1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Realme 8 and Huawei nova 11, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Realme 8 | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 161.3 × 75 × 6.9 mm | Huawei nova 11 is slightly taller and wider but noticeably thinner, potentially feeling more sleek. The Realme 8 is a bit more bulky. |
| Weight | 177g | 168g | Huawei nova 11 is lighter by 9g, making it slightly more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Realme 8 | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | Huawei nova 11 provides a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1084x2412 | Both offer sharp visuals; the difference is negligible. |
| Pixel Density | 411 ppi | 391 ppi | Realme 8 has slightly crisper text and images, though the difference may be minimal to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. Practically similar experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Huawei nova 11 has significantly smoother scrolling and animations, especially in games and fast-paced apps. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 950 nits | Both are bright enough for outdoor use. The difference of 50 nits is not likely to be noticeable in daily usage. |
Performance
| Feature | Realme 8 | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Huawei nova 11 offers notably better performance, handling demanding apps and games more smoothly due to its more efficient chipset. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 587,561 | Huawei nova 11 has considerably better performance in benchmarks, indicating faster app loading and overall operation. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 642L | Huawei nova 11 has a better GPU, leading to better performance in graphically intensive tasks like gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Realme 8 | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.79 | 50MP f/1.9 | Realme 8 has higher resolution, possibly capturing more detail in well-lit conditions, and a wider aperture for better low-light performance, though differences in image quality are heavily influenced by image processing. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.45 | 60MP f/2.4 | Huawei nova 11 has a significantly higher resolution selfie camera, potentially capturing more detail and better quality selfies; similar aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP | Not available | Realme 8 has an additional lens for wide-angle shots, enabling more versatile photography options. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | Not available | Realme 8 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, expanding creative capabilities. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not available | 8MP f/2.2 | Huawei nova 11 features a combined lens, offering versatility. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP | Not available | Realme 8 includes a monochrome sensor for added photography options. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps | 720p@960fps | Realme 8 offers 4k recording for better quality videos. Huawei nova 11 has better slow-motion capabilities. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Ultra stable video | Dual camera, Continuous autofocus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Panorama, RAW | Both phones offer a wide range of features; Huawei offers a more professional set of features, such as RAW capture and PDAF. |
Battery
| Feature | Realme 8 | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Realme 8 has a larger battery, potentially providing longer battery life for daily use. |
| Charging | 30W | 66W | Huawei nova 11 has significantly faster charging, reducing the time spent waiting for the phone to charge. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Huawei nova 11 can charge other devices wirelessly, while both feature non-removable batteries. |
Other Features
| Feature | Realme 8 | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 | Not Specified | Realme 8 has a known Android OS version. The Huawei nova 11 has an unspecified OS, so it's difficult to provide a practical impact. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Huawei nova 11 supports Wi-Fi 6, offering faster and more reliable wireless connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Huawei nova 11 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version with better audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Huawei nova 11 has better support for satellite systems for accurate navigation. |
| Internal Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 128GB or 256GB or 512GB | Huawei nova 11 provides more storage options and a much larger maximum capacity. |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB or 8GB | 6GB or 8GB or 12GB | Huawei nova 11 offers more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, which could be limiting for some users. |
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers | Huawei nova 11 has stereo speakers, offering a more immersive audio experience. Realme 8 has Hi-Res audio for better audio fidelity on headphones. |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both feature a basic fingerprint sensor for security. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery offers potentially longer usage between charges.
- More Camera Lenses: Includes dedicated wide-angle, macro, and black & white lenses offering more versatile photography options.
- Higher Display Pixel Density: Has slightly crisper text and images due to its higher pixel density (although the difference may be difficult to perceive).
- Hi-Res Audio: High-resolution audio for better music quality (through headphones).
Huawei nova 11 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset delivers much better performance for daily tasks and demanding applications.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a significantly smoother visual experience for scrolling and gaming.
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging dramatically reduces charging time.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution front camera for better selfies.
- More RAM Options: Up to 12GB of RAM, better for heavy multitasking and demanding games.
- More Storage Options: Comes in 256GB and 512GB storage variants as well.
- Better Connectivity: Comes with Wifi 6 support.
- Reverse charging: Can charge other devices using reverse charging.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Realme 8 users get a bigger battery and more camera lenses, but sacrifice performance, display smoothness, and fast charging.
- Huawei nova 11 users get a more fluid experience and faster charging, but trade off battery capacity and some dedicated camera lens options.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and more camera lens options (wide angle, macro) over performance.
- Use Cases: Users who value long battery life for a full day of use, occasional photographers who enjoy a variety of photo modes, and casual gamers who are not concerned about the highest graphics settings.
- Price-to-Value Ratio: Offers good value for users with a tight budget.
Huawei nova 11:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, display smoothness, fast charging, and better selfies.
- Use Cases: Ideal for social media users who consume a lot of content, mobile gamers who need a smooth experience, and those who frequently take selfies.
- Price-to-Value Ratio: Provides better value for users willing to pay a bit more for better performance and display.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions potential buyers should consider:
- How important is battery life vs. charging speed? If battery life is paramount, the Realme 8 wins. If fast charging is essential, the Huawei nova 11 is the better option.
- How important is the smoothness of display experience? The 120Hz display of the Huawei nova 11 provides a far superior visual experience compared to the Realme 8's 60Hz.
- Do you need specific camera lenses or better performance? If you need a wide-angle lens, macro lens or black and white lens, then you need to consider Realme 8. For better performance in daily tasks and gaming the Huawei nova 11 is preferable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious Casual User: If the user needs a basic phone and is budget limited, the Realme 8 is adequate.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Media-Focused User: For users who prioritize fast performance, smooth scrolling, fast charging and enjoy media, the Huawei nova 11 is the best choice.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Photographer on a Budget: Users who enjoy taking photos with multiple different perspectives on a budget, should consider the Realme 8.
My Choice
Given the specifications, I would personally choose the Huawei nova 11. While the Realme 8 offers a larger battery and more versatile camera lens options, the significantly better performance, smoother 120Hz display, and much faster charging of the nova 11 are more important to me. The user experience with the Huawei nova 11 would be noticeably smoother and more responsive for everyday use. The slightly smaller battery isn't as much of a concern since the 66W charging will top it up quickly when needed. The better selfie camera is also a welcome feature. Though the dedicated lenses on the Realme 8 would be nice, I value the superior performance of the nova 11 more.
