The entry-level smartphone bringing mobile gaming and photography to a new level
The realme 6 series has arrived! First to launch was its entry-level 6i, which based on first impressions should be a few pegs above “entry.” Construction and design are likely the first things you’ll notice about the realme 6i. At 6.5 inches, it’s slightly bigger than the average smartphone but still comfortable enough to grip. Meanwhile, the back of the phone is the work of Japanese industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa, popular for his minimalist designs for Muji and as seen in Issey Miyake stores. The barely-there vertical lines lend depth to its colorways (White Milk and Green Tea) and matte finish. Also found on its backside are the quad rear camera, LED flash and fingerprint scanner.
At the bezel-less front, you’ll find the front-facing camera with the rest of the buttons at either side and the USB Type-C port and headphone jack (which btw, is still a nice option to have) at the bottom. In the box, you’ll find the basics, like the adaptor, charging cable and a soft, transparent phone cover.
Now onto the good stuff. The realme 6i boasts a 48MP quad-camera setup, 8MP ultra-wide angle lens that takes near-perfect landscape photos and 2MP ultra-macro lens that can capture subjects up to 4cm close. It also has a depth sensor that separates the subject from its background, making portrait shots easier to take. In low light, however, the realme 6i underwhelms even when Night Mode is switched on.
But that’s something one can live with given the affordable price point and solid performance. Technically speaking, it’s the first smartphone in the world to use the MediaTek Helio G80 chipset with 3GB/4GB of RAM and 64GB/128GB of storage. This makes multitasking a breeze, allowing users to run resource-intensive apps and play graphics-heavy games.
And you don’t even have to worry about battery life. With a 5,000mAh battery and 18W fast-charging technology, the realme 6i can last a little over a day of moderate use.
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The final verdict: design, pricing and performance considered, realme opens the 6 series strong with its entry-level 6i. True to its promise of bringing mobile gaming and photography to a new level (if we're benchmarking against smartphones in the same range), the 6i doesn’t disappoint. Besides, a P7,990 price tag is too good a deal to beat.
The realme 6i retails at P7,990 for 3GB + 64GB and P9,990 for the 4GB + 128GB. For more information click here.
Art Matthew Fetalver
