1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Realme 8 and Motorola Edge 20 Pro, focusing on their practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Realme 8 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 160.6 x 73.9 x 8 mm | 163 x 76 x 8 mm | Motorola is slightly larger, might feel less comfortable in hand for some |
| Weight | 177g | 190g | Realme 8 is lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Realme 8 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | Motorola offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same level of detail, so no noticeable difference in sharpness |
| PPI | 411 | 385 | Realme 8 has slightly sharper visuals due to higher pixel density, though the difference is moderate |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, generally similar viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Motorola offers much smoother animations and scrolling. A key advantage for gaming and a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8's higher brightness makes it much more usable in direct sunlight. Motorola's brightness is not specified, a major drawback. |
Performance
| Feature | Realme 8 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Motorola offers significantly faster processing speed, better for demanding apps and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 813,800 | Motorola's score is almost double that of Realme 8, translating to much better overall performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 650 | Motorola's GPU provides better graphics performance, leading to better gaming experience and smoother graphics rendering |
Camera
| Feature | Realme 8 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 108MP f/1.9, 1/1.52", 0.7µm | Motorola's higher resolution and slightly larger sensor captures more detail. Realme has a slightly wider aperture for better low light, but sensor size is important too. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | 32MP f/2.3, 0.7µm | Motorola has higher resolution, likely resulting in more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 8MP f/3.4 | Motorola has dedicated zoom capability, enhancing flexibility. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP f/2.25 | None | Realme can capture a wider field of view |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Realme provides macro capability. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 16MP f/2.2 | Motorola has both capabilities in one. |
| Black & White | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Realme has an additional sensor for black and white photos |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps with EIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@960fps with EIS | Motorola offers higher resolution video recording (8K) and smoother slow-motion (960fps), superior for videography. EIS is available for smoother recording in both. |
Battery
| Feature | Realme 8 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Realme 8 is likely to have longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W | 30W | Both offer similar charging speeds. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Motorola can charge other devices, a convenient feature. |
Other
| Feature | Realme 8 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Motorola offers faster Wi-Fi speeds, better for high-bandwidth activities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.1 | Both have good options for bluetooth, Motorola is slightly better because of APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC |
| GPS | Standard | Advanced | Motorola offers better location accuracy due to more satellite systems. |
| Storage | 64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | Motorola offers more storage capacity. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 12 GB | Motorola offers better multitasking performance due to greater RAM |
| Audio | Hi-Res | Basic | Realme has better audio quality for audiophiles. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Motorola's side-mounted fingerprint sensor is more advanced and ergonomic |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass 5 | Motorola's screen offers better protection from scratches and impacts |
| Sensors | Magnetometer | Compass | Both have comprehensive sensor suites. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Better Battery Life: Larger battery (5000mAh) for potentially longer usage.
- Higher Brightness: 1000 nits brightness is substantially better for outdoor visibility, especially under direct sunlight.
- Hi-Res Audio: Better audio quality for music and media consumption.
- Wide Angle and Macro lens: Offers flexibility in photography, macro for close up shots and wide angle for landscape.
- Lighter: Slightly lighter, may be better for prolonged handling.
Motorola Edge 20 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Much faster chipset (Snapdragon 870) and significantly better benchmark scores.
- Smoother Display: 144Hz refresh rate provides a significantly smoother user experience.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution primary sensor, telephoto lens, and better video capabilities (8K).
- More RAM and Storage: Higher RAM for better multitasking, options for larger storage, which might be critical for many users.
- Advanced Wi-Fi & GPS: Wi-Fi 6 support for faster speeds, and more accurate GPS due to additional support for satellite systems.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint: More ergonomic placement of fingerprint sensor
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8 sacrifices performance for battery and higher brightness. It lacks a telephoto lens and its video capabilities are basic.
- Motorola Edge 20 Pro compromises on battery life for superior performance and camera capabilities. It also doesn't have the higher brightness or a wider angle and macro sensor on their own.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Who want great value and don't need the highest performance.
- Outdoor enthusiasts: The screen's brightness is ideal for sunny conditions.
- Audio lovers: Those who appreciate better sound quality for listening to music.
- Users prioritising battery life who do not want to charge their phone frequently.
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Daily social media, messaging, browsing with good battery life.
- Outdoor use in bright daylight thanks to its higher brightness.
- Enjoying music with high quality playback.
Motorola Edge 20 Pro Ideal User:
- Gamers and power users: Who need maximum performance and a smooth display.
- Photography enthusiasts: Who want versatility in shooting and high quality video recording.
- Users who value speed and responsiveness: Who don't want any lag when switching between apps.
- Tech enthusiasts: Who want the latest connectivity standards.
Use Cases for Motorola Edge 20 Pro:
- Mobile gaming, streaming, and running demanding applications smoothly.
- Capturing high-resolution photos and videos for professional looking results.
- Fast data transfers and downloads due to Wi-Fi 6 and more accurate navigation due to improved GPS.
- Multitasking between numerous apps, ideal for productivity.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance vs. Battery Life: Do you prioritize top-tier performance or longer battery life?
- Photography Needs: Do you want a telephoto lens and higher video capabilities, or are wider angle and macro lenses more useful to you?
- Display Preference: Do you value a higher refresh rate for a smoother experience, or is higher brightness a bigger concern for outdoor usage?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent Traveler: If you travel often and need good outdoor visibility, prefer Realme 8 with its 1000 nits brightness and good battery life.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer: If you prioritize smooth gameplay, choose Motorola Edge 20 Pro due to its 144Hz display and high-end chipset.
- Scenario 3: Social Media Creator: If you need a versatile camera system and high quality video, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro has more to offer.
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious User: If you are on a budget and prioritise battery over performance, consider Realme 8.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Motorola Edge 20 Pro. Here's why:
While the Realme 8 offers a larger battery and higher brightness, which are definitely valuable, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro's superior performance due to its Snapdragon 870 chipset and larger RAM is significantly more important to me. As someone who uses their phone for a variety of tasks including gaming, content creation, and productivity, the smoother user experience from the 144Hz display and the more versatile camera system with the telephoto lens is worth the trade-off. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 and the reverse charging feature further enhance the appeal of the Motorola, making it the better option for my needs. Also, it's hard to look past the significantly better benchmark scores. The lack of stated brightness for the Motorola is concerning, however I am assuming it would at least be usable in normal daylight.
