Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available. Today, we're pitting two popular Realme contenders against each other: the Realme Q2 Pro and the Realme 8i. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one deserves your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme Q2 Pro is the clear winner for performance thanks to its significantly faster Dimensity 800U chipset and 65W charging. However, the Realme 8i offers excellent battery life and a vibrant display, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious users prioritizing longevity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G 2.3 Gbps DL | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 13. Released 2020, October 19 | 2021, September 09 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, September 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 74.4 x 8.1 mm (6.33 x 2.93 x 0.32 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 | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 600 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 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 |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | Panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/120fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | - | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| 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 Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 65W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 4300 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Leather Gray, Rainbow, Sea Blue, Fantasy White | Space Black, Space Purple |
| Models | RMX2173 | RMX3151 |
| Price | About 310 EUR | About 440 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 131h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.4 LUFS (Average)
|
Realme Q2 Pro
- Superior Performance (Dimensity 800U)
- 65W Fast Charging
- Likely Better Camera Quality
- Sleek Design (Generally)
- Potentially Shorter Battery Life
- Display Specs Less Detailed
- May be slightly more expensive
Realme 8i
- Exceptional Battery Life (131h Endurance)
- Vibrant Display (1244:1 Contrast, 540 nits)
- More Affordable
- Good Value for Money
- Weaker Performance (Helio G96)
- Slower Charging (18W)
- Camera Not as Impressive
Display Comparison
The Realme 8i boasts a 1244:1 contrast ratio and 540 nits brightness, delivering a vibrant and easily viewable display. The Q2 Pro's display, while likely good, lacks specific brightness and contrast ratio figures. Overall, the 8i has a slight edge in display quality based on available data.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, indicating standard camera setups. While specific camera specs are missing, reviews suggest the Q2 Pro generally offers slightly better image quality, particularly in low light, due to its more powerful processor assisting image processing. The 8i's camera is still capable, but not as impressive.
Performance
Here's where the Q2 Pro truly shines. The Dimensity 800U chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Helio G96 in the Realme 8i. Expect noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Q2 Pro. The Q2 Pro's 7nm process also contributes to better power efficiency despite the performance boost.
Battery Life
The Realme 8i excels in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 131 hours. The Q2 Pro, while benefiting from 65W fast charging, likely has a smaller battery capacity and may not match the 8i's overall endurance. Fast charging is a significant advantage for the Q2 Pro, though.
Buying Guide
The Realme Q2 Pro is ideal for users who prioritize performance, fast charging, and gaming. The Realme 8i is a great choice for those seeking long battery life, a good display, and a more affordable price point, especially if gaming isn't a primary concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme Q2 Pro worth the extra cost?
If performance and fast charging are your priorities, then yes. The Q2 Pro offers a significant upgrade in processing power. However, if you're on a tight budget and prioritize battery life, the 8i is a compelling alternative.
❓ Can the Realme 8i handle demanding games?
While the Realme 8i can handle some games, it will struggle with graphically intensive titles at high settings. The Q2 Pro's more powerful chipset will provide a much smoother gaming experience.
