Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Huawei P50 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Realme 8 | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 158.8 × 72.8 × 8.5 mm | Realme 8 is slightly taller and wider, while P50 Pro is slightly thicker. Overall, both are similarly sized and comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 177g | 195g | Realme 8 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended single-hand use. |
Display
| Feature | Realme 8 | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.6" | P50 Pro offers a slightly larger screen for a more immersive experience, better for multimedia consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1228x2700 | P50 Pro's higher resolution results in sharper images and text, enhancing visual clarity. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 411 | 450 | P50 Pro has a noticeably sharper display, resulting in finer details. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use similar technology, providing excellent contrast and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | P50 Pro's 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations significantly smoother and more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8's higher peak brightness ensures excellent outdoor visibility in bright sunlight, while Huawei P50 Pro's brightness is unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | Realme 8 | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) | Kirin 9000 (5 nm) | P50 Pro's flagship-level chipset provides significantly faster processing, better performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 697,566 | P50 Pro is considerably faster in real-world tasks and more future-proof, with better app loading times and multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G78 MP24 | P50 Pro's superior GPU ensures better graphics performance for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Realme 8 | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | Realme 8 has a higher resolution sensor, but higher MP doesn't always mean higher image quality. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | Realme 8 has a marginally wider aperture for slightly better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.55" | P50 Pro has a physically larger sensor that captures more light, potentially improving image quality, especially in low light. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 13MP | Realme 8 has a slightly higher resolution selfie camera. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.4 | Huawei P50 Pro has a slightly wider aperture for slightly better low-light selfies |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 64MP f/3.4 | P50 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, which allows for greater detail when zooming. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP f/2.25 | No | Realme 8 has a dedicated ultra-wide lens for capturing expansive landscapes |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | No | Realme 8 has a macro lens for capturing detailed close-up shots |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | No | 13MP f/2.2 | Huawei P50 Pro combines wide-angle and macro capabilities in one lens. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 40MP f/1.6 | P50 Pro's dedicated B&W sensor aids in capturing richer monochrome photos with better details. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p up to 120fps | 4K@60fps, 1080p up to 960fps | P50 Pro offers higher resolution and frame-rate video with slow-motion up to 960fps, enabling more creative video capture |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | EIS & OIS | P50 Pro offers more advanced video stabilization that is more effective against shakes |
| DXOMark Score (Mobile) | Not tested | 143 | P50 Pro's camera performance is independently validated as excellent for both photos and videos. |
| DXOMark Score (Selfie) | Not tested | 144 | P50 Pro's selfie camera performance is independently validated as excellent for both photos and videos. |
| Camera Features | Limited | Extensive | P50 Pro has advanced features like OIS, multiple autofocus methods and RAW support allowing for more professional photo and video capture |
Battery
| Feature | Realme 8 | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4360mAh | Realme 8 has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life per charge. |
| Charging | 30W | 66W | P50 Pro's faster charging speeds reduce downtime for users significantly. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, 50W Wireless, Reverse Wireless | P50 Pro includes wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for greater flexibility. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Significantly Lighter: More comfortable for long periods of use and carrying.
- Higher Brightness: Easier to view the screen under direct sunlight.
- Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Ability to capture close-up shots, providing more versatility in photography.
- Dedicated Wide Angle Lens: Allows for wide angle photos.
- Lower Cost: Likely more budget-friendly, making it a good value proposition.
Practical Implications for Realme 8: Good for users who prioritize battery life, outdoor visibility, lightweight design, and cost-effectiveness. Suitable for users who enjoy social media, casual photography (including wide angle and close up shots), and general media consumption.
Huawei P50 Pro Advantages:
- More Powerful Chipset: Faster performance, better for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper visuals, better clarity for reading, and improved media consumption.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate allows for smoother scrolling and animation.
- Superior Camera System: More versatile camera system with telephoto zoom and enhanced low-light performance, professional quality photos.
- Faster Charging: Reduces downtime, allowing users to charge the device more quickly.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Wireless Charging: Convenience for charging the phone and other devices wirelessly.
- More RAM: Better experience with heavy multitasking.
- Better Video Features: Superior slow motion options.
Practical Implications for Huawei P50 Pro: Ideal for power users who need high performance, a superior camera system, excellent screen quality, and the convenience of wireless charging. Great for mobile gamers, social media enthusiasts, and content creators.
Significant Trade-Offs:
- Realme 8: Sacrifices processing power and display quality for better battery life and lower cost.
- Huawei P50 Pro: Higher price tag and heavier design, may not be as comfortable for extended single-handed use.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Realme 8:
- Budget-conscious users: Those seeking a reliable smartphone with good battery life at an affordable price point.
- Casual photographers: Users who want versatility in photography with the additional wide-angle and macro cameras.
- Users prioritizing battery life and comfort: Those who need a lightweight phone that can last all day.
Specific Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Daily communication and social media: The lightweight design and long battery life make it perfect for day-to-day tasks.
- Casual photography on the go: The wide angle and macro lenses allow for diverse photography options.
- Streaming content: The AMOLED screen offers good color and contrast for video viewing.
Ideal Users for Huawei P50 Pro:
- Power users: Those who need a top-tier processor for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who desire a professional-grade camera system with advanced features.
- Users seeking a premium multimedia experience: Those who want a smooth, high-resolution display, and superior audio.
- Users seeking convenience: Those who require fast charging speeds, and wireless charging capabilities.
Specific Use Cases for Huawei P50 Pro:
- Mobile gaming: The high-performance processor and GPU ensure smooth gameplay.
- Professional photography and videography: The versatile camera system allows for high-quality content creation.
- Business and productivity: The powerful processor and fast charging support demanding workloads.
- Multimedia consumption: The high-resolution, high-refresh-rate display and stereo speakers offer an immersive experience.
Price-to-Value Ratio: The Realme 8 offers better value to the user, especially if one is looking for a budget-friendly phone that can be used all day. The Huawei P50 Pro, on the other hand, is a premium offering and has a premium price attached to it.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? (Realme 8 is significantly more budget-friendly).
- What do you prioritize more - camera performance or battery life? (Huawei P50 Pro excels in camera, Realme 8 in battery).
- Do you need the highest possible performance, or is a mid-range sufficient? (Huawei P50 Pro is a performance flagship, while Realme 8 is a mid-ranger).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-conscious user who primarily uses the phone for social media, calls, and browsing. Recommendation: Realme 8 offers a good balance of features and battery life at an affordable price.
- Scenario 2: Professional photographer/videographer who needs a high-quality camera system and fast performance. Recommendation: Huawei P50 Pro offers superior camera capabilities, faster performance and advanced features.
- Scenario 3: Mobile gamer who prioritizes performance and a smooth display. Recommendation: Huawei P50 Pro provides superior performance and a higher refresh rate display for an enhanced gaming experience.
- Scenario 4: User who uses their phone frequently and does not have easy access to a charger. Recommendation: Realme 8 has a bigger battery that would help one use the phone for longer.
- Scenario 5: User who wants to be able to capture both wide-angle, macro shots and also capture long-range photos using optical zoom. Recommendation: Both of the phones offer some of these capabilities, but neither phone is able to offer both wide-angle and telephoto zoom.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Huawei P50 Pro. While the Realme 8 offers great value and excellent battery life, the P50 Pro's superior camera system, faster performance, higher resolution display, and premium features such as wireless charging are more aligned with my personal preferences and needs. As someone who values photography, videography, and mobile gaming, the P50 Pro's performance and features would provide a more complete and satisfying user experience. I acknowledge that this choice comes with a higher price point, but for my specific use case, the added cost is justifiable.
