The Xiaomi Redmi 8 and Realme 5i represent a critical segment of the smartphone market: affordable devices for first-time buyers or those seeking a reliable secondary phone. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at a low price point, but they diverge significantly in their core hardware, particularly the chipset. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 5i emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 665 chipset, built on an 11nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Redmi 8’s Snapdragon 439, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. While the Redmi 8 offers 18W charging, the 5i’s superior processing power is a more impactful advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - Global | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE (2CA) 450/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October 09. Released 2019, October 12 | 2020, January 06. Released 2020, January |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.5 x 75.4 x 9.4 mm (6.16 x 2.97 x 0.37 in) | 164.4 x 75 x 9.3 mm (6.47 x 2.95 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio (no wired headphones required) | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Onyx Black, Ruby Red, Sapphire Blue, Phantom Red | Blue, Green |
| Models | M1908C3IC, MZB8255IN, M1908C3IG, M1908C3IH | RMX2030, RMX2032 |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| SAR | 0.34 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.23 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) | - |
Xiaomi Redmi 8
- Faster 18W wired charging
- Potentially longer battery life due to efficient software optimization
- Established Xiaomi ecosystem
- Less powerful Snapdragon 439 chipset
- Slower app loading and multitasking
- Potentially lower image quality
Realme 5i
- More powerful Snapdragon 665 chipset
- Smoother user experience and better app performance
- More efficient processor for extended battery life
- Slower 10W wired charging
- Realme UI may not appeal to all users
- Potentially less software support long-term
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on efficiency. Without specific display specs, we can assume both prioritize battery life over brightness or color accuracy. Bezels are likely comparable, reflecting the cost-conscious design of both phones.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones utilize similar budget camera sensors. The image processing capabilities of the Snapdragon 665 in the Realme 5i likely provide a slight edge in image quality, particularly in low-light conditions, due to its more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor). The presence of a dedicated ISP in the 665 allows for more sophisticated noise reduction and dynamic range optimization. Any marketing around megapixel counts should be viewed skeptically; sensor size and lens aperture are far more critical.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 5i’s Snapdragon 665 (11nm) is a clear upgrade over the Redmi 8’s Snapdragon 439 (12nm). The 11nm process allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, resulting in better sustained performance. The CPU configuration further highlights this: the 5i features 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold cores alongside 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores, while the Redmi 8 has 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.45 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Kryo cores in the 665 offer a more modern architecture and superior performance per clock cycle. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Realme 5i.
Battery Life
The Redmi 8’s 18W wired charging is its primary advantage in this category. While both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 5000mAh is typical for this segment), the faster charging will significantly reduce the time spent tethered to a wall outlet. However, the Snapdragon 665 in the Realme 5i is more power-efficient, potentially offsetting some of the Redmi 8’s charging advantage with longer battery life during typical usage. The 10W charging on the 5i will take considerably longer to reach a full charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 8 if you prioritize faster charging and are primarily focused on basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use. Its 18W charging capability will reduce downtime. Buy the Realme 5i if you value a more fluid user experience, better app performance, and are willing to trade slightly slower charging for a more capable processor. This is the better option for those who occasionally play mobile games or use demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme 5i handle popular games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 665 in the Realme 5i is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but likely at medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Redmi 8’s Snapdragon 439 will struggle with consistent performance in demanding games like PUBG, requiring significantly lower settings and potentially experiencing lag.
❓ How much of a difference will I notice in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
You'll notice a tangible difference in responsiveness with the Realme 5i. App loading times will be faster, scrolling will be smoother, and multitasking will be less prone to slowdowns. The Snapdragon 665 provides a more fluid experience for everyday tasks compared to the Snapdragon 439.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed really that significant?
Yes, the difference between 18W and 10W charging is substantial. The Redmi 8 can go from 0-100% in approximately 2 hours, while the Realme 5i will likely take closer to 3-4 hours. This is a key consideration if you frequently find yourself needing to quickly top up your battery.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates?
Xiaomi generally has a better track record for providing longer software support for its devices. While both brands offer updates, the Redmi 8 is likely to receive updates for a longer period than the Realme 5i, though this isn't guaranteed.
