TCL 20 5G vs Realme 8 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly more refined software experience, the TCL 20 5G emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 690 chipset, built on an 8nm process, offers a slight edge in efficiency and sustained performance compared to the Realme 8 5G’s Dimensity 700.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | TCL 20 5G | Realme 8 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, November 30. Released 2020, December 07 | 2021, April 21 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, April 28 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 166.2 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.54 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) | 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.5 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 206 g (7.27 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619L | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, TCL UI | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide) |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC4 | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Mist Gray, Placid Blue | Supersonic Blue, Supersonic Black |
| Models | T781, T781K, T781H | RMX3241 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 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) |
TCL 20 5G
- Snapdragon 690 offers efficient performance.
- Potentially better thermal management.
- Qualcomm’s software optimization is generally stable.
- Limited detailed specs available.
- Display details are unknown.
Realme 8 5G
- Dimensity 700 provides strong single-core performance.
- Similar battery endurance to TCL 20 5G.
- Competitive price point.
- MediaTek chipsets can sometimes exhibit more aggressive power management.
- Limited detailed specs available.
Display Comparison
Both the TCL 20 5G and Realme 8 5G share a nominal contrast ratio of 1413:1, suggesting similar visual pop. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness, color gamut coverage, and panel type (IPS vs AMOLED) are missing. Given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCDs. The absence of high refresh rate support on either device is typical for this segment, but impacts smoothness during scrolling and gaming. Without further data, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner; the display experience will likely be comparable.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing features. This suggests a focus on affordability over cutting-edge camera technology. The absence of information regarding Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) implies both rely on software stabilization. Without detailed specs, it’s difficult to assess camera quality. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on many phones in this price range is often more of a marketing feature than a genuinely useful addition, and should not be a deciding factor.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The TCL 20 5G features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm), while the Realme 8 5G uses the MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7nm). While the Dimensity 700 boasts a slightly higher peak CPU clock speed (2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 vs 2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold), the Snapdragon 690 benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized architecture and 8nm fabrication. This translates to potentially better thermal management and sustained performance under load. The Dimensity 700’s Cortex-A76 cores offer strong single-core performance, beneficial for app launch times, but the Snapdragon 690’s Kryo cores are designed for efficiency. Both phones will handle everyday tasks well, but the TCL 20 5G is likely to exhibit less throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
Both the TCL 20 5G and Realme 8 5G share an endurance rating of 118 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage. Both also support 18W wired charging with Quick Charge 4 (QC4) compatibility. The actual 0-100% charging time will likely be around 2-2.5 hours for both devices. The similar endurance ratings suggest that despite potential chipset efficiency differences, software optimizations and battery capacity are well-matched.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 20 5G if you need a phone that handles everyday tasks and light gaming smoothly, and you value a chipset known for its stability and efficient power consumption. Buy the Realme 8 5G if you prioritize a potentially higher peak performance in short bursts, and are comfortable with MediaTek’s software optimizations, and are looking for a phone with a similar endurance rating.