Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Realme 9i and the Motorola Moto G52. Both phones are vying for your attention in the competitive mid-range market, but they have key differences that might sway your decision. Let's break it down, piece by piece, and see what makes each of these devices tick.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these two phones stack up, focusing not just on the numbers, but what they actually mean for you, the user:
| Feature | Realme 9i | Motorola Moto G52 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-01-10 | 2022-04-20 | Moto G52 is newer by 3 months, 10 days, potentially benefiting from more recent software optimizations. |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm, 190g | 160.1 x 74.5 x 8 mm, 169g | Moto G52 is more compact and significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and carrying around. Realme 9i is slightly taller, wider and thicker |
| Build | Unknown screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Moto G52 offers better screen protection, potentially less prone to scratches and cracks. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.6" | Both offer a generous screen size for media consumption and browsing. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 | 1080 x 2400 | Effectively identical resolution; you won't see any noticeable difference in sharpness. |
| PPI | 400 | 402 | Again, very close. Both offer sharp displays for their respective sizes. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | AMOLED on the Moto G52 provides deeper blacks, higher contrast, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency when using dark themes, making for a more visually appealing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations. Both offer a fluid viewing experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | We are missing the brightness information for both devices. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Identical chipsets; you'll get similar processing power and efficiency in daily tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 216,850 | 216,000 | Both phones offer comparable performance, adequate for daily use, social media, and light gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 | Same GPU, meaning similar graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP f/1.8 | 50MP f/1.8 | Both have a standard 50MP main shooter, should perform well in good lighting conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.1 | 16MP f/2.45 | Realme 9i's wider aperture (f/2.1) allows more light, potentially better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not available | 8MP f/2.2 | Moto G52 has a wide-angle lens, allowing you to capture more of a scene in your photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both have a 2MP macro camera for close-up shots. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | Not Available | Realme 9i has a dedicated black and white lens for creative photography. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, Slow-mo 120fps | 1080p@30fps, Slow-mo 30fps | Both phones record at 1080p, Realme 9i offers better slow-motion video recording capability. Moto G52 has an extra 4K video recording mode |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have large batteries, offering all-day usage for most users. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Realme 9i recharges slightly faster. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 12 | Moto G52 comes with a more recent OS out of the box and likely will get updates sooner. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Dual band, Wi-Fi Display | Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct | Both support similar WiFi standards; Realme 9i additionally supports: Dual band, Wi-Fi Display |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, APT-x, SBC, AAC | 5.0 LE, A2DP, AVRCP, etc. | Moto G52 has more extensive Bluetooth profile support, for a wider range of connectivity and audio features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | Realme 9i supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy; Realme 9i additionally supports: Beidou; Motorola Moto G52 additionally supports: SUPL |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB or 128GB | 64GB, 128GB or 256GB | Moto G52 has a 256GB variant for users who need more internal storage. |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB | 4GB or 6GB | Both come in configurations suitable for moderate multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, so choose the storage variant accordingly. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | Moto G52 offers better audio experience with Dolby Atmos. Realme 9i offers High res audio support. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones offer the same security using the side fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Moto G52 features a Gyroscope sensor that is useful for games and VR. Realme 9i is missing a Gyroscope sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Realme 9i Strengths:
- Faster Charging: The 33W charging on the Realme 9i is a bit quicker than the 30W on the Moto G52, which could save you a few minutes while topping up.
- Better Selfie Aperture: The slightly wider f/2.1 aperture on the selfie camera should allow for slightly better low-light selfies compared to the Moto G52.
- Black & White Lens: The inclusion of a dedicated black and white lens opens up creative photography possibilities.
- High-Res Audio: Realme 9i delivers Hi-Res audio experience for music lovers.
Motorola Moto G52 Strengths:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display is a significant advantage, offering superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the IPS LCD of the Realme 9i.
- Lighter & More Compact: The Moto G52 is noticeably lighter and more compact, making it easier to handle and carry around.
- 4K Video Recording: The Moto G52 has 4K video recording, while the Realme 9i does not.
- Wider Angle Camera: The included wide-angle camera lets you capture more of a scene.
- Dolby Atmos: It has Dolby Atmos and two mics. This enhances audio experience.
- Gyroscope Sensor: For more immersive gaming experience.
- More Storage Options: 256GB option gives flexibility for users that need more storage for videos, music, and photos.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with Android 12 out of the box, and likely to get updates sooner.
- Better Bluetooth support: Moto G52 has extensive Bluetooth profile support, for a wider range of connectivity and audio features.
- Better Screen Protection: Moto G52 uses Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for protection of the display, while Realme 9i has no mention of a screen protection.
Trade-offs & Limitations:
- Realme 9i: Lacks a wide-angle camera and the display is not as vibrant as the AMOLED screen on the Moto G52.
- Moto G52: Slower charging than the Realme 9i, lacks a dedicated black & white camera, and may not have the slightly better selfie capabilities due to the narrower aperture.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme 9i:
- Budget-Conscious Photographers: The dedicated Black and White camera, slightly faster charging, and better selfie camera can be appealing to users who like to experiment with mobile photography.
- Casual Users on a Budget: It's a reliable daily driver for those who primarily use their phones for social media, web browsing, and light tasks, without needing the absolute best display.
Motorola Moto G52:
- Media Enthusiasts: The AMOLED display is ideal for watching videos, playing games, and enjoying photos with better visual quality.
- Users who value Lightweight Design: If you prioritize a lighter phone and more ergonomic design, the Moto G52 is the better choice.
- Users who value good audio: Dolby Atmos, Stereo speakers and 2 microphones provides richer audio experience for the user.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to guide your decision:
- How important is display quality to you? If you value the vibrant colours and high contrast of an AMOLED screen, go with the Moto G52. If you’re ok with an IPS LCD, then the Realme 9i will suffice.
- How crucial are camera features? Do you prioritize a slightly better selfie camera and a black and white lens for creative photography? Or is a wide-angle lens and 4k video capture a must-have?
- What is the comfort in using the phone? If a lighter, more compact phone is important, go with the Moto G52.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the casual social media user who values portability and good media experience: The Motorola Moto G52 is the better choice with its lighter build, AMOLED display, and improved sound quality.
- For the photography enthusiast on a tighter budget: The Realme 9i is a good pick, it offers better selfies, a dedicated black and white camera, and fast charging while saving some bucks.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I'd lean towards the Motorola Moto G52. The AMOLED display is the biggest differentiator for me, it provides the most noticeable difference when in use. The better audio capabilities, lighter weight, wide-angle camera, and 4k video recording are added advantages. Although the faster charging of the Realme 9i and the black and white camera are appealing, the user experience for the Moto G52 would be generally more enjoyable, especially when consuming media or gaming. In my opinion the trade-offs in performance are minor compared to what the Moto G52 provides.
