Oppo Reno5 Z vs Realme 8 Pro: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Performance and Value

The Oppo Reno5 Z and Realme 8 Pro represent a sweet spot in the smartphone market, offering a blend of features and performance without breaking the bank. Both devices target the value-conscious consumer, but they diverge in their core components – the Reno5 Z with MediaTek’s Dimensity 800U and the Realme 8 Pro sporting Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 720G. This comparison will dissect these differences to determine which phone delivers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the Realme 8 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 720G, coupled with 50W charging, provides a smoother experience for demanding tasks and quicker top-ups, despite the Reno5 Z’s slightly more modern chipset architecture.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno5 Z Realme 8 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 411, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
5G bands1, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia
Launch
Announced2021, April 042021, March 24
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 04Available. Released 2021, March 25
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions160.1 x 73.4 x 7.8 mm (6.30 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)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
Weight173 g (6.10 oz)176 g (6.21 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)
Size6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 800 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC3Adreno 618
OSAndroid 11, ColorOS 11.1Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 119˚ (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
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm16 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
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired50W wired, 50% in 17 min, 100% in 47 min
TypeLi-Po 4310 mAh4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsFluid Black, Cosmo BlueInfinite Blue, Infinite Black, Punk Black, Illuminating Yellow
ModelsCPH2211RMX3081
PriceAbout 330 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)

Oppo Reno5 Z

  • Slightly newer chipset architecture (Dimensity 800U)
  • Potentially faster memory speeds
  • Sleek design (based on market perception)

  • Slower 30W charging
  • Likely less efficient thermal management
  • Camera specs are unknown and potentially inferior

Realme 8 Pro

  • Faster 50W charging
  • More efficient Snapdragon 720G chipset
  • Likely superior camera performance (108MP sensor)

  • Older chipset architecture
  • Potentially less single-core performance
  • Software bloatware (common with Realme)

Display Comparison

Both the Oppo Reno5 Z and Realme 8 Pro feature displays with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, a marketing term indicating deep blacks. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are missing. Given the market positioning, we can assume both utilize AMOLED panels, offering vibrant colors. The lack of high refresh rate support on either device is a notable omission compared to some competitors. Bezels are likely comparable, focusing on maximizing screen real estate within their respective price brackets.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are marketed with a focus on photography and video, but the context data lacks specifics beyond that. We can infer that the Realme 8 Pro’s 108MP main sensor (based on market knowledge) likely provides more detail and flexibility in post-processing compared to the Reno5 Z’s sensor (spec unknown). The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device is a drawback, particularly in low-light conditions. The inclusion of 2MP macro cameras on both phones is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to their low resolution and fixed focus. Image processing styles will likely differ, with Oppo typically favoring more vibrant and saturated colors, while Realme leans towards a more natural look.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo Reno5 Z’s MediaTek Dimensity 800U (7nm) boasts a newer architecture with its Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.4GHz, potentially offering a slight edge in single-core performance compared to the Realme 8 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm). However, the Snapdragon 720G’s Kryo 465 Gold cores, while clocked slightly lower at 2.3GHz, benefit from Qualcomm’s optimized software and GPU drivers. The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 720G generally translates to better thermal efficiency under sustained load, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended gaming sessions. Both phones likely feature similar RAM configurations, but the Reno5 Z’s chipset may benefit from faster memory speeds, though this is unconfirmed.

Battery Life

Both the Oppo Reno5 Z and Realme 8 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 116 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under typical usage. However, the Realme 8 Pro’s significantly faster 50W charging (0-50% in 17 minutes, 100% in 47 minutes) is a major advantage. The Reno5 Z’s 30W charging is respectable, but considerably slower. This difference in charging speed translates to less downtime and a more convenient user experience, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno5 Z if you prioritize a slightly newer chipset architecture and are comfortable with a slower charging speed. It’s a good choice for users who primarily browse, stream, and engage in light gaming. Buy the Realme 8 Pro if you value faster charging, a proven chipset with good thermal management, and a longer-lasting battery experience, making it ideal for power users and mobile gamers.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 720G in the Realme 8 Pro struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 720G is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty at medium to high settings. While it won't deliver the absolute highest frame rates, its efficient thermal management prevents significant throttling, ensuring a relatively smooth gaming experience over extended periods. Lowering graphics settings will further improve performance.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Oppo Reno5 Z slow enough to be a significant inconvenience?
Compared to the Realme 8 Pro's 50W charging, the Reno5 Z's 30W charging is noticeably slower. A full charge will take considerably longer, potentially requiring overnight charging. This is a trade-off for users who don't prioritize rapid top-ups.
❓ How does the image processing differ between the Oppo Reno5 Z and Realme 8 Pro?
Oppo typically employs image processing that emphasizes vibrant colors and boosted saturation, aiming for visually appealing photos. Realme generally opts for a more natural and realistic color profile. This difference is subjective and depends on personal preference.
❓ Are the 2MP macro cameras on either phone worth using?
The 2MP macro cameras on both phones are largely a marketing gimmick. Their low resolution and fixed focus result in images lacking detail and sharpness. They are best avoided in favor of the main camera.