Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Honor 70
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-25 | 2022-06-02 | Honor 70 is a newer model with potential for longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 161.4 × 73.3 × 7.9 mm | Both are similar in size; Honor 70 slightly taller, thinner, and narrower. Negligible real-world difference. |
| Weight | 177g | 178g | Both phones feel nearly identical in hand in terms of weight. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.67" | Honor 70 offers a slightly more immersive viewing experience with the slightly bigger screen. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp and detailed visuals. |
| PPI | 411 | 395 | Both provide similar pixel densities; both are sharp enough for daily use with no noticeable difference in clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use similar high-quality display tech, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Honor 70 offers noticeably smoother animations and scrolling for a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits (Data Missing) | Realme 8 offers better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight due to high brightness; Honor 70 brightness data is missing, which is a major drawback. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Honor 70’s chipset provides better overall performance, faster app loading, and improved efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 600,525 | Honor 70 offers a much snappier overall performance, noticeably faster in daily usage and graphically intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 642L | Honor 70's GPU offers improved graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4800mAh | Realme 8 offers slightly longer battery life in theory, though real-world difference may be minor. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Honor 70 charges significantly faster, reducing time spent plugged in. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Honor 70 can be used to charge other devices; both have non-removable batteries. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 54MP f/1.9, 1/1.49", 1.0µm | Honor 70's larger sensor and pixel size allow better low-light performance and image quality, even if the resolution is lower. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | 32MP f/2.4, 1/3.2", 0.7µm | Honor 70 offers better resolution selfies; sensor size difference is negligible in practice. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP f/2.25 | 50MP f/2.2 | Honor 70 captures far more detailed wide-angle shots with significantly higher resolution. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both have basic macro capabilities, not a major differentiator. |
| Black & White | 2MP f/2.4 | Not Available | Realme 8 offers a dedicated black and white lens; not very useful for most users. |
| Video | 4K@30fps EIS | 4K@30fps EIS | Both offer similar video recording quality; slow-motion differs. |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | Main: 115, Photo: 115, Video: 129 | Honor 70 has a tested rating, suggesting a capable camera for photos and videos. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple, Basic Feature Set | Triple, Advanced Feature Set | Honor 70 offers more advanced features like panorama, night mode, and RAW capture; while Realme 8 has a dedicated quad camera, the quality of lenses might not match up. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | Honor 70 has a newer OS version out of the box, and it will potentially have a longer update life, while Realme 8 may be on older security patches and OS updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (WiFi 6) | Honor 70 offers faster WiFi speeds, lower latency and more reliable connections, especially in crowded environments. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Honor 70 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version for better connectivity and audio codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both have identical GPS capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Honor 70 offers a significantly larger maximum storage capacity with more options to choose from, better for users with large media collections. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB | Honor 70 has better RAM options for smoother multitasking, especially with heavy apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage via SD card. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Honor 70 provides a richer, more immersive audio experience with stereo speakers; both have Hi-Res audio support. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both phones use similar fingerprint sensor for basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have unknown screen protection. |
| Sensors | Magnetometer | Compass | Both phones have a similar sensor suite; slight sensor difference; mostly insignificant for average user. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Advantages of the Honor 70:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 778G+ chipset offers significantly better performance than the Helio G95, resulting in snappier app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate display provides a much more fluid and responsive user experience compared to the 60Hz panel of the Realme 8.
- Faster Charging: The 66W fast charging significantly reduces the time spent charging, making it more convenient.
- Improved Camera System: The Honor 70 features a larger main sensor with larger pixels and a higher resolution ultrawide lens, resulting in better overall image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. Additionally, it has a tested DXOMark rating, showcasing its capabilities.
- Newer Software: The Honor 70 launches with Android 12, offering newer features and potentially longer software update support.
- Advanced Connectivity: Support for WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 ensures a faster and more reliable connection.
- Larger Storage Options: The Honor 70 offers more storage options for users with larger media collections.
- Enhanced Audio: The addition of stereo speakers provides a superior audio experience compared to the Realme 8's single speaker.
Advantages of the Realme 8:
- Brighter Display (claimed): The Realme 8 claims 1000 nits brightness, which, if accurate, offers superior outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight. (Note: Honor 70 brightness data is missing)
- Marginally Larger Battery: The Realme 8 has a slightly larger battery capacity which might translate to slightly longer usage time between charges.
- Dedicated Black and White Lens: Offers a dedicated black and white lens for those who like to experiment with monochrome photography (Although may not be that useful for average users).
- Potentially Lower Price: (Price not provided but older models tend to be cheaper).
Significant Trade-offs:
- Performance: The Realme 8's older chipset lags behind the Honor 70 in terms of performance, impacting gaming and multitasking.
- Display Smoothness: The Realme 8's 60Hz display makes scrolling and animations appear less smooth than the Honor 70's 120Hz panel.
- Charging Speed: The Realme 8's 30W charging is slower compared to the 66W charging on the Honor 70.
- Camera Quality: The image quality on the Honor 70 is better, especially in low light.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Realme 8:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users looking for an affordable phone with a decent AMOLED display and good battery life.
- Users who mostly use the phone for basic tasks: This phone is suitable for users who don't do too much intensive work.
- Users who prioritize brightness over everything else (only if the claim of 1000 nits is true):
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Everyday browsing, social media, and communication.
- Casual gaming (less demanding titles).
- Users that don't need the latest software updates
- Users who mainly use the phone indoors
Ideal Users for Honor 70:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who want a smooth and responsive experience with demanding applications and gaming.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize camera quality, especially in low-light situations.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos and listening to music on their phone.
- Users who want faster charging and longer software support
- Users who value a high quality screen with smooth refresh rate.
Use Cases for Honor 70:
- Heavy multitasking and demanding app usage.
- High-quality photography and videography.
- Mobile gaming with good graphics and frame rates.
- Immersive media consumption with stereo speakers and high refresh rate.
- Users that need their phone to be future-proof (better performance, faster wireless speeds)
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Realme 8 offers basic features at a potentially lower price (Actual price needs to be considered).
- The Honor 70 provides significantly better features but at a higher price (Actual price needs to be considered).
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance for you? (Casual vs Heavy Usage)
- How much do you prioritize camera quality, especially in low light?
- Do you value fast charging and smooth display experience?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Use: If you primarily use your phone for basic tasks and want a budget-friendly option with a decent AMOLED display, and brighter screen the Realme 8 might be acceptable.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Camera Focused: If you want smoother performance, better camera quality, and faster charging, the Honor 70 is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3: Gaming and Media Consumption: If you are a gamer or someone who watches a lot of videos, the Honor 70’s better performance, smoother display, and stereo speakers make it a better option.
My Choice
Given the significant improvements in performance, camera quality, display smoothness, and charging speed, I would choose the Honor 70.
While the Realme 8 might be a more affordable option, the Honor 70 offers a substantially better user experience that is worth the extra cost. The 120Hz refresh rate, more powerful chipset, better camera, significantly faster charging, and superior audio output make it a much more capable and enjoyable device for a range of use cases. The lack of brightness information on the Honor 70 is a drawback, but this is often mitigated by having a better sensor, and software processing. The overall performance advantage, along with its modern features make it a better purchase. While the lack of expandable storage is a drawback, its larger storage options help mitigate that.
