The Realme 9 offered four photo modules, of which only two were usable: the wide-angle module (64 megapixels) and the ultra wide-angle (8 megapixels). The Realme 9 keeps the second, but goes to 108 megapixels for its main module, still with wide-angle optics (f / 1.8). A 2 megapixel sensor (with macro optics) completes this duo, when the Realme 8 added a second 2 Mpx sensor, dedicated to measuring depth.
Main module: 108 megapixels, f/1.8, eq. 26mm
Samsung’s HM6 sensor at work in the main module of this Realme 9 benefits as often from the pixel binding which allows to obtain shots of 12 megapixels, lighter in the memory of the device. It makes it possible to capture shots of decent quality, although suffering from a small lack of sharpness at the periphery of the image. By day, anyway, there is a level of detail quite similar to what an Oppo A74 offers, with however a slightly more saturated colorimetry, more flattering for the eye. Smoothing, a frequent pitfall at this price level, is not too present.
The Realme 9 convinces much less in low light conditions. A strong increase in ISO results in a very present digital noise, which erases many details of our scene. This effect is accentuated at the periphery of the image, where the information is no longer readable.
108 megapixel mode
The 108 megapixel mode allows you to zoom in more in the image, but only in daylight; at night, the small photosites of the sensor, without the processing provided by Realme, do not make it possible to obtain really more interesting shots. We note all the same that the noise is a little more discreet in certain areas of the image.
Ultra wide-angle module: 8 megapixels, f/2.2
If the main module of the Realme 9 seduces, at least during the day, the ultra wide-angle is much more difficult. Out of focus areas are visible throughout the image, especially when the background is bright; the noise is too present and the whole thing lacks sharpness. Some smartphones choose to accentuate the micro-contrasts, which offers a rendering that is certainly lacking in naturalness, but more usable.
The image below speaks for itself: completely unreadable, it confirms that it is worth that the subject is in full light to make the most of this ultra wide-angle.
Front module, portrait and video mode
Like its predecessor, the Realme 9 offers a 16-megapixel front photo sensor. As so often, the trend is for smoothing, even without activating the (many) beauty filters offered by the brand. If you add to that a portrait mode with poorly mastered clipping — but with the effect of bokeh customizable — you honestly don’t get the best selfies out there. Finally, we note that on the back as on the front, the Realme 9 only allows filming in Full HD at 30 fps.