1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 172.8 × 77.3 × 10.3 mm | Asus ROG Phone 5 is larger and bulkier, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use and carrying in pockets. |
| Weight | 177g | 238g | Realme 8 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.78" | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers a more immersive viewing experience with a larger screen, better for multimedia and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2448 | Both have very similar sharpness; the difference is negligible in daily use. |
| PPI | 411 | 395 | Similar pixel density, both displays will appear sharp to the naked eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Asus ROG Phone 5 provides a much smoother visual experience, especially noticeable when gaming or scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 should be significantly more visible in bright, sunny conditions, whereas Asus ROG Phone 5's brightness information is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers significantly higher performance, with smoother multitasking and better gaming capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 883,000 | Asus ROG Phone 5 provides a much faster experience, loading apps quickly and handling demanding tasks more easily. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 660 | Asus ROG Phone 5 is equipped with a significantly more powerful GPU for superior graphics performance, especially in gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | Asus ROG Phone 5 should offer longer battery life, allowing for more usage time between charges, though actual endurance depends on usage. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Asus ROG Phone 5 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime when needing a quick top-up. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers the flexibility to charge other devices and bypass battery during intense tasks to reduce heat and battery degradation. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.70 µm | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", 0.80 µm | Asus ROG Phone 5's larger sensor and pixel size should capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.00 µm | 24MP, f/2.45, 1/2.8", 0.90 µm | Asus ROG Phone 5 captures more detailed selfies with a larger sensor, potentially better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.25 | 13MP, f/2.5 | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers higher-resolution wider shots with more detail, although Realme has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.0 | Asus ROG Phone 5 provides higher-resolution, better lit macro shots. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 provides the additional functionality of black and white photography. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers superior video recording capabilities, including higher resolutions, and frame rates for smooth, high-quality videos and slow motion. |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, etc. | 4K & 8K Video, Optical zoom, Triple camera, etc. | Asus ROG Phone 5 has more advanced video features with optical zoom, while Realme 8 has more cameras, but limited zoom capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers a more recent Android version and update capability, promising longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ad/ax (WiFi 6) | Asus ROG Phone 5 has faster speeds, better latency, and better performance on congested networks due to the use of WiFi 6. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a slightly newer standard and better codec support for higher quality audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5) etc | Asus ROG Phone 5 will likely offer better location accuracy thanks to more satellite system support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128GB | 128/256/512GB | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers more storage space, accommodating more files, apps, and games. |
| RAM | 4/6/8GB | 8/12/16/18GB | Asus ROG Phone 5 will provide better performance with heavy multitasking and gaming, particularly at higher RAM configurations. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | DTS / DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, etc. | Asus ROG Phone 5 provides a superior audio experience with stereo speakers, enhanced surround sound, and noise cancellation microphones for clearer calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both provide standard fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has better screen protection, more resistant to scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both provide comprehensive motion and orientation support, but Asus has more sensors, making it a more capable device. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: The Realme 8 is significantly lighter and smaller, making it easier to handle and carry in a pocket.
- Higher Screen Brightness: The Realme 8 offers better outdoor visibility with 1000 nits brightness, especially useful in sunny conditions.
- Lower Price Point: The Realme 8 is expected to be more affordable, making it a budget-friendly option for users.
- Black and White Camera: Offers additional photographic capabilities not present in Asus ROG Phone 5.
Asus ROG Phone 5 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset and Adreno 660 GPU offer much higher performance for smoother gaming and multitasking.
- Larger and Smoother Display: A larger 6.78" display with a 144Hz refresh rate provides a more immersive and fluid visual experience.
- Bigger Battery with Faster Charging: A 6000mAh battery and 65W fast charging allow for more usage and less downtime when charging.
- Better Camera: Larger sensor sizes, higher resolution on several lenses, and advanced video recording capabilities enhance the overall camera performance.
- More RAM and Storage Options: More RAM and internal storage provides better performance and storage space.
- Superior Audio: Provides a better audio experience with DTS X, stereo speakers, and noise cancelling microphones
- Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 provide improved connectivity speed and stability.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 provides superior protection from scratches and drops.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Size and Weight: The Asus ROG Phone 5 is bulkier and heavier, which may not be ideal for those seeking a compact and lightweight phone.
- Screen Brightness (Unclear): The lack of brightness information for Asus ROG Phone 5 is concerning, as it could mean poor outdoor visibility.
- Price: Asus ROG Phone 5 is much more expensive and may not be suitable for budget conscious users
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Those looking for a decent smartphone experience without breaking the bank.
- Users prioritizing portability: Those who prefer a light and compact phone that is comfortable to carry.
- Everyday users: People who use their phones for general tasks, social media, and media consumption.
Use Cases:
- Daily browsing, social media, messaging
- Casual gaming
- Outdoor photography and navigation
- Basic media consumption
Asus ROG Phone 5 Ideal User:
- Mobile gamers: Users who demand the best possible gaming performance and immersive experience.
- Power users: People who require fast performance, lots of RAM, and storage for multitasking and demanding apps.
- Multimedia enthusiasts: Those who prioritize a larger display, better speakers and a great video experience.
- Users who value advanced technology: Users who prefer the latest and greatest technology.
Use Cases:
- Intense mobile gaming with high frame rates
- Multitasking between demanding apps
- High-quality video recording and editing
- Immersive multimedia consumption
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is gaming and performance? If gaming is a priority, the Asus ROG Phone 5 is the clear winner. If not, the Realme 8 provides a good experience at a lower price point.
- What is your budget? The Realme 8 is significantly more affordable. Consider if the extra features of the Asus ROG Phone 5 are worth the extra cost.
- What are your size and weight preferences? The Realme 8 is smaller and lighter, while the Asus ROG Phone 5 is much larger and heavier. Consider how important portability is to you.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If you're on a tight budget and want a decent all-around smartphone, the Realme 8 is the better choice.
- Hardcore Gamer: If you want the best possible gaming performance, then the Asus ROG Phone 5 is the clear option, even with the increase in price and size.
- Everyday User: If your needs are primarily for social media and daily use, and you also want something light and comfortable to carry around, the Realme 8 is the better fit.
- Multimedia Enthusiast: If you watch a lot of videos and want a large display with good audio, the Asus ROG Phone 5 is a much better choice because it boasts a larger screen, higher refresh rate, and superior audio.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would pick the Asus ROG Phone 5, primarily due to its significantly superior performance. While I appreciate the lighter weight of the Realme 8, the drastic difference in processing power, display refresh rate, and battery capacity of the ROG Phone 5 makes it far more appealing for my general use, which includes mobile gaming.
Although the Realme 8 is more affordable, I find the additional cost for Asus ROG Phone 5 worth the performance boost and overall better user experience. The larger display, 144Hz refresh rate, and superior audio also makes the ROG Phone 5 more enjoyable for multimedia use, which I value highly. The lack of brightness information for the Asus ROG Phone 5 is concerning, but the increase in overall performance and multimedia capabilities is enough to make it a better option for me.
