1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Huawei nova 8i | Realme C61 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.9 × 74.7 × 8.6 mm | 167.3 × 76.7 × 7.8 mm | Realme C61 is taller and wider, Huawei nova 8i is thicker. This impacts handling comfort and pocketability, but the differences are relatively small. |
| Weight | 190g | 188g | Negligible difference in weight. Both feel similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.74" | Very similar screen sizes; difference is hardly noticeable for regular use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2376 | 720x1600 | Huawei nova 8i has significantly sharper display, text and images will look crisper, less pixelated |
| PPI | 391 | 260 | Huawei nova 8i has much higher pixel density, resulting in much sharper images and text. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both displays will have similar color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Realme C61 offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have the same peak brightness (which is an unknown value). |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | Realme C61 has a more powerful chipset resulting in faster app loading and smoother performance in everyday use. |
| AnTuTu Score | 201,000 | 252,597 | Realme C61 demonstrates better performance in benchmarks, indicating slightly better real-world speed and responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 | The Realme C61's GPU is expected to offer better graphical performance for gaming and demanding tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4300mAh | 5000mAh | Realme C61 offers longer battery life per charge. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | Huawei nova 8i charges faster; less time plugged in. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera (Main) | 64MP, f/1.9 | 32MP, f/1.8 | Huawei nova 8i has higher resolution, while Realme C61 has wider aperture, potentially better low-light performance. |
| Front Camera | 16MP, f/2.0 | 5MP, f/2.0 | Huawei nova 8i offers much more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | Not Available | Huawei nova 8i allows for a wider field of view in photos. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar capabilities for adding depth to portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | Huawei nova 8i enables close-up photography of small objects. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both offer basic 1080p recording, adequate for social media videos |
| Slow-motion | Yes, 120 fps | No, 30 fps | Huawei nova 8i offers higher framerate slow-motion |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | Realme C61 has a much newer Android version, offering improved features, security, and compatibility. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both have similar capabilities, Realme C61 adds dual band and Wi-Fi Direct. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.0 LE | Both have Bluetooth 5.0, with variations in supported profiles. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | Huawei nova 8i has Beidou, for better location accuracy in specific regions. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | Realme C61 offers up to 256GB of storage |
| RAM | 6 GB | 4 GB, 6 GB, 8 GB | Realme C61 offers up to 8GB of RAM |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage via microSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Stereo Speakers | Huawei nova 8i has better call quality and audio recording capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both phones offer similar fingerprint sensor technology. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer | Huawei nova 8i includes more sensors suitable for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Huawei nova 8i Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and PPI results in a noticeably clearer and more detailed viewing experience.
- Superior Front Camera: The 16MP front camera will capture much more detailed selfies than the Realme C61's 5MP front camera.
- Versatile Camera System: Includes a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens.
- Faster Charging: 66W charging means less time waiting for the battery to replenish.
- Better Audio Features: Includes noise cancellation, stereo speakers, and dual mics, leading to better audio in calls and recordings.
- Better GPS Accuracy: Beidou support enhances location tracking.
- More Sensors: Includes compass and gyroscope, which are necessary for some apps and games.
Realme C61 Advantages:
- Newer Android Version: Android 14 provides the latest features and security patches.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations.
- Better Performance: The Unisoc T612 chipset and higher AnTuTu score indicates better performance in everyday tasks and gaming.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery for longer usage between charges.
- Higher RAM options: The 8GB RAM option provides for improved multitasking capabilities
- Higher storage options: 256GB storage options provides ample storage space
Trade-offs:
- Huawei nova 8i: Sacrifices battery life and overall performance for better display, camera versatility and faster charging. Older Android Version.
- Realme C61: Prioritizes battery life and performance with a newer OS and slightly smoother display refresh rate. But it lacks the additional camera lenses and has lower display resolution and front camera resolution.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Huawei nova 8i:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize display quality, selfie quality and fast charging, willing to compromise a bit on battery life and performance. Good for users who take a lot of pictures and videos
- Use Cases: Ideal for those who heavily consume media, browse social media, enjoy photography, or need a device with quick charging times. Good for casual gamers who prioritize display quality over gaming performance
Realme C61:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a longer lasting battery, smoother performance and newer software.
- Use Cases: Ideal for people on the go who need a phone that lasts through the day and performs well with everyday tasks and games. Good for users who prioritize performance over display quality and camera versatility.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Display Clarity vs. Smoothness: Do you value higher resolution and pixel density for sharper images (Huawei nova 8i) or smoother scrolling with a higher refresh rate (Realme C61)?
- Battery Life vs. Charging Speed: Do you prefer a longer-lasting battery (Realme C61) or faster charging (Huawei nova 8i)?
- Camera Versatility vs. Performance: Do you want a more versatile camera system with additional lenses (Huawei nova 8i), or is a newer Android OS with better performance a higher priority (Realme C61)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Media Consumption & Photography: If you watch a lot of videos, browse photos, and prioritize high-quality selfies, the Huawei nova 8i is the better choice due to its sharper display, better front camera, and extra camera lenses.
- Scenario 2: Daily Usage & Long Battery Life: If you are a user who wants a reliable phone that lasts all day and need a newer Android version and smoother performance, the Realme C61 is the better option due to its larger battery, better performance, and newer OS.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious Shoppers: If budget is the primary concern, the price-to-value ratio of both phones needs to be considered based on their pricing at time of purchase. The Realme C61 tends to be a more value-focused device.
My Choice:
Based on a balanced view of real-world performance and longevity, I would choose the Realme C61. While the Huawei nova 8i has a superior display and camera versatility, the Realme C61's newer Android version (Android 14 vs. Android 10), better chipset (Unisoc T612 vs Snapdragon 662), larger battery, smoother display, better RAM options, and higher storage options make it a more future-proof and balanced device for general use. The Realme C61 will offer a smoother and more up-to-date user experience overall. The larger battery also means less charging hassle. The slightly lower camera quality is a worthwhile trade-off for better overall user experience.
