1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Realme 8 and Nokia G60, focusing on practical implications:
| Feature | Realme 8 | Nokia G60 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 166 × 75.9 × 8.6 mm | Nokia G60 is slightly larger and may be less comfortable for single-handed use. |
| Weight | 177g | 190g | Realme 8 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended holding. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both phones are standard smartphones |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.58" | Nokia G60 offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive content consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2408 | Both offer similar sharpness; negligible difference |
| PPI | 411 | 401 | Both offer similar pixel density; negligible difference |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Realme 8's AMOLED offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors. Better for viewing content in dark and for battery saving. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Nokia G60 provides smoother scrolling and animations, better for gaming and content navigation. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 offers much better visibility in bright sunlight. The Nokia G60 spec for brightness is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) is more efficient and supports 5G connectivity. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 410,072 | Both offer similar overall performance for daily use and moderate gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 619 | Different GPU configurations, both are capable for typical smartphone gaming |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Realme 8's higher resolution may capture more detail, but aperture difference is negligible. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Realme 8 captures higher detail selfies, but Nokia G60 has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.25 | 5MP, f/2.0 | Realme 8 has a higher resolution wide-angle lens, while Nokia G60 has a wider aperture. |
| Portrait Mode | No | 2MP, f/2.4 | Nokia G60 offers a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | No | Realme 8 allows close-up macro photography. |
| B&W Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | No | Realme 8 allows dedicated black and white photography. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps | 1080p@30fps | Realme 8 can capture higher resolution and smoother video for better video quality. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Realme 8 likely provides longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | Realme 8 charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Lithium | Both are non-removable batteries with minor chemical differences. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | Nokia G60 has a more recent OS, implying longer support and feature availability |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Nokia G60 supports faster and more efficient Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.1 | Nokia G60 has better audio codec support, implying better wireless audio quality. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Nokia G60 has better location accuracy with more satellite system support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Nokia G60 supports eSIM for more flexible carrier usage, while Realme 8 has 2 physical slots |
| Storage & Audio | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 64/128 GB | Both phones offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 4/6 GB | Realme 8 has an 8GB RAM option, better for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio | Basic | Realme 8 offers better audio quality with Hi-Res certification. |
| Security & Build | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | Nokia G60 has a more convenient side-mounted sensor for faster unlocking |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Nokia G60 has better screen protection against scratches. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Proximity | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | Realme 8 has a magnetometer for more advanced sensor capabilities. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a breakdown of the main advantages of each phone:
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED display offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, enhancing content consumption.
- Higher Brightness: 1000 nits brightness provides significantly better visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
- Better Front Camera: Higher resolution front camera for more detailed selfies.
- Better Main Camera: Higher resolution main camera for capturing more detailed photos.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging reduces charging time, a good option for those always on the go.
- Bigger Battery: Larger 5000mAh battery provides longer battery life on a single charge.
- Hi-Res Audio: Hi-Res Audio certified sound, providing higher quality audio playback
- More RAM Options: 8GB option is better for multitasking and gaming.
- More Sensors: Magnetometer allows more advanced sensor capabilities.
Nokia G60 Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate offers a visibly smoother experience, especially for gaming and scrolling.
- 5G Connectivity: Supports 5G networks for faster internet speeds.
- More Recent OS: Comes with Android 12, implying longer software support and newer features.
- Better GPS: Supports more satellite systems for more accurate location tracking.
- eSIM Support: Allows for more flexible carrier usage with eSIM support.
- Better Bluetooth Audio: Supports aptX, LDAC, SBC, and AAC audio codecs for higher quality wireless audio.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers better scratch resistance.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient for faster unlocking.
- Depth Camera: Dedicated portrait depth camera.
- Newer Wifi: Support for Wi-Fi 6 for better speed and performance.
- Wider Aperture in Selfie and Wide Lens: Allows more light to enter making photos better in low lighting.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Lacks 5G, lower refresh rate, less convenient fingerprint sensor and not as good for low light photography.
- Nokia G60: IPS display is less vibrant, lower brightness, has a smaller battery, and no macro lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Here's who each phone is best suited for:
Realme 8:
- Ideal User: Media consumers who prioritize display quality, photography enthusiasts, and users who need long battery life.
- Use Cases: Watching videos, taking photos, playing casual games, and using the phone for extended periods without charging.
Nokia G60:
- Ideal User: Users who need 5G, smooth performance, enhanced security and better build quality, and a user that wants flexibility with carriers.
- Use Cases: Online gaming, frequent use of data-heavy apps, and users who value the latest software and features.
Price-to-Value:
- The Realme 8, with its AMOLED display and larger battery, offers great value for media consumption and photography.
- The Nokia G60, with its 5G and 120Hz refresh rate, offers a great value for speed and performance.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help buyers decide:
- Do you prioritize display quality or refresh rate? If the primary use involves content consumption, the Realme 8's AMOLED screen is superior. If you prioritize fluidity, the Nokia G60's 120Hz display is the better choice.
- Do you need 5G? If 5G connectivity is critical, the Nokia G60 is the only option. If not, the Realme 8's other advantages may be more appealing.
- Do you need to prioritize battery or charging speed? The Realme 8 has a bigger battery and also charges faster. If battery life is a priority the Realme 8 is the obvious choice
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Media Enthusiast: Choose the Realme 8 for its superior AMOLED display and better audio playback for videos and movies.
- Scenario 2: Frequent Traveler: Choose the Nokia G60 for its eSIM support, more accurate GPS, and better scratch resistance.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Gamer: The Nokia G60 would be more preferable, since its has a higher refresh rate and 5G connectivity.
- Scenario 4: Casual user: Realme 8 is ideal for casual users that prioritize a good display and a good camera, at the cost of having a slightly dated OS.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Nokia G60. Although the Realme 8 has a superior display, battery, and camera, I would prefer the smoother 120Hz display, better build quality with Gorilla Glass 5, and 5G connectivity for faster internet. I also value the more recent Android version, and the inclusion of an eSIM. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is also a welcome convenience. Although it lacks the vibrant AMOLED display, the other features are more important to me and my daily use-case. Ultimately, the ideal choice depends on an individual's priorities, but the Nokia G60 provides a more balanced set of features for my needs.
