Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Motorola Edge 20
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 163 × 76 × 7 mm | Motorola Edge 20 is slightly taller and wider, but thinner; Realme 8 is more compact and has larger overall volume. |
| Weight | 177g | 163g | Motorola Edge 20 is lighter by 14g, potentially more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | Motorola Edge 20 has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have the same screen resolution, ensuring similar image sharpness. |
| Pixel Density | 411 PPI | 385 PPI | Realme 8's higher PPI may result in slightly sharper text and images, although the difference is not dramatically visible. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, but AMOLED typically provides better contrast and power efficiency than OLED. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Motorola Edge 20’s higher refresh rate provides much smoother scrolling and animations, making it more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 has dramatically higher peak brightness making the screen much easier to view in bright outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) | Snapdragon 778G 5G is significantly more powerful, providing better performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 589,200 | Motorola Edge 20 offers noticeably faster app loading and smoother multitasking due to a higher benchmark score. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 642L | Adreno 642L generally offers better gaming performance and more efficient graphics processing. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.79, 1/2" | 108MP f/1.9, 1/1.52" | Motorola Edge 20 has a higher resolution sensor and larger sensor size, capturing more detail and handling low light better. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.45, 1/3.13" | 32MP f/2.3 | Motorola Edge 20 has a higher resolution selfie camera, capturing more detail in selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 8MP f/2.4 | Motorola Edge 20 provides optical zoom capabilities, while Realme 8 has no telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP f/2.25 | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for expansive shots, which Motorola Edge 20 lacks. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, a feature absent in Motorola Edge 20. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 16MP f/2.2 | Motorola Edge 20 offers a dedicated lens for ultrawide and macro shots, a feature absent in Realme 8. |
| Black & White | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 includes a black & white sensor which Motorola Edge 20 lacks |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@960fps | Both offer 4K video with stabilization; Motorola Edge 20 provides a superior slow-motion mode at 960fps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4020mAh | Realme 8 has a significantly larger battery, likely offering longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Both support 30W fast charging, providing similar charging speeds. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Motorola Edge 20 can reverse charge other devices in a pinch, a feature not present in Realme 8. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 (Upgradable to 12) | Motorola Edge 20 may have a longer software support lifecycle and access to newer Android features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Motorola Edge 20 supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard, offering faster speeds and improved network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Motorola Edge 20's Bluetooth 5.2 offers a slight improvement in performance, range and efficiency. |
| GPS | Yes | Yes | Both phones have comparable GPS capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | Motorola Edge 20 offers higher maximum storage, providing more space for apps, photos, videos and files. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 6/8 GB | Both phones offer options for higher RAM to improve multitasking capabilities, but Motorola Edge 20 has a higher starting option. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for external storage expansion via microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Basic Audio | Realme 8 provides superior audio playback with Hi-Res certification. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Motorola Edge 20 features a more modern side-mounted fingerprint scanner, while Realme 8 has a basic sensor. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Motorola Edge 20 has better screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Magnetometer | Compass, Gravity | The phones offer slightly different sensors. Realme 8 offers a Magnetometer, while Motorola Edge 20 has a Compass and Gravity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery offers significantly longer battery life.
- Higher Brightness: 1000 nits peak brightness makes the display much more visible under bright sunlight.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers higher-quality audio playback for audiophiles and music lovers.
- Dedicated Wide Angle and Macro Lens : Provides more versatility in shooting options.
Motorola Edge 20 Advantages:
- Faster Performance: Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset provides significantly better performance for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Smoother Display: 144Hz refresh rate offers a much more fluid and responsive user experience.
- Better Main Camera: 108MP main sensor with larger sensor size captures more detail and performs better in low light.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom for better zoomed in shots, which the Realme 8 lacks.
- Reverse Charging: Ability to charge other devices wirelessly in a pinch.
- More storage: Offers higher maximum storage with a 256GB variant.
- Newer Bluetooth and Wifi Offers better connectivity speeds and stability.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Offers a more convenient fingerprint security experience
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 offers better protection against scratches and drops.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Loses out on performance and screen smoothness for a better battery life and a higher brightness screen.
- Motorola Edge 20: Sacrifices battery capacity and lacks a dedicated macro and wide-angle lens for better performance and screen smoothness.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Battery-focused users: Those who prioritize long battery life and want to use their phones without needing frequent recharges.
- Outdoor users: Individuals who need high screen brightness for visibility in sunlight.
- Budget-conscious buyers: Those seeking a capable all-rounder, with good audio capabilities, a focus on battery life and wide angle photography, without needing to spend a lot of money.
- Multimedia consumers: Users who listen to music or consume content on their phones and want the highest quality audio.
Motorola Edge 20 Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Gamers and power users who prioritize smooth performance and fast response times.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who want a versatile camera with optical zoom and higher megapixel count.
- Modern Tech Users: Users who desire the latest connectivity options like WiFi 6.
- Mobile Professionals: Those who need a sleek and lightweight device with reverse charging capabilities for on-the-go productivity.
Specific Use Cases:
- Realme 8: Ideal for travel, long workdays, music playback, casual photography and outdoor activities due to its high battery, high brightness and Hi-Res Audio.
- Motorola Edge 20: Great for gaming, social media browsing, professional photography, and everyday tasks that require smooth performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize battery life over performance? If yes, the Realme 8 may be a better option.
- Is display smoothness more important than battery capacity? If yes, the Motorola Edge 20's 144Hz display is superior.
- Do you often use your phone outdoors in bright conditions? If yes, the Realme 8's high brightness may be necessary.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User with long usage needs: Choose Realme 8 for the better battery life, better screen brightness and Hi-Res audio capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Gamer or mobile content creator: Choose Motorola Edge 20 for its superior performance, smoother display, and better camera capabilities.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: Choose Motorola Edge 20 for the higher resolution main camera, telephoto lens, and better overall photo quality.
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious Buyer: Choose Realme 8 as it provides slightly more features and a more balanced usage experience at a lower cost.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Motorola Edge 20. While the Realme 8 has a superior battery, my daily usage involves more demanding tasks and gaming which benefit greatly from the Motorola Edge 20's superior performance. The smoother 144Hz display and the significantly better camera are major factors for me, as I consume content and take a lot of photos. Additionally the more modern bluetooth and wifi connectivity provided by the Motorola are a huge plus. While the battery life is a sacrifice, the overall user experience with the Motorola Edge 20 is superior in my use case. The reverse charging is also a feature I see myself utilizing from time to time as well.
