The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 and Realme 6i (India) represent compelling options in the sub-$200 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid all-around experience, they diverge significantly in their core strengths. The Redmi Note 8 prioritizes endurance and a balanced feature set, while the Realme 6i aggressively targets gamers with a more powerful chipset and significantly faster charging.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and a consistently smooth experience, the Redmi Note 8 remains a strong contender. However, the Realme 6i emerges as the winner for gamers and those who value rapid charging, thanks to its Helio G90T chipset and 30W fast charging capability.
| 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 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August 29. Released 2019, October 16 | 2020, July 24. Released 2020, July 31 |
| 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) | 162.1 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm (6.38 x 2.94 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 (6.70 oz) | 191 g (6.74 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 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 | Android 10, Realme UI |
| 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 |
| | - | 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, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 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, 26mm (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, 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 30W wired, PD, 100% in 55 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Neptune Blue, Moonlight White, Space Black, Nebula Purple, Cosmic Purple | Eclipse Black, Lunar White |
| Models | M1908C3JH, M1908C3JG, M1908C3JI | RMX2002 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 150 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 | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 108h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1521:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 78dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 81dB
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 141915 (v7), 161572 (v8)
GeekBench: 5590 (v4.4), 1339 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8
- Exceptional battery life (108h endurance)
- Reliable and consistent performance for everyday tasks
- Balanced feature set for the price
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Less powerful chipset for demanding games
Realme 6i (India)
- Superior gaming performance with Helio G90T
- Ultra-fast 30W charging (100% in 55 mins)
- Likely higher refresh rate display for smoother visuals
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to Redmi Note 8
- May run warmer under sustained load
Display Comparison
Both phones lack detailed display specifications beyond the Redmi Note 8's contrast ratio of 1521:1 (nominal). Given the price point, we can assume both utilize IPS LCD panels. The Realme 6i likely benefits from a higher refresh rate, a common feature in its segment, which the Redmi Note 8 likely lacks. This would translate to smoother scrolling and animations, particularly noticeable in gaming. Without specific brightness data, it's difficult to definitively say which offers better outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering little specific insight. In this segment, sensor size and image processing are key. Without detailed sensor information, it's difficult to make a direct comparison. However, Realme typically focuses on camera marketing, suggesting a potentially more refined camera experience on the 6i. The Redmi Note 8's strength likely lies in its consistent image quality in good lighting conditions, while the 6i might offer better low-light performance due to its more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) integrated within the Helio G90T.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 6i’s Mediatek Helio G90T (12nm) is architecturally superior to the Redmi Note 8’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The G90T features a combination of two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores and six efficiency-focused Cortex-A55 cores, while the Snapdragon 665 relies on eight Kryo 260 cores. This translates to a noticeable performance advantage for the Realme 6i in demanding tasks like gaming. The 12nm process node of the G90T, while slightly larger than the Snapdragon’s 11nm, is optimized for performance, and the G90T’s GPU is significantly more powerful. This means the Realme 6i will handle graphically intensive games at higher settings with fewer frame drops.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 8 boasts an endurance rating of 108 hours, indicating excellent battery life. However, the Realme 6i compensates for a potentially smaller battery (spec not provided) with its 30W wired charging, capable of reaching 100% charge in just 55 minutes. This is a significant advantage over the Redmi Note 8’s 18W charging. While the Redmi Note 8 will last longer on a single charge, the Realme 6i minimizes downtime, allowing users to quickly top up their battery and get back to gaming or other activities.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 if you need a phone that lasts all day on a single charge and offers a reliable, if not groundbreaking, experience. It's ideal for everyday tasks, social media, and casual photography. Buy the Realme 6i (India) if you prioritize gaming performance, want to minimize downtime with incredibly fast 30W charging, and are willing to trade some battery endurance for that extra power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme 6i's Helio G90T overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G90T is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 665. While Realme likely implemented thermal management solutions, extended gaming at maximum settings may lead to some throttling to prevent overheating. However, the performance boost generally outweighs this concern for most users.
❓ How much faster is the 30W charging on the Realme 6i compared to the 18W charging on the Redmi Note 8 in real-world use?
The Realme 6i's 30W charging can fully charge the device in approximately 55 minutes, while the Redmi Note 8's 18W charging will take considerably longer – likely over 2 hours. This difference is significant for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 665 and Helio G90T noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks, the difference will be minimal. Both chipsets are capable of handling everyday usage smoothly. However, when multitasking or opening demanding apps, the Realme 6i's Helio G90T will exhibit faster response times and smoother performance.
