The Realme 5 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T represent a critical juncture in the budget smartphone market – a point where incremental improvements in processing power and display technology begin to significantly impact the user experience. Both devices aimed to deliver a compelling package without breaking the bank, but they took different approaches. This comparison dissects those choices, revealing which phone offers the best value for your money.
🏆 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 8T’s Snapdragon 665, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While the Redmi Note 8T boasts respectable battery endurance, the Realme 5 Pro’s faster 20W charging mitigates any battery life concerns.
| 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, 28, 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, November 06. Released 2019, November 08 | 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 | 161.1 x 75.4 x 8.6 mm (6.34 x 2.97 x 0.34 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 | 200 g (7.05 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 (~80.2% 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, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC | 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, 13mm (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 | Yes | 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 | Starscape Blue, Moonlight White, Moonshadow Grey | Crystal Green, Crystal Blue, Chroma White |
| Models | M1908C3XG | RMX1971, RMX1973 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 430 EUR |
| SAR | 1.02 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.74 W/kg (head) 1.30 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -93.7dB |
Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -92.0dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 108h | Endurance rating 100h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1360:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1875:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 78dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 79dB |
Voice 66dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 85dB |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 141077 (v7), 167395 (v8)
GeekBench: 5620 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 5.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 182765 (v7)
GeekBench: 6106 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T
- Longer battery endurance (108h)
- Slightly more affordable (potentially)
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Less powerful chipset (Snapdragon 665)
- Dimmer display compared to Realme 5 Pro
Realme 5 Pro
- Faster charging (20W, 50% in 30min)
- More powerful chipset (Snapdragon 712)
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Slightly shorter battery endurance (100h)
- Potentially higher price point
- May run slightly warmer under heavy load
Display Comparison
The Realme 5 Pro’s display is the clear winner in this category. Its measured peak brightness of 512 nits significantly outshines the Redmi Note 8T’s 450 nits, resulting in better visibility outdoors. Furthermore, the 1875:1 contrast ratio on the Realme 5 Pro delivers richer, more vibrant colors compared to the Redmi Note 8T’s 1360:1 ratio. While both displays are adequate, the Realme 5 Pro offers a more visually engaging experience, particularly for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a multi-camera setup, but detailed sensor information is lacking. However, the Realme 5 Pro’s chipset benefits from superior image signal processing (ISP) capabilities, potentially leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction in photos and videos. Without specific sensor size or aperture data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Realme 5 Pro’s processing advantage gives it an edge. The inclusion of a 2MP depth sensor on both devices is largely a marketing tactic and offers minimal real-world benefit.
Performance
The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The Realme 5 Pro’s Snapdragon 712, built on a more efficient 10nm process, demonstrably outperforms the Redmi Note 8T’s Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The 712’s Kryo 360 Gold cores, clocked at 2.3 GHz, provide a substantial uplift in CPU performance, while its Adreno 616 GPU offers a more capable gaming experience. The Redmi Note 8T’s Snapdragon 665 is sufficient for everyday tasks, but will struggle with graphically intensive games or heavy multitasking.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 8T boasts an endurance rating of 108 hours, slightly exceeding the Realme 5 Pro’s 100 hours. 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 8T’s 18W charging is comparatively slower. For users who frequently find themselves needing to top up their battery, the Realme 5 Pro’s charging speed is a major advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T if you prioritize long-term battery life and are a casual smartphone user who primarily focuses on essential tasks like calling, texting, and social media. Buy the Realme 5 Pro if you value performance for gaming and demanding applications, and appreciate the convenience of faster charging, even if it means slightly less endurance on a single charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 712 in the Realme 5 Pro get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the Redmi Note 8T?
While the Snapdragon 712 is more powerful, it also generates more heat. The Realme 5 Pro *may* experience slightly warmer temperatures during prolonged gaming, but the 10nm process helps mitigate this. The Redmi Note 8T’s Snapdragon 665 will likely remain cooler, but at the cost of performance.
❓ Is the 20W charging on the Realme 5 Pro compatible with standard USB-PD chargers?
No, the Realme 5 Pro utilizes its own proprietary 20W charging standard (VOOC). While it will charge with a standard USB-PD charger, it will do so at a significantly slower rate. Using the included charger is recommended to achieve the advertised 50% charge in 30 minutes.
❓ How significant is the performance difference between the Snapdragon 665 and 712 in real-world usage, beyond just benchmark scores?
The difference is noticeable in multitasking, app launch speeds, and gaming. The Snapdragon 712 allows for smoother transitions between apps and handles demanding games like PUBG Mobile at higher settings with more consistent frame rates. The Snapdragon 665 will handle these tasks, but with occasional stutters or the need to lower graphics settings.
