The Coolpad Cool 20 and Realme 8 Pro represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they take different approaches to achieving it. The Cool 20 focuses on affordability with a MediaTek Helio G80, while the Realme 8 Pro leverages the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G for a more refined experience, alongside faster charging capabilities. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and faster charging, the Realme 8 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 720G chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a noticeable advantage in efficiency and sustained performance over the Coolpad Cool 20’s Helio G80. However, the Cool 20 remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 26. Released 2021, June 01 | 2021, March 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 75.7 x 8.7 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 160.6 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.32 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199.6 g (7.05 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP3 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 11, CoolOS 2 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 50W wired, 50% in 17 min, 100% in 47 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Infinite Blue, Infinite Black, Punk Black, Illuminating Yellow |
| Models | - | RMX3081 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.10 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 116h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.2 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 286666 (v8)
GeekBench: 1678 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Coolpad Cool 20
- Highly affordable price point
- Decent battery life (116h endurance)
- Suitable for basic smartphone tasks
- Less powerful chipset (Helio G80)
- Limited camera information
- Slower charging (likely)
Realme 8 Pro
- More powerful and efficient chipset (Snapdragon 720G)
- 50W fast charging (100% in 47 minutes)
- Likely superior camera performance
- Potentially higher price than Coolpad Cool 20
- Battery life is similar to Cool 20 despite faster charging
- Display specs are limited
Display Comparison
Both devices share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting typical IPS LCD characteristics. However, detailed display specs like resolution, peak brightness, and color gamut coverage are missing for the Coolpad Cool 20. The Realme 8 Pro, while lacking detailed specs here, benefits from Realme’s generally well-regarded display calibration. Without further data on the Cool 20, it’s difficult to assess its display quality beyond basic functionality. The Realme 8 Pro likely offers a more vibrant and accurate viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are advertised with photo/video capabilities, but specifics are limited. The Realme 8 Pro is known for its 108MP main sensor (not mentioned in the provided data, but a key feature), which allows for detailed images and flexible cropping. The Coolpad Cool 20’s camera specs are absent, making a direct comparison impossible. It’s reasonable to assume the Realme 8 Pro offers superior image quality and features, particularly in low-light conditions, due to its larger sensor and potentially more advanced image processing algorithms. The absence of details on the Cool 20’s camera system suggests it’s a less emphasized feature.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 8 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) boasts a more efficient architecture than the Coolpad Cool 20’s MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm). The Snapdragon 720G’s Kryo 465 Gold cores, clocked at 2.3 GHz, offer a performance edge over the Helio G80’s Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better sustained performance during gaming. The 8nm process of the Snapdragon 720G also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling under load. While both CPUs feature a 6x1.8 GHz cluster for efficiency, the architectural advantages of the Snapdragon 720G are significant.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 116 hours, indicating similar overall battery life under typical usage. However, the Realme 8 Pro’s 50W wired charging is a significant advantage. It can reach 50% charge in just 17 minutes and 100% in 47 minutes. The Coolpad Cool 20’s charging speed is not specified, but is likely considerably slower. This faster charging capability of the Realme 8 Pro provides a more convenient user experience, minimizing downtime and ensuring you can quickly top up your battery when needed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Coolpad Cool 20 if you need a highly affordable smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and aren't concerned with demanding gaming or extensive multitasking. Buy the Realme 8 Pro if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience, particularly for gaming and photography, and value the convenience of 50W fast charging. The Realme 8 Pro is the better choice for users who anticipate heavier usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the MediaTek Helio G80 in the Coolpad Cool 20 struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G80 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 720G in the Realme 8 Pro offers a more consistent and enjoyable gaming experience at higher settings due to its superior GPU and thermal efficiency.
❓ How does the 50W charging on the Realme 8 Pro compare to standard charging speeds?
50W charging is significantly faster than standard charging. The Realme 8 Pro can reach a 100% charge in approximately 47 minutes, whereas a typical 15W or 18W charger would take well over two hours. This is a major convenience factor for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Is the camera on the Realme 8 Pro good for taking photos in low-light conditions?
Yes, the Realme 8 Pro's 108MP main sensor (not in provided data, but a key feature) and image processing algorithms perform well in low-light scenarios, capturing more detail and reducing noise compared to most phones in this price range. The Coolpad Cool 20's low-light performance is unknown due to lack of camera specs.
❓ What type of user would benefit most from the Coolpad Cool 20?
The Coolpad Cool 20 is ideal for users who primarily need a phone for basic communication – calls, texts, and light social media. It's a good choice for those on a very tight budget who don't require demanding performance or advanced features.
