The Realme 5 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 represent a fascinating intersection in the budget smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The Realme 5 prioritizes exceptional battery endurance, while the Redmi Note 8 2021 focuses on a brighter display and faster charging, making this a battle between longevity and immediate usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a consistently usable experience, the Realme 5 emerges as the winner. Its 144-hour endurance rating significantly surpasses the Redmi Note 8 2021’s 102 hours. While the Redmi Note 8 2021 offers a brighter screen and faster charging, the Realme 5’s stamina is a more impactful benefit for most.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE (2CA) 450/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August 20. Released 2019, August | 2021, May 25 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, May 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 9.3 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.37 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 | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.7% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UI | Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 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, GALILEO, BDS | 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 | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Crystal Purple, Crystal Blue | Neptune Blue, Moonlight White, Space Black |
| Models | RMX1911, RMX1919, RMX1927 | M1908C3JGG |
| Price | About 190 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 |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 144h
|
Endurance rating 102h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1406:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1487:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 89dB
|
-28.6 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 139516 (v7)
GeekBench: 5707 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 180195 (v8), 165779 (v9)
GeekBench: 5259 (v4.4), 1314 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 5
- Exceptional battery life (144h endurance)
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- More affordable price point (likely)
- Slower charging speed (10W)
- Dimmer display compared to the Redmi Note 8 2021
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Faster 18W wired charging
- Potentially slightly better single-core performance
- Significantly shorter battery life (102h endurance)
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 boasts a brighter display, achieving a measured 620 nits compared to the Realme 5’s 485 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. However, both displays share a similar contrast ratio around 1400:1, indicating comparable black levels and color depth. The increased brightness of the Redmi Note 8 2021 is particularly beneficial for users who frequently consume video content or browse the web in bright environments, while the Realme 5’s display is still perfectly adequate for indoor use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but detailed sensor information is absent. Given the market positioning, it’s safe to assume both rely on similar-quality primary sensors. The Redmi Note 8 2021’s 18W charging suggests a more modern design, potentially incorporating slightly improved image processing algorithms. However, without specific sensor details, a definitive camera comparison is impossible. It's likely both phones will deliver acceptable results in good lighting conditions, but struggle in low-light scenarios.
Performance
Under the hood, the Redmi Note 8 2021 utilizes the Mediatek Helio G85, fabricated on a more efficient 12nm process compared to the Realme 5’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm). While both are octa-core CPUs, the Redmi Note 8 2021’s configuration – 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 – offers a slight edge in single-core performance due to the more powerful Cortex-A75 cores. However, the Snapdragon 665’s Kryo cores are well-optimized for sustained performance, and the difference in real-world usage will likely be minimal for everyday tasks. Neither chipset is geared towards demanding gaming, but the Helio G85 may offer a marginally smoother experience in less intensive titles.
Battery Life
The Realme 5’s standout feature is its exceptional battery endurance, rated at 144 hours. This is a significant advantage over the Redmi Note 8 2021’s 102 hours. While the Redmi Note 8 2021 compensates with 18W wired charging (compared to the Realme 5’s 10W), the difference in charging speed doesn’t fully offset the substantial gap in battery life. The Realme 5 is ideal for users who frequently travel or have limited access to power outlets, while the Redmi Note 8 2021 offers quicker top-ups when a charger is available.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 5 if you need a phone that can reliably last through a full day – and then some – of moderate to heavy use, and aren't overly concerned with having the fastest charging speeds. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 if you prioritize a brighter, more vibrant display for media consumption and value the convenience of 18W fast charging, even if it means sacrificing some battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme 5’s 10W charging painfully slow in 2024?
While 10W charging is slower than the 18W offered by the Redmi Note 8 2021, the Realme 5’s massive battery capacity means you won’t need to charge it as frequently. A full charge will still take several hours, but the extended battery life minimizes the need for daily top-ups.
❓ Will the Helio G85 in the Redmi Note 8 2021 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G85 can run PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. It’s not a gaming-focused chipset, so don’t expect a high-end gaming experience. The Snapdragon 665 in the Realme 5 will offer a similar gaming experience.
❓ Does either phone support USB-C charging?
Based on the market segment and release timeframe, both devices likely utilize Micro-USB for charging. This is a common feature in budget smartphones from this era, but it's slower and less convenient than USB-C.
❓ Which phone is better for watching videos on the go?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 is the better choice for video consumption due to its brighter display. The increased brightness makes the screen more visible in various lighting conditions, enhancing the viewing experience.
