1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm | Mate 50 Pro is slightly larger and thicker; Realme 8 is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 177g | 205g | Realme 8 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use; Mate 50 Pro feels more substantial in the hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.74" | Mate 50 Pro offers a more immersive viewing experience due to its larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1212x2616 | Mate 50 Pro has a sharper display, providing more detailed images and text. |
| PPI | 411 | 428 | Both have similar pixel density, meaning similar sharpness in practical use; difference isn't noticeable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; difference is not significant. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Mate 50 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the phone feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 is significantly better for outdoor visibility; Mate 50 Pro brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | Mate 50 Pro offers much higher performance, faster app loading, and better multitasking, better for gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,022,043 | Mate 50 Pro provides significantly faster and smoother experience for demanding tasks and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 730 | Mate 50 Pro provides superior graphics rendering for gaming and other graphically intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4700mAh | Realme 8 may provide slightly longer battery life, but real-world usage can vary significantly. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Mate 50 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse, wireless, non-removable | Mate 50 Pro offers more versatile charging options, including wireless and reverse charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.56" | Mate 50 Pro has a larger sensor and wider aperture, suggesting better low-light performance, while Realme 8 has higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13" | 13MP, f/2.4 | Realme 8 has slightly higher resolution, Mate 50 Pro has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2" | Mate 50 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities, absent in the Realme 8. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | 12MP, f/2.2 | Mate 50 Pro offers a slightly higher resolution and wider aperture for ultrawide shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 includes a macro lens, absent on Mate 50 Pro. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 includes a B&W lens, absent on Mate 50 Pro. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | Mate 50 Pro offers more advanced video features including HDR, and higher frame rate capabilities, making it better for videos. |
| DXOMark | N/A | Mobile: 149, Selfie: 145 | Mate 50 Pro shows strong camera performance based on DXOMark scores. Realme 8 does not have a DXOMark score. |
| Camera Features | Quad, digital, ultra-stable video | Triple, optical, OIS, RAW | Mate 50 Pro provides more versatile photography with features such as OIS, optical zoom, RAW. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Unknown | Realme 8 uses Android 11. Mate 50 Pro OS is not specified. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 5 | WiFi 6 | Mate 50 Pro supports faster and more reliable WiFi connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Mate 50 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version for better connectivity, while Realme 8 supports various audio and data profiles. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, GPS(L1+L5), etc. | Mate 50 Pro supports more satellite systems, suggesting better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both offer dual SIM capability. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Mate 50 Pro offers significantly more internal storage, allowing for more apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 4GB, 6GB or 8 GB | 8 GB | Both offer sufficient RAM for smooth multitasking, with Mate 50 Pro always offering 8GB. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers | Mate 50 Pro offers a more immersive experience with stereo speakers. Realme 8 focuses on high-resolution audio output. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both have basic fingerprint security; reliability may vary. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Screen protection technology is unknown for both phones. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Mate 50 Pro has more environmental sensors like Barometer and Compass. Realme 8 includes a Magnetometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter and more compact: Easier to handle and carry around.
- Brighter Display: Significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Larger Battery Capacity: May offer marginally longer battery life.
- Macro and B&W Camera Lenses Offers more versatility in photography.
- Hi-Res Audio: Appeals to users who prioritize high-quality audio output.
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: Faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities.
- Larger, Higher Resolution Display with 120Hz Refresh Rate: Immersive viewing experience with smoother animations and sharper visuals.
- Superior Camera System: Better low-light performance, versatile zoom capabilities, and advanced features like OIS.
- Faster Charging: 66W wired charging is much faster than Realme 8's 30W.
- Wireless and Reverse Charging: More convenient charging options.
- More Storage: Comes with much more internal storage (256GB or 512 GB) compared to (64GB or 128GB) on the Realme 8.
- More Advanced Connectivity: WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 provide faster and more reliable connections.
- Better Video: Offers better video recording capabilities.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Sacrifices performance, camera versatility, and premium features for a more affordable price point.
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro: Heavier, bulkier, and lacks a macro lens for close-up photography, with no known display brightness.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize a light, comfortable phone with a bright display for outdoor use, good battery life, and decent performance for everyday tasks.
- Use Cases:
- Daily communication (calls, texts, social media).
- Casual browsing and media consumption.
- Users who spend a lot of time outdoors.
- Occasional photography.
- Users on a limited budget.
- Price to Value Value oriented offering for people looking for standard features on a budget.
Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users and tech enthusiasts who demand top-tier performance, a high-quality camera system, and premium features, with no budget constraints.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Professional and enthusiast-level photography and videography.
- Demanding mobile work and productivity.
- Users who consume a lot of media.
- Users who prefer advanced features and premium designs.
- Price to Value Premium offering that is worth it for people who can afford it and need the best performance, cameras and features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a new smartphone?
- Performance Needs: How demanding are the tasks you'll perform on your phone (gaming, video editing, etc.)?
- Camera Priorities: Do you prioritize top-tier photo quality and zoom capabilities, or is a basic camera sufficient?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Needs: If you need a reliable phone for everyday use on a tight budget, the Realme 8 is the better choice. It provides essential features and acceptable performance for casual use.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast with High Performance Needs: If you are passionate about mobile photography and videography, or need a phone that can handle heavy workloads and games, the Mate 50 Pro is the clear winner, provided the higher cost is not a concern.
- Scenario 3: Everyday use with better video and smoother performance: If you want a better all around device with performance, better video recording and smoother display, the Mate 50 Pro is the better pick.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Huawei Mate 50 Pro.
Here's why:
While the Realme 8 has some advantages like being lighter, slightly better battery and brightness, the Mate 50 Pro vastly outperforms it in critical areas that are important to me. As someone who uses their phone for demanding tasks like content creation and mobile gaming, the significantly more powerful chipset, better camera capabilities, and the smoother 120Hz display of the Mate 50 Pro are essential. The faster charging and extra features like the telephoto lens and OIS are things I would prioritize over small advantages in battery and weight. I am willing to pay a premium for the improvements offered by the Mate 50 Pro as long as I can afford it.
