The Realme 8 and Tecno Camon 17 Pro represent compelling options in the competitive mid-range smartphone market. Both devices leverage the Mediatek Helio G95 chipset, but diverge in areas like display brightness and battery endurance, making the choice less straightforward than a simple spec sheet comparison suggests. This deep dive analyzes these differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Tecno Camon 17 Pro emerges as the slightly better choice. Its superior battery life, boasting a 140-hour endurance rating compared to the Realme 8’s 127 hours, provides a tangible advantage for all-day use. While the Realme 8 offers a brighter display, the Camon 17 Pro’s longer runtime outweighs this benefit for the average user.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 24 | 2021, May 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 25 | Available. Released 2021, June 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 160.6 x 73.9 x 8 mm (6.32 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) | 168.9 x 77 x 9 mm (6.65 x 3.03 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 177 g (6.24 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, HDR10, 1000 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM) |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, recording |
| 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 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 50% in 26 min, 100% in 65 min | 25W / 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cyber Silver, Cyber Black | California Silver, Malibu Blue |
| Models | RMX3085 | CG8, CG8h |
| Price | € 98.43 | About 280 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 127h
|
Endurance rating 140h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 781:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.6 LUFS (Average)
|
-24.4 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 298328 (v8)
GeekBench: 6779 (v4.4), 1690 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 309107 (v8)
GeekBench: 1668 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 8
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Faster charging speeds
- Potentially more refined software experience (Realme UI)
- Shorter battery life
- Lower endurance rating
- Limited camera specification details
Tecno Camon 17 Pro
- Superior battery endurance
- Longer runtime between charges
- Competitive pricing
- Dimmer display compared to Realme 8
- Slower charging speeds (potentially)
- Limited camera specification details
Display Comparison
The Tecno Camon 17 Pro and Realme 8 both feature displays with infinite (nominal) contrast ratios, but differ significantly in brightness. The Realme 8 achieves a measured peak brightness of 657 nits, offering superior visibility in bright outdoor conditions. However, the Camon 17 Pro’s 538 nits, while lower, is still adequate for indoor use. The Camon 17 Pro’s 781:1 contrast ratio is also a factor, suggesting slightly better black levels and image depth, though the difference is likely subtle in real-world usage. Neither phone specifies refresh rate, implying standard 60Hz panels, a common trade-off at this price point.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. The absence of information suggests neither phone prioritizes camera performance as a key selling point. It’s safe to assume both offer standard camera features for social media and casual photography, but enthusiasts should look elsewhere. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on both devices is likely a marketing tactic, as these sensors typically deliver limited image quality.
Performance
Both the Realme 8 and Tecno Camon 17 Pro are powered by the Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This means performance will be virtually identical in most tasks, including everyday usage and moderate gaming. Thermal management will likely be similar as well, given the shared chipset and manufacturing process. The absence of information regarding RAM type (LPDDR4X vs LPDDR5) prevents a deeper analysis of multitasking performance, but it’s reasonable to assume both utilize LPDDR4X to maintain cost-effectiveness.
Battery Life
The Tecno Camon 17 Pro boasts a significant advantage in battery endurance, achieving a measured 140 hours compared to the Realme 8’s 127 hours. This translates to a longer-lasting charge for typical usage scenarios. While the Realme 8 offers faster charging at 30W (50% in 26 minutes, 100% in 65 minutes), the Camon 17 Pro supports 25W/33W charging, which, while potentially slower, is offset by the larger battery capacity and superior endurance. The Camon 17 Pro’s longer runtime is more impactful than the Realme 8’s faster charging speed for users prioritizing all-day battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 8 if you prioritize a brighter display for outdoor visibility and frequently consume HDR content. Its 657 nits peak brightness will be more noticeable in direct sunlight. Buy the Tecno Camon 17 Pro if battery life is paramount, and you value a phone that can reliably last through a full day of heavy use. The 140-hour endurance rating makes it ideal for travelers or those away from power outlets for extended periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Helio G95 in either phone struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G95 is a capable chipset for mid-range gaming. Both the Realme 8 and Tecno Camon 17 Pro should be able to run PUBG Mobile at medium settings with stable frame rates. However, prolonged gaming sessions may lead to some thermal throttling, potentially reducing performance slightly. Expect playable, but not necessarily maximum, settings.
❓ Is the 25W/33W charging on the Tecno Camon 17 Pro significantly slower than the Realme 8's 30W charging?
While the Realme 8 boasts 30W charging, the difference in charging speed compared to the Tecno Camon 17 Pro’s 25W/33W is unlikely to be dramatic. The Camon 17 Pro’s larger battery and superior endurance mean you’ll need to charge it less frequently, mitigating the impact of the slightly slower charging speed. The Realme 8’s faster charging is more beneficial for quick top-ups.
❓ Which phone is better for watching videos outdoors?
The Realme 8 is the better choice for outdoor video viewing due to its significantly higher peak brightness of 657 nits. This increased brightness will help overcome glare from sunlight, providing a clearer and more enjoyable viewing experience.
