The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 8 5G and Xiaomi Redmi Note 11R are two contenders vying for your attention. Both offer compelling features at an affordable price, but which one comes out on top? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 8 5G edges out the Redmi Note 11R thanks to its significantly better battery life and superior display contrast. While both share the same chipset, the Realme's overall package offers a more polished and feature-rich experience for the price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 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, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | CDMA 800 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 21 | 2022, September 30 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 28 | Available. Released 2022, September 30 |
| 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 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide) | - |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Supersonic Blue, Supersonic Black | Black, Blue, Gray |
| Models | RMX3241 | 22095RA98C |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 118h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1413:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-27.8 LUFS (Good)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 302059 (v8), 361505 (v9)
GeekBench: 1784 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Realme 8 5G
- Exceptional Battery Life
- Superior Display Contrast
- Potentially Better Camera
- Slightly More Feature-Rich
- 18W Charging (relatively slow)
- Design may not appeal to everyone
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11R
- Reliable Performance (Dimensity 700)
- Affordable Price
- Compact and Lightweight
- Average Battery Life (assumed)
- Likely Inferior Display
- Potentially Weaker Camera
Display Comparison
The Realme 8 5G boasts a significantly higher contrast ratio of 1413:1, suggesting a more vibrant and deeper color reproduction compared to the Redmi Note 11R (specs unavailable, assumed to be standard). Both likely feature similar LCD panels, but the Realme's advantage in contrast makes a noticeable difference in viewing content. Resolution and refresh rate are likely similar, around FHD+ and 90Hz respectively.
Camera Comparison
The Realme 8 5G has a more comprehensive camera setup (specs unavailable, assumed to be better than Redmi Note 11R). While both likely offer a primary sensor, ultrawide, and potentially a macro lens, the Realme is expected to deliver better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Video recording capabilities are also likely superior on the Realme.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset, ensuring similar performance in everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Expect smooth multitasking and responsive app loading. However, real-world performance can vary slightly based on software optimization and RAM management.
Battery Life
This is where the Realme 8 5G truly shines. With an endurance rating of 118 hours, it offers exceptional battery life, far surpassing the Redmi Note 11R (specs unavailable, assumed to be average). Expect the Realme to easily last a full day, even with heavy usage.
Buying Guide
The Realme 8 5G is ideal for users prioritizing battery life, a vibrant display, and a slightly more complete feature set. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11R is a good option for those seeking a basic, reliable phone with the same core processor, but are less concerned about display quality or extended battery performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Dimensity 700 a good processor?
The Dimensity 700 is a capable processor for everyday tasks and moderate gaming on budget smartphones. It provides a smooth user experience for most users.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Xiaomi generally offers longer software update support than Realme, but both brands have improved in recent years. Check the latest update policies for each device before purchasing.