1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 164.6 × 76.8 × 8 mm | Infinix is slightly larger, which might be less comfortable for single-handed use but provides a larger display. Both have same thickness. |
| Weight | 177g | 185g | Realme 8 is slightly lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | Infinix provides more screen real estate for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer a sharp display with good detail. |
| PPI | 411 | 393 | Realme 8 has slightly higher pixel density, but the difference is subtle. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have standard refresh rates, which might not feel as smooth as higher refresh rate displays. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 650 nits | Realme 8 will be much more readable under bright sunlight. Infinix may struggle in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G96 (12 nm) | Realme 8 uses the slightly older Helio G95. The difference in real-world performance may not be drastic for everyday tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 307,000 | Realme 8 has a noticeably higher benchmark score which indicates smoother app loading and potentially better overall performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Realme 8 has a more powerful GPU which results in a better gaming performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones provide similar battery life and are likely to last a full day with moderate use. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer) | 33W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | Infinix Note 12 G96 charges slightly faster than the Realme 8. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 64MP (f/1.79, 1/2", 0.70µm) | 50MP (f/1.6, 1/2.76", 0.64µm) | Realme 8 has higher resolution and slightly larger sensor, potentially resulting in more detailed images with better low light performance. Infinix has a wider aperture. |
| Selfie Lens | 16MP (f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.00µm) | 16MP (f/2.0, pixel size unspecified) | Infinix Note 12 G96 has a wider aperture, which can result in brighter selfies in low light situations. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP (f/2.25) | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated wide-angle lens, providing more versatility in photography. |
| Portrait Lens | None | 2MP (f/2.4) | Infinix Note 12 G96 has a dedicated depth sensor for better bokeh effect. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | None | Realme 8 includes a macro lens for close up photography. |
| B&W Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | None | Realme 8 includes a B&W lens for artistic photography. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 1440p@30fps | Realme 8 offers higher video resolution and frame rate at 1080p, potentially offering higher-quality video. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | Infinix Note 12 G96 has the newer OS with potential performance improvements and more features compared to Realme 8. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11n | Realme 8 supports newer Wi-Fi standards, offering potentially faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.1 LE | Both feature same Bluetooth version, offering same wireless standards. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS | Realme 8 offers more location tracking options for accurate location services. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both phones support Dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB | Both phones offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Both phones offer same RAM options for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | DTS, Stereo Speakers | Infinix Note 12 G96 provides enhanced surround sound experience through DTS support and Stereo Speakers. Realme 8 offers high-resolution audio playback through headphones. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic | Side-mounted | Infinix Note 12 G96 features a more convenient and faster side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Realme 8 has a magnetometer while Infinix lacks it which provides additional features like compass for navigation; Infinix lacks a magnetometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display Brightness: The 1000 nits display is significantly brighter than the Infinix, providing much better outdoor visibility.
- Stronger Performance: Higher AnTuTu benchmark score suggests smoother app loading, multitasking, and gaming experience with better graphics.
- More Versatile Cameras: Includes wide-angle, macro and B&W lenses, offering more photographic options.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi standards and additional GPS navigation systems, potentially offering better connection reliability and more accurate location tracking.
- Higher video resolution: Supports 4k@30fps video recording.
- Better for Gaming: Has a significantly better GPU performance.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers high-resolution audio playback for a superior audio experience via headphones.
Infinix Note 12 G96 Advantages:
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 12, which may offer improved features and security.
- Larger Display: Slightly larger screen for a more immersive viewing experience.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging is slightly faster than 30W.
- Wider Selfie Aperture: Better low-light performance for selfies.
- Better Sound: It comes with a DTS system and stereo speakers.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More advanced finger print sensor.
- Portrait mode: It comes with a dedicated portrait lens, for improved portrait photography.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8 prioritizes performance and display brightness, sacrificing some aspects like the latest OS and a depth sensor for the camera system.
- Infinix Note 12 G96 provides a more modern OS, faster charging and dedicated portrait lens but falls behind in display brightness and overall performance and a less versatile camera system.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Realme 8:
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Those who spend time outdoors and need a bright display that is visible in direct sunlight.
- Gamers: Users who require good performance for gaming, and want to utilize additional camera modes.
- Multimedia Users: Individuals who value high-quality video playback and video recording, and appreciate better audio quality via headphones.
- Photographers: Those who want a versatile camera system with more focal lengths.
Ideal Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Playing graphically demanding mobile games
- Taking photos and videos in bright daylight
- Enjoying multimedia content
- Using GPS navigation frequently
Ideal User for Infinix Note 12 G96:
- Casual Users: Those who prioritize a large display and the latest Android version for everyday use.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos and listening to music through stereo speakers and with DTS support.
- Selfie Takers: Users who frequently take selfies and appreciate better low-light performance for selfies.
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Those looking for a modern phone with decent features at a lower cost.
- Portrait Photography: Those who prioritize portrait photography.
Ideal Use Cases for Infinix Note 12 G96:
- Watching movies and videos on a larger screen
- Taking frequent selfies and portrait photos
- Daily smartphone tasks like social media, browsing, and messaging
- Enjoying music via stereo speakers
- Users who prefer a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
The Realme 8 offers better performance and a brighter screen. The price is likely to be similar or slightly higher than the Infinix, making it a good value if those are the top priorities. The Infinix Note 12 G96 provides more modern software, faster charging, a better selfie camera, and stereo speakers at a potentially lower price, making it a strong value for budget-conscious buyers and users who prefer these specific features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display brightness for your use case?
- If you are often outdoors in sunlight, the Realme 8 is a better choice.
- How important is performance for gaming and daily usage?
- If you need the best performance within the budget, choose the Realme 8.
- How important is the latest Android version and multimedia experience?
- If you prefer the latest Android features and better audio experience via speakers, the Infinix Note 12 G96 is the better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor Enthusiast/Gamer: Choose the Realme 8 for its superior screen brightness and stronger performance.
- Scenario 2: Multimedia Consumer/Selfie Lover: Choose the Infinix Note 12 G96 for its larger display, wider aperture selfie camera, and stereo speakers and latest OS.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious User: Choose the Infinix Note 12 G96 for offering modern software and decent features at a lower price.
- Scenario 4: Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Realme 8 for a more versatile camera system and better video capabilities.
My Choice and Explanation
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would lean towards the Realme 8. Here's why:
- Superior Display Brightness: As someone who often uses their phone outdoors, the drastically brighter screen on the Realme 8 is a huge advantage. Being able to comfortably use my phone in bright sunlight is a significant factor.
- Better Performance: I value a smooth and responsive experience, especially when multitasking and using apps. The Realme 8's higher benchmark scores and more powerful GPU indicate a better overall performance, which is important for daily usage.
- More Versatile Camera System: Although I'm not a professional photographer, having the additional wide-angle, macro and black and white lenses on the Realme 8 provides more options for creativity, which I appreciate. The better video recording quality is also a plus.
While the Infinix Note 12 G96 has some compelling advantages, such as the newer OS, slightly faster charging, wider selfie aperture and stereo speakers, the practical benefits of the Realme 8's display brightness and overall performance outweigh them for my personal use case. The improved gaming performance is also a factor, as I occasionally play mobile games. Although the side mounted fingerprint sensor on the Infinix would be more convenient, the performance and display of the realme 8 are more beneficial for my needs.
Essentially, I value performance, display quality, and camera versatility more than the latest software version and a slightly faster charging.
