The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 and Realme 5 Pro represent a pivotal moment in the budget smartphone market, both aiming to deliver impressive features without breaking the bank. Released around the same time, they competed fiercely for market share, offering compelling specs for the price. This comparison dives deep into their differences, focusing on performance, display quality, battery life, and camera capabilities to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 5 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 712 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Redmi Note 8’s Snapdragon 665, translating to smoother multitasking and better gaming. While the Redmi Note 8 offers respectable endurance, the Realme 5 Pro’s faster 20W charging is a significant convenience.
| 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, 20, 38, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August 29. Released 2019, October 16 | 2019, August 20. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 158.3 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm (6.23 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 157 x 74.2 x 8.9 mm (6.18 x 2.92 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 (6.70 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| | - | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 616 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| 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, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 20W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | 4035 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Neptune Blue, Moonlight White, Space Black, Nebula Purple, Cosmic Purple | Crystal Green, Crystal Blue, Chroma White |
| Models | M1908C3JH, M1908C3JG, M1908C3JI | RMX1971, RMX1973 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 430 EUR |
| SAR | 0.26 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.19 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -94.0dB / Crosstalk -93.3dB |
Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -92.0dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 108h
| Endurance rating 100h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1521:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1875:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 78dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 81dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 85dB |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 141915 (v7), 161572 (v8)
GeekBench: 5590 (v4.4), 1339 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 182765 (v7)
GeekBench: 6106 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8
- Slightly longer battery endurance rating
- Generally more affordable (depending on market)
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Slower Snapdragon 665 processor
- Slower 18W charging
- Less vibrant display
Realme 5 Pro
- Faster Snapdragon 712 processor
- Faster 20W charging with quick-charge capability
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Slightly shorter battery endurance rating
- May be slightly more expensive
- Potentially more thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
The Realme 5 Pro boasts a superior display with a contrast ratio of 1875:1 and a measured peak brightness of 512 nits, compared to the Redmi Note 8’s 1521:1 contrast ratio. This translates to more vibrant colors and better visibility in bright sunlight for the Realme 5 Pro. While both utilize LCD panels, the Realme’s higher brightness and contrast contribute to a more immersive viewing experience. The Redmi Note 8’s display, while adequate, lacks the punch and clarity of its competitor.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a multi-camera setup, but details beyond 'Photo / Video' capabilities are limited. However, the Realme 5 Pro’s chipset likely provides more robust image signal processing (ISP) capabilities, potentially leading to better image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Snapdragon 712’s superior processing power gives the Realme 5 Pro an edge. The prevalence of low-resolution auxiliary cameras on both devices suggests focusing on the main sensor’s performance is key.
Performance
The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The Realme 5 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 (10nm), featuring a Kryo 360 CPU configuration with 2x2.3 GHz Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Silver cores. This is a step up from the Redmi Note 8’s Snapdragon 665 (11nm) with its 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores. The 10nm process node of the Snapdragon 712 generally offers better power efficiency and thermal performance, allowing for sustained performance during demanding tasks. This advantage is noticeable in gaming and multitasking scenarios, where the Realme 5 Pro exhibits smoother operation.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 8 claims an endurance rating of 108 hours, slightly exceeding the Realme 5 Pro’s 100-hour rating. However, this difference is offset by the Realme 5 Pro’s significantly faster 20W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 30 minutes. The Redmi Note 8’s 18W charging is comparatively slower. While the Redmi Note 8 may last a bit longer on a single charge, the Realme 5 Pro’s faster charging minimizes downtime and provides greater convenience for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 if you prioritize long-term battery endurance and are primarily focused on essential smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Realme 5 Pro if you value faster performance for gaming and demanding apps, and appreciate the convenience of quicker charging times. The Realme 5 Pro is the better choice for users who want a more responsive and versatile experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 712 in the Realme 5 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 712 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't deliver the absolute highest performance, it provides a significantly smoother gaming experience compared to the Snapdragon 665 in the Redmi Note 8, especially during prolonged gaming sessions.
❓ How much faster is the 20W charging on the Realme 5 Pro compared to the 18W charging on the Redmi Note 8 in real-world use?
The Realme 5 Pro’s 20W charging can take a phone from 0% to 50% in approximately 30 minutes, while the Redmi Note 8’s 18W charging will take considerably longer – likely closer to 45-60 minutes for the same level of charge. This difference is particularly noticeable for users who need a quick power boost before heading out.
❓ Are there any significant differences in the software experience between the Redmi Note 8 and Realme 5 Pro?
Both phones originally launched with Android 9 Pie, but the software experience differs. The Redmi Note 8 runs Xiaomi’s MIUI, known for its extensive customization options but also sometimes criticized for bloatware. The Realme 5 Pro runs Realme UI, which is generally considered cleaner and closer to stock Android, offering a more streamlined experience.
❓ Given the similar battery endurance ratings, does the Redmi Note 8 simply last longer on a single charge?
While the Redmi Note 8 has a slightly higher endurance rating, the Realme 5 Pro’s faster charging mitigates the impact of any minor battery life differences. The convenience of quickly topping up the Realme 5 Pro often outweighs the Redmi Note 8’s slightly longer potential runtime.
