Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. OnePlus Nord CE 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Realme 8 and OnePlus Nord CE 5G, focusing on the practical impact of each specification:
| Feature | Realme 8 | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 159.2 × 73.5 × 7.9 mm | Realme 8 is slightly taller, while OnePlus is a bit thinner and narrower; minimal difference in hand. |
| Weight | 177g | 170g | OnePlus Nord CE 5G is slightly lighter, which may be more comfortable during long usage. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.43" | Negligible size difference, both offer similar viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness and clarity for everyday use. |
| Pixel Density | 411 PPI | 410 PPI | Practically identical screen sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, ideal for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | OnePlus Nord CE 5G has smoother scrolling and animations, which may be noticeable to some users. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 700 nits | Realme 8 screen is significantly brighter outdoors making it more visible in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 750G offers better power efficiency with 8nm process, while Helio G95 offers slightly better raw performance, but less efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 385,000 | Realme 8 shows marginally better performance in synthetic benchmarks, but real-world differences may not always be noticeable. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 619 | Different GPUs, both will perform well for most games, however Adreno tends to have better stability in some titles. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79 | 64MP, f/1.79 | Identical sensors; image quality should be similar under good lighting. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45 | 16MP, f/2.45 | Both offer similar performance for selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.25 | 8MP, f/2.25 | Similar performance for group shots and landscapes. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 can take close-up macro shots; OnePlus lacks a dedicated macro lens |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Adds a dedicated monochrome shooting mode to both devices. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS | 4K@30fps with EIS | Both phones record 4K video with stabilization; no practical difference. |
| DXOMark | N/A | Mobile: 84, Photo: 89, Video: 80 | OnePlus Nord CE 5G is rated as a decent overall performer. Realme 8 has no score to compare, but cameras are identical. |
| Features | Quad Camera, Ultra Stable Video | Triple Camera, Continuous AF, Panorama, Night Mode | Realme 8 has a dedicated macro lens and offers ultra stable video, while OnePlus has additional features such as manual focus, continuous AF, panorama, night mode. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Realme 8 has a larger battery, which should offer longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Both offer the same fast charging capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 (upgradeable to 13) | OnePlus Nord CE 5G will have one extra year of software support and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi MiMO | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both offer similar WiFi functionality, Realme 8 has Wi-Fi MiMO for better speeds and stability, but this depends on the router. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, LE, EDR, HID | 5.1, LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | OnePlus supports higher quality codecs for better audio quality via Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, NavIC System | OnePlus Nord CE 5G supports additional satellite systems for better navigation accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both can use two SIM cards at the same time. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | OnePlus Nord CE 5G offers a 256 GB variant for more storage. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 6/8/12 GB | OnePlus Nord CE 5G has more RAM for smoother performance, especially the 12GB variant. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither has expandable storage, users may want to choose based on available storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Noise cancellation microphone | Realme 8 has Hi-Res audio capabilities for higher quality wired output; OnePlus has a noise cancellation microphone for clearer calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both have similar biometric security using the fingerprint reader. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both have essential sensors, with additional sensors for each device for enhanced functionality. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown screen protection for both. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Brighter Display: With 1000 nits of brightness, the Realme 8 is significantly better for outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh provides better battery life compared to OnePlus's 4500mAh.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Offers additional creative shooting options for close-up photography.
- Hi-Res Audio: Provides superior wired audio quality.
- Slightly Better Performance: Marginal benchmark lead in Antutu.
OnePlus Nord CE 5G Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate offers a visibly smoother user experience with animations.
- More Software Support: Guaranteed upgrade to Android 13, providing future updates and features.
- More RAM: Up to 12 GB of RAM, which is better for heavy multitasking and running demanding apps.
- Better Bluetooth Codecs: APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC for better wireless audio quality.
- More Storage: Option for 256 GB internal storage.
- Better Navigation: Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
- Night Mode: Better low-light performance for photos and videos
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8 sacrifices a smoother 90Hz display for a brighter screen, while OnePlus Nord CE 5G gives a smoother display experience.
- OnePlus sacrifices a larger battery for a slimmer profile and more software support.
- Realme 8 lacks long-term software support compared to OnePlus.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8:
- Ideal User: Individuals who frequently use their phone outdoors, prioritize battery life, or enjoy wired Hi-Res audio.
- Use Cases:
- Frequent outdoor use under direct sunlight.
- Users who need a long-lasting phone throughout the day without needing to charge.
- Photography enthusiasts who like close up macro shots and high-quality wired audio playback.
- Gamers who need high performance at a low price.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a better display under direct sunlight and a bigger battery for better endurance.
OnePlus Nord CE 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a smoother display, better long-term software support, and greater RAM/storage options, or better Bluetooth audio quality.
- Use Cases:
- Users who value smooth scrolling and animations.
- Users who like to keep their phone for a longer period, with updates.
- Multitaskers who need more RAM and storage capacity.
- Users who often use Bluetooth headphones for better wireless audio.
- Users who prioritize good low-light camera performance.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a more premium experience with focus on software support, smoother screen and better storage/RAM, though potentially at a slightly higher price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Display Priority: Do you value a brighter screen for outdoor visibility (Realme 8) or a smoother display with a 90Hz refresh rate (OnePlus Nord CE 5G)?
- Battery vs. Software: Do you prefer a larger battery for extended use (Realme 8) or longer software support and more storage/RAM (OnePlus Nord CE 5G)?
- Camera Needs: Are you looking for better Macro shots and High-res wired audio playback (Realme 8) or better low light, autofocus and wireless audio features (OnePlus Nord CE 5G)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor Enthusiast If you are often outdoors, and battery life is crucial, the Realme 8 is the better choice due to its brighter screen and bigger battery.
- Scenario 2: Heavy Multitasker/Long-term User If you need more RAM/storage, prefer a smoother display and want longer software support with better wireless audio quality, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G is the better option.
- Scenario 3: Budget Focused User If you are trying to balance features and value, the Realme 8 could provide better value with its brighter display and bigger battery and slight performance gain.
Personal Choice:
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the OnePlus Nord CE 5G. While the Realme 8 has a brighter screen and larger battery, the 90Hz refresh rate of the Nord CE 5G, the better Bluetooth codecs, better software support, and significantly more RAM and storage would make the daily experience a lot better for me. I would be willing to sacrifice the brighter display and slightly better battery for a smoother and more feature rich experience that I know would get software updates for a longer period. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G's better software experience would make it more enjoyable for daily usage, especially for media consumption, multitasking and gaming. While the Realme 8 provides a better screen under direct sunlight and better battery life, the better overall package and features of the Nord CE 5G makes it the better phone for my use case.
