The Tecno Pova 2 and Realme 8 Pro represent compelling options in the competitive budget smartphone space. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches. The Pova 2 prioritizes raw power and potentially longer gaming sessions, while the Realme 8 Pro focuses on a more refined experience with faster charging and a potentially more efficient chipset.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Realme 8 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 720G, built on an 8nm process, offers a more efficient performance profile than the Tecno Pova 2’s Helio G85. Crucially, the 50W charging significantly reduces downtime, a major advantage in daily use.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 03 | 2021, March 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 11 | Available. Released 2021, March 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 173.3 x 78.8 x 9.6 mm (6.82 x 3.10 x 0.38 in) | 160.6 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.32 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~389 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.9 inches, 113.1 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits | Super AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 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 |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, BDS | 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/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 50W wired, 50% in 17 min, 100% in 47 min |
| Type | 7000 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Polar Silver, Power Blue, Dazzle Black | Infinite Blue, Infinite Black, Punk Black, Illuminating Yellow |
| Models | LE7, LE7n | RMX3081 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.10 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 116h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.2 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 286666 (v8)
GeekBench: 1678 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Pova 2
- Potentially longer gaming sessions due to the focus on raw processing power.
- Competitive price point.
- Large battery capacity (implied, given endurance rating)
- Less efficient chipset (12nm process) leading to potential thermal throttling.
- Significantly slower charging speed (18W).
Realme 8 Pro
- More efficient chipset (8nm process) for better battery life and thermal management.
- Ultra-fast 50W charging for minimal downtime.
- Potentially better camera performance (based on Realme’s brand reputation).
- May not sustain peak performance as long as the Pova 2 in extended gaming sessions.
- Potentially higher price point.
Display Comparison
Both devices share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting typical IPS LCD characteristics. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are missing. Given Realme’s history, the 8 Pro likely benefits from better color calibration. The absence of high refresh rate panels on either device suggests a focus on battery life over visual fluidity.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature photo/video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. The Realme 8 Pro’s marketing emphasized its camera, suggesting a potentially larger sensor and more sophisticated image processing. Without specific details, it’s difficult to assess the quality gap, but Realme generally invests more in camera technology. The absence of information regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization.
Performance
The Realme 8 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) holds a clear architectural advantage over the Tecno Pova 2’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm). The 8nm process inherently offers better power efficiency, translating to less heat generation during sustained workloads. While both CPUs feature an octa-core configuration with similar Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, the Realme’s Kryo 465 Gold cores (2x2.3 GHz) are clocked higher than the Pova 2’s Cortex-A75 cores (2x2.0 GHz), indicating superior single-core performance. This difference will be noticeable in app loading times and general responsiveness.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 116 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the charging capabilities are drastically different. The Tecno Pova 2’s 18W charging is significantly slower than the Realme 8 Pro’s 50W charging. The Realme 8 Pro can reach 50% charge in just 17 minutes and 100% in 47 minutes, minimizing downtime. This faster charging is a substantial advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Pova 2 if you prioritize extended gaming sessions and are willing to trade off charging speed and potentially thermal efficiency. It’s ideal for users who frequently play demanding mobile games for long periods. Buy the Realme 8 Pro if you value a balanced experience with faster charging, a more efficient processor, and a generally smoother user experience. This phone suits users who want a reliable daily driver with good camera capabilities and quick power-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G85 in the Tecno Pova 2 get hot during prolonged gaming?
The Helio G85, built on a 12nm process, is more prone to thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 720G (8nm) in the Realme 8 Pro. While the Pova 2 can deliver initial performance, expect potential frame drops and reduced sustained performance during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How much faster is the 50W charging on the Realme 8 Pro compared to the 18W charging on the Tecno Pova 2?
The Realme 8 Pro’s 50W charging is significantly faster. It can reach 50% charge in 17 minutes and 100% in 47 minutes, whereas the Tecno Pova 2’s 18W charging will take considerably longer – likely exceeding two hours for a full charge. This difference is crucial for users who need a quick power boost.
❓ Is the camera on the Realme 8 Pro noticeably better for low-light photography?
While specific sensor details are missing, Realme typically prioritizes camera performance. The 8 Pro likely benefits from more advanced image processing algorithms and potentially a larger sensor, resulting in better low-light photos with less noise and more detail compared to the Tecno Pova 2.
