Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Huawei Pura 70
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Huawei Pura 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-25 | 2024-05-06 | Huawei Pura 70 is significantly newer, likely featuring updated software and technologies. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, no foldable design. |
| Dimensions | 160.6 x 73.9 x 8 mm | 157.6 x 74.3 x 8 mm | Realme 8 is slightly taller (3mm) , both have same thickness. Huawei is slightly wider. |
| Weight | 177g | 207g | Realme 8 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended holding, Huawei is heavier |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.6" | Huawei Pura 70 offers a slightly larger viewing area, beneficial for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1256x2760 | Huawei Pura 70 has a noticeably sharper display with more detail due to the higher resolution. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 411 | 460 | Huawei Pura 70 has a slightly sharper image with higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. AMOLED typically offers slightly better black levels but the difference may not be noticeable for most users. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Huawei Pura 70 has smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience, particularly when gaming. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 2500 nits | Huawei Pura 70 has superior outdoor visibility in bright sunlight, ensuring readability. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Kirin 9000S1 | Huawei Pura 70 has a significantly more powerful chip, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 768,000 | Huawei Pura 70 offers substantially higher performance for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Maleoon 910 | Huawei Pura 70 offers better graphics processing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4900mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, indicating similar daily endurance for most users. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Huawei Pura 70 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable, 50W wireless charging, 7.5W reverse wireless charging | Huawei Pura 70 offers more versatile charging options, including fast wireless and reverse charging features. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Rear | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.70µm | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.3", 1.20µm | Huawei Pura 70 likely excels in low-light performance due to larger sensor size, wider aperture and larger pixel size, despite lower resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | 13MP, f/2.4, Unspecified Size | Realme 8 has slightly higher megapixel count but the Huawei has a wider aperture on the selfie. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP, f/3.4, Unspecified Size | Huawei Pura 70 offers optical zoom capabilities absent on Realme 8. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25, Unspecified Size | 13MP, f/2.2, Unspecified Size | Huawei Pura 70 has higher resolution and wider aperture for ultrawide photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, Unspecified Size | None | Realme 8 includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, though the quality is typically lower. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4, Unspecified Size | None | Realme 8 features a black and white camera, typically used to enhance depth and contrast. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | Up to 4K, Yes | Realme 8 has electronic image stabilization. Huawei Pura 70 has superior video stabilization. |
| Slow-motion | Yes, 240fps | Yes, 960fps | Huawei Pura 70 has much higher slow motion capabilities. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Contrast detection autofocus (CDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Dual front camera, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Huawei Pura 70 has more advanced camera features such as OIS, various autofocus types, and RAW support. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Unspecified | Huawei Pura 70's OS is unspecified, while Realme 8 comes with Android 11, leading to a different user experience depending on the specific Huawei OS. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Huawei Pura 70 supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard, offering faster speeds and better performance on compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 | Huawei Pura 70 offers slightly more advanced Bluetooth for better audio codecs support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5), Galileo (E1+E5a+E5b) | Huawei Pura 70 has a more comprehensive set of GPS systems, offering better accuracy in various locations. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones support dual SIM functionality, allowing usage of two SIMs simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1024 GB | Huawei Pura 70 offers significantly more storage space, suitable for users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 4 GB, 6 GB, or 8 GB | 12 GB | Huawei Pura 70 has more RAM for smoother multitasking and handling demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for additional storage via microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Huawei Pura 70 offers a more immersive audio experience, particularly when listening through the stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Screen: Unknown | Screen: Unknown | Both phones use similar screen protection technology. Specifics not provided. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall, RGB | Huawei Pura 70 provides a more comprehensive set of sensors, potentially enabling more advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: At 177g, it's significantly more comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Macro Lens & Black and white lens: Offers a dedicated macro lens and a black and white lens, although typically these are of lower quality than other lenses
- Lower Price: Being an older, mid-range phone, it's likely much more affordable than the Huawei Pura 70.
Huawei Pura 70 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Kirin 9000S1 chipset provides much faster app loading and smoother multitasking.
- Higher Quality Display: Sharper, brighter display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a far better viewing experience.
- Better Cameras: Larger sensor, wider aperture on main camera, and telephoto lens significantly improve photo and video quality.
- Advanced Features: Faster charging, wireless charging, reverse charging, optical zoom, and a newer Bluetooth standard.
- More Storage & RAM: Offers significantly more internal storage and RAM, enhancing long-term usability.
- More comprehensive set of GPS systems: Leading to higher GPS accuracy.
- Better audio experience: With stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support.
- Newer WiFi standard: Providing faster network speeds.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Lacks advanced features, has significantly weaker performance, lower quality display and cameras when compared to the Huawei Pura 70.
- Huawei Pura 70: Heavier and likely more expensive than the Realme 8, though the user gets significantly better hardware.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Realme 8:
- Budget-conscious users: Those seeking a basic smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and social media.
- Users prioritizing lightweight design: Those who prefer a more comfortable device for prolonged use.
- Users who are less demanding of performance: Not requiring high performance for gaming or demanding applications.
Ideal User for Huawei Pura 70:
- Performance-focused users: Those who need a fast, powerful smartphone for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who prioritize high-quality photos and videos with advanced features.
- Users seeking a premium experience: Those who value a superior display, faster charging, and a more comprehensive set of features.
Specific Use Cases:
- Realme 8: Suitable for light social media usage, casual web browsing, and basic communication.
- Huawei Pura 70: Excels in gaming, professional photography, video editing, and media consumption due to its high-performance hardware.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Realme 8 will likely be significantly cheaper.
- How important is performance? The Pura 70 offers a dramatically faster experience.
- How important are camera capabilities and image quality? The Pura 70's camera is far superior.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Use: If you primarily use your phone for basic tasks, the Realme 8 is a functional, budget-friendly choice.
- Scenario 2: Moderate Budget, Everyday Use: If you want a good performance with good enough camera quality the Realme 8 should suffice.
- Scenario 3: Demanding User, No Budget Constraints: If you need top-tier performance and camera capabilities, the Huawei Pura 70 is the clear winner.
What I would choose and why:
I would choose the Huawei Pura 70. While the Realme 8 has a lighter weight and is likely more affordable, the Huawei Pura 70 represents a significantly better overall package. Its substantially superior performance, higher quality display, dramatically better camera capabilities (including a telephoto lens), and faster charging are crucial for my typical usage patterns and preferences. I would be willing to pay the likely higher price for the enhanced experience it offers in daily use. While I acknowledge the Realme 8 has a Macro and black and white camera, these are typically of lower quality and are not features that I personally prioritize in a smartphone camera setup.
The Huawei Pura 70's modern features, like its 120Hz display, advanced connectivity options (WiFi 6), superior GPS and comprehensive sensor suite provide a more future-proof and satisfying user experience compared to the older and more basic offering of the Realme 8. Ultimately, the Pura 70’s advantages far outweigh the weight disadvantage, making it the better choice for a modern smartphone experience.
