You're different from how I imagined you.
sei di-VER-sa da CO-me ti im-ma-gi-NA-vo — stress on 'ver-', 'co-', and 'na-'. The double 'm' in 'immaginavo' gives it a slightly heavier sound.
When meeting someone for the first time after chatting online or having been told about them. Said warmly — the difference is a pleasant surprise.
'Sei' = you are. 'Diversa' = different (feminine). 'Da come' = from how. 'Ti immaginavo' = I imagined you (imperfect tense of 'immaginare'). The imperfect here expresses an ongoing mental image you had built up before the meeting.
Sei meglio di come mi aspettavo.
You're better than I expected.
Bolder and more flattering — use only if you feel genuinely at ease
Le foto non ti rendono giustizia.
Photos don't do you justice.
A classic and always well-received compliment for online dating contexts
Mi hai sorpreso/a.
You've surprised me.
Mysterious and intriguing — invites them to ask how
Online dating has become very common in Italy — apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge are widely used in cities. However, many Italians still prefer meeting through friends or social circles. Mentioning the gap between online profile and real person is a natural and often warm conversation topic.