Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Apple iPhone 14 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Realme 8 | Apple iPhone 14 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 147.5 × 71.5 × 7.9 mm | Realme 8 is larger and may feel less comfortable in smaller hands or pockets, while the iPhone is more compact. |
| Weight | 177g | 206g | Realme 8 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use, while the iPhone 14 Pro might feel more premium due to its weight. |
| Build | Unknown | Unknown | Specific materials not listed; cannot determine the build quality difference. |
Display
| Feature | Realme 8 | Apple iPhone 14 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.1" | Realme 8 offers a slightly larger screen, which can be better for media consumption and gaming. iPhone 14 Pro may feel more comfortable in the hand for some. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1179x2556 | iPhone 14 Pro has a sharper, more detailed display due to higher pixel count and density, leading to clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 411 | 460 | iPhone 14 Pro has a noticeably sharper display with higher pixel density, resulting in finer details on the screen. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. The difference in real-world usage is minimal. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | iPhone 14 Pro offers smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experience due to higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 2000 nits | iPhone 14 Pro's higher brightness makes it much easier to use outdoors in bright sunlight. Realme 8 might struggle in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Realme 8 | Apple iPhone 14 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) | iPhone 14 Pro's significantly faster chip allows for smoother app loading, multitasking, and gaming. The Realme 8 is suitable for everyday tasks and some gaming but is slower overall. |
| Antutu Score | 409,874 | 1,474,011 | iPhone 14 Pro provides dramatically faster performance, suitable for demanding applications and future-proofing. Realme 8 might lag in resource-intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Apple GPU (5-core) | iPhone 14 Pro has a more powerful GPU for better gaming performance and graphic intensive tasks, whereas Realme 8 will be sufficient for less demanding games. |
Camera
| Feature | Realme 8 | Apple iPhone 14 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor | 48MP, f/1.78, 1/1.3" sensor | iPhone 14 Pro's larger sensor and advanced processing should offer better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13" sensor | 12MP, f/1.9 | iPhone 14 Pro's wider aperture should result in brighter low-light selfies. While the Realme 8 has higher megapixel count, it may not translate to better overall image quality. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP, f/2.8 | iPhone 14 Pro has an additional telephoto lens for optical zoom, allowing for better zoomed-in shots. Realme 8 relies on digital zoom, which can result in reduced quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor | iPhone 14 Pro wide-angle camera likely offers better low-light performance and less distortion due to the bigger sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. The iPhone 14 Pro cannot take close up photos. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated black and white sensor for additional photography options, but quality is likely low given the 2MP resolution. The iPhone 14 Pro does not have a dedicated lens for this function. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS | 4K@60fps, HDR, Stereo Sound | iPhone 14 Pro offers higher frame rate in 4K, HDR, and stereo sound in video. Apple also has Optical Image Stabilization, providing much more stable footage. |
| DxOMark | Not tested | Mobile: 146, Selfie: 145 | iPhone 14 Pro camera quality is superior based on DxOMark, though that is a single source and may not reflect real world use. |
| Features | Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization | Triple camera, OIS, RAW, Night Mode | iPhone 14 Pro offers more advanced features such as OIS for stable footage, RAW format for professional editing, and Night Mode for better low light photos. |
Battery
| Feature | Realme 8 | Apple iPhone 14 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3200mAh | Realme 8's larger battery may offer longer battery life, however, real-world endurance depends on software optimization and chipset efficiency. The iPhone 14 Pro with its smaller battery could have similar or better endurance due to its more efficient processor. |
| Charging | 30W | 20W | Realme 8 charges faster with 30W charging. The iPhone charges slower. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, MagSafe wireless charging 15W, Qi wireless charging 7.5W | iPhone 14 Pro offers wireless charging capabilities, which can be convenient for some users. Realme 8 does not support this. |
Other
| Feature | Realme 8 | Apple iPhone 14 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 | iOS 16 (Upgradable to iOS 18) | Different user interfaces and app ecosystems. iOS offers a smoother and more consistent experience. Android offers more customization options. |
| WiFi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | iPhone 14 Pro uses a newer WiFi standard, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Newer Bluetooth 5.3 on iPhone 14 Pro provides slightly better power efficiency and features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | iPhone 14 Pro supports more satellite systems for potentially improved accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | iPhone 14 Pro offers eSIM which is more convenient for international travel. Realme 8 supports 2 physical SIM cards simultaneously for local use. |
| Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1TB | iPhone 14 Pro has much more storage options. Both do not support expandable storage. |
| RAM | 4GB, 6GB or 8GB | 6GB | Realme 8's 8GB variant may be slightly better for multitasking but the faster processor of the iPhone 14 Pro still makes it perform better overall. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation mic | iPhone 14 Pro offers enhanced spatial audio, surround sound, and better noise cancellation for clearer calls and media consumption. |
| Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic Security features | Realme 8 has a fingerprint scanner. iPhone 14 Pro does not have a fingerprint scanner. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Proximity, Fingerprint sensor | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer, Proximity | iPhone 14 Pro offers a barometer for measuring altitude. Realme 8 offers a fingerprint scanner and magnetometer. |
| Build Quality Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Cannot determine if either phone has additional screen protection due to the missing information. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Larger Display: A slightly larger screen is better for media consumption and gaming.
