Realme 6i Unboxing and First Impressions
Looking to disrupt the local smartphone scene once more, realme revealed that the realme 6i will go official in the Philippines on May 13.
Based on its specs, the realme 6i is a massive leap coming from the realme 5i and back in January as it is a device with class-leading specs for its expected price sub-PHP 10K price tag.
It comes with an upgraded chip, larger max storage, faster-charging tech, and enhanced back and front cameras.
In particular, it is the very first in the world equipped with a 12nm Helio G80 octa-core processor budget gaming chip. This 6i also goes with up to 4GB RAM, up to 128GB storage, 18W USB-C fast charging, 48MP f/1.8 primary camera with PDAF focus, and a 16MP selfie snapper.
Let's check if it is really that good.
The realme 6i comes with their usual yellow-orange box that is loaded with inclusions inside.
The phone comes with a TPU translucent flexible case, paper documents, and a SIM ejector tool. Then, you will see the phone itself with a pre-installed screen protector. It also has a 9V/2A 18W USB wall charger and a USB-A to USB-C data/charging cable.
To recall, the realme 5i doesn't have a case in the package. But like all realme devices, you won't see a freebie earphones with mic.
Realme is selling the realme Buds 2 and Buds Air separately.
The realme 6i sports a sturdy-looking polycarbonate shell at the back and the middle frame. Realme also noted that it comes with some sort of water splash resistance.
In front, the display is glass and it is protected by Corning's Gorilla Glass 3 protection against scratches and light accidental drops. As mentioned, it also comes with a pre-installed screen protector.
My only issue is the plastic screen protector is a bit sharp on the edges. I may end up removing the screen protector as I'm uncomfortable with it.
The design of the device is one of the traits that make it stand out for the price. It uses a luggage-looking back design created by Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa using a specialized spray painting process.
It is a unique matte-like paint finish with some sort of texture to make it more comfortable to hold and avoid fingerprint smudges.
You can get it in either White Milk or Green Tea colorway.
Behind, it also has a vertically aligned quad-camera hump, LED flash, and a fingerprint sensor in the middle.
In front, it uses a large 20:9 6.5-inch 2.5D curved display. To lessen the bezels, it comes with a notch to house its upgraded 16MP selfie camera. Realme boasts that it has 89.8 percent of screen-to-body ratio for a more immersive viewing experience.
On top of the notch, there is a hidden speaker grill. The earspeaker doesn't act as a secondary speaker as well. Sadly, there's no LED notification.
Below, the chin is a bit thicker than what I like. But, that's expected from budget smartphones.
There's nothing on top. Below, you'll find a single speaker along with a USB-C port, two microphone holes, and a 3.5mm headphone slot. This is the first realme budget phone with a USB-C port.
At left, it has a hole where you can access the triple slot for the dual nano SIM and micro SD card. You will find the volume up and down keys there as well. At right, you'll see the power key.
The device measures at 164.4 x 75.6 x 9.0 mm. It is a pretty large device, but realme manage to make it 3 mm slimmer than the realme 5i even if they have the same 5,000mAh battery capacity.
It is just a bit hefty at 195 grams. That's normal for phones that are this big. To use it with one hand, enter the one-handed operation mode. Using it with both of your hands is still the best way to enjoy the device.
Overall, this is a well-crafted device for its budget price.
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| Green Tea realme 6i |
Based on its specs, the realme 6i is a massive leap coming from the realme 5i and back in January as it is a device with class-leading specs for its expected price sub-PHP 10K price tag.
It comes with an upgraded chip, larger max storage, faster-charging tech, and enhanced back and front cameras.
In particular, it is the very first in the world equipped with a 12nm Helio G80 octa-core processor budget gaming chip. This 6i also goes with up to 4GB RAM, up to 128GB storage, 18W USB-C fast charging, 48MP f/1.8 primary camera with PDAF focus, and a 16MP selfie snapper.
Let's check if it is really that good.
Unboxing/Accessories
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| The box |
The realme 6i comes with their usual yellow-orange box that is loaded with inclusions inside.
 |
| Everything inside the box |
The phone comes with a TPU translucent flexible case, paper documents, and a SIM ejector tool. Then, you will see the phone itself with a pre-installed screen protector. It also has a 9V/2A 18W USB wall charger and a USB-A to USB-C data/charging cable.
To recall, the realme 5i doesn't have a case in the package. But like all realme devices, you won't see a freebie earphones with mic.
Realme is selling the realme Buds 2 and Buds Air separately.
Build Quality/Design
 |
| Polycarbonate back |
The realme 6i sports a sturdy-looking polycarbonate shell at the back and the middle frame. Realme also noted that it comes with some sort of water splash resistance.
In front, the display is glass and it is protected by Corning's Gorilla Glass 3 protection against scratches and light accidental drops. As mentioned, it also comes with a pre-installed screen protector.
