Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Nothing Phone (2)
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 162.1 × 76.4 × 8.6 mm | Nothing Phone (2) is slightly larger, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 177g | 201.2g | Realme 8 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | Nothing Phone (2) offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Negligible difference in sharpness; both provide good detail. |
| PPI | 411 | 394 | Similar pixel density, both have crisp visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar display quality; vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Nothing Phone (2) provides noticeably smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 1600 nits | Nothing Phone (2) offers significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Nothing Phone (2) offers much faster processing, better for demanding apps, gaming and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,135,786 | Nothing Phone (2) has substantially higher performance, resulting in faster app loading and smoother gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 730 | Nothing Phone (2) offers superior graphics processing, especially noticeable in gaming and demanding applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | Nothing Phone (2) has a larger sensor and larger pixels despite lower resolution, typically leading to better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/2.74", 0.8µm | Nothing Phone (2) has a higher-resolution selfie camera with a larger sensor, resulting in better overall selfie quality. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.25 | Not Available | Realme 8 has a dedicated wide-angle lens, useful for capturing expansive scenes. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | Realme 8 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, although limited resolution. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not Available | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Nothing Phone (2) has a higher-resolution ultrawide lens for combined ultrawide and macro functionality. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | Realme 8 offers a dedicated black and white camera for stylized photos. |
| Video | 4K@30fps (EIS) | 4K@60fps (OIS, EIS, HDR) | Nothing Phone (2) offers better video quality due to OIS and HDR support with higher frame rates, resulting in smoother videos, particularly in low light. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Ultra stable video | Dual camera, Time-Lapse, OIS, PDAF, Night Mode | Nothing Phone (2) offers more advanced camera features like OIS for better stability and Night Mode for improved low-light shots. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4700mAh | Realme 8 has a slightly larger battery, potentially providing marginally longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging | 45W fast charging | Nothing Phone (2) charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, 15W wireless, 5W reverse wireless | Nothing Phone (2) offers the convenience of wireless charging and reverse charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Nothing Phone (2) ships with a newer Android version, ensuring better security and features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Nothing Phone (2) offers faster Wi-Fi speeds and better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.3 | Nothing Phone (2) has a newer Bluetooth version, resulting in more reliable connections and potentially better audio quality. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), NavIC | Nothing Phone (2) supports more satellite systems, offering better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Nothing Phone (2) offers higher storage options, catering to users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB | Nothing Phone (2) provides more RAM, improving multitasking and overall performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Nothing Phone (2) provides superior audio with stereo speakers and better voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones use a basic fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones use similar screen protection technology |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Both phones come with a comprehensive set of sensors for advanced functions and gaming |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: Significantly lighter (177g vs 201.2g), which enhances comfort during prolonged use.
- Slightly Larger Battery: Marginal increase in battery capacity (5000mAh vs 4700mAh), possibly resulting in slightly better battery life.
- Dedicated Macro Lens & Wide Angle: Offers dedicated lenses for specialized photography shots.
Nothing Phone (2) Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset delivers a vastly superior performance with an Antutu score of 1,135,786, compared to Realme 8's 409,874.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate vs 60Hz, resulting in a much smoother user experience.
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher brightness (1600 nits vs 1000 nits), leading to better outdoor visibility.
- Better Camera System: Larger sensor, better video capabilities with OIS and HDR, and superior selfie camera quality. Also offers a high-resolution ultrawide lens.
- Faster Charging: 45W fast charging vs 30W, quicker battery top-ups.
- Wireless Charging: Offers convenient 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging.
- More Storage & RAM: Higher storage options (up to 512GB) and more RAM (up to 12GB).
- Newer Software: Runs on a more recent Android OS, ensuring better security and software features.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster speeds and more reliable connections.
- Superior Audio: Stereo speakers and three microphones for better sound quality and voice recording.
Trade-offs:
- The Realme 8 is lighter, which may be preferred by some. The Nothing Phone (2) is larger, heavier and may be less comfortable for some users.
- Realme 8 has a dedicated macro lens and wide-angle lens, which may be appealing to those who like to explore these types of shots.
- Nothing Phone (2) is more expensive due to its superior specs and features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Looking for a capable smartphone at a lower price point.
- Users prioritizing battery life: The slightly larger battery may offer marginal advantage.
- Users who prefer a lighter phone: The Realme 8 is considerably lighter.
- Users who prefer to have a dedicated macro lens and wide angle lens: It offers these, while the Nothing Phone (2) does not.
Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks, social media, web browsing, casual gaming, moderate photography.
- Good for users looking for a basic device with decent battery life without the need for high-end features or performance.
- A great entry-level smartphone that covers all basic needs.
Nothing Phone (2) Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who need a fast, smooth device for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Users who want high-quality photos and videos.
- Users who want wireless charging: The Nothing Phone (2) offers wireless and reverse wireless charging.
- Users who value overall user experience: Want a premium display, software experience and fast charging.
- Users who want a bigger storage and more RAM: Nothing Phone (2) comes with up to 512 GB of storage and 12 GB of RAM.
Use Cases:
- High-end gaming, video editing, multitasking, professional photography and videography.
- Excellent for those who want a smooth, fluid, and premium experience, with a better display.
- Ideal for users who want an all-rounder with better performance, camera, software, and overall features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Performance Needs: How important is high-end performance for gaming or demanding apps?
- Camera Requirements: Do you need the best possible photo and video quality?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Needs: If you are on a strict budget and need a basic smartphone for everyday use, the Realme 8 is a better fit because of its lower price tag.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Premium Features: If you value performance, camera quality, and premium features like wireless charging, the Nothing Phone (2) is worth the investment for the superior user experience.
- Scenario 3: Balanced User: If you want a balance between price and performance and want an overall device that can handle daily tasks with good performance, you can go for the Nothing Phone (2).
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would opt for the Nothing Phone (2). The performance difference between the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and the Helio G95 is significant, resulting in a much smoother and faster experience. The higher refresh rate screen makes a big difference, providing a fluid feel to the phone, and the added brightness ensures that the phone can be comfortably used even in bright sunlight. Additionally, the camera is noticeably better, offering features like OIS and HDR. While the Realme 8 is good at its price point, the Nothing Phone (2)'s enhanced user experience and improved camera make it worth the extra cost. The extra features like faster charging, wireless charging and larger storage options also make the Nothing Phone (2) a more future proof and versatile device.
