Realme 5 vs Motorola Moto G8 Plus: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Choices

The Realme 5 and Motorola Moto G8 Plus represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both devices leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chipset, but diverge significantly in areas like battery endurance, display brightness, and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing maximum battery life, the Realme 5 is the clear winner with its impressive 144-hour endurance rating. However, the Motorola Moto G8 Plus counters with faster 15W charging and a slightly brighter display, making it a strong contender for those who value convenience and visibility.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme 5 Motorola Moto G8 Plus
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTE (2CA) 450/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 600/100 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM
Launch
Announced2019, August 20. Released 2019, August2019, October 24. Released 2019, October 28
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic back, plastic frameGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions164.4 x 75.6 x 9.3 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.37 in)158.4 x 75.8 x 9.1 mm (6.24 x 2.98 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
 Weather-sealed ports & loudspeakerWater-repellent coating
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3+-
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 610
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UIAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
 eMMCeMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Triple-48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm (ultrawide), dedicated video camera (1080p) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm25 MP, f/2.0, 0.9µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX
NFCNoYes (market dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging10W wired15W wired
Type5000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsCrystal Purple, Crystal BlueDark Blue, Dark Red
ModelsRMX1911, RMX1919, RMX1927XT2019, XT2019-2
PriceAbout 190 EURAbout 270 EUR
SAR-0.59 W/kg (head)     1.58 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.59 W/kg (head)     0.88 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -93.2dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB
Battery life Endurance rating 144h Endurance rating 87h
Camera Photo / Video Photo
Display Contrast ratio: 1406:1 (nominal) Contrast ratio: 1505:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker Voice 66dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 89dB Voice 79dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 80dB
Performance AnTuTu: 139516 (v7) GeekBench: 5707 (v4.4) GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 168699 (v8) GeekBench: 5641 (v4.4), 1385 (v5.1) GFXBench: 6.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Realme 5

  • Exceptional battery life (144h endurance)
  • Slightly higher contrast ratio for potentially richer colors
  • Competitive price point

  • Slower 10W charging
  • Lower display brightness compared to the G8 Plus

Motorola Moto G8 Plus

  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
  • Faster 15W charging
  • Slightly higher nominal contrast ratio

  • Significantly shorter battery life (87h endurance)
  • May require more frequent charging

Display Comparison

The Motorola Moto G8 Plus boasts a brighter display, reaching 581 nits compared to the Realme 5’s 485 nits. This translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. However, the Realme 5 offers a slightly higher contrast ratio of 1406:1 versus the G8 Plus’s 1505:1, potentially resulting in deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, though the difference is likely subtle in real-world use. Both displays utilize a nominal contrast ratio, suggesting they aren't employing advanced technologies like local dimming.

Camera Comparison

Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size or features like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). Given the budget nature of these devices, image quality will likely be comparable, relying heavily on software processing. The absence of detailed camera specs makes a definitive assessment difficult, but focusing on real-world image samples would be crucial for discerning differences in color accuracy and dynamic range. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is unlikely to significantly impact overall camera performance.

Performance

Both the Realme 5 and Moto G8 Plus are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with the same Kryo 260 Gold and Silver cores clocked at identical speeds. This means performance in everyday tasks and light gaming will be virtually indistinguishable. Thermal management will likely be similar, as the 11nm process node offers reasonable efficiency. Neither device is positioned for demanding gaming, but both should handle popular titles at medium settings.

Battery Life

The Realme 5’s standout feature is its exceptional battery endurance, rated at 144 hours. This is significantly higher than the Motorola Moto G8 Plus’s 87-hour rating. While real-world usage will vary, the Realme 5 demonstrably offers longer runtime on a single charge. The Moto G8 Plus compensates with 15W wired charging, compared to the Realme 5’s slower 10W charging. This means the G8 Plus will reach a full charge more quickly, but the Realme 5 will last considerably longer between charges.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme 5 if you need exceptional battery life and frequently find yourself away from a power outlet. This phone is ideal for travelers, commuters, or anyone who heavily uses their smartphone throughout the day. Buy the Motorola Moto G8 Plus if you prefer a brighter screen for outdoor use and appreciate the convenience of faster charging, even if it means slightly less overall runtime between charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 665 in either phone struggle with multitasking or demanding apps?
The Snapdragon 665 is a capable chipset for everyday tasks and light gaming. However, it may exhibit some slowdowns when running multiple demanding applications simultaneously. Both the Realme 5 and Moto G8 Plus will likely perform similarly in these scenarios, as they share the same processor and core configuration.
❓ How does the difference in charging speed impact daily use? Will the 15W charging on the Moto G8 Plus make a noticeable difference?
The 15W charging on the Moto G8 Plus will noticeably reduce charging times compared to the Realme 5’s 10W charging. While the Realme 5 offers significantly longer battery life, the G8 Plus allows for quicker top-ups when a power outlet is available, making it more convenient for users who don't have time for extended charging sessions.
❓ Are there any significant software differences between Realme UI and Motorola's near-stock Android experience?
Realme UI, based on Android, typically includes more pre-installed apps and customization options compared to Motorola's near-stock Android experience. Motorola prioritizes a cleaner, more streamlined interface with minimal bloatware. This difference in software approach caters to different user preferences – those who enjoy customization may prefer Realme UI, while those who value simplicity may prefer Motorola's approach.