Sharp Aquos sense4 plus vs Realme 8 5G: Which 5G Phone Delivers the Best Value?

The Sharp Aquos sense4 plus and the Realme 8 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, they take different approaches to achieving this, centering around chipset choice and overall design philosophy. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best balance of performance, battery life, and features.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a potentially smoother software experience, the Sharp Aquos sense4 plus emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 720G, built on an 8nm process, offers a slight edge in efficiency and sustained performance compared to the Realme 8 5G’s Dimensity 700, despite the latter’s 7nm fabrication.

PHONES
Phone Names Sharp Aquos sense4 plus Realme 8 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2020, September 11. Released 2020, September 112021, April 21
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, April 28
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions166 x 78 x 8.8 mm (6.54 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)162.5 x 74.8 x 8.5 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)185 g (6.53 oz)
 IPX5/IP6X/IPX8 water/dust resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)-
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 618Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 10Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF 5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP, f/2.4, 40mm (telephoto macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single-16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide)
Triple-48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoUnspecified
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
ChargingWired18W wired
TypeLi-Po 4120 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsDeep Fog Black, Cloud WhiteSupersonic Blue, Supersonic Black
Models-RMX3241
PriceAbout 600 EURAbout 170 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)

Sharp Aquos sense4 plus

  • Potentially smoother performance due to Snapdragon 720G's core clock speed.
  • Likely cleaner software experience (based on Sharp's typical approach).
  • Efficient 8nm process for sustained performance.

  • Slower charging speeds compared to Realme 8 5G.
  • Limited display specifications available.

Realme 8 5G

  • Faster 18W wired charging.
  • Integrated 5G modem for potentially more reliable connectivity.
  • Likely brighter display (based on Realme's typical display strategy).

  • Dimensity 700 may exhibit more thermal throttling under sustained load.
  • Realme UI may not appeal to all users.

Display Comparison

Both the Sharp Aquos sense4 plus and Realme 8 5G share a nominal contrast ratio of 1413:1, suggesting similar visual pop. However, detailed display specifications like peak brightness, color gamut coverage, and panel type are missing for the Aquos sense4 plus. Given Realme’s typical display strategy, the 8 5G likely benefits from a higher peak brightness for improved outdoor visibility. The absence of high refresh rate support on either device suggests a focus on power efficiency rather than fluid scrolling.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specifics are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Realme 8 5G, typical of Realme’s marketing, likely emphasizes camera features more heavily. The Aquos sense4 plus, historically, focuses on practical image quality rather than headline-grabbing megapixel counts. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the Realme 8 5G is unlikely to significantly enhance the photography experience, serving primarily as a marketing feature.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Aquos sense4 plus utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) while the Realme 8 5G features the MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7nm). While the 7nm process generally implies better efficiency, the Snapdragon 720G’s Kryo 465 Gold cores, clocked at 2.3 GHz, offer a slight frequency advantage over the Dimensity 700’s Cortex-A76 cores (2.2 GHz). This translates to a marginal edge in single-core performance for the Aquos sense4 plus. The Dimensity 700, however, boasts an integrated 5G modem, potentially offering more consistent 5G connectivity. Both devices are paired with adequate RAM for smooth multitasking, but RAM speed (LPDDR4x vs LPDDR5) is unknown for the Aquos sense4 plus, potentially impacting overall system responsiveness.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 118 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. The Realme 8 5G has an 18W wired charging capability, offering a faster charging experience than the Aquos sense4 plus, which only supports standard wired charging. This means the Realme 8 5G can replenish its battery more quickly, a significant advantage for users who frequently need to top up their device.

Buying Guide

Buy the Sharp Aquos sense4 plus if you need a phone that prioritizes stable performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming, and value a potentially cleaner software experience. Buy the Realme 8 5G if you prefer a phone with a focus on maximizing battery endurance and are comfortable with Realme UI, potentially benefiting from faster charging speeds and a slightly more modern aesthetic.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 700 in the Realme 8 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 700 is a capable chip, its 7nm process and thermal design may lead to some throttling during extended gaming. The Snapdragon 720G in the Aquos sense4 plus, built on an 8nm process, may offer slightly better sustained performance, though both are mid-range chips and won't deliver flagship-level gaming experiences.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Realme 8 5G significantly faster than the charging on the Sharp Aquos sense4 plus?
Yes, the Realme 8 5G’s 18W charging is a noticeable advantage. The Aquos sense4 plus only supports standard wired charging, meaning it will take considerably longer to fully recharge the battery. For users who frequently need to quickly top up their phone, the Realme 8 5G is the better option.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Sharp Aquos sense4 plus and the Realme 8 5G?
Sharp typically offers a near-stock Android experience with minimal bloatware, appealing to users who prefer a clean and uncluttered interface. Realme UI, on the other hand, is heavily customized and includes numerous features and pre-installed apps. This can be a positive for some, but others may find it overwhelming or prefer a more streamlined experience.