The Infinix Hot 8 and Realme 5i represent two popular choices in the ultra-budget smartphone segment. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at a price point that's accessible to a wide audience. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dives deep into the specifications and real-world implications of these differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 5i emerges as the better choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chipset, built on an 11nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Infinix Hot 8’s MediaTek Helio A22/P22, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. While the Hot 8 offers configuration options with more RAM, the core processing power of the 5i is superior.
| 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, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE (2CA) 450/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September 04. Released 2019, September | 2020, January 06. Released 2020, January |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165 x 76.3 x 8.7 mm (6.50 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) | 164.4 x 75 x 9.3 mm (6.47 x 2.95 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) - 32/2 GBMediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) - 64/4 GB | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | Dirac Surround Sound | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Quetzal Cyan, Cosmic Purple, Shark Grey, Midnight Black | Blue, Green |
| Models | X650C, X650B, X650D | RMX2030, RMX2032 |
| Price | About 7000 INR | About 170 EUR |
Infinix Hot 8
- Potentially lower price point
- Available with up to 4GB of RAM
- Large battery capacity (estimated)
- Inferior chipset performance (Helio A22/P22)
- Less efficient processor
- Likely slower app loading times
Realme 5i
- Superior chipset performance (Snapdragon 665)
- More power-efficient processor
- Better multitasking capabilities
- Base configuration may have less RAM
- Potentially slightly higher price
- Charging speed is limited to 10W
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Details regarding panel type (IPS vs. TFT) and resolution are missing, but both likely feature standard LCD panels common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity. The Realme 5i’s display is likely to benefit from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) for slightly better color reproduction, but this is speculative. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar in real-world usage, given the limitations of both sensors and image processing capabilities. Details on sensor sizes and apertures are unavailable, but both phones likely feature a primary camera paired with auxiliary sensors of limited utility (e.g., depth sensors). The Realme 5i benefits from Qualcomm’s ISP, which may offer slightly better image processing and noise reduction. However, don't expect flagship-level image quality from either device. The focus should be on adequate performance in good lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 5i’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm) is a clear upgrade over the Infinix Hot 8’s options. The 665 features an octa-core CPU configuration (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) offering superior multi-core performance compared to the Helio A22’s quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 or the Helio P22’s octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53. The 11nm manufacturing process of the Snapdragon 665 also contributes to better power efficiency and potentially less thermal throttling under sustained load. While the Hot 8 can be configured with up to 4GB of RAM, the Snapdragon 665’s architecture is more efficient at managing memory, mitigating the impact of lower RAM configurations.
Battery Life
Both devices likely feature similar battery capacities, typical for the budget segment (around 5000mAh is a reasonable expectation). However, the Realme 5i’s Snapdragon 665, being more power-efficient, will likely translate to slightly longer battery life. The Realme 5i supports 10W wired charging, while charging speed for the Infinix Hot 8 is unspecified. Given the price point, expect charging times to be relatively slow on both devices – several hours to fully charge from 0%.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 8 if you prioritize maximizing RAM within a very tight budget and primarily need a phone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media. The availability of a 4GB RAM variant is a plus for those wanting a bit more headroom. Buy the Realme 5i if you value overall performance, smoother app switching, and a more future-proof experience, even if it means sacrificing some RAM in the base configuration. The Snapdragon 665 offers a significantly better foundation for handling modern apps and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix Hot 8 struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the Infinix Hot 8 can run these apps, the Helio A22/P22 chipset may result in slower loading times and occasional lag, especially when multitasking. The Realme 5i’s Snapdragon 665 will provide a significantly smoother experience with these and other commonly used applications.
❓ Can the Realme 5i handle basic mobile gaming?
The Realme 5i’s Snapdragon 665 is capable of handling less demanding mobile games at low to medium settings. However, don't expect a high-framerate experience in graphically intensive titles. The Infinix Hot 8 will struggle with even moderately demanding games.
❓ Is the difference in RAM (2GB vs 4GB) between the Infinix Hot 8 configurations significant?
While 4GB of RAM is preferable, the Snapdragon 665 in the Realme 5i is more efficient at memory management. This means the 5i can often perform better with less RAM than the Hot 8.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge each phone?
Expect both phones to take several hours (likely 3-5) to fully charge from 0% to 100% due to their limited 10W charging capabilities. The Realme 5i's more efficient chipset may reach a usable charge level slightly faster.
