Realme 5i Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Realme 5i is a budget smartphone that packs a punch with its impressive features. Sporting a large 6.52-inch IPS LCD display, it provides an immersive viewing experience. The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chipset, ensuring smooth performance for everyday tasks. With its quad-camera setup, including a 12MP main camera and an 8MP ultrawide lens, you can capture stunning photos and videos. The massive 5000mAh battery ensures all-day usage without worrying about running out of power. Available in attractive Blue and Green colors, the Realme 5i offers great value for its price, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious consumers.

Design and Build Quality

The Realme 5i showcases a design that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. With its sleek form factor and slim bezels, the phone offers a modern and premium look and feel. The device features a plastic frame and back panel, which may not give it the same level of robustness as phones with metal or glass construction. However, this choice of materials helps to keep the weight of the phone down, making it highly portable. The dimensions of 164.4 x 75 x 9.3 mm and a weight of 195 g ensure a comfortable grip, allowing for one-handed usability without feeling too bulky. The back panel has a textured finish, providing a nice tactile sensation and reducing the chances of accidental slips. The buttons and controls are well-placed and offer good tactile feedback. The construction and build quality of the Realme 5i are commendable, and it feels sturdy in hand. Overall, the Realme 5i strikes a balance between design, durability, and portability, making it an attractive option for users seeking a budget-friendly smartphone with a sleek design and robust build.

Display

The Realme 5i features a 6.52-inch IPS LCD display with a screen resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels and an aspect ratio of 20:9. The display offers a decent screen size, making it suitable for multimedia consumption and gaming. While the resolution may not be the highest in its price range, it still provides satisfactory clarity and sharpness for everyday usage.

The LCD technology used in the Realme 5i ensures good color accuracy and vibrancy, allowing for an enjoyable visual experience. The device also offers decent brightness levels, which should provide satisfactory visibility even in outdoor environments. Additionally, the display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, offering durability against scratches and minor drops.

With a pixel density of approximately 269 ppi, the Realme 5i's display delivers reasonably sharp and detailed visuals. However, it's worth noting that higher pixel densities can be found in some competing devices. The refresh rate and wide color gamut are not explicitly mentioned in the available information, so it's safe to assume that the device provides standard refresh rates and color reproduction.

The Realme 5i's viewing angles are likely to be wide, allowing for comfortable viewing from various positions. While the presence of anti-reflective coating is not specified, it is common for smartphones in this price range to have some level of anti-glare protection. The device does not feature a notch design, which some users may prefer, and the bezels surrounding the display are relatively slim, contributing to a higher screen-to-body ratio.

Additional features such as an always-on display, blue light filter, and adaptive brightness are not mentioned in the available information, so it is unclear if the Realme 5i includes these features. However, it is common for smartphones in this price range to offer at least some of these functionalities.

In conclusion, the Realme 5i's display offers a satisfactory screen size, resolution, and color accuracy for everyday usage. While it may not have the highest pixel density or advanced display features, it provides a decent visual experience considering its price point.

Performance

The Realme 5i is equipped with a Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 chipset, which offers decent performance for a budget smartphone. The octa-core CPU, consisting of 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores, delivers smooth multitasking and app loading speeds. The processor efficiency ensures a lag-free performance, allowing users to switch between various apps without any noticeable slowdowns.

In terms of gaming capabilities, the Realme 5i performs reasonably well. The Adreno 610 GPU provides satisfactory graphics scores and delivers a smooth gaming experience. Although it may not handle high-end games at maximum settings, it can handle most popular games with ease. The gaming performance is further enhanced by system optimization and thermal management, ensuring that the device doesn't overheat during extended gaming sessions.

Benchmark tests and synthetic benchmarks also support the Realme 5i's performance. The device performs adequately in CPU benchmarks, showcasing its processing capabilities. Additionally, gaming benchmarks demonstrate its ability to handle gaming tasks efficiently. These performance metrics highlight the device's ability to deliver a smooth user experience across various usage scenarios.

