The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Umidigi Note 100A and the Realme 8i aim to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches: the Umidigi focuses on offering a recent chipset at a low price, while the Realme 8i leverages a slightly older, but more potent, processor and a refined user experience. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Realme 8i is the better choice. While both phones offer similar battery endurance (131h), the Realme 8i’s Helio G96 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage in demanding tasks and gaming, justifying its slightly higher price point. The Umidigi Note 100A is a viable option for extremely budget-conscious users.
| 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, February 13 | 2021, September 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, February | Available. Released 2021, September 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 167.8 x 77.4 x 7.7 mm (6.61 x 3.05 x 0.30 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~258 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T615 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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 | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Rock Black, Interstellar Blue, Lake Green, Starry White | Space Black, Space Purple |
| Models | - | RMX3151 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 440 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 131h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.4 LUFS (Average)
|
Umidigi Note 100A
- Lower price point makes it very accessible.
- 20W charging is slightly faster than the Realme 8i.
- Recent Unisoc T615 chipset offers a modern architecture.
- Less powerful chipset compared to the Realme 8i.
- Display specifications are less impressive.
Realme 8i
- More powerful Helio G96 chipset for better performance.
- Brighter and higher contrast display for improved viewing.
- Likely superior camera performance due to better image processing.
- Slightly higher price point.
- 18W charging is slower than the Umidigi Note 100A.
Display Comparison
The Realme 8i boasts a brighter display, measured at 540 nits, compared to the Umidigi Note 100A (brightness unspecified). This difference is significant for outdoor visibility. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Realme 8i’s 1244:1 contrast ratio suggests better color reproduction and deeper blacks. The Umidigi Note 100A’s display specifications are less detailed, making a direct comparison difficult, but the Realme 8i clearly offers a superior viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is challenging. However, given the Realme 8i’s positioning, it likely benefits from more sophisticated image processing algorithms and potentially a larger main sensor. The Umidigi Note 100A, targeting a lower price bracket, likely compromises on camera quality. It's safe to assume the Realme 8i will deliver more consistent and detailed photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 8i’s MediaTek Helio G96, with its 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 cores, offers a substantial performance uplift over the Umidigi Note 100A’s Unisoc T615 (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75). The Cortex-A76 architecture is more efficient and powerful than the A75. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Realme 8i. While both are 12nm chips, the G96’s GPU is significantly more capable. The Realme 8i will handle graphically intensive games with higher frame rates and settings.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both phones share an endurance rating of 131 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the differing chipsets. The Realme 8i supports 18W wired charging, while the Umidigi Note 100A offers 20W. While the Umidigi has a slightly faster charging rate, the difference is unlikely to be substantial. The efficiency gains of the Helio G96 likely offset the slightly slower charging speed, resulting in comparable overall usage time.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi Note 100A if you prioritize a very low price point and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Realme 8i if you value smoother performance for gaming, multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience, even if it means spending a bit more. The Realme 8i is also the better choice for users who appreciate a brighter display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T615 in the Umidigi Note 100A struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Unisoc T615 is a budget-oriented chipset. While it can run PUBG Mobile, you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings significantly to achieve playable frame rates. The Realme 8i’s Helio G96 is much better suited for gaming, offering a smoother experience at higher settings.
❓ Does the Realme 8i overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G96 is known to run relatively cool, but can get warm under sustained load. Realme’s software optimization and the phone’s thermal design should prevent significant throttling, but extended gaming sessions may result in some performance reduction. It's not a major issue, but something to be aware of.
❓ Is the 20W charging on the Umidigi Note 100A a significant advantage over the Realme 8i's 18W?
Not substantially. The difference of 2W is unlikely to translate into a dramatically faster charging time. Both phones will take roughly the same amount of time to fully charge from 0 to 100%.
❓ How does the Realme 8i's display perform in direct sunlight?
The Realme 8i's 540 nits of peak brightness provides good visibility in direct sunlight, making it easier to see the screen outdoors compared to devices with lower brightness levels. The Umidigi Note 100A's lower brightness will likely struggle in bright conditions.
