Okay, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Moto G31 and the realme 8. I'll break down the specs, highlight key differences, and help you figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table focusing on what really matters for daily use:
| Feature | Motorola Moto G31 | realme 8 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm | 162 x 75.1 x 8.7 mm | The realme 8 is slightly wider and thicker, which could make it feel a bit bulkier in hand, while the G31 is just a hair more compact. |
| Weight | 181g | 191g | The Moto G31 is lighter, which might be noticeable during extended use, making it more comfortable for long calls or gaming sessions. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.78" | The realme 8 offers a noticeably larger screen, providing a more immersive experience for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1264x2780 | The realme 8's higher resolution translates to sharper images and text, making details pop and enhancing overall visual clarity compared to the G31. |
| PPI | 411 | 450 | The realme 8 has slightly higher pixel density, leading to slightly sharper image quality |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use the same vibrant and contrasty AMOLED technology, but the realme 8 might have a marginally crisper look due to higher resolution. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The realme 8's 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations much smoother, enhancing the feel of responsiveness. The G31's 60Hz could feel a bit dated by comparison. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits. Peak brightness was not specified in this comparison set, but the screen's performance would be affected. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm) | Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4nm) | The realme 8's Snapdragon chipset is significantly more powerful, leading to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better performance in demanding games, it is much faster than the MediaTek chip of the G31. |
| AnTuTu Score | 225,154 | N/A | The Moto G31 scores significantly lower than the realme 8, but the exact score of the realme 8 is not listed. The G31 is likely to struggle with intensive applications. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 732 | The Adreno 732 in the realme 8 is much more capable of providing better gaming performance. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 0 mAh | The Moto G31 features a larger battery that should provide much more usage. The realme 8's battery specs were not listed so this is an estimation based on the battery capacity available. |
| Charging | 10W Fast Charging | Standard Charging | The Moto G31 offers slow 10W fast charging. The realme 8’s charging capabilities weren't listed, so I will assume standard. |
| Features | Non-removable | Standard Features | The Moto G31's non-removable battery design does not offer flexibility if it is damaged. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | N/A | The Moto G31 includes a standard camera with a decent aperture, while the realme 8's standard camera specs were not provided. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2 | N/A | The Moto G31 includes a 13MP selfie camera. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.0 | N/A | The Moto G31 includes a wide angle camera. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The Moto G31 includes a macro camera. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps; Slow-mo | Up to 4K@60fps, OIS, EIS | The realme 8's 4k video recording with optical image stabilization is much more robust and is capable of much higher quality video compared to the Moto G31. |
| Features | Digital/Optical Zoom, PDAF, etc | N/A | The Moto G31 comes with a wide array of camera features such as digital and optical zoom. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | The realme 8 has a much newer OS version, which could mean better security and more access to newer features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac, Dual band, etc. | N/A | The Moto G31 offers more robust and newer WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, A2DP | N/A | The Moto G31 uses a newer version of Bluetooth with added audio compatibility. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, etc | N/A | The Moto G31 features more extensive satellite systems, meaning more reliable location data. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | N/A | The Moto G31 can run two sims at the same time. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | N/A | The Moto G31 comes in 64 or 128 GB options. |
| RAM | 4 GB | N/A | The Moto G31 offers 4 GB of ram, which is adequate for basic multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 mics | Basic | The Moto G31 features a Dolby Atmos with 2 microphones, offering significantly better spatial audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | The Moto G31 features a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor compared to a basic sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Light, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Basic Sensors | The Moto G31 features a full array of motion, light, and biometric sensors, while the realme 8's specific sensor list is not provided. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G31:
- Strengths: A lighter design, better battery capacity and fast charging, more extensive camera array and features, more robust connectivity options and standards, dual sim functionality, better audio quality, better security, and better sensor suite.
- Competitive Advantage: If you prioritize a longer-lasting battery, a lighter feel, more extensive camera features and dual sim capability, and a more robust sensor suite, the Moto G31 offers a solid experience with great audio.
realme 8:
- Strengths: A larger screen, higher resolution display, and a much more powerful and smooth chipset with 120Hz refresh rate, more advanced video recording with OIS. and a newer operating system.
- Competitive Advantage: The realme 8 is aimed at users that want a much more fluid device for intense gaming, media consumption, and advanced video recording.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Moto G31 has a less powerful chipset, a lower resolution display, a lower refresh rate, and slower video recording capabilities in exchange for a better battery, sensor suite, and audio system.
- The realme 8 lacks the camera variety, better battery life, more robust security, and dual sim capabilities in exchange for its more powerful processor, higher resolution display with a faster refresh rate, more advanced video, and a newer operating system.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Moto G31 is best for:
- Budget-conscious users: Those looking for a solid all-rounder on a budget where the priority is a longer lasting battery and dual sim functionality.
- Casual photographers: Those who enjoy having a versatile camera system with lots of features without needing top-tier image quality.
- Everyday users: Those who prioritize battery life and a lighter device over top-tier performance.
- Audio Lovers: Those who enjoy an enhanced audio experience with Dolby Atmos support and two microphones.
- Reliable Navigators: Those who need accurate location data with a variety of satellite systems.
realme 8 is best for:
- Mobile Gamers: Those who prioritize smooth gameplay and responsiveness above all else.
- Media Enthusiasts: Those who watch a lot of videos and want a larger, high-resolution screen with smooth scrolling.
- Tech-Savvy Users: Those who like to have the newest features and a more responsive device in general.
- Video Graphers: Those who want to record quality videos with high definition and optical image stabilization.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you decide, ask yourself:
- What’s more important for you – smooth performance or long battery life? (realme 8 favors the former; Moto G31 the latter).
- How much do you value screen quality and size? (realme 8 provides a larger, higher resolution screen; Moto G31 offers better audio.)
- Do you need a versatile camera setup, or a device that can record the highest quality videos? (Moto G31 offers a more versatile system while realme 8 has the ability to record higher quality video)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the casual user who wants a long-lasting device and is not a heavy gamer: The Motorola Moto G31 is the way to go because of its robust battery, extensive sensor suite, versatile camera array, audio system, and dual sim capabilities.
- For the mobile gamer or video enthusiast: The realme 8 is the winner because of its high refresh rate screen, and robust video recording capabilities.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would personally lean towards the realme 8. As a tech journalist and someone who enjoys mobile gaming and video creation, the significantly faster chipset, the 120Hz display, and the 4k video recording capabilities are more important to me. While the Moto G31 has some excellent qualities, such as its battery life, sensor suite, versatile camera system, and dual sim capability, the realme 8's display and performance make it a better option for my personal needs and I don't mind sacrificing the features that the Moto G31 has in return.
I hope this in-depth comparison helps you make a well-informed decision!