The Realme 5i's processor and GPU efficiency contribute to its overall performance. The Snapdragon 665 chipset strikes a balance between power consumption and performance, allowing the device to offer a respectable battery life while still delivering satisfactory performance. This efficiency is particularly beneficial for users who prioritize longer usage times and don't want to compromise on performance.

Overall, the Realme 5i offers a commendable performance for its price range. It provides a smooth user experience with efficient multitasking, app loading speeds, and gaming capabilities. The device's performance is further supported by benchmark tests and synthetic benchmarks, confirming its ability to handle various tasks. For budget-conscious users seeking a device that delivers decent performance without breaking the bank, the Realme 5i proves to be a worthy contender.

Software and User Interface

The Realme 5i runs on the Android 9.0 (Pie) operating system, with the option to upgrade to Android 10 and Realme UI. This provides users with the latest features and security updates. The Realme UI brings a fresh and user-friendly interface, enhancing the overall experience. The software offers smooth navigation and quick app launches, thanks to the Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor. Users can enjoy seamless multitasking and lag-free performance.

Realme 5i comes with some pre-installed apps to improve the user experience. These include popular apps like Google Chrome, Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps, which are commonly found on most Android devices. Additionally, Realme has customized the software with its own set of features and apps. The customization adds a personal touch to the device and enhances its functionality.

While the pre-installed apps are useful, some users may find certain apps to be unnecessary or bloatware. However, these apps can be uninstalled or disabled to free up storage space and optimize performance. This gives users the freedom to customize their device according to their preferences.

The Realme 5i software also includes features like a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass. These sensors enhance the usability and convenience of the device. The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it user-friendly for both new and experienced smartphone users.

Overall, the software of the Realme 5i provides a smooth and user-friendly experience. With its customizable interface, pre-installed apps, and useful features, it caters to the needs of a wide range of users. The ability to upgrade to the latest Android version ensures that users can enjoy the latest features and security enhancements.

Camera

The Realme 5i boasts a quad-camera setup on the back, featuring a 12-megapixel primary lens with an f/1.8 aperture. This lens captures detailed and sharp images, especially in daylight photography. The 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens offers a wider field of view, allowing users to capture more in a single frame, which is great for outdoor photography or capturing landscapes. For close-up shots, the 2-megapixel macro lens comes in handy, allowing users to focus on small subjects and capture intricate details. The 2-megapixel depth sensor helps in achieving a bokeh effect in portrait mode, creating a pleasing background blur.

In terms of image quality, the Realme 5i produces vibrant and natural colors with good sharpness. The dynamic range is decent, ensuring that both bright and dark areas of the image are well-exposed. The camera performs well in low-light conditions, thanks to its low-light sensitivity and noise reduction capabilities. The device also offers a dedicated night mode, which further enhances low-light performance by reducing noise and improving details in night photography.

The camera app of Realme 5i is packed with features such as HDR, panorama mode, pro mode for manual control, and AI scene recognition for automatically optimizing settings based on the detected scene. It also supports video recording, including 4K video with good detail and clarity. The video stabilization feature ensures smooth footage, and slow-motion and time-lapse modes add creative options for capturing videos. The device supports various video formats, including popular ones like MP4 and H.264. Overall, the camera performance of Realme 5i is impressive, offering a versatile and capable photography experience.

Battery Life

The Realme 5i is equipped with a massive 5000mAh non-removable Li-Po battery, which is a standout feature of this device. With such a large battery capacity, the phone offers impressive battery life, ensuring that you can go through your day without worrying about running out of power. The phone also has power-efficient hardware and software optimizations, which contribute to its excellent battery performance. In terms of charging, the Realme 5i supports 10W wired charging, which is not the fastest charging technology available but gets the job done. However, it does not support wireless charging options. Overall, the Realme 5i's battery is its strong suit, providing long-lasting battery life and reliable power efficiency.

