realme 7i Unboxing and First Impressions

Just as anticipated, the realme 7i is being added to the brand’s growing list of available devices in the Philippines just a month after the release of the 7 and the 7 Pro. With its October 23, 2020 release date getting closer every day, let’s take a quick look at realme’s latest entry in the budget-oriented market.

realme 7i

Unboxing

The realme 7i does not really separate itself from its contemporaries in terms of packaging. It is encased in the brand’s yellow-colored box with its name embossed at the front. Inside is the 7i itself, a silicone case, an 18W charger, a USB Type-C connector, a SIM pin ejector, and documentation.

A Minimalist but Eye-Catching Aesthetic

While some smartphones either have a bombastic or a restrained rear design, the realme 7i manages to tread between the two with its two-tone design. It isn’t the first smartphone to use a two-tone color on its back though the way realme has managed it looks premium than what it actually is.

The realme 7i will be available in two variants: Polar Blue and Aurora Green. The version we got was the Aurora Green which sports a primarily deep green tone with the top portion having a darker green tint, which gives off a high-end look. The illusion is somewhat shattered as the device is susceptible fingerprint marks if handled without a case.

Faster Display and a Qualcomm Chip

Though the smartphone comes with a 6.5-inch IPS 1600 x 720 display, which largely matches the screen found on the 6i, it now runs quite a bit faster at 90Hz instead of the usual 60Hz. This means that gaming and general use should be a bit smoother compared to its predecessor. We just wished that it was FullHD, it can be assumed that a higher resolution was reserved for the higher-tiered 7 or 7 Pro.

In order to take faster refresh rates, the device would need a chip that can handle the workload. The realme 7i comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The chip has been geared more for mainstream use instead of gaming compared to the Helio G80 on the 6i.

We can’t tell yet if the move to the Qualcomm platform was a smart move from realme because we are still on the testing phase on our review, so we’ll keep an eye out on significant performance difference.

The Same Large Battery and Charging

One of the most endearing feature on most realme smartphones is the inclusion of a large battery, and that does not change with the 7i. It is powered by a 5,000mAh battery which can be charged through an 18W connection from its USB Type-C cable.

While not as mind-blowing compared to a couple of years ago, a 5,000mAh battery will still be able to keep the smartphone powered throughout the day. The 18W Charging might be a bit dated compared to recent entries but it is fast enough to quickly top up the large battery if you’re in a hurry.

A Main Camera with a Higher Pixel Count

As for its cameras, the 7i comes with the complementary quad cameras at the back. Its main shooter is a 64MP f/1.8 camera and is backed by an 8MP f/2.2 ultrawide lens, a 2MP f/2.4 mono lens, and a 2MP f/2.4 macro lens.

Though we have only had a short time with the smartphone, taking snaps with its main camera was a pleasure. It is able to take detailed photos without much post-processing even with the AI mode enabled. Colors are vibrant but are not too aggressive on the eyes.

First Impressions

The realme 7i packs a faster screen, a higher pixel count on its main camera, and a more noticeable design, which makes it a direct upgrade from the 6i. Although some of the more budget-oriented features have been kept like the sub-FullHD display, it still seems like a solid enough smartphone at least on paper.

The realme 7i has been set to launch in the Philippines on October 23, 2020 via a live stream on the brand’s official Facebook page. We expect to know the official price and availability of the device on its debut. Until then, we will be putting the smartphone through its paces.