Lower-midrange smartphones is a very good niche for those who do not need the best multimedia device but still want great performance and battery life while saving money. Thanks to Xiaomi and Realme, there are several lower-midrange devices with a very high value for money in the market. Realme just decided to launch its latest one, Realme 7i, in the global market. That is the reason why we decided to publish this lower-midrange comparison. Realme 7i will compete with best-sellers such as POCO M3 and Redmi Note 9, but who is really the best? This comparison will highlight the differences and try to answer this question.
Xiaomi POCO M3 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 vs Realme 7i
| Xiaomi POCO M3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 | Realme 7i | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm, 198 g | 162.3 x 77.2 x 8.9 mm, 199 g | 164.1 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm, 188 g |
| DISPLAY | 6.53 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), IPS LCD | 6.53 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), IPS LCD | 6.5 inches, 720 x 1600p (HD+), IPS LCD |
| PROCESSOR | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662, octa-core 2.0 GHz | MediaTek Helio G85, octa-core 2 GHz | MediaTek Helio G85, octa-core 2 GHz (Snapdragon 662 in Asia) |
| MEMORY | 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – 4 GB RAM, 128 GB – micro SD dedicated slot | 3 GB RAM, 64 GB – 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – 4 GB RAM, 128 GB – 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – micro SD dedicated slot | 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – 4 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – micro SD dedicated slot |
| SOFTWARE | Android 10, MIUI | Android 10, MIUI | Android 10, Realme UI |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5, GPS |
| CAMERA | Triple 48 + 8 + 2 MP, f/1.8 + f/2.4 + f/2.4 8 MP f/2.1 front camera |
Quad 48 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP, f/1.8 + f/2.2 + f/2.4 + f/2.4 13 MP f/2.3 front camera |
Quad 64 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP, f/1.8 + f/2.3 + f/2.4 + f/2.4 16 MP f/2.1 front camera |
| BATTERY | 6000 mAh, fast charging 18W | 5020 mAh, fast charging 18W | 6000 mAh, fast charging 18W (5000 mAh in Asia) |
| ADDITIONAL FEATURES | Dual SIM slot | Dual SIM slot, reverse charging 9W | Dual SIM slot |
Design
The POCO M3 is very affordable but it does not have the most elegant design out there. It comes with a waterdrop notch and a very big area for the camera module. Even though the yellow variant is attractive, its two rivals are definitely a better choice. Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is great because it sports a glass back and a water-repellent design, but Realme 7i is beautiful as well. Redmi Note 9 and Realme 7i also look more modern because they have a punch-hole display instead of the waterdrop notch found on the POCO M3.
Display
The Realme 7i is the only device of this comparison featuring a 90 Hz refresh rate, but it still loses the display comparison because it has a below-average HD+ resolution. With the POCO M3 and the Redmi Note 9, you actually get a Full HD+ display with a higher level of detail, which we consider more important than a higher refresh rate. If you are a gamer, you might prefer the Realme 7i because the 90 Hz refresh rate offers big advantages during gaming sessions, but for the rest, you should go for the POCO M3 as it comes with a 1080p display and stereo speakers offering a better audio experience.
Hardware/Software
A lot of people trust Qualcomm processors more than MediaTek ones. But the Helio G85 found on the Redmi Note 9 is actually more impressive than the Snapdragon 662 found on the POCO M3 and the Asian version of the Realme 7i. If you are from Europe, then you get the Helio G85 even with the Realme 7i, so you should choose it as it offers up to 8 GB of RAM instead of the 6 GB found on the Redmi Note 9. But if you are from Asia, then Redmi Note 9 is a more powerful handset.
Camera
The camera king here is the Realme 7i for a simple reason: it has a better main sensor. We are talking about a 64 MP main camera paired with an 8 MP ultrawide sensor and a pair of 2 MP lenses for macro and depth. With Realme 7i, you even get a better front camera with a higher 16 MP resolution. Given its better main camera and front camera, Realme 7i is the best camera phone.
Battery
The battery capacity of the Realme 7i changes depending on the region: in Asia, you get just 5000 mAh, while the European Realme 7i has 6000 mAh. If you are from Europe and you need the best battery phone, the Realme 7i is your choice. Otherwise, you should go for the 6000 mAh battery of the POCO M3.
Price
All of these phones are priced around €150/$180, but you may find different street prices depending on the region. The European Realme 7i is the best phone of the comparison if we exclude the display resolution. If you want a Full HD+ display, then Redmi Note 9 is a better option, but POCO M3 offers a longer battery life than Redmi Note 9 and stereo speakers (but on the other hand, it lacks an ultrawide camera).
Xiaomi POCO M3 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 vs Realme 7i: PRO and CONS
Realme 7i
PROS
- Best rear cameras
- Best hardware
- 90 Hz display
- Huge battery
CONS
- HD+ display
Xiaomi POCO M3
PROS
- Huge battery
- Full HD+ display
- Stereo speakers
- Reverse charging
CONS
- Uglier design
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9
PROS
- Full HD+ display
- Very affordable price
- Reverse charging
- Water-repellent
CONS
- Smaller battery
