The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme Note 50 and Infinix Smart 8 Pro are two contenders vying for dominance. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point, but they achieve this with different approaches to chipset selection and feature sets. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance in everyday tasks, the Realme Note 50 edges out the Infinix Smart 8 Pro. Its Unisoc Tiger T612, with its Cortex-A75 cores, offers a noticeable advantage in responsiveness compared to the Smart 8 Pro’s all-A53 configuration, despite both being 12nm chips.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, January 23 | 2024, January 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, January 23 | Available. Released 2024, February |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 167.2 x 76.7 x 8 mm (6.58 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) | 163.6 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 560 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 13, Realme UI T | Android 13 (Go edition), XOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Ring-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sky Blue, Midnight Black | Rainbow Blue, Galaxy White, Shiny Gold, Timber Black |
| Models | RMX3834 | X6525B |
| Price | € 95.83 | About 100 EUR |
Realme Note 50
- More responsive CPU due to Cortex-A75 cores
- Potentially smoother multitasking
- Slightly better overall performance for everyday tasks
- Lacks reverse wired charging
- 10W charging is relatively slow
Infinix Smart 8 Pro
- Convenient reverse wired charging
- Competitive price point
- Decent battery life (estimated)
- Less powerful CPU architecture (all Cortex-A53)
- Potentially slower app loading times
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. Without specific brightness data, it's reasonable to assume both offer adequate visibility indoors, but struggle in direct sunlight. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic functionality. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a budget.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, and largely dependent on software processing. Both phones will likely feature a primary camera alongside basic auxiliary lenses (potentially a 2MP macro). Without sensor size information, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement, but image quality will be adequate for social media sharing in good lighting conditions. Expect significant noise and limited detail in low-light scenarios. The focus here is on capturing memories, not professional-grade photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme Note 50’s Unisoc Tiger T612 features two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz, paired with six Cortex-A55 cores. This configuration provides a performance boost over the Infinix Smart 8 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G36, which utilizes four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.2 GHz and another four at 1.6 GHz. While the G36’s higher clock speed on the A53 cores might seem advantageous, the A75 cores in the T612 offer significantly better single-core performance, translating to a more responsive user experience. The T612’s architecture is better suited for handling demanding apps and multitasking. Both use a 12nm process, so thermal efficiency will be similar, but the T612 will likely sustain peak performance for longer.
Battery Life
Both devices are equipped with 10W wired charging, indicating a similar charging experience – expect around 2-3 hours for a full charge. Battery capacity is not specified, but given the target price point, both likely house batteries in the 5000mAh range. The Infinix Smart 8 Pro adds reverse wired charging, a useful feature for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches, a feature absent on the Realme Note 50. This is a key differentiator for users who frequently rely on such accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Note 50 if you need a phone that feels snappier during app switching and general navigation, and if you value a slightly more refined user experience. Buy the Infinix Smart 8 Pro if you prioritize reverse wired charging for topping up accessories, and if you're willing to trade a small amount of processing power for that added convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T612 in the Realme Note 50 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Unisoc Tiger T612 can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at lower graphics settings (balanced or low) to maintain a playable frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it's capable of casual gaming.
❓ How useful is the reverse wired charging on the Infinix Smart 8 Pro in real-world scenarios?
The reverse wired charging is particularly useful for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds, smartwatches, or even a friend's phone in a pinch. It's a convenient feature for users who frequently rely on these devices and don't want to carry multiple chargers.
❓ Is the 10W charging speed on both phones significantly slow compared to other smartphones?
Yes, 10W charging is relatively slow compared to the 18W, 33W, or even 65W charging found on more expensive smartphones. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours. However, it's typical for phones in this price range.
