Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Infinix Hot 12 Play
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Infinix Hot 12 Play | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 171 × 78 × 8.9 mm | Realme 8 is more compact and easier to handle with one hand; Hot 12 Play is larger, may be less pocketable. |
| Weight | 177g | 209g | Realme 8 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. The Hot 12 Play might feel heavier in comparison. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.82" | Hot 12 Play has a larger screen for immersive media consumption and gaming; Realme 8 is more compact and comfortable to hold for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1612 | Realme 8 provides a much sharper image with higher pixel density (123.3% more pixels), better for reading text, viewing photos, videos, and gaming. The Hot 12 Play’s lower resolution may appear less crisp. |
| PPI | 411 | 259 | Realme 8 has a sharper display with much higher pixel density, resulting in crisper text and images, while Hot 12 Play's will appear less sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Realme 8 offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast with AMOLED, leading to better overall visual quality, especially in dark environments. IPS LCD on the Hot 12 Play has less vibrant colors and lower contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Infinix Hot 12 Play provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations with the 90Hz refresh rate, compared to 60Hz on the Realme 8. However, the difference may not be noticeable for casual users. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 has significantly higher brightness, making the display much more legible in bright outdoor conditions; Hot 12 Play’s brightness is unknown, but likely lower, possibly making it harder to view in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 | Mediatek Helio G37 | Realme 8's chipset offers significantly higher processing power, leading to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and improved gaming performance; Hot 12 Play will have slower performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 168,500 | Realme 8 performs over twice as fast (143% higher), enabling better handling of resource-intensive tasks, multitasking, and gaming compared to the Hot 12 Play. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | PowerVR GE8320 | Realme 8's GPU is significantly more powerful, resulting in better gaming performance and smoother graphics rendering compared to the Hot 12 Play. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | Hot 12 Play has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life between charges, especially for less intensive tasks. However, this depends on the optimization. |
| Charging | 30W | 10W | Realme 8 charges significantly faster, reducing the time needed to fully recharge the battery; Infinix Hot 12 Play will take much longer to charge. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP (f/1.79) | 13MP (f/1.8) | Realme 8’s higher megapixel count and wider aperture should capture more detail, especially in good lighting, and better low-light photos. Infinix Hot 12 Play will capture images with less detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP (f/2.45) | 8MP | Realme 8 has a higher resolution front camera for better detail in selfies; Infinix Hot 12 Play's selfies will be lower in resolution. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP (f/2.25) | Not present | Realme 8 has a wide-angle lens, enabling users to capture more of a scene, while Infinix Hot 12 Play does not have this feature. |
| Depth Camera | Not present | 2MP (f/2.4) | Infinix Hot 12 Play has a depth camera for better portrait mode shots, whereas Realme 8 relies on software processing. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP (f/2.4) | Not present | Realme 8 has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots, whereas Infinix Hot 12 Play does not. |
| Black & White | 2MP (f/2.4) | Not present | Realme 8 has a dedicated black & white lens for monochrome photos |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, EIS | 1080p@30fps | Realme 8 can record higher-quality 4K video with electronic image stabilization (EIS), while Infinix Hot 12 Play is limited to 1080p. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both devices are using Android 11 |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi MiMO | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both support similar Wi-Fi features with Realme 8 having MiMO functionality for better signal reception. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 LE, A2DP, EDR, HID | Bluetooth 5.0 LE, A2DP | Realme 8 has a newer Bluetooth version that allows for better power efficiency and more features than Infinix Hot 12 Play. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS | Realme 8 has more satellite systems, which could provide more accurate and faster positioning compared to Infinix Hot 12 Play. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB | Both have similar storage options, making it comparable in storage. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 4GB | Realme 8 can have significantly more RAM for smoother multi-tasking and app performance, especially for gaming. Infinix Hot 12 Play is limited to 4GB. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device provides external storage options. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio quality | Hi-Res Audio | Basic audio | Realme 8 offers better audio quality with Hi-Res Audio, potentially offering more detailed audio experience |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both have fingerprint sensors for biometric authentication |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both use similar unspecified screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | Realme 8 is better suited for advanced apps and gaming due to its inclusion of a gyroscope and magnetometer while the Hot 12 Play has a compass for direction. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology, higher resolution, and higher brightness offer a significantly better viewing experience with deeper blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent visibility in sunlight.
