1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Motorola Moto G31 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 161.9 × 73.9 × 8.6 mm | G31 is slightly taller and thicker, though the difference is barely noticeable. Both have nearly the same width. |
| Weight | 177g | 181g | Both have virtually identical weight, making them comfortable to hold and use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.4" | Both offer the same screen real estate; comparable viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have identical screen sharpness; comparable visual clarity. |
| PPI | 411 | 411 | Both offer the same pixel density, leading to similar sharpness |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have the same smoothness; standard for daily use but not ideal for high-motion gaming. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 will be significantly more readable in bright outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Mediatek Helio G85 (12nm) | Realme 8 has a more powerful processor, resulting in faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 225,154 | Realme 8 is considerably faster, suitable for more demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Realme 8 provides better graphics performance, beneficial for gaming and GPU-intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life; expected to last a full day with moderate use. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging | 10W fast charging | Realme 8 will recharge much faster; minimal downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 64MP | 50MP | Realme 8 captures more detailed images, potentially better for large prints and cropping. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | Realme 8 performs better in low light due to a wider aperture. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/2.76" | Realme 8 is better at capturing light due to a larger sensor, leading to better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 16MP | 13MP | Realme 8 has higher resolution for more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.2 | Motorola G31 captures better selfies in low-light conditions due to a wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Camera Aperture | f/2.25 | f/2.0 | Motorola G31 captures better low light wide angle images. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP | 2MP | Comparable macro camera performance; Both are suitable for close-up shots. |
| Black & White Camera | 2MP | None | Only Realme 8 has this feature |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Realme 8 can record much higher-quality videos. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both run Android 11, providing similar core functionalities. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, MiMO | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Both have similar WiFi speeds; Realme 8 offers slightly better wireless performance due to MiMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, LE, A2DP, EDR, HID | 5.0, LE, A2DP | Realme 8 has newer Bluetooth version for potentially more stable and efficient connections; it also supports EDR and HID |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Both have accurate navigation; Motorola G31 offers SUPL. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB | Both offer similar storage options, ample space for apps, photos, and media. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 4GB | Realme 8 has more RAM options, leading to better multitasking and app responsiveness. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for additional storage via microSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | Motorola G31 offers a more immersive audio experience through Dolby Atmos and improved voice capture; Realme 8 exclusively offers Hi-Res Audio |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic sensor | Side-mounted sensor | Motorola G31's side-mounted sensor is more convenient and faster to unlock the phone. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | Both have standard sensors; Realme 8 additionally features a Magnetometer; Motorola Moto G31 additionally supports Compass, Hall |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Helio G95 chipset and higher AnTuTu score translate to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Brighter Display: 1000 nits brightness makes it much more usable in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging reduces charging time significantly.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 64MP main camera sensor captures more detail.
- Higher Quality Video: Capable of recording video at 4K resolution.
- More RAM Options: Up to 8GB of RAM is available in the Realme 8.
- Bluetooth 5.1: Supports a newer version of Bluetooth with potentially better efficiency and features.
- Additional Features: Features a black and white camera sensor
Motorola Moto G31 Advantages:
- Wider Aperture Selfie Camera: The wider aperture of f/2.2 on the front camera offers slightly better low light performance
- Wider Aperture Wide Angle Camera: The wider aperture of f/2.0 on the wide angle camera offers slightly better low light performance
- Dolby Atmos Audio: Offers a more immersive audio experience with Dolby Atmos.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient than a standard fingerprint sensor.
- Additional Sensors: Has a built in Compass and Hall sensor
- Additional Camera Features: Supports optical zoom, phase detection autofocus (PDAF), laser autofocus (LAF), continuous shooting, panorama, and RAW.
- SUPL for GPS: Adds support for SUPL to GPS
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Lacks the advanced audio features of the Motorola G31, and more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
- Motorola Moto G31: Significantly less powerful processor, slower charging, lower display brightness, and doesn't record in 4K.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Realme 8:
- Gamers: The more powerful processor and GPU offer a better gaming experience.
- Outdoor Users: The brighter display is crucial for visibility in sunlight.
- Media Consumers: Faster charging is beneficial for frequent use.
- Photography Enthusiasts: The higher resolution main camera and 4K video recording will suit them better.
- Multitaskers: More RAM options handle multitasking better.
- Users who prioritize Performance over other features: The performance of this phone is far better than the Motorola.
Ideal Users for Motorola Moto G31:
- Casual Users: Basic tasks like browsing and social media are easily handled.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Dolby Atmos provides enhanced audio for music and videos.
- Users who value convenience: The side-mounted fingerprint reader and slightly better camera features provide convenience to users
- Users who prioritize specific camera features: RAW, PDAF, and LAF are important for certain photography styles
- Users who prefer the latest tech: Though the Realme 8 was released earlier, the Motorola has a few newer technologies
Use Cases:
- Realme 8: Gaming, outdoor photography, video recording, heavy app usage, and media consumption.
- Motorola Moto G31: Casual browsing, social media, audio listening, basic photography, and general daily use.
Price-to-Value:
- The Realme 8 offers a better price-to-performance ratio if the priority is processing power, display quality, and faster charging. The additional camera feature of 4k video and 64MP sensor are significant advantages.
- The Motorola Moto G31 provides better audio and some advanced camera features (RAW, PDAF) , but is less suitable for performance intensive activities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance for gaming or demanding apps? If the answer is very important, the Realme 8 is the better choice.
- Will you frequently use the phone outdoors in bright sunlight? The Realme 8's brighter display will be a massive advantage.
- Do you prioritize audio quality and specific camera features over performance? If so, the Motorola G31 is a strong contender.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: Choose the Realme 8 for better gaming performance and a smooth experience.
- Scenario 2: Outdoor Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Realme 8 for the brighter display and better main camera.
- Scenario 3: Casual User with a focus on Audio: Choose the Motorola Moto G31 for Dolby Atmos and side-mounted sensor.
- Scenario 4: Budget-Conscious Buyer Needing Performance: Choose the Realme 8 for its balance of performance, display, and battery features, offering better value per dollar.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Realme 8. The performance boost provided by the Helio G95 is significant, and the brighter display is crucial for outdoor use. The faster charging is a considerable convenience as well. While the Motorola G31 has a few benefits such as Dolby Atmos, and a more convenient fingerprint sensor, the overall performance and outdoor usability make the Realme 8 a better choice for my usage patterns and the value it offers for the price. I also prefer the flexibility of 4K video and the additional detail from the 64MP camera.