My only issue is the plastic screen protector is a bit sharp on the edges. I may end up removing the screen protector as I'm uncomfortable with it.
 |
| Unique patterns |
The design of the device is one of the traits that make it stand out for the price. It uses a luggage-looking back design created by Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa using a specialized spray painting process.
It is a phone with a unique pattern at the back!
It is a unique matte-like paint finish with some sort of texture to make it more comfortable to hold and avoid fingerprint smudges.
You can get it in either White Milk or Green Tea colorway.
Behind, it also has a vertically aligned quad-camera hump, LED flash, and a fingerprint sensor in the middle.
 |
| Large 6.5-inch display |
In front, it uses a large 20:9 6.5-inch 2.5D curved display. To lessen the bezels, it comes with a notch to house its upgraded 16MP selfie camera. Realme boasts that it has 89.8 percent of screen-to-body ratio for a more immersive viewing experience.
 |
| Notch for the selfie cam |
On top of the notch, there is a hidden speaker grill. The earspeaker doesn't act as a secondary speaker as well. Sadly, there's no LED notification.
Below, the chin is a bit thicker than what I like. But, that's expected from budget smartphones.
 |
| Top, bottom |
There's nothing on top. Below, you'll find a single speaker along with a USB-C port, two microphone holes, and a 3.5mm headphone slot. This is the first realme budget phone with a USB-C port.
 |
| Left, right |
At left, it has a hole where you can access the triple slot for the dual nano SIM and micro SD card. You will find the volume up and down keys there as well. At right, you'll see the power key.
The device measures at 164.4 x 75.6 x 9.0 mm. It is a pretty large device, but realme manage to make it 3 mm slimmer than the realme 5i even if they have the same 5,000mAh battery capacity.
It is just a bit hefty at 195 grams. That's normal for phones that are this big. To use it with one hand, enter the one-handed operation mode. Using it with both of your hands is still the best way to enjoy the device.
Overall, this is a well-crafted device for its budget price.
Realme 6i Specs
Display: 6.5-inch 2.5D curved Gorilla Glass 3 protected IPS (LTPS) screen w/ HD+ 1600 x 720 resolution at 269 ppi
CPU: 2.0GHz 12nm Helio G80 octa-core processor
GPU: Mali-G52 2EEMC2
RAM: 3GB/4GB LPDDR4X
ROM: 64GB/128GB eMMC 5.1 expandable via microSD card slot up to 256GB (dedicated)
Back Camera: 48MP f/1.8 w/ PDAF + 8MP f/2.2 119-degree ultra-wide-angle + 2MP f/2.4 4cm macro + 2MP f/2.4 mono + LED flash
Selfie Camera: 16MP f/2.0
Battery: 5,000mAh w/ 18W fast charging
OS: Android 10.0 w/ realme UI 1.0
Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, 700MHz 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, OTG, FM Radio, GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, dual SIM
Sensors: Accelerometer, light, orientation, proximity, gyroscope, sound, magnetic
Others: Fingerprint sensor, face unlock, splash resistance, Dirac HD Sound, USB-C, Colors: White Milk, Green Tea
Dimensions: 164.4 x 75 x 9.0 mm
Weight: 195 g
Price: PHP 7,990 (3GB/64GB), PHP 9,990 (4GB/128GB)
CPU: 2.0GHz 12nm Helio G80 octa-core processor
GPU: Mali-G52 2EEMC2
RAM: 3GB/4GB LPDDR4X
ROM: 64GB/128GB eMMC 5.1 expandable via microSD card slot up to 256GB (dedicated)
Back Camera: 48MP f/1.8 w/ PDAF + 8MP f/2.2 119-degree ultra-wide-angle + 2MP f/2.4 4cm macro + 2MP f/2.4 mono + LED flash
Selfie Camera: 16MP f/2.0
Battery: 5,000mAh w/ 18W fast charging
OS: Android 10.0 w/ realme UI 1.0
Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, 700MHz 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, OTG, FM Radio, GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, dual SIM
Sensors: Accelerometer, light, orientation, proximity, gyroscope, sound, magnetic
Others: Fingerprint sensor, face unlock, splash resistance, Dirac HD Sound, USB-C, Colors: White Milk, Green Tea
Dimensions: 164.4 x 75 x 9.0 mm
Weight: 195 g
Price: PHP 7,990 (3GB/64GB), PHP 9,990 (4GB/128GB)
As of the moment
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| Good speed! |
Realme hasn't shared the exact SRP and storage options of the device yet, but they said that it will go with an under PHP 10K price tag.
The unit that we currently have is the 4GB RAM and 128GB storage. If this is the variant that will be priced that low, the realme 6i could be the all-around budget smartphone to get.
So far, it is a device that is great for gaming, taking photos, and more. There are very few phones with a USB-C 18W fast charging support and 48MP quad-cam at this price point as well.
For our full review: Realme 6i Review - Disruptive budget phone!
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