Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Motorola Moto G32
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Motorola Moto G32 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-25 | 2022-08-16 | Moto G32 is a newer model with potentially longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 161.8 × 73.8 × 8.5 mm | Moto G32 is slightly taller and thicker, which might affect in-hand feel and pocketability. |
| Weight | 177g | 184g | Realme 8 is slightly lighter, which may be more comfortable during long use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.5" | Negligible difference in screen size; both offer a similar viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both provide crisp and clear visuals. |
| PPI | 411 | 405 | Virtually identical pixel density; both offer sharp text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Realme 8 has better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors than the Moto G32. AMOLED is generally better for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Moto G32's 90Hz display provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8's much higher brightness (1000 nits) makes it significantly better for outdoor viewing in bright sunlight. The Moto G32's brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm) | Realme 8's G95 is more powerful in benchmarks than the 680, translating to smoother performance in demanding tasks and gaming. The Snapdragon 680 is more power-efficient, potentially extending battery life |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 249,000 | Realme 8's significantly higher score means it will handle demanding apps and gaming much better than the Moto G32. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 610 | Realme 8's GPU is more powerful, providing better graphics performance for gaming and GPU-intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor | Realme 8's main camera offers higher resolution, larger sensor, and wider aperture, leading to potentially better low-light performance and more detailed photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13" sensor | 16MP, f/2.2, sensor unknown | Moto G32 has wider aperture on the selfie camera which would generally allow more light and therefore provide better quality in low light compared to Realme 8. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25, sensor unknown | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12 µm pixel size | Moto G32 has a wider aperture on the ultrawide lens, which typically results in better light capture, potentially better low-light ultrawide photos |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, sensor unknown | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm pixel size | Both are similar in specs, though Moto G32 has a larger pixel size which can help in low light. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4, sensor unknown | Not available | Realme 8 has a dedicated B&W sensor whereas the Moto G32 does not. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 1080p@30fps | Realme 8 offers higher video resolution (4K), for sharper and more detailed videos, whereas the Moto G32 is limited to 1080p. |
| Features | 4K Video, Quad camera, Ultra stable video | Optical zoom, Triple camera, PDAF, LAF, RAW | Realme 8 offers 4K video recording and a quad camera setup while Moto G32 offers optical zoom, more advanced autofocus features (PDAF and LAF) and the option for RAW image capture. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging | 30W fast charging | Both phones support 30W fast charging, offering similar charging speeds. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, upgradeable to 13 | Moto G32 has a more recent Android version, meaning longer software support and potentially better features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, Wi-Fi MiMO | 802.11ac | Both offer dual-band Wi-Fi. Realme 8 additionally supports Wi-Fi MiMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, EDR, HID | 5.2 LE | Moto G32 has newer Bluetooth version but lacks EDR and HID profiles which Realme 8 has. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Both provide similar GPS capabilities but Moto G32 additionally supports SUPL. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 64/128/256 GB | Moto G32 offers more storage options up to 256 GB, which is advantageous for users with large libraries of photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 4/6/8 GB | Both phones offer similar RAM options. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, which may limit the flexibility for storing large files. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Moto G32 offers a more immersive audio experience with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers. Realme 8 offers hi-res audio, which is better for wired headphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Moto G32 has a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint scanner compared to the basic fingerprint sensor of the Realme 8. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Fingerprint | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Fingerprint | Realme 8 features a Magnetometer, which some use cases may require. Motorola G32 includes a Compass and a Hall sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors than the Moto G32's IPS LCD. This is significant for media consumption.
- Higher Performance: The Mediatek Helio G95 chipset provides significantly better performance than the Snapdragon 680, leading to a smoother experience in demanding tasks and gaming.
- Better Main Camera: Higher resolution main camera (64MP) with a larger sensor and wider aperture. The 4K recording capability is also significant for users who prefer to have better video quality.
- Higher display brightness: The 1000 nits brightness on the Realme 8 makes it more usable in bright sunlight.
- Black & White Sensor: The additional black and white sensor gives the Realme 8 added camera flexibility.
Motorola Moto G32 Advantages:
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 12 (upgradeable to 13) out of the box and is generally expected to have longer software support.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos with stereo speakers offers a more immersive audio experience.
