Realme 9 Pro+
Verdict
The Realme 9 Pro Plus does a good job keeping up with phones near its price point, but it fails to set itself apart from the pack in any meaningful way.
Key specs
Critic consensus
“We loved the OnePlus Nord 2, and our only real gripe with it was that mediocre battery life. With the 9 Pro+, Realme gives us a very similar phone, but improves upon the battery life thanks to a more efficient chipset. You still get a glass back and front, flagship imaging and reliably good performance, not to mention very fast charging.”
“As a mid-range 5G smartphone, Realme 9 Pro+ is a solid all-rounder that offers good value for money at £349. Impressive battery life and a 90Hz Super AMOLED screen are highlights, while drawbacks include speaker quality and a poor macro camera.”
“Despite this, the Realme 9 Pro Plus remains an unquestionable triumph. Going well beyond its plethora of slick contenders in all the key metrics, there was no doubt that the Realme 9 Pro Plus would instantly earn a recommendation as I closed out this review. With unbeatable performance, staggering stamina, fast charging, a great screen and a class-leading camera system, the Realme 9 Pro Plus is an exceptionally well-rounded handset and it’s one that will take quite some beating in the months to come.”
“The Realme 9 Pro+ is priced in a segment where there is really cut-throat competition. Realme managed to deliver a balanced package here. While it has capable innards, the stable software experience and sensable optics with OIS make it really outshine the competition. Yes, it might fall short in charging speeds but 60W fast charging still feels like a blessing. All in all, the Realme9 Pro+ offers excellent value for your money.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
This is the first Pro Plus phone from this line and promises good things. But marketing hype doesn’t always pan out in reality. So what do reviewers think of this new release?
Design
The most notable feature of the Realme 9 Pro Plus is the color-changing design on its backplate. It’s not just holographic like other phones out there. It changes color in direct sunlight. Aside from this stylish gimmick, reviewers said it is very much like any other Android phone on the market right now.
Display
The 90Hz screen is 6.4-inches, and according to reviewers, it’s very bright with saturated colors and plenty of detail. Many note it’s perfect for gaming or watching movies and TV shows. It has an in-screen fingerprint scanner and a built-in heart rate monitor too.
Performance
The Realme 9 Pro Plus has a MediaTek processor that’s surprisingly powerful. Reviewers said they tested the phone over several hours of gaming with top-tier graphics and it did great.
Better yet, it didn’t overheat, thanks to Realme’s cooling technology.
Software & Storage
The phone runs Android 12 with its Realme UI over the top. It is worth mentioning that the Realme 9 Pro Plus did not have the Material You part of Android installed at the time of its release.
Reviewers found the phone snappy and quick when swiping through menus and closing and opening apps.
You have the options of 128GB or 256GB, and there is a MicroSD expansion slot beyond that.
Cameras
Reviewers were pleasantly surprised by how well the primary camera captured images. They described images as bright and colorful with good contrast. The ultra-wide lens did an excellent job not distorting things around the edges, which is something other smartphones struggle to do.
Battery Life
The 4500mAh battery performed well under rigorous use from reviewers. It does well with gaming and streaming, providing plenty of battery life for a whole day’s charge.
Audio
The dual speakers made good impressions on the Realme 9 Pro Plus reviewers. Because there are two speakers, it’s harder to cover them up and block the sound accidentally. The phone also has a headphone jack; a rare find these days.
Specs at a Glance
- Plastic chassis
- 6.4-inch Super AMOLED
- MediaTek Dimensity 920 5G processor
- 6/8GB of RAM
- Android 12
- 128/256GB of storage with a MicroSD expansion slot
- 50+MP camera
- 4500mAh battery
Bottom Line
The Realme 9 Pro Plus is, all in all, a great phone. Reviewers struggled to find a lot they didn’t like. Likewise it doesn’t particularly stand out either. It has good battery life, excellent performance, and speed. Aside from that color-changing backplate, it’s just a really good phone. But is that enough in today’s crowded mobile market?
Android Authority says, “The Realme 9 Pro Plus is a minor step forward, but not the daring leap the brand needed. A heavy slathering of bloatware and underpowered specs leave the Realme 9 Pro Plus as an average budget phone without any standout qualities to put it ahead of the competition.”
Tech Radar states, “Realme proves it’s a mid-range champion with its first Pro Plus phone. The camera, processing power and charging speed all trump same-price rivals, and it also stands out with a novel color-changing rear and built-in heart rate monitor. We’ve really had to nit-pick to find any problems – if you’re on a budget, you absolutely must check out this phone.”
What people actually want to know
When was the Realme 9 Pro+ released?
The Realme 9 Pro+ was released on February 16, 2022.
How long does the battery last on the Realme 9 Pro+?
The Realme 9 Pro+ has a 4,500 mAh battery.
Does the Realme 9 Pro+ support wireless charging?
No, the Realme 9 Pro+ does not support wireless charging.
Does the Realme 9 Pro+ have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Realme 9 Pro+ has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the Realme 9 Pro+ have NFC?
Yes, the Realme 9 Pro+ has NFC. You can use Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pair with Bluetooth accessories.
Where can I get support for the Realme 9 Pro+?
Visit Realme's official support page for warranty info, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Where can I download the Realme 9 Pro+ manual?
You can view and download the Realme 9 Pro+ manual on our dedicated manual page.
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