1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Realme 8 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160.6 x 73.9 x 8 mm | 162.6 x 75 x 8 mm | OnePlus Nord 4 is slightly taller and wider, which might make it feel less comfortable in smaller hands or pockets. |
| Weight | 177g | 199.5g | Realme 8 is significantly lighter, enhancing comfort during extended use and portability. |
| Foldable Type | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphone form factors, no difference in design. |
Display
| Feature | Realme 8 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.74" | OnePlus Nord 4 has a larger screen, better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1240x2772 | OnePlus Nord 4 displays sharper images and text due to higher pixel count. |
| Pixel Density | 411 PPI | 450 PPI | OnePlus Nord 4 offers slightly sharper visuals, though the difference may not be very noticeable in everyday use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast ratios. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | OnePlus Nord 4 provides smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience, especially in fast-paced games and content. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 2200 nits | OnePlus Nord 4 is significantly brighter, offering much better visibility under direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Realme 8 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) | OnePlus Nord 4 has a significantly more powerful and efficient chip, leading to faster performance, better battery life and smoother gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,366,982 | OnePlus Nord 4 provides drastically better performance for intensive tasks, gaming and general usage. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 732 | OnePlus Nord 4’s GPU is significantly faster, leading to smoother graphics and gameplay. |
Camera
| Feature | Realme 8 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | Realme 8 offers higher resolution but OnePlus Nord 4 has a better sensor. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | Realme 8 has a slightly wider aperture which could result in marginally better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor | Omnivision OV64B | Sony LYT-600 | OnePlus Nord 4's sensor typically provides better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.70 µm | 0.80 µm | OnePlus Nord 4 with larger pixels may gather more light for better low-light photos |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 16MP | Both have similar selfie camera resolution. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.4 | OnePlus Nord 4 has a slightly wider aperture that could result in marginally better low-light performance |
| Wide Angle Resolution | 8MP | 8MP | Similar resolution but OnePlus has a better sensor and aperture. |
| Wide Angle Sensor | N/A | Sony IMX355 | OnePlus Nord 4 sensor will produce better wide angle shots. |
| Wide Angle Pixel Size | N/A | 1.14 µm | OnePlus Nord 4 sensor will gather more light for better wide angle shots |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | Not Available | Realme 8 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP | Not Available | Realme 8 has a black and white lens for monochrome photography. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 4K@60fps with EIS | OnePlus Nord 4 provides smoother video recordings with 60fps at 4K and better electronic stabilization. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | EIS, OIS | OnePlus Nord 4 has more stable videos due to its OIS system |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Ultra stable video | Dual Camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Panorama | OnePlus Nord 4 has better focus and stabilization technology, and includes panorama shots. Realme 8 has an extra 2 lenses that may help with more artistic or niche shots. |
Battery
| Feature | Realme 8 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | OnePlus Nord 4 has a larger battery, offering longer usage time between charges. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | OnePlus Nord 4 charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Polymer | Both use the same battery technology. |
| Removable Battery | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both phones have non-removable batteries for better overall design and protection against water and dust. |
Software
| Feature | Realme 8 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | OnePlus Nord 4 runs a newer version of Android with the latest features and security updates. |
| Max OS Version | N/A | Android 18 | OnePlus Nord 4 has guaranteed software updates, making it more future-proof. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Realme 8 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | OnePlus Nord 4 has Wi-Fi 6, which is faster and more efficient, offering better wireless performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.4 | OnePlus Nord 4 has newer Bluetooth version, with better power efficiency, improved range, and enhanced audio codecs |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | OnePlus Nord 4 has more advanced GPS with more satelite systems for more precise location. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality, allowing usage of two SIMs simultaneously. |
Storage
| Feature | Realme 8 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | OnePlus Nord 4 offers more storage options, better for users who require more space for photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB | OnePlus Nord 4 offers much more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and faster performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so choose based on available internal storage. |
Audio
| Feature | Realme 8 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | OnePlus Nord 4 has better audio quality and stereo speakers. Realme 8 offers Hi-Res audio which can be important for audiophiles. |
Security
| Feature | Realme 8 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both have standard fingerprint sensors for device security. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Realme 8 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | The information is not available to give an assessment. |
Sensors
| Feature | Realme 8 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity, Geomagnetic | Both feature a standard set of sensors for essential tasks. Realme 8 features magnetometer which can be beneficial for certain apps. OnePlus Nord 4 has gravity and geomagnetic which are necessary for AR apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages
- Lighter Weight: At 177g, it's significantly lighter than the OnePlus Nord 4, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and extended periods of holding.
