The Realme 7i established itself as a strong contender in the budget smartphone space, offering a solid balance of features and performance. The Realme 8i arrives as its successor, boasting a newer MediaTek Helio G96 chipset. But does this processor upgrade translate into a significantly better user experience, or are the changes more incremental? We dive deep to uncover the key differences.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 8i represents a worthwhile upgrade, primarily due to the Helio G96's improved CPU and GPU performance. While both phones share the same 18W charging and similar battery endurance ratings, the 8i offers a smoother experience for gaming and demanding applications. However, the price difference must be considered.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 17. Released 2020, September 18 | 2021, September 09 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, September 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) | 164.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Green, Polar Blue | Space Black, Space Purple |
| Models | RMX2103 | RMX3151 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 440 EUR |
| SAR | 1.10 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) | - |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 8GB RAM | Rp 2,950,000 | - |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | ₹ 12,990 | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 131h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.4 LUFS (Average)
|
Realme 7i
- Excellent value for money
- Reliable Snapdragon 662 performance for everyday tasks
- Decent battery life
- Less powerful processor compared to the 8i
- May struggle with demanding games
Realme 8i
- Improved performance with the Helio G96
- Better gaming experience
- Higher display brightness
- Potentially higher price point
- 12nm process is less efficient than 11nm (though mitigated by optimizations)
Display Comparison
The Realme 8i features a display with a measured peak brightness of 540 nits and a 1244:1 contrast ratio. While the 7i's display specifications aren't explicitly stated, the 8i's higher brightness offers improved visibility in outdoor conditions. The contrast ratio suggests a decent viewing experience, though neither phone is likely to compete with higher-end displays featuring OLED technology. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, meaning viewing angles and color accuracy will be adequate but not exceptional.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are advertised with capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is limited. Both support Photo and Video capture. The Realme 8i likely benefits from the Helio G96's improved image signal processor (ISP), potentially leading to better image processing and noise reduction. However, without knowing the specific sensor sizes and apertures, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset. The Realme 7i utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662, built on an 11nm process, featuring an octa-core CPU with Kryo 260 cores. The Realme 8i steps up to the MediaTek Helio G96, fabricated on a 12nm process. While the 12nm process is technically larger, the Helio G96's CPU architecture – with 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – provides a noticeable performance boost over the Snapdragon 662's Kryo cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The 8i's GPU will also handle graphically intensive games with greater ease.
Battery Life
Both the Realme 7i and 8i share an endurance rating of 131 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the 8i's more powerful processor. This indicates that MediaTek has optimized the Helio G96 for power efficiency. Both phones support 18W wired charging, meaning charging times will be comparable – approximately 2 hours for a full charge. The similar endurance ratings suggest that the 8i's increased performance doesn't come at a significant cost to battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 7i if you prioritize value and are looking for a reliable daily driver for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light multimedia consumption. It remains a capable device at its price point. Buy the Realme 8i if you're a mobile gamer, frequently use demanding apps, or simply want a phone that feels more responsive and future-proof, and are willing to spend a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G96 in the Realme 8i get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the Snapdragon 662 in the 7i?
While the Helio G96 is more powerful, the 12nm process can generate more heat. However, Realme likely employs thermal management techniques to mitigate this. User reports suggest the 8i can get warm, but not to the point of significant throttling during moderate gaming. The 7i, with its less powerful chip, will naturally run cooler.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Realme 7i and 8i significant enough to justify an upgrade if I primarily use my phone for social media and browsing?
For basic tasks like social media and browsing, the performance difference will be minimal. The Snapdragon 662 in the 7i is perfectly capable of handling these workloads smoothly. An upgrade is not recommended unless you specifically desire a faster and more responsive experience or plan to engage in more demanding activities.
❓ What kind of RAM and storage options are available for both phones, and does this impact performance?
The Realme 7i came in 64GB/4GB and 128GB/8GB configurations. The Realme 8i's RAM and storage options aren't explicitly stated in the provided data, but typically include similar configurations. More RAM (8GB) will improve multitasking performance, while faster storage (UFS 2.2 or higher) will result in quicker app loading times.
