1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Nokia C21 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 164.8 × 75.9 × 8.6 mm | Nokia C21 Plus is slightly larger and thicker, potentially feeling bulkier in hand and pocket. |
| Weight | 177g | 178g | Both phones have virtually identical weight, making the weight difference negligible. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.52" | Nokia C21 Plus has a marginally larger screen, but this difference is unlikely to be very noticeable for daily usage. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | Realme 8 offers a much sharper, clearer display with finer details. Text and images will appear noticeably more crisp. |
| PPI | 411 | 269 | Realme 8 has a higher pixel density, resulting in a more detailed and less pixelated display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Realme 8 provides superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colours. Better for viewing photos and videos and provides more efficient battery use, especially with a dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both phones have standard refresh rates, meaning similar screen smoothness during regular use. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits (Note: this value is likely missing/incorrect) | Realme 8 will be significantly easier to view in direct sunlight. Nokia C21 Plus outdoor brightness is unknown due to missing value. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Realme 8's chip is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 109,200 | Realme 8 provides dramatically better performance in all aspects of phone use. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | IMG8322 | Realme 8's GPU offers much superior graphics performance, better for games and graphics-intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" OV64B | 13MP | Realme 8 captures significantly more detailed photos. Higher resolution allows for more cropping and better prints. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13" Sony IMX471 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Realme 8 takes higher resolution and more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.25 | N/A | Realme 8's wide-angle lens allows for capturing more of a scene in a single shot. |
| Portrait (depth) | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Nokia C21 Plus has a depth sensor, potentially allowing for better portrait mode with background blur, but the resolution is low. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Realme 8 allows for close-up photography of small objects. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Realme 8 has a dedicated lens for black & white photography. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, EIS | 1080p@30fps | Realme 8 can record higher quality 4K video. Video quality will be significantly better, particularly on larger screens. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4000mAh | Realme 8 likely has much longer battery life, allowing for extended use without recharging. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 10W Fast Charging | Realme 8 charges its battery much faster, reducing the time needed to reach full charge. |
| Other | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both use Android 11. |
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128GB | 32 GB or 64 GB | Realme 8 offers up to 128 GB storage compared to the Nokia's 64GB. |
| RAM | 4, 6, or 8GB | 2 GB or 4 GB | Realme 8 has more RAM for better multitasking and smoother use. |
| Expandable Storage | Not supported | Not supported | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 b/g/n | Realme 8 supports the latest Wi-Fi standards, with increased speeds. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 4.2 | Realme 8 has a more recent Bluetooth version that can provide improved connectivity to compatible devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | Realme 8 supports Beidou satellite system in addition to others. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio | Basic Audio Features | Realme 8 has high-quality audio playback for better listening experience. |
| Security | basic fingerprint sensor | rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both have fingerprint sensors for unlocking the phone. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Proximity, Accelerometer | Realme 8 has more sensor features for improved usage with additional motion detection features and compass functions. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Display: AMOLED screen with much higher resolution, pixel density, and brightness provides a significantly better viewing experience.
- Far Superior Performance: The Helio G95 chipset offers substantially faster processing and graphics performance, making it much better for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras, plus an additional wide-angle and macro lens, lead to more versatile and higher quality photos and videos.
- Bigger Battery with Faster Charging: Larger battery capacity and much faster charging provides longer usage time and reduced charging times.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth versions for more stable and faster connections.
- More RAM and Storage: The higher capacity of RAM and storage allows for smoother multitasking and more storage for apps and media.
Nokia C21 Plus Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Display: The screen is marginally larger, however, this is offset by the lower resolution of the display.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: While the resolution of the depth sensor is low, the dedicated depth sensor may offer improved portrait photography with background blur.
- Potentially Lower Price: Nokia phones often target the budget end of the market, the C21 Plus is likely to be cheaper than the Realme 8.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Nokia C21 Plus sacrifices performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and battery life for a potentially lower price. The Realme 8 is far superior in almost every technical metric.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos, browse social media, and play games would greatly benefit from the superior display and performance.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value good camera quality for capturing memories and want versatile photography options.
- Performance-Oriented Users: Individuals who need a fast and responsive phone for everyday use, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Users Needing Long Battery Life: Those who are often away from power sources and require reliable all-day battery life.
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Gaming: Smooth gameplay on mobile games.
- Content Creation: High-quality video recording and photo capture.
- Outdoor Use: Clear visibility in sunlight thanks to its higher brightness.
- Heavy App Usage: Multitasking between multiple apps seamlessly.
- Travel: Reliable battery life for all-day use and for taking pictures/videos.
Nokia C21 Plus Ideal User:
- Basic Smartphone Users: Those who primarily use a phone for calling, texting, and light browsing, and don't require high performance or camera quality.
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Individuals looking for an affordable smartphone and don't mind basic features.
- Users with Basic Photography Needs: Users who take photos and videos for social media and don't require high image quality or advanced features.
Use Cases for Nokia C21 Plus:
- Simple Communication: Making calls and sending texts.
- Basic Browsing: Checking emails and light web browsing.
- Navigation: Using basic GPS functionality.
- Secondary phone: Useful as a backup device due to its basic functions.
- Budget Usage: An entry-level phone that covers the most basic use cases.
Price-to-Value:
- The Realme 8 offers significantly better performance and features for its price point. It provides a much higher value per dollar compared to the Nokia.
- The Nokia C21 Plus primarily appeals to users with a very low budget and have very limited requirements for their phone's capabilities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If your budget is extremely limited, the Nokia may be your only option, but be prepared for significant compromises in every other area.
- How important is the display quality to you? If you watch videos or use your phone frequently, the Realme's AMOLED display is a big difference compared to the standard LCD on the Nokia.
- How often will you use the phone for demanding tasks or gaming? If you are a power user, the Realme 8 is your clear choice as it is much faster.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you need a phone for light usage and want to save money, the Nokia C21 Plus may suffice. But if your budget allows, the Realme 8 provides significant improvements in all areas.
- Scenario 2: If you value a better display, faster performance, a quality camera, or longer battery life, the Realme 8 is the better option and will likely offer the more satisfying experience.
- Scenario 3: If you use your phone heavily for entertainment, photography, or productivity the Realme 8 is the only logical option due to its superior capabilities in these areas.
My Choice
I would choose the Realme 8. The difference in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities is too significant to ignore. While the Nokia C21 Plus may be cheaper, the Realme 8 provides a much better overall user experience and will likely remain usable for a much longer time before being phased out. The superior screen, processing power, and camera features of the Realme 8 are well worth the cost difference. While the Nokia C21 Plus serves its purpose as a budget phone for basic tasks, the experience with the Realme 8 will be significantly better, providing more value in the long run.