- Macro & B/W lenses: It offers dedicated macro and black & white lenses for creative or specific niche photography.
- Hi-Res Audio: Dedicated to audiphiles who value high-quality audio.
- Magnetometer: Has a magnetometer for compass and other functions that rely on magnetic sensing.
OnePlus Nord 4 Advantages
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset is substantially faster than the Helio G95, providing significantly better app loading, multitasking, and gaming performance.
- Larger, Higher Quality Display: A bigger, higher-resolution screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and 2200 nits brightness offers a much better visual experience.
- Faster Charging: 100W charging significantly reduces charging times compared to 30W charging in Realme 8.
- Better Main Camera Sensor & Stabilization: The Sony LYT-600 main sensor and the addition of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) improve image quality, especially in low-light, and video stability.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers greater storage options and much more RAM, making it more suitable for users who need more space or multitask with demanding apps.
- Newer Operating System & Future Updates: Comes with Android 14, promising better security and access to the latest features compared to Realme 8's Android 11.
- Improved Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 for better wireless performance.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and dual microphones for a superior audio and immersive experience.
- Better GPS: Supports more satelite systems and has a more accurate GPS system.
Trade-offs
- Realme 8: While lighter and offering a macro lens, it lacks in performance, display quality, and camera performance compared to the OnePlus Nord 4. It has an older software and lesser software support, and lower battery capacity with slower charging speeds.
- OnePlus Nord 4: It is heavier, which could be a trade-off for some users. Lacks a dedicated macro and black & white camera lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize lightweight devices, basic smartphone functionality, and are on a tighter budget.
- Use Cases:
- Casual browsing, social media, and calls
- Users who prefer one-handed use
- Basic photography
- Users who like having niche lenses like macro and black and white
- Users who listen to Hi-Res audio formats.
OnePlus Nord 4
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, a premium display, excellent camera quality, fast charging, and long-term software support, and are willing to pay more for it.
- Use Cases:
- Heavy multitasking and demanding mobile gaming
- Media consumption (videos, movies, streaming)
- Photography enthusiasts seeking better image quality and stabilization
- Users who prefer to have the latest software and features and longer software updates.
- Users who require accurate and reliable GPS navigation.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The Realme 8 is a budget option, offering decent performance for its price but with compromises in key areas.
- The OnePlus Nord 4 provides a significantly better overall experience, justifying its higher price point, making it the better value option in terms of performance per dollar.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: Do you need a phone that can handle intensive tasks and demanding games smoothly, or is basic usage sufficient?
- Display Quality: Is a large, high-resolution display with a smooth refresh rate and high brightness crucial for you?
- Battery & Charging: Do you prioritize a long battery life and fast charging speeds, or is a standard battery and charging sufficient?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If budget is the primary concern and basic functionality is enough, the Realme 8 may be a suitable option. However, be aware of its limitations compared to the OnePlus Nord 4.
- Performance Enthusiast: If you prioritize smooth performance, gaming, and a high-quality display, the OnePlus Nord 4 is the better option.
- Photography Lover: If you enjoy taking photos and want better low-light performance and stable videos, the OnePlus Nord 4 is a more capable choice.
- Long Term Usage: If you want a phone with up-to-date features, longer software updates, and better hardware, the OnePlus Nord 4 is a better option.
What I would choose and why:
I would choose the OnePlus Nord 4 without hesitation. The primary reason is its superior performance, driven by the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset, which ensures a much smoother and more responsive experience for both everyday tasks and demanding applications like gaming. The display is also significantly better, offering a larger, higher-resolution screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness, making media consumption and everyday use a significantly more enjoyable experience.
The superior camera system, with a better main sensor and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), will result in higher quality photos, especially in low-light situations, and the OIS will greatly improve video quality and make it easier to take steady videos. Additionally, the 100W fast charging will minimize the downtime of the phone and the newer Android OS and future updates will ensure the device remains modern and secure for years to come. The better storage and RAM configuration also contribute to overall smoother operation and better future proofing. The OnePlus Nord 4's slight increase in size and weight are acceptable given the performance boost.
While the Realme 8 might appeal to a user on a very tight budget, the overall experience offered by the OnePlus Nord 4 is so dramatically better that it justifies the higher cost. In the long run, the OnePlus Nord 4 is the better choice for most users who want an enjoyable experience in a smartphone.
