1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 160.9 × 77.8 × 7.8 mm | iPhone 16 Plus is slightly taller and wider, Realme 8 is negligibly thicker, but might be more comfortable to hold for some. |
| Weight | 177g | 199g | Realme 8 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | iPhone 16 Plus offers a slightly larger screen, enhancing media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1290x2796 | iPhone 16 Plus has a sharper display, resulting in clearer images and text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 411 | 460 | iPhone 16 Plus will show sharper images and finer detail. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer great colors and contrast, with OLED generally being brighter with better viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have the same refresh rate, which may appear less fluid to some users when scrolling |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 2000 nits | iPhone 16 Plus will be much more visible in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Apple A18 (3nm) | iPhone 16 Plus will offer significantly faster performance for all tasks, including gaming and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,753,018 | iPhone 16 Plus will feel significantly faster and smoother than the Realme 8 for all applications. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Apple GPU (5-core) | iPhone 16 Plus has superior graphics performance for gaming and other visually intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4674mAh | Realme 8 has a slightly larger battery, which may translate to slightly longer usage. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging (Li-Polymer) | 25W fast charging (Li-Ion), 25W Wireless Charging | Realme 8 charges slightly faster via cable; iPhone 16 Plus offers convenient wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Rear Cam | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.70µm | 48MP, f/1.6, 1/1.3", 1.00µm | iPhone 16 Plus's larger sensor and wider aperture allow for better low-light performance and image quality. |
| Selfie Cam | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.00µm | 12MP, f/1.9, unknown size, unknown µm | iPhone 16 Plus's wider aperture allows better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for more versatile shooting. |
| Macro lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, though quality may be lower than other lenses. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | iPhone 16 Plus has an additional ultrawide lens that can function as a macro lens. |
| Black & white lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 has a black and white lens for artistic photography. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps with EIS | 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps with HDR, OIS | iPhone 16 Plus offers higher quality video recording, with better stabilization and dynamic range. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | iOS 18 | iOS offers a more consistent experience, while Android offers more customizability. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | iPhone 16 Plus supports faster, more reliable Wi-Fi connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | iPhone 16 Plus offers a slightly newer Bluetooth standard with more range and stability. |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1), NavIC System | iPhone 16 Plus provides more precise location tracking, due to better satellite support. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | iPhone 16 Plus offers the convenience of using an eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 128/256/512 GB | iPhone 16 Plus has significantly more storage options. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 8 GB | iPhone 16 Plus has a good amount of RAM for multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers the option of expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | iPhone 16 Plus has a better sound experience for both listening and calling |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint | Basic security features | Realme 8 has a fingerprint scanner while iPhone 16 Plus has unspecified security features. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Apple iPhone 16 Plus includes additional environmental sensors while the Realme 8 includes a fingerprint and magnetometer sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for prolonged use.
- Slightly Larger Battery: May offer slightly better battery life.
- Dedicated Wide-Angle Lens: More versatile camera system for landscape and group shots.
- Macro Lens: Allows for close-up photography.
- Lower Cost (Likely): Generally more affordable than flagship phones like the iPhone.
- Fingerprint sensor: Offers a convenient way to unlock the phone.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers high quality sound through headphones.
Apple iPhone 16 Plus Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The A18 chip provides a superior user experience.
- Higher Quality Display: Larger, sharper, and brighter for better viewing in all conditions.
- Superior Camera Quality: Better low-light performance and overall image quality with a larger sensor.
- Advanced Video Recording: Higher resolutions and frame rates, with more advanced stabilization and features.
- Wireless Charging: Added convenience.
- More Storage Options: Offers more storage space for users with extensive media libraries.
- eSIM Support: Convenient for dual-SIM users.
- Better Audio Quality: Better sound for listening and calling.
- Enhanced Location Accuracy: Support for more satellite systems for better accuracy.
- Longer Software Support: Apple products typically receive updates for longer periods of time.
- Latest Bluetooth version: Offers a more stable connection to wireless devices.
- Advanced Sensors: Barometer and Compass.
- Stereo Speakers: More immersive sound experience.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8 sacrifices raw performance and display quality for affordability and weight.
- iPhone 16 Plus is significantly more expensive and is slightly heavier. It does not have a fingerprint sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 - Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious buyers looking for a capable phone.
- Users who prioritize a lighter phone for comfortable handling.
- Users who want the versatility of a wide-angle and macro camera without needing top-tier image quality.
- Users who do not need top-tier performance or the absolute best image quality.
- Users who do not rely heavily on the phone for mobile gaming or video editing.
- Users who like to use fingerprint unlock.
- Users who value Hi-Res Audio.
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Everyday social media and browsing.
- Casual photography and videography.
- Light mobile gaming.
- Basic productivity tasks.
Apple iPhone 16 Plus - Ideal User:
- Users who want the best performance and responsiveness.
- Users who want a higher-quality display for viewing media and gaming.
- Users who want excellent camera quality, especially in low-light conditions.
- Users who need the best video recording capabilities, including video stabilization and sound capture.
- Users who value premium design, material quality and user experience.
- Users who prefer Apple's ecosystem and its longevity of updates.
- Users who want to use wireless charging.
- Users who want better audio quality and noise cancellation during calls.
Use Cases for iPhone 16 Plus:
- Mobile gaming and video editing.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Heavy multitasking and productivity.
- Consistent use in bright outdoor conditions.
- Users who rely heavily on their phones and need it to work without lag or performance issues.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The price difference will likely be very significant between these two.
- How important is performance? If you need the best possible experience when gaming or using demanding apps, the iPhone is much better.
- What is your most important use case? Do you prioritize media consumption, photography, gaming, or all-around performance?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-conscious user who needs a reliable phone: If budget is the primary constraint, the Realme 8 is a good, affordable option that will do the job for standard tasks.
- Scenario 2: User who wants the best camera for social media: If the main need is for a great camera, the iPhone 16 Plus is the winner with better overall quality, advanced video recording, and more features.
- Scenario 3: Heavy user who needs a fast and long-lasting phone: The iPhone 16 Plus provides a superior experience with its top performance, brighter display, and better sound quality.
- Scenario 4: User who wants a basic phone for everyday tasks, with a wide-angle lens: The Realme 8 will cover the basics while providing a macro and a wide-angle camera.
- Scenario 5: User who needs advanced security features: Neither phone offers cutting-edge security features, but the Realme 8 includes fingerprint sensor as a basic feature.
- Scenario 6: User who wants high quality audio: The iPhone 16 Plus is a better choice due to its inclusion of Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, and 3 microphones.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I would pick the Apple iPhone 16 Plus. While the Realme 8 has the appeal of being budget friendly with a slightly bigger battery, the performance gap is too large to ignore. I value a smooth user experience, a high-quality display, and great camera quality more. The iPhone 16 Plus's A18 chip and overall improvements in screen brightness and camera quality would make it a more satisfying daily device for my use case (heavy multitasking, media consumption, photography). The advantages provided by the iPhone 16 Plus would make the higher price tag justifiable, despite the absence of a fingerprint sensor. Additionally, I also value high quality audio in a phone. I will also say that the difference in price between these phones is very significant, so the answer here will heavily depend on budget.