- More Internal Storage options: Moto G32 offers a 256 GB option in addition to 64GB and 128GB, whereas the Realme 8 only offers 64GB and 128GB options.
- Wider Aperture Selfie and Wide Angle cameras: Better low-light performance from wider apertures on the front-facing and ultrawide cameras.
- Advanced Autofocus and RAW image capture: PDAF and LAF provides superior auto focus capabilities, and RAW file capture allows for more flexibility during image post-processing.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Side mounted sensors are generally considered better than basic ones.
- GPS Sensor: Has additional SUPL support.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Includes 5.2 Bluetooth, which is a newer standard compared to 5.1
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8 offers superior performance and display technology, but comes with an older version of Android and lacks the smoother display and advanced audio of the Motorola.
- Moto G32 offers a newer software and a smoother display, but has weaker performance and display technology compared to the Realme 8.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Realme 8:
- Gamers: The more powerful chipset and GPU will provide a better gaming experience.
- Multimedia Consumers: The AMOLED display makes it ideal for watching videos and viewing photos.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Better main camera with a higher resolution and better low-light capabilities as well as the 4k recording capability.
- Users needing better outdoor visibility: Higher screen brightness allows for better readability outdoors.
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Playing graphically intense games such as Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile.
- Watching high-resolution movies and videos.
- Taking high-quality photos and videos, especially in low-light conditions.
Ideal Users for Motorola Moto G32:
- Casual Users: Users who prioritize a smooth user experience and a more recent Android version.
- Audio Lovers: The Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers will provide a better audio experience.
- Users who need better low-light selfie/ultrawide photo taking: Wider apertures on the front and ultrawide cameras allow for better light capture.
- Users needing extra storage: The 256GB option of the Moto G32 allows for more storage than the 128GB of the Realme 8.
- Users wanting a more secure fingerprint scanner: The side-mounted sensor offers an improved experience compared to the basic one in the Realme 8.
Use Cases for Motorola Moto G32:
- Everyday use, browsing, social media, etc.
- Listening to music and podcasts.
- Taking casual pictures and using its selfie camera frequently.
- Users who need a long-lasting phone with good battery life.
- Users who want the latest software and a more streamlined user experience.
Price-to-Value:
- The price-to-value would depend on regional pricing differences, but at the time of release the Motorola Moto G32 was cheaper than the Realme 8. This suggests the Moto G32 offers a higher value if its additional features are more pertinent to the specific user, though the Realme 8 may be a good value purchase if high performance is prioritized.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance or Display Quality: Do you prioritize high performance for gaming and demanding apps (Realme 8), or smoother animations and a more immersive audio experience (Motorola G32)?
- Camera Capabilities: Do you need 4k video recording and a more powerful main camera (Realme 8), or do you prioritize low light photos and a better selfie camera (Motorola G32) as well as additional autofocus features and RAW image capture?
- Software Support and Audio: Do you need the latest version of Android and a more immersive audio experience (Motorola G32) or is this less of a priority?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gamer/Multimedia User - Recommendation: Realme 8. The superior display, performance and main camera make it more suitable for gaming and high quality video consumption.
- Scenario 2: Everyday User with Audio Focus - Recommendation: Motorola Moto G32. Newer software, smoother display and Dolby Atmos make it a more enjoyable daily driver for many users who do not do heavy gaming.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious User Needing a Newer OS - Recommendation: Motorola Moto G32. Given the Moto G32 was cheaper upon release, this would be the go to option for a budget conscious user looking for a newer phone with a more recent OS.
- Scenario 4: Photographer requiring advanced camera features - Recommendation: Motorola Moto G32. The additional PDAF and LAF, alongside RAW image capture provides more flexibility and quality in photos.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the two phones, I would lean towards the Realme 8. My priority would be the superior display quality for media consumption and the better performance for smoother app usage and gaming. While the Moto G32 has some advantages, such as the newer OS, better audio experience, and smoother screen refresh, for my use cases the improved display and performance of the Realme 8 outweigh the other features of the G32. The slightly older Android version of the Realme 8 is not a big deterrent as Android 11 is still very functional, and I value the significantly higher quality screen and performance of the Realme 8 over the smoother experience of the Moto G32. The 4K recording is also a significant factor, as I sometimes require this functionality.
