We compare two midrange handsets — the Realme XT and the OPPO A9 2020. Both phones are popular for the respective brands. And both have a lot more in common than we realized — offering high megapixel cameras, Snapdragon processors, 8GB RAM, and 128GB storage.
So, which one should you get? Let’s find out.
Our first contender is the Realme XT. The phone launched in the Philippines last October with a price of PHP 16,990. It’s most impressive spec is undoubtedly the 64MP quad cameras. But that’s not all it offers. The XT also comes with an array of modern features such as an AMOLED display, Corning Gorilla Glass 5, an in-display fingerprint scanner, and a Snapdragon 712 AIE processor. For more details, you can check out our Realme XT review.
Realme XT Specs:
- 6.4-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED Display (2340 x 1080, 402 ppi), Corning Gorilla Glass 5, 91.9% Aspect Ratio
- Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 AIE Processor
- Adreno 616 GPU
- 8GB RAM
- 128GB Storage, UFS 2.1, microSD up to 256GB
- 64MP f/1.8 (Main) + 8MP f/2.2 (Ultra-wide) + 2MP (Depth Sensor) + 2MP (Macro) Rear Cameras, PDAF, LED flash, 4K@30fps, 960fps Slow-mo
- 16MP Front Camera
- 4G LTE, Dual SIM
- Wi-Fi 802.11ac
- Bluetooth 5.0
- GPS, Galileo, BDS
- USB Type-C
- In-display Fingerprint Scanner
- Face Unlock
- 3.5mm Headphone Jack
- Dolby Atmos
- Hyperboost 2.0
- Android 9 Pie, ColorOS
- 4,000mAh Battery, 20W VOOC 3.0 Fast Charging
Our next contender is the OPPO A9 2020. It launched in the Philippines last September with a price PHP 15,990. Thanks to a price drop last November, it now retails for PHP 13,990. At a cheaper price, the A9 2020 comes with an impressive 48MP quad camera system, along with its own set of impressive specs such as Game Boost 2.0, Snapdragon 665 processor, stereo speakers, and a 5,000mAh battery. You can check out our OPPO A9 2020 hands-on review.
OPPO A9 2020 specs:
- 6.5-inch HD IPS Display (1600 x 720, 270 ppi), 20:9 Aspect Ratio
- 2.0GHz Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 Processor, 11nm
- Adreno 610 GPU, Game Boost 2.0
- 4/8GB RAM, LDDR4x Dual Channel
- 128GB Storage, UFS 2.1, microSD up to 256GB
- 48MP f/1.8 + 8MP f/2.25 + 2MP f/2.4 + 2MP f/2.4 Quad Rear Cameras, Supports 4K/30fps, EIS
- 16MP f/2.0 Front Camera
- 4G LTE
- Wi-Fi 802.11ac
- Bluetooth 5
- GPS, AGPS, Beidou, GLONASS, GALILEO
- Fingerprint Scanner (Rear)
- Face Unlock
- Stereo Speakers
- Dolby Atmos
- USB Type-C Port
- Color OS, Android 9 Pie
- 5,000mAh Battery, Reverse Charge via OTG Cable
Display
Let’s start with the spec that we look at the most, the display. The Realme XT has a 6.4-inch full HD Super AMOLED display with a 2340 by 1080 resolution and a pixel density 402 ppi. The OPPO A9 2020, on the other hand, sports a 6.5-inch HD IPS display with a 1600 by 720 resolution and a pixel density of 270 ppi.
Based on the specs and numbers, this part is hands down a Realme XT win (because the full HD AMOLED trumps HD IPS). But it’s not as lopsided as you think. On its own, the OPPO A9 2020 has a terrific display. Not only is it bigger, it is also bright and colorful. The only time you’ll notice the difference is when you place it side by side with a 1080p AMOLED screen (which we did right here).
Performance
The Realme XT comes with an 2.2GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 AIE processor with 8GB RAM and 128GB UFS 2.1 storage. On the other side, the OPPO A9 2020 has a 2.0GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor, 8GB RAM, and 128GB UFS 2.1 storage. The two phones run on ColorOS 6.01 on top of Android Pie.
Again, the Realme XT comes out on top with a newer processor and a higher clockspeed. It’s not to say that the OPPO A9 2020 is bad, its just that the former beats the latter on this category.
Real world usage reveals that both handsets are fast and responsive with smooth animations during basic navigation. You can’t even tell that one has a faster and newer processor. It helps that the OPPO A9 2020 has an HD display, meaning the handset doesn’t need to work as hard to push more pixels on a higher resolution.
Benchmark scores tell another story. As expected, the Realme XT comes out on top with better results. But surprisingly, save for 3DMark, the results aren’t that far apart.
Here are the results of the benchmark tests.
Realme XT benchmark scores
- AnTuTu – 219,972
- Geekbench – 321 (Single-core); 1,493 (Multi-core)
- 3DMark – 2,095 (Sling Shot Extreme); 1,987 (Sling Shot Extreme – Vulcan)
OPPO A9 2020 benchmark scores
- AnTuTu – 174,312
- Geekbench – 314 (Single-core); 1,345 (Multi-core)
- 3DMark – 1,091 (Sling Shot Extreme); 1,057 (Sling Shot Extreme – Vulcan)
Cameras
The Realme XT comes with four rear camera — 64MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP portrait, and 2MP macro cameras. For selfies it has a 16MP front camera.
While the OPPO A9 2020 has a 48MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP portrait, and 2MP mono cameras. It also has electronic image stabilization or EIS for videos on board, and a 16MP front camera for selfies.
In good lighting conditions, both smartphones have good exposure and impressive details. Images are colorful and bright. Images from the Realme XT appear cooler, while the OPPO A9 2020 has a warmer tone.
The Realme XT, though, has a slight edge in overall image quality. Its 64MP camera has cleaner and brighter images with creamier background blur.
Here are some sample shots for comparison (Realme XT on the left, OPPO A9 2020 on the right)
Both smartphones have excellent low light capabilities. Although the Nightscape mode of the Realme XT has the upper hand, the OPPO A9 2020 comes out with more accurate colors.
Selfies from the Realme XT have warmer, more natural skin tones. Detail quality looks the same. The OPPO A9 2020’s front camera has a cooler tone.
Battery
With the devices having huge batteries, both smartphones can last a day with moderate to heavy usage and then a bit more for the next day.
The OPPO A9 2020, though, lasted a bit longer thanks to its bigger 5,000mAh battery, HD display, and efficient processor. It takes more than 3 hours to fully charge the device.
The Realme XT, on the other hand, has a 20W VOOC 3.0 Fast Charging support which can charge its 4,000mAh in around 90 minutes for it to reach a full charge.
Final Thoughts
After comparing the two midrange phones, it may seem the Realme XT came out on top. But like all things, it’s not as simple as that. Both handsets offer something that the other doesn’t. And of course, for most of us, the 3k price difference between the two is also a huge factor.
For PHP 16,990, the Realme XT has an impressive 64MP camera, a full HD AMOLED display with an in-display fingerprint scanner, a Snapdragon 712 AIE processor, and a slightly better selfie camera.
The OPPO A9 2020 is cheaper at PHP 13,990. It has a capable 48MP camera, a 5000mAh battery, and a bigger (albeit HD) display.
Choosing between the two will depend on what you prioritize in your phones and how much you’re willing to pay. But if have the extra cash, it might be better to go with the more expensive device.
