Realme 8 vs Nokia G21 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Realme 8
Realme 8
Realme
Nokia G21
Nokia G21
Nokia

General

Launch Date March 25, 2021 February 15, 2022
Release Year 2021 2022

Physical

Volume 94.95 cm³ 106.19 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.62 "/g 3.42 "/g
Weight 177 g 190 g
Height 160.6 mm 164.6 mm
Width 73.9 mm 75.9 mm
Thickness 8 mm 8.5 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Cyber Silver
  • Cyber Black
  • Dusk
  • Nordic Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.4 " 6.5 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 83.3 % 81.6 %
Pixel Density 411 PPI 270 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A 400 nits
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness 1000 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 122.07 mAh/in² 119.53 mAh/in²
Battery Density 52.66 mAh/cm³ 47.56 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5050 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) Unisoc T606 (12 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Mali-G76 MC4 Mali-G57 MP1

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 11
Maximum OS Version 13

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Here's a detailed comparison of the Realme 8 and Nokia G21, focusing on the practical implications of their specifications:

FeatureRealme 8Nokia G21Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm164.6 × 75.9 × 8.5 mmRealme 8 is more compact and slightly thinner, which may feel more comfortable for single-handed use, Nokia G21 is slightly bulkier.
Weight177g190gRealme 8 is noticeably lighter, which can be important during extended use.
Display
Size6.4"6.5"Negligible difference in screen size.
Resolution1080x2400720x1600Realme 8 offers a much sharper display with more detail, noticeable when reading text, viewing images, or watching videos.
Pixel Density411 PPI270 PPIRealme 8’s higher pixel density results in a clearer and crisper screen.
TechnologyAMOLEDIPS LCDRealme 8 provides superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. Better for media consumption.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzNokia G21 offers slightly smoother scrolling, which can be noticeable when browsing feeds or playing fast paced games.
Brightness1000 nits0 nitsRealme 8 has much higher brightness, resulting in better visibility under direct sunlight. Nokia G21's brightness is unknown and may struggle outdoors.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Helio G95Unisoc T606Realme 8 offers significantly faster performance for apps, multitasking, and gaming. Nokia G21 is more basic.
AnTuTu Score409,874253,300Realme 8 is faster in practice with significantly higher benchmark scores.
GPUMali-G76 MC4Mali-G57 MP1Realme 8 offers a superior graphics experience, better suited for more demanding games and graphic-intensive applications.
Battery
Capacity5000mAh5050mAhBoth phones have similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life under normal usage.
Charging30W Fast Charging18W Fast ChargingRealme 8 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime.
Battery TypeLi-PolymerLi-IonRealme 8 utilizes the modern, lighter Li-Polymer technology compared to Li-Ion.
Charger in boxNot specified10WNokia G21 includes a 10W charger in the box, while Realme 8 charger is not specified.
Camera
Rear Main Camera64MP, f/1.79, 1/2"50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76"Realme 8 captures more detailed images with its higher-resolution and larger sensor.
Front Camera16MP, f/2.458MP, f/2.0Realme 8 has a higher-resolution front camera for more detailed selfies, however the Nokia G21 has a wider aperture, which may perform better in low light.
Wide Angle8MP, f/2.25Not availableRealme 8 has a wide-angle lens, allowing for more versatile shots.
Portrait Mode (depth)Not available2MP, f/2.4Nokia G21 has a depth sensor for more artistic portrait shots with blurred backgrounds.
Macro Lens2MP, f/2.42MP, f/2.4Both offer a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
Black & White2MP, f/2.4Not availableRealme 8 has a dedicated black & white sensor for artistic photography.
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps with EIS1080p@30fpsRealme 8 offers higher quality video recording with stabilization, suitable for content creation.
Software
OSAndroid 11, no max version specifiedAndroid 11, upgradeable to Android 13Nokia G21 is likely to receive more Android updates, potentially extending its usable lifespan.
Connectivity
WiFi802.11ac, Dual Band, Hotspot, Direct, MIMO802.11n, Dual Band, HotspotRealme 8 supports faster WiFi standards with more features.
Bluetooth5.1 with LE, A2DP, EDR, HID5.0 with LE, A2DPRealme 8 has newer Bluetooth offering more connectivity options and more efficient energy usage.
Storage
Internal Storage64/128 GB64/128 GBBoth offer the same storage options, suitable for most users.
RAM4/6/8 GB4/6 GBRealme 8 offers a higher RAM option(8GB) for better multitasking performance.
Expandable StorageNoNoBoth lack expandable storage options.
Audio
Audio QualityHi-Res Audio2 microphonesRealme 8 offers better audio playback for music lovers. Nokia G21's dual microphone may offer better audio during phone calls.
Security
FingerprintBasic FingerprintSide-mounted FingerprintNokia G21's side-mounted sensor is generally more convenient.
Sensors
SensorsProximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, MagnetometerProximity, AccelerometerRealme 8 has a more comprehensive set of sensors suitable for advanced gaming and sensor-based apps.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Realme 8 Advantages:

  • Superior Display: AMOLED panel with significantly higher resolution, pixel density, and brightness offers a much better viewing experience with vibrant colors and clarity, especially in bright light.
  • Better Performance: The Helio G95 chipset and superior GPU provide much smoother and faster performance for general use, multitasking, and gaming.
  • Enhanced Camera System: Higher resolution primary and front cameras, a dedicated wide-angle lens and 4K video recording capability offer more flexibility and quality in photography and videography.
  • Faster Charging: 30W fast charging significantly reduces the time spent plugged in compared to the 18W charging on the Nokia.
  • Better Connectivity: Offers a newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards
  • More RAM option: Offers 8GB RAM for better multitasking

Nokia G21 Advantages:

  • Slightly Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate provides a slightly smoother experience for everyday scrolling.
  • Software Updates: Nokia is known for providing better software support and offers upgrades to Android 13, while Realme 8's max version is unknown.
  • Side-mounted Fingerprint: The side-mounted sensor is more convenient to reach for many users.
  • Included Charger: Nokia includes a charger in the box

Trade-offs:

  • Realme 8: Sacrifices a slightly smoother display for an overall superior display and performance.
  • Nokia G21: Sacrifices performance, camera quality and display sharpness for slightly smoother scrolling and better software updates.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Realme 8 Ideal User:

  • Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who enjoy consuming videos, playing games, or browsing vibrant content on a sharp display.
  • Performance Seekers: Users who need a phone that can handle multitasking and demanding apps smoothly without lag.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value versatile cameras with wide-angle and high-resolution capture capabilities, and 4k video recording.
  • Power Users: Users who appreciate fast charging.
  • Gamers: Those who play demanding mobile games would benefit from the superior processing power and graphics, as well as the additional gyroscope.

Use Cases:

  • Gaming, Video Streaming, Social Media, Photography, GPS navigation.

Nokia G21 Ideal User:

  • Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users who want a reliable phone with essential features and don't prioritize top-tier performance or camera capabilities.
  • Long-Term Users: Users who prefer software updates and long-term device support.
  • Basic Users: Those who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like calling, texting and web browsing.
  • Users who prefer a convenient fingerprint reader: Those who prefer a side-mounted sensor.
  • Users who prefer a charger in the box: The Nokia G21 comes with a charger in the box

Use Cases:

  • Calling, texting, web browsing, basic social media, media consumption on a budget.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. How important is display quality? If you consume a lot of media, the Realme 8's AMOLED screen will be significantly better. If you don't mind a basic LCD, the G21 may suffice.
  2. How much performance do I need? If you're a gamer or multitask heavily, the Realme 8 offers much better performance. If you only use the phone for basic tasks, the Nokia G21 will be adequate.
  3. What is my camera usage like? If you value versatility and higher-quality photos and video, the Realme 8 is the better choice. If you just need a decent camera for casual use, the G21 may work.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Heavy Media User & Gamer: Choose the Realme 8 for its vibrant AMOLED display, smooth performance, and fast charging.
  • Scenario 2: Budget User Seeking Reliability: Choose the Nokia G21 for its lower price, slightly smoother scrolling display, and software update support.
  • Scenario 3: Casual User, Photo lover: Choose the Realme 8 for its better camera and higher resolution display, and better storage.
  • Scenario 4: User Seeking Long-Term Use: Choose the Nokia G21 for its guaranteed software updates and long-term support, and for its included charger.

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Realme 8. While the Nokia G21 has a slightly smoother 90Hz display and promises better software updates, the Realme 8 provides a far superior overall experience. The AMOLED screen is noticeably better in terms of vibrancy, clarity, and brightness, making it much more enjoyable for media consumption. The performance difference is also substantial, especially for gaming and multitasking. I also value the better camera system for more detailed and flexible photography and videography, and the much faster charging is a huge plus. While I would have to buy a charger separately, the overall benefits of the Realme 8 outweigh the cons, making it the better option for my needs. The sharper screen and better performance are the deal-breakers, and I'm willing to trade off the slightly smoother refresh rate.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.