2022 realme 9 Pro 5G Review | Flagship Design Android Smartphone
 |
| Photo of realme 9 Pro 5G Android smartphone. Released: Feb 2022 realme 9 Pro 5G key specs: · 6.6″ display · 8GB RAM · 128GB storage · 5000mAh battery · 64MP Nightscape camera · Snapdragon 695 5G chipset · 33W Dart Charging |
Realme started 2022 by releasing their latest product, namely the realme 9 Pro series. One of the members of the series, namely the realme 9 Pro aka realme 9 Pro 5G, has entered our review table. Don’t be confused because it is one product, and we will discuss it in full in this review.
The realme 9 Pro smartphone carries a new chipset from Qualcomm, namely the Snapdragon 695 which is equipped with 5G technology. Thus, this product can automatically be called the realme 9 Pro 5G. Although we don’t know much about when 5G will be launched commercially.
It doesn’t matter, because chipset manufacturers will inevitably continue to develop and make their new chipsets equipped with the latest technology, one of which is 5G. And this is a positive thing considering the price offered by this product.
But it’s not just 5G that will be the mainstay of the realme 9 Pro product. A number of LOOK things also make it look and feel like a luxury smartphone. For example, on the design side, the screen and also the camera capabilities.
Price: US$199,99 (IDR 3,799,000)
Color Options: Sunrise Blue & Aurora Green
Sales Package: realme 9 Pro smartphone, silicon case, Charger adapter, USB Type C data cable, manual book, ejector pin
realme 9 Pro Full Specifications
| realme 9 Pro 5G Specs | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Dimmension & Weight | 160.2 x 73.3 x 7.99mm/ 182 gram |
| Network & Connectivity | Dual Hybrid Nano SIM, 5G, 4G LTE/HSPA+/3G/2G, WiFi |
| Operating System (OS) | realme UI 3.0 based on Android 12 |
| Supported External Storage | Yes, MicroSD card |
| Display | 6.6 inci, ~90.8% screen-to-body ratio, 1080 x 2412 pixels, IPS LCD, 120Hz, Max brightness 600nit |
| Processor / CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm); Octa-core (2×2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold + 6×1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver), GPU: Adreno 619 |
| RAM & Internal Storage | 8 GB RAM/ 128 GB ROM, Tersedia juga varian 6/128 GB |
| Kamera (MP/fitur) belakang/depan | Rear triple: 64 MP f/1.79 Main Camera 8 MP f/2.2 Ultrawide 2 MP f/2.4 Super Macro Video: 1080p@30fps, 720p@30fps, 60fps Front Single: 16 MP f/2.1 Video: 1080p@30fps |
| Battery | 5000 mAh Li-po (non-removable), 33W Quick Charge |
realme 9 Pro Features
| Removable battery | No | Fingerprint | Yes |
| Multitouch | Yes | Dual Front Camera | No |
| Dual SIM | Yes | External Memory | Yes |
| 3G HSDPA | Yes | Gyroscope | Yes |
| 4G LTE | Yes | Stereo Speaker | Yes |
| 5G Ready | Yes | 4K video recording | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Video player | Yes |
| USB On-the-go | Yes | Music player | Yes |
| GPS | Yes | 3.5 Audio Port | Yes |
realme 9 Pro Advantages & Disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| * New flagship class chipset with Core Cortex A78 GPU mid to high class Adreno 619 * Bright screen with 6 refresh rate modes (up to 120Hz), providing many possibilities in enjoying content * Unique design, glossy but rough and pleasant to look at * Rear camera produces attractive photos with a number of AI features * realme UI 3.0 brings a number of goodness in terms of appearance and simplification of functions |
* Video recording is limited to only 1080p 30fps * Body design has not changed much from the previous number series |
realme 9 Pro Reviews
Light Shift Design on Back Cover
As usual realme is always creative with the design and coloring of the back cover and this time there is something interesting that we can discuss.
We happened to have the chance to open two colors of realme 9 Pro, namely Aurora Green and Sunrise Blue. Although at first glance both are different, it turns out that these two types of coloring have one thing in common. Especially on the side of the color separation line that stretches vertically, dividing the two equal parts right and left.
This line becomes the center of the bright gradient while the part that moves away from this point gradually becomes darker and denser. Of course, in Aurora Green it becomes dark green towards black, while in Sunrise Blue it becomes a dense light blue.
