Realme 9i

OhoPrice editorial review

The Realme 9i at 77,500 PKR is the weakest value proposition in this batch. It is a 2022 phone with a Snapdragon 680 4G, 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, entry-level hardware being sold at a price where rivals now deliver far faster chips, AMOLED displays and bigger batteries. The 6.6-inch 1080x2412 panel at about 400 PPI with a 90Hz refresh is genuinely sharp and smooth, and the 50MP main camera with macro and depth lenses takes decent daylight shots, with a 16MP selfie above the norm. The 5000mAh battery is dependable. But none of that rescues the core problem: for this money, the phone is two chip generations and four years behind what the competition offers. The 9i only makes sense if discounted well below 77,500 PKR. The Samsung Galaxy A17 at 67,499 PKR is 10,001 PKR cheaper and better in the ways that matter. The A17 has a faster Helio G99, an AMOLED 90Hz display versus the 9i's panel, a 2025 release with much longer support, a 50MP main with a proper 5MP ultrawide, and a 13MP selfie. The Realme 9i's only edges are its slightly sharper 400 PPI and the 16MP front camera. Paying more than 10,000 PKR extra for an older, slower, 4G-only phone with fewer lenses is hard to justify; the A17 is the rational purchase unless the 9i is found at a significant discount. Given the 2022 vintage, verify the IMEI on PTA's DIRBS and check whether the 77,500 PKR figure includes PTA costs.