In the sea of smartphones out there, choosing the right one is a tough call. Lucky for you, we’re always here to help, especially with decisions involving tech. This time, we’ve chosen the realme 9 series as they offer the best value for money. In addition, all models feature cameras that will surely not disappoint. 

realme 9 Series in the Philippines

• realme 9i
• realme 9
• realme 9 Pro 5G
• realme 9 Pro+ 5G

realme 9i 

Specs:

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 Processor
• 6GB RAM
• 128GB Storage
• 6.6-inch Full HD+ 90Hz IPS Display
• 50-megapixel f/1.8 main camera w/ PDAF, 2-megapixel f/2.4 macro camera, 2-megapixel f/2.4 Mono camera
• 16-megapixel f/2.0 selfie camera
• 4G, LTE
• WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0
• Stereo Speakers, Side-Mounted Fingerprint Scanner
• 5000 mAh Battery
• Fast 33W Dart Charging
• realme UI 2.0, Android 11

For Students/Young Professionals: The realme 9i is the most affordable in the series, making it the best choice for those working with a smaller budget. Don’t worry though as the spec sheet is nonetheless competitive. What we like most about this phone is its stereo speakers, camera’s dynamic range, and long battery life. These features alone make it a strong competitor in the budget phone segment, especially if you’re not after playing hardware-demanding games.

In addition, the realme 9i has one of the brightest displays among realme’s budget tier phones. In fact, it’s bright enough to be used under direct sunlight. It also has decent  color vibrance for an IPS panel. Lastly,  the stereo prism design on the polycarbonate back panel, as well as the rear camera layout, is hard not to like. 

The realme 9i is priced at Php 11,990.

realme 9

Specs:

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 Processor
• 6GB RAM
• 128GB Storage
• 6.4-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED Display, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 360Hz Touch Response Rate
• 108-megapixel f/1.8 ISOCELL HM6 main camera with PDAF, 8-megapixel f/2.2 super-wide-angle camera, 2-megapixel f/2.4 depth sensor
• 16-megapixel selfie camera
• 4G, LTE
• WiFi, Bluetooth 5.1, in-display fingerprint scanner
• 5000mAh battery
• Fast 33W Dart Charging
• realme UI 3.0, Android 12

For Adventure Seekers: Sitting between the realme 9i and realme 9 Pro 5G, the realme 9 is in a sweet spot. It offers just everything you need without costing a fortune, with features like a Super AMOLED display, a 108-megapixel main camera, an in-display fingerprint scanner, and a remarkable overall design just like the rest of its siblings. It also has a dedicated MicroSD card slot, which is not present in more expensive models. 

Since this phone has the same display as the realme 9 Pro+, it also comes with Full HD+ resolution, 90hz refresh rate, and 1000nits of brightness. 

In addition, it comes with a 108-megapixel main camera that utilizes the latest ISOCELL HM6 sensor. Unlike the old models, this sensor is huge at 1/1.67 inches and has better low-light capabilities.

This phone is perfect if you want a capable phone and don’t mind the lack of 5G connectivity. 

The realme 9 4G is priced at Php 14,999.

realme 9 Pro

Specs:

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G Processor
• 8GB RAM
• 128GB storage
• 6.6-inch IPS LCD display, 120hz refresh rate
• 64-megapixel f/1.8 main camera with PDAF, 8-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle camera, 2-megapixel f/2.4 macro camera
• 16-megapixel selfie camera
• 4G, LTE, 5G
• WiFi, Bluetooth 5.1, side-mounted fingerprint scanner
• 5000mAh battery
• Fast 33W Dart Charging
• realme UI 3.0, Android 12

For Content Creators: the higher-end realme 9 Pro offers 5G capability in addition to a smooth display, sharp camera, competent processor, and a good design. 

The Sunrise Blue color variant offers the  “Light Shift” design which is not available in lower variants. This design gives the phone a subtle elegance, which is just lovely. realme also nailed the Northern Light-ish effect that they were going for with the coloration and design of the phone in the Aurora Green variant. The only downside is that it’s a fingerprint magnet due to its glossy surface

So, if you’re willing to shell out a bit more for a 5G capability and a stunning design, you can’t go wrong with this one.

The realme 9 Pro has a price of Php 16,990.

realme 9 Pro+

Specs:

• MediaTek Dimensity 920 5G Processor
• 8GB RAM
• 256GB Internal Storage
• 6.43-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED Display, 90hz refresh rate, and 1,000 nits of brightness
• 50-megapixel f/1.8 IMX766 main camera with OIS and PDAF, 8-megapixel f/2.25 ultra-wide-angle camera, 2-megapixel f/2.4 mono camera
• 16-megapixel f/2.45 IMX471 selfie camera
• 4G, LTE, 5G
• WiFi, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, in-display fingerprint scanner
• 4500mAh battery
• Fast 60W SuperDart Charging
• realme UI 3.0, Android 12

For Photographers: the realme 9 Pro+ has the best possible set of features you can ask for–from the charging speeds, to the displays, down to the camera setup. 

Speaking of cameras, you’d be glad to know that the adored 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 sensor in this phone can hang alongside the big boys, especially in low-light conditions. Meanwhile, if you like binge-watching, the 6.43-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display paired with a dual-speaker system makes for an excellent content-viewing experience. 

Having said all that, this phone is the one to get if you want all the best from a midranger phone.

The realme 9 Pro+ has a price of Php 23,990