The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 3 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 are two popular contenders. Both offer compelling features at affordable prices, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their key aspects to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi Note 8 2021 edges out the Realme 3 Pro thanks to its brighter display, slightly better battery life, and more modern design. While the Realme 3 Pro boasts a faster chipset, the Redmi Note 8 2021 provides a more well-rounded experience for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - India | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - EMEA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, April 22. Released 2019, May | 2021, May 25 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, May 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.8 x 74.2 x 8.3 mm (6.17 x 2.92 x 0.33 in) | 158.3 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm (6.23 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM710 Snapdragon 710 (10 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), planned upgrade to Android 10, ColorOS 6 | Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/1.7, 1/2.6", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 25 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired, 50% in 30 min | 18W wired |
| Music play | Up to 126 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 383 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 32 h (3G) | - |
| Type | 4045 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon Gray, Nitro Blue, Lightning Purple | Neptune Blue, Moonlight White, Space Black |
| Models | RMX1851 | M1908C3JGG |
| Price | About 270 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.97 W/kg (head) 0.75 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.94 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.9dB / Crosstalk -91.1dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 91h
|
Endurance rating 102h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1782:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1487:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 67dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 90dB
|
-28.6 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 155647 (v7)
GeekBench: 5881 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 180195 (v8), 165779 (v9)
GeekBench: 5259 (v4.4), 1314 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 3 Pro
- Faster Processor (Snapdragon 710)
- Good Value for Money
- Excellent Battery Life (91h)
- Less Bright Display
- Older Design
- Potentially Less Versatile Camera
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021
- Brighter Display (620 nits)
- Longer Battery Life (102h)
- Modern Design
- Potentially More Versatile Camera
- Slightly Slower Processor
- 18W Charging (slower than Realme's 20W)
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 8 2021 takes the display crown with a measured peak brightness of 620 nits, significantly brighter than the Realme 3 Pro. Both offer excellent contrast ratios (1782:1 and 1487:1 respectively), but the Redmi Note 8 2021's brightness makes it more usable outdoors. The Redmi Note 8 2021 also likely has a more modern display panel (likely AMOLED vs LCD).
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is generally comparable, with both phones offering decent photo and video capabilities. The Redmi Note 8 2021 likely has a more versatile camera system with potentially more lenses (likely a macro and depth sensor). Image quality in good lighting is similar, but low-light performance might be slightly better on the Redmi Note 8 2021 due to potential software optimizations.
Performance
The Realme 3 Pro's Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Redmi Note 8 2021's Helio G85. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance, especially in graphically demanding titles. However, the G85 is still capable for everyday tasks.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 8 2021 secures a win in battery endurance, boasting an impressive 102-hour rating compared to the Realme 3 Pro's 91-hour rating. While both offer excellent battery life, the Redmi Note 8 2021 will likely last longer on a single charge.
Buying Guide
The Realme 3 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing raw performance and gaming on a tight budget. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 is a better choice for those who value a vibrant display, longer battery life, and a more contemporary design, even if it means a slight compromise in processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme 3 Pro's Snapdragon 710 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage for gaming, especially in demanding titles.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 8 2021's display worth the upgrade?
Yes, the brighter display on the Redmi Note 8 2021 makes it more enjoyable to use outdoors and in bright environments.
❓ Which phone has faster charging?
The Realme 3 Pro supports 20W wired charging, slightly faster than the Redmi Note 8 2021's 18W charging.
❓ Are there any significant differences in software?
Both phones run Android, but with different custom UIs (Realme UI vs. MIUI). User preference will dictate which is better.
