vivo Y52 5G vs Realme 8 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Contenders

The vivo Y52 5G and Realme 8 5G represent the increasingly competitive landscape of affordable 5G smartphones. Both devices target users seeking next-generation connectivity without breaking the bank. This comparison dissects their similarities and differences, focusing on performance, battery life, and overall value to help you choose the right device.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly better-documented software experience, the Realme 8 5G emerges as the winner. While both phones share the same Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset and 18W charging, the Realme 8 5G’s established endurance rating and wider availability give it a slight edge.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Y52 5G Realme 8 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 7, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2021, May 182021, April 21
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 20Available. Released 2021, April 28
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164 x 75.3 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)162.5 x 74.8 x 8.5 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight193 g (6.81 oz)185 g (6.53 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 11, Funtouch 11.1Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide)
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 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
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioUnspecifiedUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired18W wired
Type5000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsShiny Black, Glacier BlueSupersonic Blue, Supersonic Black
ModelsV2053RMX3241
PriceAbout 240 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)

vivo Y52 5G

  • Potentially cleaner software experience (typical of vivo)
  • May offer unique color options
  • Shares the same capable Dimensity 700 chipset

  • Limited availability in some regions
  • Battery life is unknown and potentially weaker than Realme 8 5G
  • Lack of detailed specifications hinders a thorough assessment

Realme 8 5G

  • Proven 118-hour endurance rating
  • Wider availability and established user base
  • Shares the same capable Dimensity 700 chipset

  • Software can be more cluttered with pre-installed apps
  • 18W charging is relatively slow
  • Camera performance likely similar to vivo Y52 5G (no clear advantage)

Display Comparison

Both the vivo Y52 5G and Realme 8 5G share a nominal contrast ratio of 1413:1, suggesting similar visual pop and black levels. However, detailed display specifications like peak brightness, color gamut coverage (DCI-P3), and panel type (IPS vs. AMOLED) are missing. Given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The absence of high refresh rate technology (90Hz or 120Hz) is expected, but a higher peak brightness on one device would be beneficial for outdoor visibility. Without further data, it's difficult to declare a clear winner in display quality.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing algorithms. The absence of information makes a direct comparison challenging. It’s reasonable to assume both utilize a primary sensor paired with auxiliary lenses (depth, macro). Given the market segment, image quality will likely be adequate for social media sharing but won’t compete with flagship devices. The usefulness of a 2MP macro lens on either device is questionable, offering limited detail and dynamic range. The quality of the image signal processor (ISP) within the Dimensity 700 will be a significant factor, but without sample images, it’s impossible to assess.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This means CPU performance will be virtually identical for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. The GPU performance will also be comparable. The key differentiator, if any, will lie in thermal management and RAM speed (LPDDR4X is likely on both). Realme’s software optimizations often prioritize sustained performance, potentially leading to less throttling during extended gaming sessions. However, without benchmark data, this remains speculative.

Battery Life

The Realme 8 5G boasts an endurance rating of 118 hours, indicating strong battery life under typical usage conditions. The vivo Y52 5G’s battery capacity and endurance rating are not specified. Both devices support 18W wired charging, which is relatively slow compared to modern fast-charging standards. A full 0-100% charge will likely take around 2 hours. The Realme 8 5G’s documented endurance rating suggests it will comfortably last a full day for most users, while the vivo Y52 5G’s battery performance remains uncertain.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Y52 5G if you prioritize a clean, minimalist software experience and are comfortable with potentially limited regional availability. Buy the Realme 8 5G if you value a proven track record of battery life, a more established community for support, and a slightly more refined user interface. Both are excellent choices for first-time 5G users.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 700 in either phone struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Dimensity 700 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty, but you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. Expect some frame drops during intense action sequences. Thermal throttling could also become a factor during prolonged gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 18W charging speed sufficient for daily use, or will I be waiting a long time for a full charge?
18W charging is relatively slow by today's standards. Expect a full 0-100% charge to take approximately 2 hours. It's sufficient for overnight charging, but a quick top-up during the day will take considerably longer. Neither phone supports faster charging technologies.
❓ How does Realme's UI compare to vivo's Funtouch OS in terms of bloatware and user experience?
Realme UI, based on Android, generally includes more pre-installed apps (bloatware) than vivo's Funtouch OS. However, Realme UI has improved significantly in recent iterations and offers more customization options. Funtouch OS is known for its cleaner, more minimalist approach, but some users find it less feature-rich.