That’s part in thanks to Realme’s connection to Oppo. Realme founder Sky Li was previously an Oppo vice president, and the two companies still share R&D, engineering, and distribution infrastructure, most obvious in the way that Realme UI is remarkably close to Oppo’s ColorOS – no bad thing. Like Oppo itself, Realme has more recently pushed into Europe and has expanded its product portfolio beyond just phones to include offerings like true wireless headphones, tablets, and smartwatches as well. Realme phones usually offer a compelling price/performance balance, often focussing on speedy specs like the latest processors or super-fast charging speeds. If you’re not set on Realme just yet, remember to check out our pick of the best budget and best mid-range phones for more options at similar price points.
Best Realme phones 2022
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Best mid-range phones Best budget phones Best Xiaomi phones Best Oppo phones Best Vivo phones
Flagship specs Beautiful display 5G support
No waterproofing No wireless charging Plastic build
The WQHD+, LTPO AMOLED display is Realme’s best yet, as is the 50Mp triple rear camera system, and you can pair the phone with plenty of RAM and storage. The only real concessions here are that there’s no waterproofing or wireless charging, but otherwise this is a flagship to compete with the industry’s best.
Strong specs Fast charging 120Hz AMOLED screen
No waterproofing No wireless charging Basic cameras
Yes, it looks like its Pro sibling, but with a Snapdragon 888, 120Hz AMOLED display, and 65W charging the insides look a lot like the older phone. There are upgrades though, with a bigger 6.62in screen, larger battery, and a re-tuned camera – the 50Mp main sensor here impresses, though the ultrawide and macro alongside are less exciting.
Colour-changing design Two-day battery Strong main camera
Disappointing secondary lenses No waterproofing
The 90Hz AMOLED display is impressive, as is the 50Mp main camera – though the other lenses aren’t much to write home about. You may also enjoy the phone’s unique UV-reactive colour-changing design, though note that it isn’t available on every finish.
Extraordinary 150W wired charging Striking design Excellent performance
No waterproofing No wireless charging Secondary camera lenses disappoint
Strangely the phone is available in two versions worldwide, though the most exciting is the version that offers 150W wired charging – the world’s fastest right now. That’s enough to net a full charge of the battery in less than 15 minutes, and get half back in just five. The trade-off for that fast charging is a slightly smaller battery, but longevity is still decent enough. The phone is fast elsewhere too, powered by the flagship Dimensity 8100 chip, and has a decent main camera too – though the ultrawide and macro lenses aren’t up to much.
90Hz OLED display Excellent battery life Solid cameras
No 5G Poor fingerprint sensor Sluggish performance
By sticking with 4G, Realme was able to spare more budget for the display, battery, and cameras – all of which are excellent for the price. Of course, some will miss 5G, and we’d love to see a slightly faster chipset (not to mention an upgrade to the frankly unreliable under-display fingerprint sensor). Overall though, this is a well-balanced option and a reminder that 4G phones aren’t gone yet.
Crisp display Bold design Decent camera
No 5G Basic performance 60Hz display
This is one of the company’s absolute cheapest phones, but despite that it still offers a Full HD display, 50Mp main camera, and an attractive, distinctive design. There are limitations of course. Performance is basic, with a bit of stuttering as you use the phone, and there’s no 5G either. The display is held to 60Hz refresh rate, and while battery life is good, some other budget models do better. Still, few phones this cheap offer as much.
120Hz display Snazzy design Long-lasting battery
Average performance Inconsistent cameras
It boasts the same colour-changing design, and packs a big 5000mAh battery, 33W charging, and 120Hz display – though it’s only LCD. The triple rear camera isn’t as capable as the version on the Pro+, but it’s really not bad for the price. And while the Snapdragon 695 chipset isn’t the fastest, it does bring with it 5G support.
Long battery life 128GB storage as standard Headphone jack
No 5G Average performance
The 9i doesn’t include 5G, and performance is unsurprisingly limited, but there’s a lot else to like here. The design is pretty decent for one, and like most cheap Realme phones the battery life impresses too. It’s also welcome to see a generous 128GB storage included as standard – not always the case at this price.
Affordable 5G Attractive design Big battery
Slow charging Middling performance No OIS
You see, Realme decided to add 5G without raising the phone’s price – which means it had to make compromises elsewhere, and in fact this is an almost entirely different phone to the regular 9, with a different chipset, an LCD display (but at 120Hz), and slower charging. Still, it’s not a bad balance of specs for the price. The 50Mp camera is still capable of some lovely shots, and the big 5000mAh battery will last for ages. Note: This is the European version of the Realme 9 5G. Realme sells a different phone under the same name in India, which we have not reviewed.
Extremely affordable Long-lasting battery Decent design
Poor cameras Simple specs
We’re fans of the phone’s design given its low price, and you’ll also get excellent battery life. Other specs, from the display to the cameras, are less exciting. If you can afford the slightly pricier C35 we think it’s worth the stretch, but budget buyers shouldn’t rule the C31 out. Tech Advisor’s Deputy Editor, Dom covers everything that runs on electricity, from phones and laptops to wearables, audio, gaming, smart home, and streaming - plus he’s a regular fixture on the Tech Advisor YouTube channel.
