Realme 8 5G vs Realme 8i: The Ultimate Budget Showdown

Realme continues to dominate the budget smartphone market, and the 8 5G and 8i are two compelling contenders. Both offer impressive features for their price point, but cater to slightly different needs. This comprehensive comparison will break down the key differences to help you choose the perfect device.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Realme 8i edges out the 8 5G thanks to its brighter display, slightly better battery life, and more efficient chipset. While the 8 5G offers 5G connectivity, the 8i provides a more polished overall experience for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Realme 8 5G	Realme 8i

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International	1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International	-
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India	-

Launch
Announced	2021, April 21	2021, September 09
Status	Available. Released 2021, April 28	Available. Released 2021, September 14

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	162.5 x 74.8 x 8.5 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.33 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	185 g (6.53 oz)	194 g (6.84 oz)

Display
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)	1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size	6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)	6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits	IPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)	Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)
GPU	Mali-G57 MC2	Mali-G57 MC2
OS	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0	Android 11, Realme UI 2.0

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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
Single	16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide)	16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
Triple	48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens	50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	Panorama
Single	16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide)	16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes
	24-bit/192kHz audio	-

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE	5.1, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	Unspecified	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 (side-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	Supersonic Blue, Supersonic Black	Space Black, Space Purple
Models	RMX3241	RMX3151
Price	About 170 EUR	About 440 EUR

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 118h	Endurance rating 131h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: 1413:1 (nominal)	-
Loudspeaker	-27.8 LUFS (Good)	-28.4 LUFS (Average)
Performance	AnTuTu: 302059 (v8), 361505 (v9) GeekBench: 1784 (v5.1) GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	-

Realme 8 5G

5G Connectivity
Decent Performance
Good Value

Lower Brightness Display
Slightly Lower Battery Life
Less Efficient Chipset

Realme 8i

Brighter Display
Longer Battery Life
Efficient Chipset
Smooth Performance

No 5G
Slightly Older Chipset Architecture

Display Comparison

The Realme 8i boasts a significant advantage with its measured 540 nits peak brightness, making it much easier to view outdoors. While both phones offer a respectable 1413:1 contrast ratio (nominal for the 8 5G), the 8i's brightness elevates the viewing experience. The 8 5G's display is still good, but noticeably less vibrant.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature similar camera setups, typically including a 50MP main sensor, ultrawide lens, and macro lens. Image quality is generally good in well-lit conditions, but low-light performance is average. The 8i might have a slight edge in video recording due to better image stabilization, but the difference is minimal.

Performance

The Realme 8 5G's Dimensity 700 chipset is generally more powerful on paper, but the Realme 8i's Helio G96 proves surprisingly efficient. The G96's architecture and optimizations often result in smoother day-to-day performance, especially in gaming. Both phones handle multitasking well, but the 8i feels slightly more responsive.

Battery Life

The Realme 8i takes the lead in battery life, offering an endurance rating of 131 hours compared to the 8 5G's 118 hours. This translates to noticeably longer usage between charges, making the 8i a more reliable choice for heavy users.

Buying Guide

The Realme 8 5G is ideal for users who prioritize 5G connectivity and are comfortable with a slightly less vibrant display. The Realme 8i is a better choice for those seeking a brighter screen, longer battery life, and smoother performance in everyday tasks.