The "1-Minute" Review
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.What's good
- Pleasing color-changing backplate
- Good battery life
- Excellent performance for the price
- Decent camera
- Built-in heart rate monitor
What's bad
- A lot of bloatware
- No IP rating
- The heart rate monitor is hidden in menus
- No guarantee for future updates
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 the Critics Are Saying...
- Sandra Vogel, ZDNetAs 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.
- Sean Cameron, Expert ReviewsDespite 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 s...
- Deepak Rajawat, SmartprixThe 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 cha...
- Basil Kronfli, StuffWe 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 performa...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Realme 9 Pro+ user manual here.
Realme backs up the 9 Pro+ with a 2 Years parts & labour warranty.
If your 9 Pro+ has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Realme support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Realme's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
Ask the Community
No questions for the moment.
Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- Realme 9 Pro+ Manual (PDF)
Maybe one of your friends will find this review helpful? Please help us spread the word.