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended periods of usage.
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers potential for longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging refills the battery quicker.
- Lower price: The Realme 8 is substantially more affordable.
- Fingerprint sensor: Offers a basic level of biometrics.
- Macro Lens: A dedicated macro camera for close-up shots, which the iPhone does not have.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A16 Bionic chip offers substantially better performance for all tasks.
- Better Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, 120Hz refresh rate, and brightness.
- Better Camera System: Larger sensor, telephoto lens, and advanced features like OIS, RAW, and Night Mode lead to better image and video quality.
- Wireless Charging: MagSafe and Qi wireless charging.
- Premium Build: High-quality construction and premium feel.
- Software Ecosystem: iOS ecosystem is more refined and polished, with guaranteed updates for several years.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and noise cancellation microphones
- eSIM Support: eSIM for international travel or easier carrier switching.
- More storage options: Storage from 128 GB to 1TB.
- More satellite systems: More satellite system support for better location accuracy.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Sacrifices performance, display quality, camera quality, wireless charging, and premium feel for a more affordable price, larger battery, and larger display.
- iPhone 14 Pro: More expensive, heavier, and smaller battery and screen, but excels in all other major aspects.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Realme 8:
- Budget-conscious users: Those who prioritize affordability and value for money.
- Casual smartphone users: People who mainly use their phones for basic tasks, social media, and light gaming.
- Users who prefer larger screens: People who value screen size for media consumption and gaming.
- Those who need a longer battery life: Users who want a phone that lasts throughout a full day or multiple days on a single charge.
Specific Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Daily driver: Good for basic tasks, communication, browsing, and casual media consumption.
- Secondary Phone: A good affordable device as a secondary phone, or for travel.
- Gaming: Capable of playing less demanding games.
Ideal User for Apple iPhone 14 Pro:
- Professional users: Those who need a powerful device for demanding tasks like video editing, graphic design, and software development.
- Photography and Videography enthusiasts: Users who prioritize camera quality and advanced features.
- Tech enthusiasts: People who want the best and most advanced smartphone experience.
- Users who value ecosystem: People who are invested in the Apple ecosystem.
Specific Use Cases for iPhone 14 Pro:
- Content creation: Ideal for recording high-quality videos and taking professional-grade photos.
- Demanding gaming: Best for running graphically intensive games.
- Productivity: Suitable for running resource-intensive apps and multitasking.
- Professional Work: Good for demanding work in graphic design, engineering, photography.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget?
- Realme 8 is significantly more affordable.
- iPhone 14 Pro is a high-end, premium device.
- What are your performance needs?
- Realme 8 is adequate for everyday tasks and some light gaming.
- iPhone 14 Pro offers vastly superior performance for all tasks.
- How important is the camera and display quality?
- Realme 8 provides an acceptable camera and display experience.
- iPhone 14 Pro offers superior quality in both aspects.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Use:
- Recommendation: Realme 8
- Reasoning: It offers good value for money and adequate performance for basic use.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Camera Focused:
- Recommendation: Apple iPhone 14 Pro
- Reasoning: The A16 chip and advanced camera system make it the better option for heavy users.
- Scenario 3: Value for money:
- Recommendation: Realme 8
- Reasoning: The Realme 8 provides the most value for its price.
- Scenario 4: Ecosystem focused:
- Recommendation: Apple iPhone 14 Pro
- Reasoning: The iOS ecosystem offers great compatibility for other Apple products.
Final Recommendation
If I had to choose, I would personally go with the Apple iPhone 14 Pro.
Reasoning:
While the Realme 8 offers better value for its cost and has certain merits such as a larger battery, and a macro lens, the iPhone 14 Pro is a vastly superior phone in almost every other aspect. My personal use case focuses on demanding tasks, content creation, and the best possible display and camera, which the iPhone 14 Pro excels at. The smooth performance, high quality display, excellent camera, and refined iOS ecosystem are well worth the price premium to me. The wireless charging, while not essential, is a nice added convenience as well. Though the battery is smaller, the software optimization and chipset efficiencies should translate to decent battery life as well.