Connectivity and Networking

The Realme 5i offers a range of connectivity options that cater to the needs of modern smartphone users. It supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, ensuring compatibility with various network providers. The device also features dual SIM capability, allowing users to easily manage two phone numbers on a single device. When it comes to wireless connectivity, the Realme 5i is equipped with Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, which provides fast and reliable internet access. Additionally, it supports Bluetooth 5.0 for seamless wireless communication with other devices. GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS are available for accurate navigation and location tracking. The device does not have NFC capabilities, so contactless transactions and file transfers are not possible. In terms of physical connectivity, the Realme 5i is equipped with a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. However, it does not support USB-C, which is a newer and more versatile connector. Overall, the Realme 5i offers a decent range of connectivity options, but lacks some advanced features such as 5G support, wireless charging, and NFC functionality.

Additional Features

• Standout Features: The Realme 5i offers a range of standout features that make it an attractive option in its price range. With its large 6.52-inch display and 83.2% screen-to-body ratio, users can enjoy immersive visuals. Additionally, the device is equipped with a quad-camera setup, including a 12MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide lens, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor, allowing users to capture stunning photos and videos. The phone also comes with a 5000mAh battery, providing long-lasting usage and a 10W wired charging capability.


• Water and Dust Resistance: While the Realme 5i does not have an official IP rating for water and dust resistance, it offers some level of protection against accidental spills and light splashes. However, it is important to note that the device is not fully waterproof or dustproof.


• Advanced Sensors: In addition to the standard accelerometer and gyroscope, the Realme 5i is equipped with a range of additional sensors. These include proximity and compass sensors, which enhance the overall user experience by providing accurate orientation and proximity detection.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Realme 5i is a budget smartphone that offers a decent set of features at an affordable price. When comparing it to other related devices in the market, it competes with phones like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 and the Samsung Galaxy A20s.

In terms of specifications, the Realme 5i features a 6.52-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor and comes with either 3GB or 4GB of RAM, depending on the variant. The phone has a quad-camera setup on the back, consisting of a 12MP primary camera, an 8MP ultrawide camera, a 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth sensor. For selfies, it has an 8MP front-facing camera.

When it comes to performance, the Realme 5i holds its ground against its competitors. The Snapdragon 665 processor ensures smooth multitasking and handles everyday tasks with ease. The phone also has a large 5000mAh battery, which provides excellent battery life and can easily last a full day of usage.

In terms of pricing, the Realme 5i is positioned as an affordable option in the market. Priced at around 170 EUR, it offers good value for money considering its features and performance. Its competitors in the same price range include the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 and the Samsung Galaxy A20s, both of which offer similar specifications and features.

One unique feature of the Realme 5i is its large battery capacity, which is a standout feature compared to some of its competitors. Additionally, the phone comes with a dedicated microSD card slot for expandable storage, which is a convenient feature for users who need more storage space.

In benchmark comparisons, the Realme 5i performs well, scoring similar results to its competitors in terms of overall performance. However, it is important to note that it runs on Android 9.0 Pie out of the box, which may be a downside for users looking for the latest software experience.

Overall, the Realme 5i offers a compelling package for budget-conscious consumers. With its decent performance, good camera setup, and long-lasting battery, it competes well with other devices in its price range. However, potential buyers should consider their specific needs and preferences before making a purchasing decision.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Realme 5i is a budget smartphone that offers a large battery and decent performance. The device features a 6.52-inch IPS LCD display with Gorilla Glass protection, ensuring durability. It runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chipset and comes with up to 4GB of RAM, delivering smooth multitasking and gaming experiences. The quad-camera setup captures satisfactory photos and videos in various conditions, while the 8MP front camera takes decent selfies. The 5000mAh battery provides excellent battery life, although the 10W wired charging may seem slow. Overall, if you are on a tight budget and prioritize a long-lasting battery, the Realme 5i is worth considering.