1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | Asus ROG Phone 8 is larger and thicker; Realme 8 is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 177g | 225g | Realme 8 is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use and one-handed operation. Asus is heavier, might feel bulky. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.78" | Asus ROG Phone 8 has a larger screen, better for multimedia consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have same resolution, similar sharpness |
| PPI | 411 | 388 | Realme 8 has slightly sharper display |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use vibrant AMOLED technology, offering great colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | Asus ROG Phone 8 offers much smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming due to higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 2500 nits | Asus ROG Phone 8 is much brighter, providing significantly better outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Asus ROG Phone 8 has a much more powerful chip, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 2,020,000 | Asus ROG Phone 8 offers drastically superior performance. Realme 8 will struggle with very demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 750 | Asus ROG Phone 8's GPU provides a vastly superior gaming and graphics performance compared to the Realme 8. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | Asus ROG Phone 8 has slightly larger battery, should provide longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Asus ROG Phone 8 charges significantly faster. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | Asus ROG Phone 8 has a larger sensor with bigger pixels, which results in better low light performance and image quality even if lower resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | 32MP | Asus ROG Phone 8 offers higher resolution selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.25 | No | Realme 8 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more of a scene; Asus does not have a dedicated wide angle. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4 | Asus ROG Phone 8 offers slightly higher resolution macro shots. |
| Wide Angle+Macro | No | 13MP, f/2.2 | Asus ROG Phone 8 combines wide angle and macro into one lense |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | No | Realme 8 has a dedicated black & white lens for dedicated black and white photography. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS | Asus ROG Phone 8 offers vastly superior video recording capabilities, including 8K resolution and HDR, also more framerate options. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | HDR, EIS | Asus ROG Phone 8 offers better video stabilization and includes HDR |
| Features | Quadruple camera, Ultra stable video | Triple camera, Optical zoom, OIS, Gimbal, LAF, Panorama, Night Mode | Asus ROG Phone 8 has Optical zoom, OIS, Gimbal, Laser autofocus, Panorama, Night Mode while Realme has Quadruple Camera and Ultra Stable Video mode |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Asus ROG Phone 8 has a much newer operating system, offering better features, security, and updates. |
| Max Version | Android 16 | Asus ROG Phone 8 will get 3 major android updates | |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 7 | Asus ROG Phone 8 has the latest Wi-Fi standard for faster speeds, lower latency, and better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Asus ROG Phone 8 has a newer Bluetooth version with improved features and better audio codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5) | Asus ROG Phone 8 supports more satellite systems, leading to better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB or 128GB | 256GB | Asus ROG Phone 8 has much more base storage, better for larger apps, media, and games. |
| RAM | 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB | 12GB or 16GB | Asus ROG Phone 8 has significantly more RAM, better for multitasking and running demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | DTS/DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Asus ROG Phone 8 offers a better sound experience with its stereo speakers and spatial audio support; Realme has Hi-Res audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Both phones use a standard fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Asus ROG Phone 8 has a superior screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Asus ROG Phone 8 has compass and gravity sensors; Realme 8 has Magnetometer |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and more pocketable, better for extended use and one handed use.
- Slightly Higher Pixel Density: Offers a slightly sharper display, although the difference may be negligible.
- Wide Angle Camera: Has a dedicated wide-angle lens, which the Asus lacks, useful for capturing expansive scenes.
- Dedicated Black and White Lens: Has a dedicated black and white lens for more creative photography
- More Affordable: Likely to be significantly cheaper given the chipset and release date.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Processor: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers drastically superior performance, making it ideal for demanding games and heavy multitasking.
- Much Higher Refresh Rate: 165Hz refresh rate offers incredibly smooth animations and a more fluid experience.
- Superior Brightness: 2500 nits brightness is much better for outdoor visibility, particularly in bright sunlight.
- Larger Display: The 6.78" screen is better for multimedia and gaming.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging is twice as fast as the Realme's 30W.
- Better Main Camera Sensor: The larger sensor and pixels on the main camera offer superior image quality, especially in low light.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Better for selfies and video calls
- Higher Resolution Macro Lens: Allows for more detailed macro shots
- Wide Angle + Macro Camera: Combines wide angle and macro into one lens
- Much Better Video Recording: Supports 8K video recording, higher frame rates, HDR, and better stabilization features.
