fairly standard design for this market segment. The curved back fits good in your hand, and the camera module is not overly large, which is refreshing. This is also not notably bulky, which I appreciated. The phone is available in the ‘Stargaze White’ color scheme. This phone changes color based on light and has purple hues, just like countless other phones I’ve seen this year.

The mobile has a 6.5-inch Full HD+ display with a refresh rate of 90 Hz. Realme allows users to stick with an auto-refresh option for this, which is better for battery life, though this can be changed in the settings. The display is adequate for the price and should be sufficient for users who want to watch content on YouTube and Netflix and scroll through social media. Even in direct sunlight, it is readable.

The mobile is powered by a Mediatek Dimensity 810 5G ready processor, and the performance is suitable for a phone that costs less than Rs 20,000. On this device, playing games like Genshin Impact, Asphalt 9, and others were not a problem.