Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Realme 9i and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4. It's a classic case of apples and oranges, really, but understanding their differences is crucial for making the right choice.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at how these two phones stack up, keeping in mind what these specs actually mean for you:
| Feature | Realme 9i | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Z Flip4's foldable design is a major differentiator, offering unique portability. The 9i is a standard slab phone. |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm | 165.2 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm | The Z Flip4 is narrower and thinner when unfolded, but slightly taller. The 9i is more bulky overall. |
| Weight | 190g | 187g | Both are similarly weighted. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | Both have large screens, with the Z Flip4 having a slightly larger diagonal. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 | 1080 x 2640 | The Z Flip4 offers slightly sharper visuals, but the difference isn't huge. |
| Pixel Density | 400 ppi | 426 ppi | The Z Flip4 has a slightly crisper display due to the higher pixel density. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | AMOLED displays on the Z Flip4 offer better contrast, colors, and deep blacks. The 9i's IPS LCD is good, but not as premium. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Z Flip4's 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations. The 9i's 90Hz is also good but not as fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | The Z Flip4's display is significantly brighter, making it much more usable outdoors in sunlight. The 9i is very poor in this regard. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Z Flip4 has a vastly superior chipset, offering faster processing, better graphics, and more efficient power usage. The 9i has a mid-range chipset. |
| Antutu Score | 216,850 | 1,050,371 | The Z Flip4 is in a different performance tier altogether. It can handle heavy apps, gaming, and demanding tasks with ease, while the 9i is much more limited. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 730 | Z Flip4's GPU is significantly more powerful and is suited for demanding gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP (f/1.8), 0.64µm | 12.2MP (f/1.8), 1.40µm | The 9i has a higher resolution sensor, but the Z Flip4's larger pixels and superior sensor are more effective in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP (f/2.1), 1.00µm | 10MP (f/2.4), 1.22µm | The 9i has a higher resolution selfie cam, but the Z Flip4 generally performs better overall. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 13MP | The Z Flip4 includes a dedicated wide-angle lens for more versatile photography; the 9i lacks this capability. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4), 1.75µm | None | The 9i includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, which the Z Flip4 lacks. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP (f/2.4), 1.75µm | None | The 9i includes a dedicated B/W lens for artistic mono shots, which the Z Flip4 lacks. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@60fps with HDR | The Z Flip4 records much higher quality video, and has features like HDR, higher resolution, and more fps for smoother recordings. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | The Z Flip4 includes video stabilization to smooth out handheld recordings. The 9i is much more unstable. |
| DXoMark Score | N/A | 112 (Mobile) / 125 (Photo) / 113 (Video) | Z Flip4's camera quality is rated very highly, and beats almost every phone in low light conditions; The 9i has not been tested. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 3700 mAh | Realme 9i has a much bigger battery for longer life, while the Z Flip4 tends to drain quicker. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 25W fast charging, 15W wireless | The 9i charges faster via cable, but the Z Flip4 has wireless charging and faster wired charging speed. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradeable to 13 | Android 12, upgradeable to 14 | The Z Flip4 has the newer software out of the box and has a greater chance of getting future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | The Z Flip4 supports the latest Wi-Fi standard, offering faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | The Z Flip4 has a slightly newer version of Bluetooth, offering better energy efficiency and a wider range of codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | The Z Flip4 has a more advanced GPS system and has access to L1 and L5 for GPS accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano-SIM | Dual Nano-SIM + eSIM | Z Flip4 supports eSIM which helps with travel or business trips. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB | The Z Flip4 offers far more storage options and larger capacities. The 9i has minimal storage. |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB | 8 GB | The Z Flip4 has more RAM, which is more suited for handling multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | The Realme 9i has Hi-Res Audio for a better listening experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Both use the same type of sensor for easy unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Z Flip4's screen has much better protection from drops and scratches. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | The Z Flip4 has extra sensors for more advanced features in some cases, especially gaming and altitude tracking. |
2. Key Insights
Realme 9i:
- Strengths:
- Larger Battery: Offers significantly longer battery life, great for users who need all-day power.
- Faster Charging: The 33W charging is faster than the Z Flip4’s 25W.
- Hi-Res Audio: Great for audiophiles who want the best audio experience.
- More camera lenses: Includes macro and B/W camera lenses.
- Much cheaper: A good option for those on a tight budget.
- Limitations:
- Lower Performance: The Snapdragon 680 is a budget chip, suitable for everyday tasks but struggles with gaming and intensive apps.
- Basic Display: The IPS LCD display is not as vibrant or bright as AMOLED displays.
- Poor Brightness: The phone struggles under direct sunlight.
- Basic camera: The camera is just average and not comparable with Z Flip4's.
- Slow video recording: Records only at 1080p 30fps with no HDR.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4:
- Strengths:
- Foldable Design: Highly portable, stylish, and a unique form factor.
- Premium Display: The AMOLED display is gorgeous, vibrant, and smooth with 120Hz refresh rate.
- Top-Tier Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is extremely fast and efficient, handling any task with ease.
- Superior Camera: Excellent camera quality with better low-light performance, wide angle lens, and 4K 60fps recording, and video stabilization.
- Wireless charging, reverse charging, bypass charging.
- Better software and better support for future updates.
- Much higher storage and RAM.
- Corning Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection.
- Limitations:
- Smaller Battery: Battery life is not as good as the 9i.
- Higher Price: Much more expensive than the Realme 9i.
- Slower charging via cable.
- Lacks macro and B/W camera lenses.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme 9i:
- Ideal For: Budget-conscious users, students, those needing long battery life for extended use, and users who don't need cutting-edge performance or camera features.
- Use Cases: Everyday tasks, media consumption, browsing, social media, and occasional photos.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4:
- Ideal For: Tech enthusiasts, users who appreciate premium design, those wanting top-tier performance, mobile gamers, photographers, and anyone who values a unique form factor.
- Use Cases: High-performance gaming, professional photography, videography, multitasking, and anyone wanting a flagship experience.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Three Practical Questions to Help You Decide:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend? If the budget is a big constraint, then the Realme 9i is your only option.
- Performance Needs: Do you need a phone for demanding games, multitasking, and professional apps? If so, the Z Flip4 is a must.
- Primary Use: Is battery life your main concern or do you care more about the camera and unique features like a foldable screen? The answer will determine the phone to choose.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Budget-Conscious: Choose the Realme 9i. It’s affordable and covers the basics.
- For the Power User: Choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4. The performance and camera are in a different class.
- For the Mobile Gamer: Choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 for its superior chipset, GPU and screen.
- For the Casual User: The Realme 9i would be suitable for day-to-day usage.
- For the Trendsetter: Choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 for its unique foldable form factor, premium experience and better software support.
- For the Photographer: Choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 for its higher quality sensors, video recording and image stabilization.
- For the Heavy Battery User: Choose the Realme 9i for its much larger battery and faster charging.
My Choice
If it were up to me, I’d choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4. The biggest reason would be for the huge performance difference, but other reasons include a brighter screen, much better camera, better software and support, a premium build, and the cool foldable design. While the battery life of the Z Flip4 is worse, its fast charging, wireless charging and bypass charging, coupled with its more efficient CPU makes it acceptable for a power user like me. The Realme 9i is a great budget phone but the Z Flip4 is in a different league.
