The Oppo A56 5G and Realme 8 5G represent a sweet spot for consumers entering the 5G space without breaking the bank. Both devices leverage the Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset, but subtle differences in charging speeds and battery endurance could sway your decision. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing convenience, the Realme 8 5G emerges as the slightly better choice. While both phones share the same Dimensity 700 chipset, the Realme 8 5G’s 18W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Oppo A56 5G’s slower 10W charging, all while maintaining comparable battery life.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 25 | 2021, April 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 16 | Available. Released 2021, April 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 75.6 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.5 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda / Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 / UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide) |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Violet | Supersonic Blue, Supersonic Black |
| Models | PFVM10 | RMX3241 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 118h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1413:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.8 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 302059 (v8), 361505 (v9)
GeekBench: 1784 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo A56 5G
- Potentially lower price point (depending on retailer)
- Clean and simple user interface (typical of Oppo)
- Solid battery endurance (118h)
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited camera details
- Potentially less refined software experience
Realme 8 5G
- Faster 18W charging
- Comparable battery endurance (118h)
- Potentially more features in Realme UI
- May be slightly more expensive
- Realme UI can be more cluttered than Oppo's ColorOS
- Limited camera details
Display Comparison
Both the Oppo A56 5G and Realme 8 5G share a nominal contrast ratio of 1413:1, suggesting similar visual fidelity in terms of black levels and color depth. However, detailed specifications regarding screen brightness (nits) and panel type (IPS LCD vs. AMOLED) are missing. Given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The absence of high refresh rate technology (90Hz or 120Hz) is expected in this segment, focusing instead on power efficiency. Bezels are likely comparable, prioritizing affordability over an edge-to-edge display.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are advertised with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, and image processing are absent. The omission suggests a focus on basic photography rather than advanced features. It’s reasonable to assume both feature a primary camera, potentially accompanied by depth or macro sensors (though the utility of 2MP macro sensors is questionable). Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is unlikely at this price point. Image quality will likely be adequate in good lighting conditions, but performance will degrade in low-light scenarios. The image processing style will likely differ between Oppo and Realme, potentially influencing color accuracy and dynamic range.
Performance
At the heart of both devices lies the Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm). This chipset features an octa-core configuration with 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, delivering comparable performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. The 7nm process node ensures reasonable power efficiency. RAM configurations are not specified, but both likely offer options around 6GB or 8GB. The lack of information on RAM type (LPDDR4X vs LPDDR5) makes it difficult to assess potential performance differences. Thermal management will likely be passive, relying on the phone’s chassis to dissipate heat, potentially leading to some throttling during extended, demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Both the Oppo A56 5G and Realme 8 5G boast an endurance rating of 118 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage scenarios. However, the Realme 8 5G’s 18W wired charging offers a significant advantage over the Oppo A56 5G’s 10W charging. This translates to faster top-up times, reducing downtime. While both phones likely have similar battery capacities (estimated around 5000mAh), the faster charging speed of the Realme 8 5G makes it more convenient for users who frequently need to recharge their devices. A full 0-100% charge on the Realme 8 5G will likely take around 90-120 minutes, while the Oppo A56 5G could take upwards of 2-3 hours.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A56 5G if you prioritize a minimalist experience and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a solid option for users who primarily need basic smartphone functionality and aren’t heavy users. Buy the Realme 8 5G if you value faster charging and a slightly more refined user experience. It’s ideal for those who want to quickly top up their battery and appreciate a bit more convenience in their daily usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Dimensity 700 sufficient for playing demanding games like PUBG Mobile on these phones?
The Mediatek Dimensity 700 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to maintain a stable frame rate. Expect some occasional stuttering during intense firefights. Neither phone is designed for high-end gaming.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Oppo A56 5G with its 10W charger?
Given the 10W charging speed and likely 5000mAh battery capacity, a full 0-100% charge on the Oppo A56 5G will likely take between 2.5 to 3.5 hours. This is a significant drawback compared to the Realme 8 5G’s 18W charging.
❓ Do either of these phones support expandable storage via microSD card?
Information regarding microSD card support is not provided in the specifications. However, given the budget nature of these devices, it's likely that at least one of them offers a microSD card slot for expanding storage capacity. Check the product listing for confirmation.
❓ What version of Android do these phones run?
The specific Android version is not specified. However, both phones likely run a customized version of Android – Oppo’s ColorOS and Realme UI respectively – based on Android 11 or 12. Software updates beyond that are uncertain.
