The Realme 8 and Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro represent compelling options in the competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a strong user experience without breaking the bank, they take distinctly different approaches. The Realme 8 prioritizes a balanced experience with a bright display and decent battery life, while the Poco X3 Pro aggressively targets gamers with a more powerful processor.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 860 chipset provides significantly more processing power, translating to smoother gaming and faster app loading times. While the Realme 8 offers slightly better battery endurance, the performance advantage of the Poco X3 Pro outweighs this difference.
| 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, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 24 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 25 | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160.6 x 73.9 x 8 mm (6.32 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) | 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 177 g (6.24 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, HDR10, 1000 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-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 | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| 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 a/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 | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cyber Silver, Cyber Black | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | RMX3085 | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | € 98.43 | $ 128.04 / £ 249.99 |
| SAR | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 127h
|
Endurance rating 112h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1401:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.6 LUFS (Average)
|
-26.1 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 298328 (v8)
GeekBench: 6779 (v4.4), 1690 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 453223 (v8)
GeekBench: 2574 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 8
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Slightly longer battery endurance
- Potentially more natural color reproduction in photos
- Significantly weaker processor performance
- Slower charging speeds
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Much faster processor for gaming and multitasking
- Faster charging speeds
- Higher contrast ratio for a more immersive display
- Slightly shorter battery life
- Display may not be as bright in direct sunlight
Display Comparison
The Realme 8 boasts a peak brightness of 657 nits, making it highly visible outdoors, a crucial advantage for users frequently exposed to sunlight. In contrast, the Poco X3 Pro doesn't specify peak brightness, but its contrast ratio of 1401:1 suggests deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. While the Realme 8's brightness is a quantifiable benefit, the Poco X3 Pro's higher contrast ratio contributes to a more immersive viewing experience, particularly with darker content. Both phones lack high refresh rate panels, a common omission in this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a photo/video focus, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics, it's difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, given the Poco X3 Pro’s overall performance focus, it’s likely to have more robust image processing capabilities. The Realme 8 may prioritize color accuracy and natural-looking images, while the Poco X3 Pro might lean towards more vibrant, social media-ready shots. The absence of OIS on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco X3 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm) is a significant step up from the Realme 8’s MediaTek Helio G95 (12nm). The Snapdragon 860’s Kryo 485 cores, with a prime core clocked at 2.96 GHz, deliver substantially higher CPU and GPU performance. This translates to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during extended gaming sessions. While the Helio G95 is capable, it simply can't compete with the raw power of the Snapdragon 860.
Battery Life
The Realme 8 edges out the Poco X3 Pro in endurance, achieving a 127-hour rating versus the Poco’s 112 hours. However, this difference is relatively small. The Poco X3 Pro compensates with faster charging – 33W wired, reaching 59% in 30 minutes and 100% in 59 minutes, compared to the Realme 8’s 30W, taking 26 minutes for 50% and 65 minutes for a full charge. For users who prioritize quick top-ups, the Poco X3 Pro’s faster charging is a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 8 if you prioritize a bright, easily visible display for outdoor use and value a slightly longer battery life for everyday tasks. It's ideal for social media users, casual gamers, and those who don't demand peak performance. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you're a mobile gamer, frequently multitask, or simply want a phone that feels consistently faster and more responsive. Its superior chipset makes it the clear winner for power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco X3 Pro's Snapdragon 860 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 860 is a powerful chip, its 7nm process and Qualcomm's thermal management technologies help mitigate overheating. However, sustained gaming at maximum settings will inevitably generate heat. The Poco X3 Pro's thermal design is adequate for most use cases, but extremely demanding games may experience some throttling after extended play.
❓ Is the Realme 8's camera significantly better than the Poco X3 Pro's in low-light conditions?
Without detailed sensor information, it's difficult to say definitively. However, the Realme 8 may have an edge in low-light photography if it prioritizes noise reduction and natural color reproduction. The Poco X3 Pro might rely more on software processing to brighten images, potentially resulting in a loss of detail.
❓ Does the Poco X3 Pro support high frame rate gaming (90fps) in popular titles like PUBG Mobile?
The Poco X3 Pro can achieve high frame rates in PUBG Mobile, but it depends on the graphics settings. You'll likely be able to run the game at smooth + extreme settings, potentially reaching 60fps. Achieving a consistent 90fps may require lowering the graphics settings to balanced or even low.
❓ How does the Realme 8's charging compare to other phones in its price range?
The Realme 8's 30W charging is fairly standard for its price bracket. While not the fastest available, it's still reasonably quick, taking around 65 minutes for a full charge. Some competitors offer 65W or even 120W charging, but these are typically more expensive devices.