- Newer Operating System: Ships with Android 14, providing the latest features and security updates, also will receive 3 major android upgrades
- Latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Supports the newest Wi-Fi 7 standard, and Bluetooth 5.3
- More RAM and Storage: Comes with 12GB or 16GB of RAM and 256GB of base storage
- Better Audio Quality: Features stereo speakers, DTS:X surround sound and 3 microphones.
- Superior Screen Protection: Has Gorilla Glass Victus 2
- More GPS Satellites: Has more GPS Satellites for better accuracy
- Gimbal: The gimbal assists in making very smooth videos with minimal handshake.
- Optical Zoom: Allows for better zoom capabilities and keeps the quality high
Trade-offs:
- The Realme 8 is more compact and lightweight but has a much lower performance.
- The Asus ROG Phone 8 offers superior performance but comes with a higher weight and price.
- The Realme 8 has a wide-angle and black and white lens, which the Asus lacks, but has lower quality cameras overall.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize a lightweight, compact design for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and casual photography. Users who also need a dedicated wide angle camera
- Use Cases:
- Daily driver for basic communication and social media.
- General-purpose device for web browsing and document viewing.
- Occasional photography with a wide-angle lens.
- Users who prioritize a lower price point over top-end performance.
- Price-to-Value: Provides good value for basic smartphone needs but lacks high-end features.
Asus ROG Phone 8:
- Ideal User: Mobile gamers, power users, and content creators who need top-tier performance, a high refresh rate display, and advanced camera features.
- Use Cases:
- High-end gaming with smooth performance and responsive controls.
- Demanding multitasking, including running multiple apps simultaneously.
- Professional-grade photography and videography.
- Users who value top-notch features and don't mind a higher price.
- Users who value a big screen with high brightness and high refresh rate
- Price-to-Value: Justifies its premium price with top-tier hardware and advanced features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? Is it gaming, photography, or everyday tasks?
- What is your budget? Are you looking for an affordable option, or are you willing to spend more for a top-of-the-line device?
- Do you value portability, or do you prioritize screen size and performance?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If you're on a tight budget and need a basic smartphone, the Realme 8 is the more practical choice. You'll be making a sacrifice on performance and display but will get a cheaper and lighter device.
- Casual User with Occasional Gaming: The Realme 8 is suitable if your gaming is light, and you are not a demanding user.
- Mobile Gamer/Power User: The Asus ROG Phone 8 is the clear choice if you prioritize gaming, demanding performance, and a premium experience. You'll be paying a premium, but you'll get significantly better performance, display and a much smoother experience.
- Content Creator: The Asus ROG Phone 8, with its superior camera system, 8K video recording, optical zoom, and gimbal stabilization, is better suited for content creation.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 8.
Here's why:
- Performance is Paramount: I value a responsive, fluid experience, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset in the Asus ROG Phone 8 provides a huge leap in performance over the Mediatek G95. As a power user, I would notice the difference in loading times, app performance, and multitasking speed, making the extra cost worth it.
- Superior Display: I am used to high refresh rate displays now, and would have a very hard time going back to 60Hz after having used 120Hz or higher displays. The 165Hz refresh rate and brighter display of the ROG Phone 8 is a major advantage for both gaming and general use, making everything look smoother and more vibrant.
- Camera Advantages: I care about mobile photography and videography, and the ROG Phone 8 offers a significantly better main sensor, better selfies, superior video recording capabilities (8K, HDR, better stabilization, etc), gimbal and other advanced camera features that appeal to me.
- Future-Proofing: The ROG Phone 8's newer chipset, more RAM, latest connectivity standards, and longer software support make it a more future-proof investment, meaning it will stay fast and relevant longer. This is especially important to me, as I prefer not to have to upgrade frequently.
- Additional Features: The inclusion of stereo speakers, better audio quality and superior screen protection are a nice bonus that I would appreciate.
While the Realme 8 has its advantages, such as a lighter design, wide angle lens and a lower price point, I'm more drawn to the features, performance, and build quality offered by the Asus ROG Phone 8, making it the better fit for my personal needs and priorities. I am happy to pay a premium price for a premium experience.
