The Realme 15T and Google Pixel 8a represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The 15T focuses on delivering rapid charging and a solid processor at an aggressive price point, while the Pixel 8a leverages Google’s Tensor G3 chip and renowned computational photography. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing camera quality and software experience, the Google Pixel 8a is the superior choice. Its Tensor G3 chip and exceptional image processing capabilities justify the price premium. However, the Realme 15T offers a compelling alternative for those prioritizing fast charging and raw processing power on a tighter budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 66 - G6GPR (International) |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G6GPR (International) |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 02 | 2024, May 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, September 05 | Available. Released 2024, May 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 158.4 x 75.2 x 7.8 mm (6.24 x 2.96 x 0.31 in) | 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.86 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 181 g (6.38 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Mohs level 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2372 pixels (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~430 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.57 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~86.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, 1000 nits (typ), 1400 nits (HBM), 4000 nits (peak) | OLED, HDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6400 Max (6 nm) | Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Immortalis-G715s MC10 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Realme UI 6.0 | Android 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.88", PDAF
2 MP, f/2.4 | 64 MP (16 MP eff.), f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra HDR, panorama, Best Take |
| Video | 1080p@30/60, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual/tri-band (market/region dependent) |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 60W wired
10W reverse wired
Bypass charging | 18W wired, PD3.0
7.5W wireless
Bypass charging |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 7000 mAh | Li-Po 4492 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silk Blue, Suit Titanium, Flowing Silver | Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Aloe |
| Models | - | GKV4X, G6GPR, G8HHN, G576D |
| Price | ₹ 20,499 | $ 229.98 / C$ 417.99 / £ 279.00 / € 299.99 / ₹ 33,300 |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | - | 40:06h endurance, 1000 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class A (270 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class B |
Realme 15T
- 60W Fast Charging: Significantly faster charging speeds.
- Mediatek Dimensity 6400 Max: Offers strong processing power for the price.
- Reverse Wired Charging: Can charge other devices.
- Unknown Display Brightness: Potentially poor outdoor visibility.
- Limited Camera Information: Likely lacks advanced camera features.
Google Pixel 8a
- Exceptional Camera: Google’s computational photography is industry-leading.
- Tensor G3 Chip: Optimized for AI and smooth performance.
- Long Battery Life: 40:06h endurance ensures all-day use.
- Slower Charging: 18W charging is slower than the Realme 15T.
- Higher Price: More expensive than the Realme 15T.
Display Comparison
The Google Pixel 8a boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1508 nits, making it far more usable in direct sunlight compared to the Realme 15T (brightness data unavailable). While the 15T’s panel specifics are unknown, the Pixel 8a’s OLED panel delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Pixel 8a’s display is likely to have a higher refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling and animations, a feature not confirmed for the 15T. This makes the Pixel 8a the clear winner for media consumption and outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 8a’s camera system is a major strength, leveraging Google’s renowned computational photography. While specific sensor details are missing for the Realme 15T, the Pixel 8a’s image processing excels in dynamic range, detail, and low-light performance. The Pixel 8a’s software features, such as Best Take and Magic Editor, further enhance the photography experience. The absence of detailed camera specs for the 15T suggests a more basic camera experience focused on general-purpose photography, lacking the advanced features and image quality of the Pixel 8a.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Realme 15T utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 6400 Max (6nm), while the Pixel 8a is powered by Google’s Tensor G3 (4nm). The Tensor G3’s 4nm process offers superior power efficiency, potentially leading to better sustained performance and thermal management. While the 15T’s octa-core CPU (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) is capable, the Pixel 8a’s nona-core configuration (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) – particularly the Cortex-X3 – provides a performance edge in single-core tasks and AI processing. The Pixel 8a’s Tensor G3 is also optimized for Google’s AI features, offering a smoother experience with features like Magic Eraser and Live Translate.
Battery Life
The Pixel 8a demonstrates impressive battery endurance, achieving a measured 40:06h endurance and 11:25h of active use. While the Realme 15T’s battery capacity is unknown, its 60W wired charging significantly outperforms the Pixel 8a’s 18W charging. The 15T also offers 10W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Pixel 8a. The Pixel 8a’s 1000 cycle battery life suggests long-term reliability, but the 15T’s faster charging could be a deciding factor for users who prioritize quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 15T if you need a phone that charges incredibly quickly (60W) and prioritizes raw CPU performance for multitasking and demanding apps. It’s ideal for users who frequently transfer large files or enjoy mobile gaming without needing the absolute best graphics. Buy the Google Pixel 8a if you prefer a seamless software experience, exceptional camera performance, and long-term software support. It’s the better choice for photography enthusiasts and those who value Google’s AI-powered features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Realme 15T's Dimensity 6400 Max chipset handle graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact smoothly?
The Dimensity 6400 Max is a capable chipset, but Genshin Impact may require reduced graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. While it can run the game, the Pixel 8a’s Tensor G3 will likely provide a more stable and visually richer gaming experience due to its more powerful GPU and optimized thermal management.
❓ How does the Pixel 8a's software update commitment compare to the Realme 15T?
Google guarantees at least 7 years of software updates for the Pixel 8a, including security patches and OS upgrades. Realme’s update policy is typically shorter, usually offering 2-3 years of major Android updates and 3-4 years of security patches. This makes the Pixel 8a a significantly better long-term investment for software support.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Pixel 8a slow compared to the Realme 15T's 60W?
Yes, 18W is considerably slower than 60W. While the Pixel 8a’s battery endurance is excellent, a full charge will take significantly longer than the Realme 15T. The 15T can go from 0-100% much faster, making it ideal for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
