Lenovo K13 Pro vs Realme 8 Pro: Which Budget Snapdragon Phone Wins?

The Lenovo K13 Pro and Realme 8 Pro represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both leverage Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform, they target slightly different priorities. The K13 Pro focuses on a more conservative, efficient approach, while the Realme 8 Pro aims for a performance boost with a more powerful chipset and significantly faster charging. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing fast charging and a slight performance edge, the Realme 8 Pro is the better choice. Its 50W charging capability, completing a full charge in just 47 minutes, is a significant advantage over the K13 Pro’s 15W charging. However, the K13 Pro remains a viable option for those seeking a more power-efficient experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Lenovo K13 Pro Realme 8 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia
Launch
Announced2021, September2021, March 24
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 29Available. Released 2021, March 25
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions-160.6 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.32 x 2.91 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight200 g (7.05 oz)176 g (6.21 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)
Size6.51 inches, 102.3 cm26.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzSuper AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 618
OSAndroid 11Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens108 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
Video1080p@30/60fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCUnspecifiedYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioFM radio, RDS, recordingNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximityFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging15W wired50W wired, 50% in 17 min, 100% in 47 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAh4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackInfinite Blue, Infinite Black, Punk Black, Illuminating Yellow
ModelsXT2129-3RMX3081
PriceAbout 150 EURAbout 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)

Lenovo K13 Pro

  • Potentially better power efficiency due to the Snapdragon 662.
  • Likely more affordable price point.
  • Solid performance for basic tasks.

  • Significantly slower charging speed (15W).
  • Less powerful chipset compared to the Realme 8 Pro.
  • Likely inferior camera performance.

Realme 8 Pro

  • Faster Snapdragon 720G processor for improved performance.
  • Ultra-fast 50W charging (full charge in 47 minutes).
  • Likely superior camera quality.

  • Potentially lower battery efficiency compared to the K13 Pro.
  • May be slightly more expensive.
  • Snapdragon 720G can generate more heat under sustained load.

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. Given the price points, we can assume both utilize 1080p+ displays. The Realme 8 Pro’s display likely benefits from Realme’s image processing algorithms for a more vibrant experience, but without concrete data, this remains speculative. Bezels are likely comparable, typical of this price bracket.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but specific sensor details are lacking. The Realme 8 Pro is known for its 64MP main sensor (not in provided data, but a known spec), which likely delivers superior image quality compared to the K13 Pro’s likely lower-resolution sensor. The 8 Pro’s image processing algorithms, a Realme strength, further enhance photo and video output. The absence of details on optical image stabilization (OIS) suggests neither phone features it, relying instead on software stabilization. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors on either device are likely of limited practical use.

Performance

The Realme 8 Pro’s Snapdragon 720G, fabricated on an 8nm process, represents a clear advantage over the Lenovo K13 Pro’s Snapdragon 662 (11nm). The 720G’s Kryo 465 Gold cores, clocked at 2.3 GHz, offer a noticeable performance uplift compared to the K13 Pro’s 2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold cores. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved gaming performance. While both are octa-core CPUs, the architectural improvements and smaller node size of the 720G provide a tangible benefit. The K13 Pro will handle everyday tasks adequately, but the 8 Pro is better equipped for demanding applications.

Battery Life

Both devices boast an endurance rating of 116 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the K13 Pro’s unspecified battery capacity. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Realme 8 Pro’s 50W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving 50% charge in 17 minutes and a full charge in 47 minutes. The Lenovo K13 Pro’s 15W charging is significantly slower, requiring considerably longer to reach full capacity. This difference in charging speed is a major differentiator, particularly for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Lenovo K13 Pro if you prioritize long-term efficiency and are less concerned with rapid charging. This phone is ideal for users who primarily use their device for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the Realme 8 Pro if you value faster performance for gaming and multimedia, and absolutely need quick top-ups thanks to its 50W charging. This is the better choice for users who actively use their phone throughout the day and don't want to be tethered to a charger.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 720G in the Realme 8 Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 720G is more powerful than the 662, it can generate more heat under sustained load. Realme typically employs thermal management solutions, but extended gaming at maximum settings may lead to some throttling to prevent overheating. The K13 Pro's 662 will likely run cooler, but at the cost of performance.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Lenovo K13 Pro realistically usable for someone who uses their phone heavily throughout the day?
15W charging is relatively slow by today's standards. For heavy users, it may require overnight charging or frequent top-ups throughout the day. The Realme 8 Pro’s 50W charging is far more convenient for those who need a quick power boost.
❓ Does the Realme 8 Pro support VoLTE and VoWiFi on all major carriers?
Carrier compatibility can vary. It's crucial to check with your specific carrier to confirm VoLTE and VoWiFi support for the Realme 8 Pro before purchasing, as compatibility isn't guaranteed across all networks.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Lenovo's UI and Realme UI?
Lenovo typically uses a near-stock Android experience with minimal bloatware, while Realme UI offers more customization options and pre-installed apps. Realme UI is generally considered more feature-rich, but some users may prefer Lenovo's cleaner approach.