The Realme 6 Pro launched back in 2020 using the Snapdragon 720G, and in the two years since, Realme has launched the 7 Pro and 8 Pro, both with the same chipset and generally incremental upgrades.

The main focus of the past two generations has been the camera, the 7 Pro had a 64 MP 1/1.73″ Sony sensor but the Realme 8 Pro had a massive jump up to the 108MP 1/1.52″ Samsung sensor.

Realme have made some bigger changes for the Realme 9 series.

Today, they have launched the Realme 9 Pro+, the 9 Pro and the 9i. I have no idea why they have decided to introduce the 9 Pro+ and 9 Pro when the Realme 9 Pro+ is essentially what the 9 Pro should be, and the 9 Pro should just be the Realme 9.

The Realme 9 Pro+ has some significant changes compared to the Realme 8 Pro, including:

• Switching to the 50MP Sony IMX766, which was used on phones like the OnePlus Nord 2
• Increased the screen refresh to 90Hz
• Significantly upgraded the chipset to the Mediatek Dimensity 920
• Increased the charge speed from 50W to 60W

However, the price has increased, the Realme 8 Pro launched at £279, which the Realme 9 Pro+ is £349.

The main issue with that is the OnePlus Nord 2 is now available from Amazon for just £350

The OnePlus Nord 2 has basically the same display, same rear camera specification, same battery size but fractionally faster charging and it has the Dimensity 1200 chipset instead of the Dimensity 920. The main advantage is that the Realme has 256GB of storage as standard vs 128GB and launches with Android 12 & Realme UI 3.0.

Realme always do an early bird discount, and they will almost always offer regular sizable discounts quite early on in the product life, so this will change the overall dynamic as time progresses. But it feels like a hard sell at full RRP.

Full Press Release

– realme, the world’s fastest-growing smartphone brand, today releases the realme 9 Pro Series globally, the new addition to its hero smartphone lineup. As realme’s first product in the new year, realme 9 Pro+ becomes the first brand to offer the flagship Sony IMX766 OIS camera in the mid-range segment. The realme 9 Pro series also features a new Light Shift “Chameleon” design,  Dimensity™ 920 5G processor and Ultra Smooth Display with 90Hz refresh rate. realme 9 Pro+ is also realme’s first smartphone to adapt UI 3.0 based on Android 12 in 2022.

The first flagship camera in mid-range – realme 9 Pro+

As the latest iteration of the realme Number series, realme 9 Pro+ adopts the best camera in the segment. Equipped with ProLight Imaging technology powered by the Sony IMX766 flagship sensor, OIS & EIS dual stabilisation and AI Noise Cancellation 3.0 Technology, realme 9 Pro+ offers the best image quality of all mid-range smartphones which is comparable with the more expensive premium flagship phones, as displayed in the realme Camera Lab.

Furthermore, the realme 9 Pro Series is among the first to feature a MediaTek® Dimensity™ 920 5G processor resulting in the best performance in the segment with a Benchmark score of more than 500,000. It combines a Super AMOLED display with a high refresh rate of 90Hz, providing brilliant colours and an incredibly smooth user experience, with an in-display fingerprint sensor that also functions as a heart rate sensor.  

The 9 Pro Series is designed by realme Design Studio™ with three colour variants, bringing an inspiring colour-shifting design to the smartphone industry – Light Shift Design. Pairing dual stereo with Dolby Atmos, X-axis motor tactile engine and 60W Super Dart Charge (50% charge around 15 minutes), realme 9 Pro+ delivers a flagship-level overall experience.

5G Future-Proof Mid-ranger – realme 9 Pro

Like the standard edition in the powerful realme 9 Pro Series, the 9 Pro is also a performance powerhouse in the segment. Equipped with Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 695 5G processor, up to 13GB Dynamic RAM and the liquid cooling system, realme 9 Pro has terrific performance. It also features the advanced Light Shift design and a powerful 64MP Triple Camera with exclusive Street Mode 2.0. The 5G future-proof mid-ranger also features a 3.5mm Hi-Res Certified Headphone Jack and the latest realme UI 3.0 based on Android 12.

Next Level Power – realme 9i

In line with the spirit of the realme number series, realme 9i also brings more surprises than ever. With the 9i, realme introduces the first 6nm processor in a smartphone under €200 in Europe with the state-of-art Qualcomm Snapdragon 680. The realme 9i features an ultra-smooth 90Hz display synonymous with higher-end smartphones as well as supporting the signature DRE (Dynamic RAM Expansion) technology, where it can convert internal storage to virtual storage boosting the phone up to 11 GB RAM.

realme 9 Pro series & co-created smartphone bag will be debuted at Paris Fashion Week

Today, realme announces the founders of fashion brand HELIOT EMIL, as guest designers at realme Design Studio™, aiming to make waves in the design world by uniting technology and fashion under one roof. The light shift design of the realme 9 Pro Series will lead the trend of smartphone design, becoming the first smartphone to debut in the Paris Fashion Week Main Calendar.

realme Design Studio™ is an independent design team of realme, specialising in the industrial and visual design of realme products. As the first mobile design studio in the industry, realme Design Studio’s previous collaborators include Naoto Fukasawa and Jose Levy, who have contributed their expertise to realme by designing trendsetting new products in partnership with the brand. The purpose of creating realme Design Studio is to build realme’s brand image of a technology trendsetter and provide young people around the world with trend-setting product design and visual design that exceeds expectations.

In the UK, realme 9 Pro+ starts at £349 with 8GB + 256GBs storage variant, and realme 9 Pro starts at £299 with 8GB + 128GB storage variant. The realme 9 Pro will be available to purchase from 23rd Feb 2022 and the realme Pro+ from 4th March 2022

James Smythe( Editor-in-chief )

I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.

As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.

In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.