- Much Higher Performance: The Helio G95 chipset and Mali-G76 GPU result in significantly faster performance, enabling smoother multitasking, app loading, and gaming.
- Better Camera System: Higher-resolution main and selfie cameras, plus additional lenses like ultra-wide, macro, and black and white, offer more versatility and better image quality. 4K video recording provides significantly more detail for capturing important moments.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging recharges the battery much faster than the 10W charging on the Infinix Hot 12 Play.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res Audio provides more detailed sound experience.
- Advanced Sensors: Gyroscope and Magnetometer add more functionality for advanced apps and gaming.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports a newer Bluetooth version, and more satellite systems.
Infinix Hot 12 Play Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.82" screen is better for media consumption and gaming if the user does not mind the lower display quality.
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life, especially for lighter use.
- Smoother Scrolling: 90Hz refresh rate provides a slightly smoother visual experience than the 60Hz display of Realme 8.
- Depth Camera: Offers a dedicated depth camera, though the impact on portrait photos is not as significant as the benefits of a higher resolution camera.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Sacrifices a larger battery for better display and performance.
- Infinix Hot 12 Play: Sacrifices display quality, performance, and camera quality for a larger display, battery, and slightly smoother scrolling.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal Users:
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality video streaming, photos, videos, and gaming on their mobile device.
- Performance Users: Individuals who need a responsive phone for multitasking, app usage, and moderate to heavy gaming.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera with multiple lenses and good image quality for a variety of scenarios.
- Users valuing display quality: Users who prefer vibrant, detailed, and sharp displays and want a better viewing experience.
- Users who value fast charging: People who prefer shorter charging times.
Realme 8 Use Cases:
- Mobile Gaming: Handles demanding games with better graphics and smoother frame rates.
- Content Creation: Capturing high-resolution photos and 4K video for social media.
- Media Consumption: Enjoying videos, movies, and streaming services with excellent visual quality.
- Heavy App Usage: Smoothly running multiple apps simultaneously without performance lag.
Infinix Hot 12 Play Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals seeking a more affordable phone with decent battery life and a large screen for general use.
- Casual Media Consumers: Users who primarily use their phone for browsing, social media, and basic video playback.
- Users who prefer large displays: People who prefer a larger display size for media consumption
- Users who prefer longer battery life: People who prefer longer battery life over better performance.
Infinix Hot 12 Play Use Cases:
- Basic Browsing and Social Media: Handles everyday tasks without significant slowdowns.
- Casual Gaming: Capable of running basic games, but not demanding ones.
- Long Battery Life: Ideal for users who want to minimize charging during the day.
- Video Streaming: Offers a larger display for viewing content.
Price-to-Value:
- The Realme 8 offers superior performance and a significantly better display, justifying a potentially higher price.
- The Infinix Hot 12 Play provides a more affordable option for users who prioritize a larger screen and battery over premium features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize display quality and performance over battery life and display size? If yes, Realme 8 is the better option.
- Do you value longer battery life and a large screen over a sharper display and faster performance? If yes, the Infinix Hot 12 Play may be more suitable.
- Are you a user who uses the camera for higher quality pictures and videos, and plays high end games? If yes, Realme 8 is the better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy mobile gamer or media enthusiast - Recommendation: Realme 8 due to superior display, performance, and camera capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Budget-conscious user needing a large screen and good battery life - Recommendation: Infinix Hot 12 Play for a larger display and potentially longer battery life, while acknowledging tradeoffs in display sharpness and performance.
- Scenario 3: Casual user who values a sharp and vibrant display and camera quality - Recommendation: Realme 8 is the obvious choice, as it excels in these categories.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Realme 8. My priorities are a good quality display and a responsive performance, which the Realme 8 offers with its AMOLED screen, powerful processor and GPU. I also value a good camera, and the 4K video recording, higher megapixel counts, wide angle lens, and macro lens on the Realme 8 are a huge advantage over the Infinix Hot 12 Play. The Realme 8 also charges significantly faster, which is more important to me than the slightly longer battery life of the Infinix. The Infinix's larger battery and display are advantages, but they don't outweigh the importance of better performance and display/camera quality for my use case.
