Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. OnePlus Nord N20 SE
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | OnePlus Nord N20 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 163.8 × 75 × 8 mm | OnePlus is slightly taller and wider, might feel a bit less comfortable in hand for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 177g | 187g | Realme 8 is 10g lighter, potentially more comfortable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.56" | OnePlus has a slightly larger display, marginal difference for most users |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1612 | Realme 8 has significantly sharper text, images, and videos. More detail visible. |
| PPI | 411 | 269 | Realme 8's display is noticeably clearer, less pixelated. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Realme 8 offers better contrast, deeper blacks, vibrant colors, better power efficiency with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have standard 60Hz refresh rate. No difference in smoothness. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 will be significantly easier to view in bright sunlight. OnePlus N20 SE brightness is not stated, so difficult to make assumptions here. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 | Mediatek Helio G35 | Realme 8 offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 221,000 | Realme 8 is significantly faster overall in benchmarks, indicating better day to day speed. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | PowerVR GE8320 | Realme 8 will provide better graphics performance for gaming and other graphics-intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor | Realme 8 captures more detailed images with its higher resolution and larger sensor. Better in low light |
| Front Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13" sensor | 8MP, f/2.0, 1/4" sensor | Realme 8 captures more detailed selfies with the larger sensor, OnePlus better in low light with the wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | None | Realme 8 has an additional camera for wide-angle photos. |
| Portrait Mode | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | OnePlus offers dedicated depth sensor for more detailed portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 has dedicated macro camera for detailed close up photos |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 has dedicated black and white camera |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps w/ EIS | 1080p@30fps | Realme 8 offers higher quality video with additional slow-mo options. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer similar battery life under similar usage conditions. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | OnePlus offers slightly faster charging, marginal difference. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | OnePlus comes with a newer version of Android, might have some newer features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both have comparable Wi-Fi functionality |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | OnePlus N20 SE has newer Bluetooth with some improved audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | OnePlus N20 SE has more satellite support, possibly more accurate location. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 64/128 GB | Both offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 4 GB | Realme 8 has higher RAM options for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers, Noise cancelling mic | OnePlus has stereo speakers, better for media consumption. Realme offers Hi-Res audio support |
| Security | |||
| Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side Mounted Fingerprint | OnePlus has more modern and convenient fingerprint location. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint, Gravity, Geomagnetic | Both feature a good variety of sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones appear to have similar screen protection technologies, but specifics are missing. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Display: AMOLED panel with higher resolution and brightness offers a much better viewing experience.
- Far Superior Performance: The Helio G95 chipset provides notably better performance in gaming and app usage.
- More Versatile Camera: Includes a wide-angle lens, macro, and black and white camera offering more creative shooting options.
- Higher Quality Video: 4K recording with higher frame rate options for slow-motion video capture.
- More RAM Options: 6 or 8GB RAM versions available.
- Hi-Res Audio: For higher quality music listening.
OnePlus Nord N20 SE Advantages:
- Newer Operating System: Ships with Android 12.
- Slightly Faster Charging: Offers 33W charging versus 30W, but difference is marginal.
- More Advanced Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3 for improved audio connectivity.
- More Advanced GPS: QZSS satellite system for better accuracy in certain regions.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers for better media consumption and noise cancellation on microphone.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint: More ergonomic and convenient placement
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: sacrifices slightly newer Bluetooth, and more advanced GPS. It has a lower quality audio experience and basic fingerprint reader.
- OnePlus Nord N20 SE: sacrifices significantly better display quality, camera versatility and performance in favor of a slightly newer OS, stereo speakers, and more advanced fingerprint reader.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Realme 8:
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize a high-quality display for video and gaming.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want versatile camera options for various shooting scenarios.
- Gamers: Users who need the most performance at this price point for smoother gameplay.
- Multi-taskers: Users that want a higher amount of RAM for better performance with multiple apps.
- Music Listeners: Users that prioritize Hi-Res audio for higher quality music playback.
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Watching movies and TV shows on the go.
- Playing demanding mobile games.
- Capturing a variety of photos, from wide-angle landscapes to close-up details.
- Recording videos in high quality.
Ideal User for OnePlus Nord N20 SE:
- Casual Users: Users who need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks.
- Audio Users: Users that consume a lot of media on speakers.
- Users that want more advanced fingerprint reader: For ease of use, side mounted is more convenient than rear fingerprint scanner.
- Users that prefer newer software: For up-to-date features.
Use Cases for OnePlus Nord N20 SE:
- Making calls and sending messages.
- Browsing social media and the web.
- Listening to music or podcasts through the built in speakers.
- Basic photography.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Realme 8 generally offers better value for users who prioritize screen quality, performance and camera versatility.
- The OnePlus Nord N20 SE offers more value for those that need newer features such as a newer OS, side mounted fingerprint reader and better audio features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality to you? (Realme 8 has a much better display)
- Do you prioritize performance for gaming and multitasking? (Realme 8 is significantly faster)
- Are camera versatility and video quality important? (Realme 8 offers more shooting options and 4K video)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent Gamer/Media Consumer - Choose the Realme 8 for its superior display and performance.
- Scenario 2: Casual User - Choose the OnePlus Nord N20 SE for its newer software and slightly better audio and more ergonomic fingerprint reader.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast - Choose the Realme 8 for its more versatile camera system.
My Choice
Given my personal priorities, I would choose the Realme 8.
Reasons:
- Display is Key: As someone who watches a lot of videos and plays mobile games, the AMOLED display with higher resolution and brightness on the Realme 8 is a significant advantage. The enhanced clarity and vibrancy of the display will greatly improve the viewing experience.
- Performance Matters: The performance difference between the two is huge, and the Realme 8's Helio G95 chipset offers a much smoother experience, which is important for gaming and multitasking.
- Camera Versatility: Although the OnePlus N20 SE has some good features, the Realme 8's additional wide-angle, macro, and black and white lenses, as well as higher quality video capture, provide a level of creativity I'd appreciate when taking photos.
- Hi-Res Audio: As someone who appreciates good audio quality in my headphones, the Hi-Res support is something I am looking for in a device.
While the OnePlus Nord N20 SE has its strengths, the overall experience offered by the Realme 8's superior display, performance and camera capabilities would suit my needs better. The tradeoffs that the Realme 8 has make less of an impact on my day to day use.
