1. Specifications Comparison
Feature | Realme 8 | Honor X7a | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Design | |||
Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 167.5 × 76.9 × 8.3 mm | Realme 8 is more compact and easier to handle; Honor X7a is larger, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. |
Weight | 177g | 196g | Realme 8 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
Display | |||
Size | 6.4" | 6.75" | Honor X7a offers a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming, while the Realme 8 is more compact for portability. |
Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | Realme 8 provides a much sharper display, with clearer text and images; Honor X7a has a noticeably less sharp screen, which may look pixelated. |
PPI | 411 | 260 | Realme 8 has much higher pixel density leading to a sharper, more detailed image, while Honor X7a's display might appear less crisp. |
Technology | AMOLED | TFT LCD | Realme 8's AMOLED screen offers superior color accuracy, deeper blacks, better contrast, and better power efficiency, making it better for viewing media and general use. |
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have standard refresh rate, which is fine for most tasks but can feel less smooth compared to higher refresh rate panels. |
Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 has a much brighter display, making it significantly more visible under direct sunlight; The Honor X7a's brightness spec is missing, so it is impossible to compare in that aspect. |
Performance | |||
Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G37 (12 nm) | Realme 8 offers significantly better performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications, leading to a much smoother user experience. |
Antutu Score | 409,874 | 125,000 | Realme 8 demonstrates much higher benchmark scores, indicating it will perform everyday tasks and games significantly faster than the Honor X7a. |
GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | PowerVR GE8320 | Realme 8’s GPU is significantly more powerful, enabling better graphics for gaming and other graphically intensive tasks. |
Battery | |||
Capacity | 5000mAh | 5330mAh | Honor X7a has a slightly larger battery, offering potentially a bit more battery life; The real-world difference is likely minimal. |
Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 22.5W Fast Charging | Realme 8 offers faster charging, meaning less time plugged into a charger. |
Camera | |||
Main Camera | 64MP f/1.79 | 50MP f/1.8 | Realme 8 has a higher-resolution sensor with wider aperture, capturing more detailed photos, with more light. Honor X7a offers good performance under daylight, but may struggle in low-light conditions. |
Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.45 | 8MP f/2.0 | Realme 8 captures higher-resolution selfies; Honor X7a’s wider aperture might provide slightly better low-light performance, but is missing the pixel size. |
Wide Angle | 8MP f/2.25 | 5MP f/2.2 | Realme 8's wide-angle lens captures more detail; Honor X7a's wide-angle might struggle with image quality in low-light conditions. |
Portrait Mode | N/A | 2MP f/2.4 | Honor X7a offers a dedicated depth sensor for better bokeh (background blur) effects in portrait shots. |
Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both phones have the same macro lens specs, meaning similar performance in macro photography. |
B&W Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | N/A | Realme 8 includes a black and white lens for monochrome photos. |
Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps EIS | 1080p@30fps | Realme 8 records higher-resolution and higher frame rate videos, making it better for vlogging and content creation; Honor X7a is more basic with 1080p at 30fps. |
Software | |||
OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | Honor X7a comes with a more up-to-date Android version out of the box. |
Connectivity | |||
Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, MIMO | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both support the same common Wi-Fi standards, and Realme 8 also supports Wi-Fi MIMO for faster speeds. |
Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1, LE, A2DP, EDR, HID | Bluetooth 5.1, LE, A2DP, EDR | Both support the same common Bluetooth standards; Realme 8 also supports HID (Human Interface Profile). |
GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both phones offer the same GPS capabilities for navigation and location services. |
Storage | |||
Internal | 128 GB or 64GB | 128 GB | Both have a 128 GB version, but Realme 8 also has a 64 GB option. |
RAM | 4 GB, 6 GB, or 8 GB | 4 GB or 6 GB | Realme 8 can be configured with more RAM, which allows for smoother multitasking and faster app loading. |
Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, which limits the user to internal storage only. |
Audio | |||
Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Basic audio | Realme 8 offers superior audio playback with Hi-Res certification. |
Security | |||
Fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Honor X7a’s side-mounted fingerprint sensor provides more ergonomic access than a basic rear-mounted one. |
Sensors | |||
Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Realme 8 includes magnetometer; Honor X7a includes compass and gravity sensor for additional functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology with higher resolution, higher pixel density, better color accuracy and 1000 nits brightness. Offers much better visual clarity and outdoor visibility.
