The Realme 8i and LG W41 represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, they diverge significantly in their internal hardware. This comparison dissects the key differences, focusing on performance, display quality, and battery life to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 8i emerges as the superior choice. Its Helio G96 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the LG W41’s Helio G35, making it better suited for gaming and demanding applications. While both phones share an identical endurance rating, the Realme 8i’s faster charging and brighter display further solidify its advantage.
| 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, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 22. Released 2021, March 03 | 2021, September 09 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, September 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 166.5 x 77.3 x 9.3 mm (6.56 x 3.04 x 0.37 in) | 164.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 201 g (7.09 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 900 x 1600 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~280 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 118.3 cm2 (~91.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Magic Blue, Laser Blue | Space Black, Space Purple |
| Models | LMK610IM, LM-K610IM | RMX3151 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 440 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 131h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.4 LUFS (Average)
|
LG W41
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Decent battery endurance
- Significantly weaker processor
- Likely inferior display quality
- Slower charging speeds (assumed)
Realme 8i
- Faster and more efficient processor
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially higher price
- May include bloatware (typical for Realme)
- IPS LCD panel (not AMOLED)
Display Comparison
The Realme 8i boasts a noticeably brighter display, reaching a measured 540 nits compared to the LG W41’s unspecified brightness. This translates to better visibility outdoors. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Realme 8i’s 1244:1 contrast ratio suggests deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The LG W41’s display specifications are limited, making a direct comparison of color accuracy difficult, but it’s reasonable to assume the Realme 8i offers a more visually appealing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is challenging. However, given the Realme 8i’s positioning as a more feature-rich device, it’s likely to offer more sophisticated image processing and potentially a higher-resolution main sensor. The LG W41 likely relies on simpler algorithms, prioritizing speed over image quality. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is unlikely to significantly impact the overall camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 8i’s MediaTek Helio G96, with its 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, represents a significant architectural upgrade over the LG W41’s Helio G35. The G96’s Cortex-A76 cores provide a substantial boost in single-core performance, crucial for app responsiveness, while the more efficient Cortex-A55 cores improve multi-core performance and power efficiency. The G35’s older Cortex-A53 cores will struggle with demanding tasks. This difference will be most apparent in gaming and multitasking.
Battery Life
Both the Realme 8i and LG W41 achieve an endurance rating of 131 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life under comparable usage scenarios. However, the Realme 8i includes 18W wired charging, allowing for faster replenishment of the battery. The LG W41’s charging speed is unspecified, but likely slower, meaning longer downtime between charges. While the mAh capacity isn’t provided for either device, the Realme 8i’s more efficient chipset could contribute to comparable endurance despite potentially having a smaller battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG W41 if you prioritize a simple, no-frills experience and are on an extremely tight budget, accepting significant performance limitations. Buy the Realme 8i if you want a more responsive device capable of handling modern mobile games and applications, and appreciate a brighter, more vibrant display, even if it means spending slightly more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme 8i handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Realme 8i’s Helio G96 chipset is specifically designed for gaming. While it won’t deliver flagship-level performance, it should be capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with acceptable frame rates. The LG W41’s Helio G35 will likely struggle with these titles.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Realme 8i a significant advantage?
Yes, 18W charging is considerably faster than the likely slower charging speeds of the LG W41. This means you can top up the Realme 8i’s battery more quickly, reducing downtime and ensuring you’re ready to go when you need it.
❓ Does either phone support NFC for contactless payments?
Neither the provided specifications nor typical market positioning for these devices suggest NFC support. Both are firmly in the budget segment where NFC is often omitted to reduce costs.
❓ How does the processor difference impact everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
The Realme 8i’s Helio G96 will provide a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience for everyday tasks. Apps will launch faster, scrolling will be more fluid, and multitasking will be less prone to lag compared to the LG W41’s Helio G35.
