Realme 9 5G Speed Edition: A New Contender in the Budget Performance Race?

The Realme 9 5G and Realme 9 5G Speed Edition have recently debuted in India. The Realme 9 5G starts at Rs. 14,999 for the variant with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage (launch price) and Rs. 17,499 for the version with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage in India. The more robust Realme 9 5G Speed Edition begins at Rs. 19,999 for 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, going up to Rs. 22,999 for the 8GB RAM variant with the same storage capacity. Cardholders from SBI and ICICI Bank can receive immediate discounts of Rs. 1,500 on the former and Rs. 2,000 on the latter model. Both devices will become available for purchase starting at noon on March 14.

Realme’s smartphone portfolio in India has grown quite intricate, with various models across different series competing in similar price ranges. The company’s numbered smartphones are designed to be versatile options for everyday use, yet multiple selections exist. The two newly launched models fit in above the Realme 9i (Review) and below the newly released Realme 9 Pro 5G and Realme 9 Pro+ 5G (Review). Nevertheless, there is some competition with the Realme 9 Pro 5G.

Today, we’re examining the Realme 9 Speed Edition, or SE, which is the more advanced of the two new releases. Does it provide comparable value to its predecessors, and is it capable of competing with its own sibling, along with formidable rivals like the new Redmi Note 11 Pro and the Moto G71 (Review)? I’ve managed to acquire a unit, so here are my initial observations.

The phone features a 6.6-inch full-HD+ 144Hz display

Regarding design, there isn’t much that stands out. Realme has opted for a fairly straightforward plastic body with a slightly rounded frame and curved edges on the back panel. The only notable design element is the protruding metal rectangle on the rear that contains the phone’s trio of cameras and flash. The 9 5G Speed Edition is available in Azure Glow and Starry Glow color variants – the former, which I have, features a pearlescent finish with lilac-mauve highlights that shift as light hits the rear panel. The latter appears to be a solid purplish-blue.

There’s nothing particularly remarkable about the design, and thankfully there is no prominent brand slogan plastered across the back. Evaluating Realme’s past models and even the color options, the 9 5G Speed Edition seems rather unexciting and somewhat stale. This smartphone is also quite hefty, at 8.5mm thick and 199g in weight. Realme claims to have reinforced the corners and edges to minimize the likelihood of the display shattering upon impact, but there’s no indication of strengthened glass. Similarly, while the design is advertised as spill-resistant, there is no official IP rating.

The front comes equipped with a 6.6-inch 144Hz full-HD+ (1080×2412 pixel) display, featuring a relatively large camera cut-out in the top-left corner. The name of the Realme 9 5G Speed Edition is attributed to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G SoC, while its cheaper counterpart uses a more basic MediaTek chipset. The device houses a 5000mAh battery and includes a 30W charger in the packaging. As suggested by its name, 5G connectivity is supported. It offers two Nano-SIM slots and a dedicated microSD card slot. A fingerprint sensor is built into the power button located on the right side.

The Realme 9 5G Speed Edition’s design is not particularly groundbreaking and its rear is crafted from plastic

The camera specifications are somewhat underwhelming – it includes a primary 48-megapixel camera, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and what Realme labels as a “B&W portrait lens.” There’s no ultra-wide-angle option. For taking selfies, there’s a 16-megapixel front-facing camera. Competing devices in this price segment, including the Realme 9 Pro, appear to have more impressive camera specifications, but we will assess the photo and video quality of the Realme 9 5G Speed Edition in our comprehensive review.

On the software side, the device runs Realme UI 2.0 based on Android 11. The package includes a plastic case, 30W charger, USB Type-C cable, and SIM eject pin. Additionally, a screen protector was pre-installed on my unit.

The ‘speed’ attribute of the Realme 9 5G Speed Edition is derived from its powerful chipset, 5G compatibility, a 144Hz refresh rate, and rapid charging capability. It appears that this device is geared toward gamers and those who emphasize performance above all. However, the camera capabilities are disappointing, and it isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing phone in its class. Gamers might also wish for stereo sound, which is absent in this model.

Numerous options with various specifications are available for under Rs. 20,000, and if you are contemplating the higher RAM variant, the competition intensifies. It will be intriguing to see if the performance, battery longevity, and camera quality are compelling enough to draw in consumers, so be sure to keep an eye on Gadgets 360 for a full review coming soon.