1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Google Pixel 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 162.6 × 76.5 × 8.8 mm | Pixel 8 Pro is slightly larger and thicker, impacting one-handed use and pocketability. |
| Weight | 177g | 213g | Realme 8 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for long periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | Pixel 8 Pro offers a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1344x2992 | Pixel 8 Pro's higher resolution results in a sharper, clearer image. |
| Pixel Density | 411 ppi | 489 ppi | Pixel 8 Pro offers significantly sharper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, but Pixel 8 Pro might have better color accuracy. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Pixel 8 Pro offers much smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 2400 nits | Pixel 8 Pro is significantly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Pixel 8 Pro offers better scratch and drop protection. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Google Tensor G3 (4nm) | Pixel 8 Pro has a much faster and more efficient chip, leading to better app performance, gaming, and overall snappiness. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,142,984 | Pixel 8 Pro has much higher performance for intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Immortalis-G715s MC10 | Pixel 8 Pro's GPU provides a significant advantage in gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 12 GB | Pixel 8 Pro handles multitasking and demanding apps with ease, while Realme 8 may struggle with heavy loads. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | Realme 8 has higher resolution, but sensor size is smaller, affecting low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.69 | Pixel 8 Pro has a wider aperture, better for low-light photography. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.31" | Pixel 8 Pro's larger sensor captures more light, leading to better image quality. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.70µm | 1.20µm | Pixel 8 Pro has larger pixels, better for low-light performance. |
| Telephoto lens | None | 48MP f/2.8 | Pixel 8 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities that are not available on Realme 8 |
| Wide Angle lens | 8MP f/2.25 | None | Realme 8 offers wide-angle shots which are not available on Pixel 8 Pro |
| Macro lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 offers Macro shots which are not available on Pixel 8 Pro |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 48MP f/1.95 | Pixel 8 Pro offers wide-angle and Macro shots with larger sensor and better pixel size |
| Black & white lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 offers black & white shots which are not available on Pixel 8 Pro |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 10.8MP | Realme 8 has a higher resolution, though Pixel 8 Pro generally produces better quality images. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.2 | Pixel 8 Pro has a wider aperture, better for low-light selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.13" | 1/2.65" | Pixel 8 Pro has a slightly larger sensor, capturing more light. |
| Selfie Camera Pixel Size | 1.00µm | 1.22µm | Pixel 8 Pro has larger pixels, better for low-light selfies. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Pixel 8 Pro offers better video recording quality and stabilization. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | OIS, EIS | Pixel 8 Pro offers superior video stabilization for smoother footage. |
| DxOMark Mobile | Not Available | 153 | Pixel 8 Pro has a high overall camera score. |
| DxOMark Selfie | Not Available | 145 | Pixel 8 Pro has a high overall selfie camera score. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization | Triple camera, Optical zoom, Optical Stabilization (OIS), NPU AI Engine, RAW, Night Mode | Pixel 8 Pro offers many high end features for better image quality and more flexibility for photography |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5050mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, with Pixel 8 Pro being slightly larger, suggesting comparable battery life in ideal conditions |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Both support fast charging for quick top-ups. |
| Wireless Charging | None | 23W | Pixel 8 Pro offers convenient wireless charging. |
| Reverse Charging | None | Yes | Pixel 8 Pro can charge other devices wirelessly |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Pixel 8 Pro has a newer operating system with the latest features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 7 | Pixel 8 Pro supports faster, more reliable Wi-Fi with newer standards. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Pixel 8 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version for improved connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Pixel 8 Pro has more satellite support for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Pixel 8 Pro offers eSIM support for flexible connectivity. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 128/256/512/1024 GB | Pixel 8 Pro offers much higher storage options for storing more media. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Hi-Res Audio | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Pixel 8 Pro has better audio recording capabilities and speaker quality; Realme 8 offers better quality music playback |
| Security | |||
| Biometric | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both phones use basic fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Proximity, Fingerprint, Barometer, Thermometer | Pixel 8 Pro has environmental sensors for various use cases |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and carry in pockets.
- Lower Price: Significantly more affordable.