But it doesn’t stop there, realme apparently provides a glitter effect in a deeper layer, making it even more attractive when light falls from different directions. This is what they call Light Shift Design. And it is the first key feature on the realme 9 Pro.
Because the way realme presents this design is the same way as its flagship products. Giving a luxurious glossy effect, without making it feel slippery, although there are still a few parts that are easily fingerprinted. But the latter is only felt if our hands are really sweaty.
The shape of the realme 9 Pro smartphone itself takes the path of most realme smartphones, namely being made to look big, with a spacious screen with a thin bezel that is still visible. Carrying a USB Type-C power and data port, also carrying a 3.5 mm audio port placed on the side next to it.
What’s interesting is that this smartphone again carries a fingerprint reader on the side, combined with the power button. In practice, it becomes more practical, especially if you use your smartphone a lot with your right hand.
Oh yes, this smartphone carries three main cameras on the back which are placed in a protruding square section. It’s a good idea to use the default silicone case, because the default silicone will protect the protruding part of the cube on the surface better. And interestingly, this silicone case has been designed in such a way that it only has holes right on the camera lens.
Bright Screen with 6 Level Refresh Rate
After we discuss the overall smartphone design, especially on the back cover of course, it’s time to discuss the screen. Stretching 6.6 inches on the front of the smartphone, the screen almost fills the entire surface of the phone. Leaving only a few parts on the edges, especially at the bottom which looks the widest.
But we think this is the right strategy to take considering that there are several new features that appear in this new realme UI. Where we will often swipe the screen from the bottom edge of the smartphone or even from the inside of the screen out towards the bottom edge of the smartphone. Curious huh? We will discuss more in the User Interface section: the new realme UI.
Back to the screen, here realme uses an IPS panel and with the support of a new OS based on Android 12 and the chipset used, this screen feature is optimized even better.
More precisely, realme activates a choice of 6 levels or 6 display modes related to the refresh rate. Starting with static mode that supports a refresh rate of 30Hz, Movie Mode at a refresh rate of 48Hz, TV Play Mode at 50Hz, game mode at 60Hz and game at 90Hz, and feeds mode at 120Hz. The UI itself provides a choice of 3 settings for the screen refresh rate, namely auto select which is recommended so that the refresh rate will adjust to the needs of the application, or 120Hz to activate 120Hz mode always when allowed by the application and the third option is standard to save battery.
For matters of color quality and contrast depth, it probably doesn’t need to be explained anymore. But what is certain is that this smartphone screen also supports HDR10 and HLG video formats or HDR versions that are widely used for streaming. Displaying the best images for films that are circulating with support for this format, both those stored in internal memory or streaming.
realme UI 3.0 based on Android 12
It’s time for realme to adopt Android 12 in its new devices. And coincidentally, in its first product in 2022, realme introduced the latest UI based on Android 12. With the official name realme UI 3.0, its appearance is familiar to us because it provides an effect that is not much different from the previous version, namely easy access to important settings and simplicity of appearance.
The thing we feel the most is a positive change. Whether it’s a change in the location of the settings, for example, or a change in gestures. For example, what I have mentioned before in the screen section is how to activate one-handed mode.
In the previous version, one-handed mode required us to slide the screen from the middle to one of the bottom corners to then make the screen display smaller to one of those corners. Well, this time it resembles the interface of other flagship smartphones, we can swipe our finger under the screen, outwards so that the top of the home screen will go down closer to our bottom finger.
And there are many more new functions that may require adjustment. But the old features introduced through version 2.0 are still there. One of them is dynamic RAM expansion, which allows us to borrow a small amount of memory from the internal memory to be used as auxiliary RAM when needed.
Still related to this UI, a number of functions in the photography section have also been improved and we will discuss them in the related section.
Flagship Chipset for the Middle Class
In addition to the chipset industry being fast-paced by preparing the latest series with 5G capabilities, realme’s insight in using Qualcomm’s new 6 series chipset is also an advantage in itself. Because if we look at the existing specifications, if we just look at the processor, the Snapdragon 695 uses a processor with a more up-to-date core, namely using a combination of ARM Cortex A78 and A55, slightly better than the Snapdragon 870 chipset which still uses Cortex A77 and A55.
