1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Realme 8 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 164.3 × 74.4 × 7.9 mm | Huawei is slightly taller and thinner, but overall very similar in hand feel. |
| Weight | 177g | 188g | Realme 8 is slightly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Build Material | not specified | not specified | We don't know what materials these phones are made of, which could impact durability and feel. |
Display
| Feature | Realme 8 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.78" | Huawei nova 11 Pro offers a more immersive viewing experience due to a larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2652 | Huawei nova 11 Pro's higher resolution leads to sharper images and text, better for media consumption. |
| Pixel Density | 411 PPI | 429 PPI | Both have excellent pixel density; difference is practically imperceptible to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both deliver vibrant colors and deep blacks; difference is minimal. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Huawei's 120Hz display offers noticeably smoother scrolling and animations, a more fluid experience. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 950 nits | Realme 8 is slightly brighter but the difference may not be noticeable in typical usage, both are bright enough. |
Performance
| Feature | Realme 8 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Huawei’s 6nm chipset is more power efficient, and typically has faster CPU & GPU performance. |
| Antutu Score | 409,874 | 592,297 | Huawei nova 11 Pro is significantly faster, leading to smoother multitasking and faster app loading. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 642L | Adreno 642L is significantly more powerful and offers better graphics performance in gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Realme 8 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", OV64B, 0.7µm | 50MP, f/1.9 | Realme 8 has a higher megapixel count and wider aperture,potentially better in low-light, but sensor size is the most critical factor. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.0µm | 60MP, f/2.4, 1/2.8", OV60A, 0.61µm | Huawei has a significantly higher resolution front camera, potentially capturing more detailed selfies, also features a wider aperture for better low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing broader scenes. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated macro lens for extreme close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | Huawei nova 11 Pro combines wide angle and macro capabilities into a single lens, sacrificing dedicated lenses. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated B&W lens for artistic monochrome shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | Up to 720p@960fps, EIS | Realme 8 can capture higher resolution video; Huawei focuses on high frame rate slow-motion. |
| Features | Quad camera, Ultra stable video | Dual camera, PDAF, Dual front camera, RAW | Realme 8 focuses on versatile rear camera setup; Huawei excels with faster autofocus and dual-front cameras, and pro-level control. |
Battery
| Feature | Realme 8 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Realme 8's larger battery should provide longer battery life per charge. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | Huawei nova 11 Pro's much faster charging significantly reduces time spent plugged in. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Huawei nova 11 Pro can act as a power bank for other devices with reverse charging, both are not replaceable |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery provides longer battery life, ideal for users who prioritize battery endurance.
- Dedicated Camera Lenses: Features a dedicated wide-angle, macro, and B&W lens for versatile photography.
- Slightly Brighter Display: A marginally brighter display might be better in direct sunlight, though difference may be subtle.
- Lower Price: Typically positioned as a budget-friendly phone, offering good value for its price.
- Magnetometer: Includes a Magnetometer, which is useful for some specific apps and augmented reality.
- 4K Video Recording: Can record high-resolution 4K video, useful for high-quality footage.
Huawei nova 11 Pro Advantages
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 778G chipset provides significantly faster performance, better for gaming and multitasking.
- Faster Charging: 100W fast charging drastically reduces charging time.
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper screen with a higher refresh rate makes for a smoother and better viewing experience.
- Superior Selfie Camera: Higher resolution front camera, ideal for high-quality selfies and video calls.
- Newer Bluetooth: Supports Bluetooth 5.2 with higher quality audio codecs
- Better GPS: Supports more satellite systems for increased location accuracy
- Stereo Speakers: Delivers richer, more immersive audio experience.
- Reverse Charging: Can act as a power bank for other devices.
- RAW Format Support: Offers more editing control with RAW image support
- More RAM and Storage Options: Higher memory and storage for future proofing and multitasking.
Trade-offs
- Realme 8 sacrifices performance, display refresh rate, and charging speed for a larger battery and more camera options, and lower price point.
- Huawei nova 11 Pro sacrifices battery capacity and dedicated lenses for faster performance, charging and better display, and more RAM/storage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User
- Budget-Conscious Users: Prioritizes value for money, good battery life, and decent all-around performance.
- Casual Photographers: Enjoys using various camera lenses for creative shots, doesn't need the highest quality results.
- Users Focused on Battery Life: Needs a phone that can last a full day with moderate to heavy use.
- Users of Older Android Versions: Does not require the latest version of android.
Specific Use Cases: Social media browsing, casual photography, basic gaming, daily driver for long hours of use without charging.
Huawei nova 11 Pro Ideal User
- Performance Enthusiasts: Requires a phone that can handle demanding apps and games smoothly.
- Frequent Media Consumers: Appreciates a high-quality display with a fast refresh rate for video streaming and gaming.
- Selfie Lovers: Needs a high-resolution front camera for crisp and clear selfies.
- Users of Android Ecosystem with an emphasis on photography: The camera is versatile, and features RAW capture for post-editing.
- Users of high-speed mobile connectivity: WiFi 6 capabilities are beneficial for users with compatible routers
Specific Use Cases: Mobile gaming, photo editing, content creation, frequent video calls, fast multitasking and media consumption.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- Realme 8: Offers excellent value at its lower price point, suitable for budget-conscious buyers.
- Huawei nova 11 Pro: Justifies its higher price with better performance, display, charging, and camera features, especially good value for those who can leverage the features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- What is my primary use case? (e.g., gaming, social media, photography, battery life)
- How much do I value performance vs battery life? (Faster experience vs all-day use)
- What is my budget? (Can I stretch for a more premium experience or is value for money the most important?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations
Scenario 1 (Budget + Battery Focused): If you prioritize a long-lasting battery and don't need the highest performance, the Realme 8 is the better choice. It offers a good overall experience at a lower cost.
Scenario 2 (Performance + Display Focused): If you want smooth performance, a high-quality display, fast charging, and a great selfie camera, the Huawei nova 11 Pro is worth the extra money. This is better for gamers and media consumers.
Scenario 3 (Balanced): If you can afford it and your use cases are well-rounded the Huawei nova 11 Pro offers a more future-proofed experience with more RAM and Storage as well as more processing power.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would go for the Huawei nova 11 Pro. While the Realme 8 has a larger battery and more dedicated camera lenses, the significantly better performance offered by the Snapdragon 778G, coupled with the smoother 120Hz display and much faster charging, would make for a better overall user experience for my needs. I value the faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a high-quality screen for media consumption, all of which are advantages with the Huawei phone. The better GPS, and newer bluetooth are also future proofing features that I prefer.
Despite the lower battery capacity, I believe the 100W fast charging of the Huawei significantly mitigates this difference. For my general usage patterns, the speed and overall performance gains outweigh the slightly better battery life of the Realme 8.
