Realme 9i hands-on review

Software

The Realme 9i runs on Android 11 with Realme UI 2.0. The second version of Realme's launcher offers richer customization options, a couple of extra Dark Mode styles, refined floating and mini windows, and enhanced security.

The phone supports fingerprint unlock, and the side-mounted sensor works flawlessly - it's fast and with high accuracy. You can also set up face unlock for an even speedier unlock - though this is not as secure.

RealmeUI

The launcher has no-nonsense homescreens, a simplistic and now cleaner notification/toggles area, and an easy-to-use task switcher. An App drawer is available, too, and it is as clutter-free as one could hope for. You can opt out of the app drawer if you prefer.

Realme UI supports different icon packs, so if you are not happy with the default one, you can opt for material style, pebbles, or you can even fully customize them by your liking. Thanks to Realme UI 2.0, you can also change the system colors, the notification drawer icons, even the system font.

There is a Theme Store, too, so you can spice things up even more.

Dark Mode is available, too, and it's been enhanced with Realme UI 2.0 with support for three different dark styles - black, dark gray or light gray. It can be manual or scheduled. You can also opt to force it on third-party apps, though this doesn't always end well.

Customizability

Similar to the recent Galaxies, the Realme UI offers a Smart Sidebar on the edge of the screen - you can customize the actions and app shortcuts that appear there.

Display options

The multimedia apps such as Photos, Music, and Videos - are provided by Realme. There is also a redesigned File Manager and even a Phone Manager app. This completes the non-Google app list.

Realme hasn't provided a time frame for the Android 12 update for the 9i.

Camera

Like its predecessor, the Realme 9i has three snappers on its back - a primary 50MP camera with a wide-angle lens, a 2MP macro shooter, and a 2MP monochrome depth sensor. There is also a 16MP selfie camera within the screen's round hole.

The Realme 9i's primary camera utilizes a 50MP Samsung ISOCELL S5KJN1 1/2.76" sensor with Tetracell filter and 0.64µm pixels (same as on Redmi 10). The sensor is coupled with an f/1.8 lens and supports PDAF. Night Mode is available on this camera.

The macro camera has 2MP GalaxyCore GC02M1 sensor with 1.75µm pixels and f/2.4 aperture but lacks autofocus.

Finally, there is a 2MP OmniVision OV02B1 monochrome depth sensor.

The camera app is the familiar Oppo/Realme one with a few tweaks for the latest version. There are fewer menus - most of the modes are now on the main rolodex, which is good. The Macro camera is still in the More section listed as Ultra Macro mode, though.

The app offers AI Scene Enhancement (also known as Chroma Boost or Dazzle Color) - it's like an advanced HDR mode, which may stack several images to offer even further improvements in the dynamic range. Still, the most prominent "improvement" is the higher color saturation.

In the Expert mode, you get to tweak exposure (ISO in the 100-6400 range and shutter speed in the 1/8000s-32s range, white balance (by light temperature, but no presets), manual focus (in arbitrary 0 to 1 units with 0 being close focus and 1 being infinity) and exposure compensation (-2EV to +2EV in 1/6EV increments).

Camera app

Here are a few camera samples in the regular HDR Auto mode, the AI Scene Enhancement mode, as well as in the ExtraHD 108MP and 50MP modes. We'll reserve our full judgment for the review, but seeing how the Realme 9i has the same camera setup as the 8i, you can just go and read our review of that phone.

Realme 9i camera HDR - 12MP, 12MP, 50MP

Realme 9i samples AI Scene Enhancement - 12MP, 12MP, 50MP

Realme 9i camera - Extra HD 108MP

Wrap-up

So that's it. We've had our brief little hands-on with the Realme 9i, and it felt a lot like a Realme 8i with a slower screen, worse-performing chipset, but nicer build and feel in the hand.

What's more important is that if you're in the market for a phone at this price, you have some good alternatives, even from Realme's itself. The 8i is still on sale and it's the same price as the 9i, which might push many towards that phone - 120Hz over 90Hz alone might make the difference.

It's not all bad, of course. The Prism design really is nice to look at and lovely to touch. And with a discount or two, the Realme 9i could easily become a great deal.