On paper, the performance of the Cortex A78 has increased by 7% from the A77. Thus we can expect Snapdragon 8XX class performance on this device. Especially with the early 5G variant chipset in early 2020.
Moreover, if we compare it with the 6xx series chipset in the previous generation. The increase is quite significant, up to 15%. Coupled with the flagship class GPU Adreno 619 also provides a boost in the ability to display 3D images better and power efficiency that is 30% higher than the previous series.
With 6nm fabrication, each chip will be smaller, providing more space to place chips with other capabilities in this chipset. Adding rich features, and increasing power efficiency.
This Snapdragon 695 5G carries a 5G modem with the X51 type. Able to be active with SA or NSA methods. Judging from the 5G specifications that have been circulated, we can expect download capabilities of up to 2.3 Gbps. But once again this will be influenced by the operator services that will run it in Indonesia. We will update when the operator’s commercial services are rolling.
The realme 9 Pro smartphone also carries 8GB of RAM with 128GB of internal storage. It is large enough for all needs. Starting from general needs to the need to be creative. As long as your WhatsApp group doesn’t share many large-capacity videos of course.
Large Capacity Battery and 33W Charging
The realme 9 Pro smartphone carries a large-capacity 5000 mAh battery. A standard battery capacity for today’s smartphones, especially those that can provide comfort when used for a long time outdoors.
With a number of sophisticated features, especially the AMOLED screen and capable camera capabilities, the battery becomes crucial. However, thanks to the power efficiency of the chipset it carries, as well as the UI that supports power saving and is also well synchronized, the battery capacity of the realme 9 Pro can last quite a long time, up to a day or more in fairly hectic use.
Fortunately, even though it does not carry SuperDart Charge technology, this smartphone still provides a fast charging feature using Qualcomm’s Quick Charge technology which can deliver up to 33W of power. Produced from an adapter that supports a maximum voltage of 11 Volts with a maximum current of 3 Ampere.
Camera with AI Effects
So, the realme 9 Pro is actually a number series smartphone for the mid-range market. However, from the design to the chipset, it carries quite capable specs and can even match the flagship products from the realme camp itself. So it’s no wonder that when we get to the camera discussion, we will still find something similar.
The realme 9 Pro carries 3 cameras on the back. Consisting of a 64MP main camera, 8MP Super Wide Lens, and 2MP macro Lens. A combination that you often see on other realme phones, even those that fall into their flagship killer category. An advantage of course. But that’s just from the hardware combination.
Going into the software side, we immediately felt a bit of deja vu, because the viewfinder structure will remind us of other products. A positive thing of course, because with this we can find interesting functions without having to grope anymore. Several interesting modes such as Street Photography Mode 2.0 with smart long exposure effects, peak & zoom, 90’s pop filter, and others can be optimized here.
Still in Street Photography mode, we can also find the Long Exposure feature to play with light. There are Neon Trail, Light trail Portrait, Rush Hour to Light Pinting. We can try all four effects to produce Instagrammable photos.
In the portrait section, we will also find one interesting effect, namely Dynamic bokeh, accompanied by AI color effects and so on. Maybe you often hear these effects, which will improve the results of portrait photos to be more dynamic, like the results of photos using a DSLR camera.
On paper, the hardware of this rear camera is capable of recording videos up to 4K resolution at a frame rate of 30 fps. But unfortunately in reality the realme 9 Pro camera is only capable of recording maximum videos at a resolution of 1080p at a frame rate of 30 fps. For a higher framerate at 60fps, we are forced to lower the resolution to 720p.
It is one thing that is disturbing and we suspect this is due to limitations on the UI software side. Can this be fixed with a system update? It seems interesting to look forward to.
Meanwhile, for selfie purposes, there is a 16 MP front camera in a punch hole design. A number of features such as Front Super Nightscape, Portrait Bokeh + HDR Selfie, and Portrait + HDR Video can be used to produce exciting content throughout the use of this smartphone.
Conclusion
As the first product in 2022, the realme 9 Pro will be an important realme smartphone and it is served well through the use of a new chipset that is beneficial. In terms of performance, this smartphone brings capable performance to do many things including gaming, as well as a camera that is capable of producing cool images, equipped with AI features. And don’t forget that this smartphone carries NFC function and is ready to be used on 5G networks.
realme 9 Pro (6GB + 128GB) will be sold for IDR 3,799,000.