- Significantly Better Performance: A much more powerful chipset and GPU leads to significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance, with Antutu scores nearly 228% higher than the Honor X7a.
- Better Cameras: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras for more detailed photos; 4K video recording capability with image stabilization. The inclusion of a Black and white lens offers additional photographic options.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging reduces charging times.
- Better Audio: Features Hi-Res Audio for better playback.
- More RAM Option: Comes with an 8 GB RAM option for superior multitasking.
- Better Wi-Fi Support: Wi-Fi MIMO for better Wi-Fi speed.
- More Sensors: Magnetometer is included for advanced sensor-related tasks
Honor X7a Advantages:
- Larger Screen: A larger screen provides a more immersive viewing experience.
- Larger Battery: A slightly larger battery capacity could result in slightly longer battery life.
- Up-to-date OS: Comes with a newer version of Android.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Offers more ergonomic access and faster unlocking.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Offers a better portrait mode.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: While it offers superior performance and display, the Realme 8 has a smaller screen and a less convenient basic fingerprint sensor. The battery is also slightly smaller, and has no depth sensor for portraits.
- Honor X7a: While it has a larger screen and battery, the Honor X7a has a significantly less sharp, dimmer display, and dramatically lower performance compared to the Realme 8. It also misses several camera features, such as 4K recording.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal Users:
- Mobile Gamers: Its powerful chipset and GPU provide a better gaming experience.
- Media Consumers: The AMOLED display offers a superior viewing experience for videos and movies.
- Photography Enthusiasts: The higher-resolution cameras and 4K video capability make it suitable for content creation and higher-quality photography.
- Users Prioritizing Performance: Those who need a smooth and responsive phone for everyday tasks and multitasking will prefer the Realme 8.
Honor X7a Ideal Users:
- Users Needing a Larger Screen: Those who prefer a larger display for browsing, reading, and viewing media might prefer the Honor X7a.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Those who need long battery life can be benefited by the larger battery.
- Budget Conscious Users: If cost is the primary factor, the Honor X7a might be a more economical choice, but at a large compromise to display, performance and camera quality.
- Users who prefer a side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Offers a more ergonomic user experience
Specific Use Cases:
- Realme 8: Excellent for mobile gaming, watching high-quality videos, capturing detailed photos and videos, daily multitasking, and content creation.
- Honor X7a: Good for browsing social media, casual video streaming, reading, and general use, in scenarios where a large screen is desired, but not high performance, picture quality or responsiveness.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Realme 8 generally offers a much better price-to-value ratio for users who need performance, a high-quality display, and good camera capabilities.
- The Honor X7a may offer a slightly better value for very budget-conscious users who prioritize screen size and battery over display quality, performance, and camera features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, media consumption, basic communication)
- How important are display quality and performance? (Do you need a sharp display with smooth performance?)
- What is your budget? (Are you looking for the most affordable option or are you willing to pay more for better features?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you are a mobile gamer or media enthusiast looking for the best possible experience and you want a sharp display, good performance and good camera, the Realme 8 is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: If you prioritize a larger screen and slightly longer battery life, and your use is basic, while you are also on a very tight budget, the Honor X7a may be a viable option.
- Scenario 3: If you want to have higher photo quality, better video resolution, and higher video fps with digital image stabilization, the Realme 8 is the right choice.
My Choice
I would choose the Realme 8. While the Honor X7a has a larger screen and slightly larger battery, the Realme 8 offers significantly better display quality (AMOLED, higher resolution and brightness), significantly better performance, much better camera system with 4K video and higher resolution sensors, better audio with Hi-Res Audio support and faster charging. These factors are more crucial for a smoother user experience and for content creation. While the larger screen of the Honor X7a is nice, the drastically lower quality display is a deal-breaker for me. I value the performance difference and the superior photo and video capabilities of the Realme 8 more than the small advantages offered by the Honor X7a.