The Infinix Zero 8i and Realme 7 Pro represent compelling options in the competitive mid-range smartphone market. Both aim to deliver a balanced experience, but they take different approaches to achieving it. The Zero 8i leans on MediaTek’s gaming prowess, while the Realme 7 Pro champions Qualcomm’s efficiency and blazing-fast charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 7 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 720G chipset, coupled with its significantly faster 65W charging (0-100% in 34 minutes), provides a smoother, more convenient experience. While the Zero 8i offers a competitive processor, the Realme 7 Pro’s overall refinement and charging speed give it the edge.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | India | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, December 03. Released 2020, December 09 | 2020, September 03. Released 2020, September 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 168.7 x 76.1 x 9.1 mm (6.64 x 3.00 x 0.36 in) | 160.9 x 74.3 x 8.7 mm (6.33 x 2.93 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 210.5 g (7.44 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~392 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.85 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lenses | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
8 MP, f/2.2, 105˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 65W wired, 50% in 12 min, 100% in 34 min |
| Type | 4500 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver Diamond, Black Diamond | Mirror Blue, Mirror Silver |
| Models | X687B | RMX2170 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | 0.40 W/kg (head) 0.95 W/kg (body) | 0.73 W/kg (head) 0.52 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 8GB RAM | - | Rp 3,498,000 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 113h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.8 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 278414(v8)
GeekBench: 1811 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Infinix Zero 8i
- Potentially higher gaming performance due to the Helio G90T’s focus.
- Competitive price point (likely lower than the Realme 7 Pro).
- Decent endurance rating of 113 hours.
- Less efficient 12nm process node leads to potential throttling.
- Significantly slower 33W charging.
- Limited display brightness information suggests poorer outdoor visibility.
Realme 7 Pro
- Faster and more efficient Snapdragon 720G chipset.
- Blazing-fast 65W charging (0-100% in 34 minutes).
- Higher peak display brightness for better outdoor visibility.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Infinix Zero 8i.
- Gaming performance may be marginally lower than the Zero 8i in specific titles.
- Camera details are limited, making a full assessment difficult.
Display Comparison
The Realme 7 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 585 nits, suggesting a more visible display in direct sunlight compared to the Infinix Zero 8i, for which brightness data is unavailable. While both feature an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for modern LCD/OLED panels), the Realme 7 Pro’s higher peak brightness is a tangible advantage for outdoor usability. The absence of refresh rate information for the Zero 8i suggests it likely operates at a standard 60Hz, while the Realme 7 Pro’s display is likely optimized for smooth scrolling and responsiveness.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Realme brand generally emphasizes camera quality, and the Snapdragon 720G’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is known for its strong image processing capabilities. The absence of details on the Zero 8i’s camera system suggests it may not be a primary selling point. We can assume both phones will offer standard features like HDR and portrait modes, but the Realme 7 Pro is likely to deliver superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions.
Performance
The Realme 7 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) holds a clear architectural advantage over the Infinix Zero 8i’s MediaTek Helio G90T (12nm). The 8nm process node translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling under sustained loads. While the Zero 8i’s CPU features Cortex-A76 cores clocked slightly higher (2.05 GHz vs 2.3 GHz on the Realme), the Snapdragon 720G’s Kryo 465 Gold cores are built on a more modern architecture, offering better IPC (Instructions Per Clock). This means the Realme 7 Pro will likely deliver smoother multitasking and more consistent performance in demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 113 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging capabilities are drastically different. The Realme 7 Pro’s 65W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving 50% charge in just 12 minutes and a full charge in 34 minutes. The Infinix Zero 8i’s 33W charging is respectable, but significantly slower. This difference in charging speed dramatically impacts the user experience, allowing the Realme 7 Pro to quickly recover from heavy usage, while the Zero 8i requires a more substantial charging period.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Zero 8i if you prioritize raw gaming performance on a tighter budget and don't mind slightly slower charging. Its Helio G90T is tuned for gaming, potentially offering a slight advantage in demanding titles. Buy the Realme 7 Pro if you value a more balanced experience with a focus on efficiency, faster charging, and a generally more polished software experience. It’s ideal for users who want a reliable daily driver with quick top-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G90T in the Infinix Zero 8i overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G90T is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 720G due to its 12nm process. While it offers good performance, expect some thermal throttling during extended gaming, potentially leading to frame rate drops. The Realme 7 Pro’s 8nm Snapdragon 720G will maintain more consistent performance over longer periods.
❓ How much faster is the 65W charging on the Realme 7 Pro compared to the 33W charging on the Infinix Zero 8i in real-world use?
The Realme 7 Pro’s 65W charging is dramatically faster. It can reach 100% charge in 34 minutes, while the Infinix Zero 8i will take considerably longer. This means you can quickly top up the Realme 7 Pro during short breaks, whereas the Zero 8i requires a more substantial charging period, making it less convenient for users who frequently need a quick boost.
❓ Is the difference in CPU architecture between the Snapdragon 720G and Helio G90T noticeable in everyday tasks?
Yes, the Snapdragon 720G’s Kryo 465 cores, built on a more modern architecture, offer better IPC (Instructions Per Clock) than the Helio G90T’s Cortex-A76 cores. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app launches, and a more responsive overall user experience, even in non-gaming scenarios.
