The smartphone market is overflowing with options, making it tough to choose. Today, we're pitting the older but still capable Sony Xperia XA2 Plus against the newer Realme 8. Both offer compelling features, but cater to different needs. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 8 emerges as the clear winner, offering a brighter display, faster charging, and a more modern chipset. While the XA2 Plus boasts impressive battery endurance, the Realme 8's overall package of features and performance makes it the more appealing choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38 - H3413, H4413 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - H4493 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, July. Released 2018, September | 2021, March 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 157 x 75 x 9.6 mm (6.18 x 2.95 x 0.38 in) | 160.6 x 73.9 x 8 mm (6.32 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~78.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, HDR10, 1000 nits (peak) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 (14 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 508 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 8.0 (Oreo) | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | 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 |
| Single | 23 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.3", PDAF | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec., HDR | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4, 1/4.0" | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
| 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC3 | 30W wired, 50% in 26 min, 100% in 65 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 3580 mAh, non-removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, Black, Gold, Green | Cyber Silver, Cyber Black |
| Models | H4413, H4493, H3413 | RMX3085 |
| Price | About 240 EUR | € 98.43 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -93.1dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 104h
|
Endurance rating 127h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1522:1 (nominal), 3.445 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 79dB
|
-28.6 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 86374 (v7), 107537 (v8)
GeekBench: 4144 (v4.4), 1018 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 298328 (v8)
GeekBench: 6779 (v4.4), 1690 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sony Xperia XA2 Plus
- Exceptional battery life
- Compact and lightweight design
- Good contrast ratio display
- Reliable brand
- Outdated chipset
- Slower charging
- Lower display brightness
- Likely lower camera quality
Realme 8
- Brighter display
- Faster charging
- More powerful processor
- Likely better camera
- Modern design
- Potentially larger size
- Battery endurance slightly lower (though still excellent)
- Realme brand perception (can be a pro or con)
Display Comparison
The Realme 8 takes a significant lead in the display department. Its 657 nits max brightness is considerably higher than the XA2 Plus, making it much easier to see outdoors. While the XA2 Plus has a respectable contrast ratio of 1522:1, the Realme 8 boasts an 'infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting deeper blacks and better overall image quality. The Realme 8 also likely has a higher resolution display, contributing to sharper visuals.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specifics are lacking. However, given the Realme 8's newer hardware and likely larger sensor, it's expected to deliver better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The Realme 8 likely also has more advanced camera features and processing algorithms.
Performance
The Realme 8's Helio G95 chipset is a noticeable upgrade over the XA2 Plus's Snapdragon 630. The G95 features Cortex-A76 cores, which offer significantly improved performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The XA2 Plus is still capable for everyday use, but the Realme 8 provides a smoother and more responsive experience.
Battery Life
The XA2 Plus holds a slight edge in raw endurance rating (104h vs 127h), but this is a somewhat outdated metric. The Realme 8's 30W charging is a game-changer, allowing it to reach 50% in just 26 minutes and 100% in 65 minutes – a significant improvement over the XA2 Plus's 18W charging.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia XA2 Plus is a good option for users prioritizing exceptional battery life and a compact form factor, especially if they find it at a significantly discounted price. The Realme 8 is ideal for those seeking a vibrant display, faster charging, and a more powerful processor for gaming and everyday tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Sony Xperia XA2 Plus still worth buying?
It can be a good value if found at a very low price, primarily for those prioritizing battery life and a compact size. However, the Realme 8 offers a more modern and well-rounded experience.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme 8 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and likely better thermal management.