- Wide angle and macro lens: Provides more flexibility in photography, which is not offered in Pixel 8 Pro
- Hi-Res Audio: Better quality music playback than Google Pixel 8 Pro
Practical Implications: The Realme 8 is better suited for users who prioritize budget, portability, and long music playback times as well as wide angle and macro photography.
Google Pixel 8 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: Faster chipset and more RAM for smooth multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps.
- Superior Display: Sharper, brighter, and smoother display with a higher refresh rate, ideal for media consumption.
- Much Better Camera System: Larger sensors, wider apertures, telephoto lens, and advanced features for better low-light performance and more versatile photography.
- Superior Video Recording: Optical image stabilization, and higher recording quality
- Newer Software and Features: Android 14 with guaranteed software updates and advanced Pixel-specific features.
- More Storage: Much larger storage capacity available for more apps, videos, pictures, and files.
- Superior connectivity: supports the latest wifi and Bluetooth standards
Practical Implications: The Pixel 8 Pro is better for users who value top-tier performance, superior camera quality, great display quality, and a premium Android experience with future-proof software.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Sacrifices performance, display quality, camera quality, and software features for a lower price.
- Google Pixel 8 Pro: More expensive and bulkier, less portable than Realme 8.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Those looking for a capable smartphone without breaking the bank.
- Casual users: Individuals who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like social media, browsing, and communication.
- Users prioritising portability and lightweight phone: Those who do not want a bulky and heavy phone.
- Users who prioritise Hi-Res Audio: Those who like to listen to music with highest quality audio output.
- Users who want wide angle and macro photography: Those who want more flexibility in photography
Use Cases:
- Daily communication and social media browsing
- Basic mobile gaming
- Music listening with Hi-Res Audio
Google Pixel 8 Pro Ideal User:
- Power users: Those who frequently multitask, play demanding games, and use intensive apps.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who want the best possible camera quality and advanced features.
- Media consumers: Those who watch a lot of videos and require a high-quality display.
- Users who want future-proof software: Those who want to get software and security updates for a long period.
Use Cases:
- Professional photography and videography
- Mobile gaming with high frame rates
- Watching movies and videos on a high-quality display
- Business professionals who need a powerful and reliable smartphone.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Realme 8: Offers good value at a low price point.
- Google Pixel 8 Pro: Offers the best overall smartphone experience but at a premium price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If money is a significant constraint, the Realme 8 may be a better option. If not, the Pixel 8 Pro is better.
- How important is camera quality and performance? If these are top priorities, the Pixel 8 Pro is the better choice, however, Realme 8 offers a wide angle and macro lens which are not available on Pixel 8 Pro.
- What do you do with your phone? If you primarily use your phone for basic tasks, Realme 8 may be sufficient. If you're a power user, the Pixel 8 Pro is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget Scenario: If you have a very limited budget and just need a functional phone, choose Realme 8.
- Photography Scenario: If you need the best image quality and features, but want wide angle and macro lens, choose Realme 8. If you need the best image quality and features and are fine without those additional lenses, choose Google Pixel 8 Pro.
- Performance Scenario: If you want the fastest performance and the highest quality experience, choose Google Pixel 8 Pro.
- Balanced Scenario: If you're willing to spend more for higher performance and features, choose Google Pixel 8 Pro, however, you'll be losing wide angle and macro shots, which the Realme 8 would offer.
What I would choose and why:
I would choose the Google Pixel 8 Pro. While the Realme 8 is a very capable phone at a low price point, I value the improvements in key areas that the Pixel 8 Pro offers. The much superior performance with the Google Tensor G3 chip, the higher refresh rate and brighter display, and the greatly improved camera system with a telephoto lens are all highly important to me. I also appreciate the guaranteed future software updates and advanced features that Google phones provide, and the larger storage options are a plus. The inclusion of wireless and reverse wireless charging, the latest wifi and bluetooth versions, the OIS video stabilization, and the additional environmental sensors also make the Pixel 8 Pro the better option for me as a person who enjoys having more options. Even though it is more bulky and expensive, the overall user experience and future-proofing offered by the Pixel 8 Pro outweigh the downsides.
