Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. OnePlus 10T
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | OnePlus 10T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 163 × 75.4 × 8.8 mm | OnePlus 10T is slightly larger and thicker, may feel less comfortable in hand for some users. |
| Weight | 177g | 204g | Realme 8 is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | OnePlus 10T has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both have very similar sharpness; difference is negligible. |
| PPI | 411 | 394 | Both have very similar pixel density, resulting in comparable visual clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | OnePlus 10T has much smoother scrolling and animations, providing a more fluid experience. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 likely much more visible in bright sunlight, OnePlus 10T brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | OnePlus 10T offers drastically superior performance, faster app loading, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,165,433 | OnePlus 10T benchmark scores are far higher, indicating significantly better overall performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 730 | OnePlus 10T’s GPU provides better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | OnePlus 10T has larger sensor pixels for better low-light performance despite slightly lower MP. |
| Front Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | 16MP, f/2.46, 1/3.1", 1.0µm | Both offer similar front camera quality, negligible differences. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.25, sensor unknown | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", 1.12µm | OnePlus 10T has a slightly wider aperture and larger pixels for better low-light performance on its wide-angle. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, sensor unknown | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | OnePlus 10T has larger pixels on its macro camera, likely better low-light performance. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4, sensor unknown | N/A | Realme 8 has a dedicated black & white camera for niche photography. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps with EIS | 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps with EIS, OIS | OnePlus 10T offers higher framerate video recording and OIS for better stabilization. |
| Features | Quadruple camera, No OIS | Triple Camera, OIS, Flicker Sensor, RAW, Night mode | OnePlus 10T has more advanced camera features. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4800mAh | Realme 8 has slightly larger battery; likely very similar battery life due to different chipset power consumption. |
| Charging | 30W | 150W | OnePlus 10T charges much faster, allowing for quick top-ups. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, dual-cell | OnePlus 10T’s dual-cell may provide more efficient charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | OnePlus 10T has a newer OS out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | OnePlus 10T supports Wi-Fi 6 for faster and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE | OnePlus 10T has a newer Bluetooth version, supporting more codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5) | OnePlus 10T supports more satellite systems for more accurate positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | OnePlus 10T offers more storage options, with a 256GB option for users who need the extra space. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB | OnePlus 10T has much more RAM, enabling better multitasking and smoother performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 10T provides clearer audio for calls and immersive media; Realme 8 offers Hi-Res audio output. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both have standard fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | OnePlus 10T has better screen protection from scratches and damage. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both phones have a complete sensor suite; minor differences for specific applications |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Significantly lighter (27g difference) and slightly smaller, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and carrying around.
- Potentially Superior Outdoor Visibility: With a maximum brightness of 1000 nits, the Realme 8 is likely easier to see in bright sunlight. OnePlus 10T brightness is unknown.
- Slightly Larger Battery: 200mAh larger, which may provide slightly longer battery life, depending on usage.
- Hi-Res Audio : Offers Hi-Res audio output.
- Black and White Camera: Offers a dedicated Black and White camera.
OnePlus 10T Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset provides dramatically better performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate offers a significantly smoother and more fluid visual experience.
- Faster Charging: 150W charging is much faster than 30W, enabling much faster battery top-ups.
- Better Main Camera: Larger sensor and pixels for better low-light performance, and OIS for better video and photo stabilization.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Up to 16GB RAM and 256GB storage, for better multitasking and storage capacity.
- Newer Android Version: Android 12 out-of-the-box.
- Better Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for faster wireless connections.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for better screen protection.
- Stereo Speakers & Noise Cancellation Mic: Offers immersive audio and clearer calls.
Trade-offs:
- The Realme 8 offers better ergonomics due to its lighter and more compact design, but sacrifices significant performance and display smoothness.
- The OnePlus 10T offers a much better performance, display and camera experience, but is heavier and larger with unknown brightness, potentially making it less portable and difficult to use in direct sunlight.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize portability, lightweight design, and battery life.
- Budget-conscious users who don't need top-tier performance or gaming capabilities, but still want a decent display.
- Users who prefer a more compact phone for single-handed operation.
- Users who listen to Hi-Res audio.
- Users who prefer the Black and White photography style.
Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing, social media, and communication.
- Users who primarily consume media indoors or under controlled lighting conditions.
- Users who do not play demanding games.
OnePlus 10T Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize top-tier performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Users who value a smooth, fluid display experience with a 120Hz refresh rate.
- Users who frequently need fast charging and better connectivity.
- Users who take many photos and videos and want a more advanced camera experience with OIS.
- Users who consume media with stereo speakers.
Use Cases:
- Gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Users who stream a lot of video content and like smoother scrolling.
- Users who use their phone for navigation and need accurate GPS.
- Users who need to recharge their phone quickly throughout the day.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Realme 8 represents a more budget friendly option, providing a decent user experience for the price.
- The OnePlus 10T is a premium device with a higher price, but with significant upgrades.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: How important is top-tier performance for gaming and multitasking to your use case?
- Display Preference: Do you prioritize a smoother, more fluid visual experience with a higher refresh rate or is brightness more important?
- Portability vs. Features: How important is the phone's weight and size compared to camera performance, fast charging and better display experience?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User with Basic Needs: If you need a budget friendly device and your main use is social media and web browsing, the Realme 8 will meet your needs at a lower price point, assuming that its screen brightness is sufficient.
- Performance Enthusiast/Gamer: If you prioritize peak performance for gaming, the OnePlus 10T is the clear winner due to its superior chipset, GPU, and higher refresh rate display.
- User Who Values Camera Quality: If camera quality is a high priority with optical stabilization and high quality video, and a larger sensor the OnePlus 10T is the superior option.
- User who values comfort and convenience: If you value comfort in extended use and need a lightweight device with better outdoor visibility, the Realme 8 is a better choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the OnePlus 10T. While the Realme 8 offers a more comfortable form factor and a potentially brighter display, the advantages of the OnePlus 10T are too significant to ignore. The massive performance difference with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, smoother 120Hz display, far superior 150W fast charging, better camera system with OIS, additional RAM and storage, and newer Bluetooth and WiFi are too substantial of an upgrade. The better audio experience of the OnePlus 10T is also a factor.
The Realme 8 might be suitable for budget-conscious users who value portability and are okay with limited performance, however I value performance and a smoother user experience more. The OnePlus 10T provides a more future-proof and overall better experience, which is more important to me.
