Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs Realme 11
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Realme 8 and Realme 11, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Realme 8 | Realme 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.6 x 73.9 x 8mm | 165.7 x 76 x 8.1mm | Realme 11 is slightly larger, which might feel less comfortable in smaller hands or pockets. Both have similar thickness. |
| Weight | 177g | 190g | Realme 8 is 13g lighter, making it slightly more comfortable for extended use. The difference might be noticeable for some users. |
| Build Material | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (Screen Protection) | Realme 11 offers more robust protection against scratches and minor impacts on the screen, increasing its longevity. |
| Fingerprint Sensor Placement | Basic | Side-Mounted | Realme 11’s side-mounted fingerprint sensor offers a more modern and often faster unlocking experience compared to a basic fingerprint sensor. |
Display
| Feature | Realme 8 | Realme 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.72" | Realme 11's larger screen provides a more immersive experience for media consumption, gaming, and productivity. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both phones offer the same level of detail, resulting in similar sharpness. |
| Pixel Density | 411 PPI | 392 PPI | Both phones have comparable sharpness, with minor differences that are unlikely to be visible to the naked eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Realme 8's AMOLED display offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, resulting in a better overall viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Realme 11's 120Hz refresh rate provides significantly smoother scrolling, animations, and gameplay, enhancing the perceived fluidity of the user interface. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 1000 nits | Both phones have the same peak brightness, ensuring similar outdoor visibility. |
Performance
| Feature | Realme 8 | Realme 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm) | While Realme 8 has a slightly higher Antutu score, Realme 11’s newer 6nm chip offers potentially better power efficiency and modern processing capabilities. |
| Antutu Score | 409,874 | 389,600 | Realme 8 achieves a marginally higher benchmark score, suggesting potentially slightly better performance for heavy tasks, but the real world difference might not be very significant. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G57 MC2 | The Mali-G76 MC4 in the Realme 8 is a more powerful GPU, which could translate into slightly better graphics performance in games. |
Camera
| Feature | Realme 8 | Realme 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.70µm, OV64B | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.70µm, OV64B | Both have similar main cameras, indicating comparable image quality for everyday photos in good lighting. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.00µm, Sony IMX471 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Realme 8 has a higher resolution selfie camera, which could capture more detailed self-portraits. Realme 11 has a wider aperture for slightly improved low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | Not Available | Realme 8 offers a wide-angle lens, providing more versatility for capturing group shots or landscapes. |
| Portrait (Depth) | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Realme 11 includes a dedicated depth sensor for improved portrait mode with better background blurring. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | Realme 8 provides a dedicated macro lens, allowing for close-up shots of very small objects. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | Realme 8 includes a black and white lens that enhances monochrome photos. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps with EIS | Realme 8 supports higher resolution 4K video recording, resulting in much more detailed video output, while Realme 11 is capped at 1080p. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Quad camera, Ultra stable video | Dual camera, PDAF, Continuous Shooting, Panorama | Each phone offers distinct sets of features catering to different needs. Realme 8 excels in video with 4K recording and additional camera lenses, while Realme 11 focuses on improved focus and different shooting modes. |
Battery
| Feature | Realme 8 | Realme 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have identical battery capacities, so they should provide similar battery life under typical usage conditions. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Realme 11 charges slightly faster, allowing users to quickly top up their battery. |
| Removable | Non-Removable | Non-Removable | Both devices feature a non-removable battery, which is standard in modern smartphones. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Realme 8 | Realme 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Realme 11 has a newer OS that often comes with performance improvements and security updates. |
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, MIMO | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both phones offer similar wifi speeds and capabilities. Realme 8 has extra MIMO feature |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1, A2DP, EDR, HID, LE | Bluetooth 5.1, A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Realme 11 offers higher fidelity Bluetooth audio with APT-x, LDAC, SBC and AAC. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Realme 11 supports QZSS for better satellite accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both phones support Dual Nano SIM card. |
Storage & Audio
| Feature | Realme 8 | Realme 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 64/128GB | 128/256GB | Realme 11 offers a higher storage option, suitable for users who need more space for media and apps. |
| RAM | 4/6/8GB | 8/12GB | Realme 11 provides more RAM, which can improve multitasking and app performance, especially for heavy users. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device offers the ability to expand storage with an SD card. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio | Basic audio features | Realme 8 delivers better audio quality for music enthusiasts and headphone users. |
Sensors
| Feature | Realme 8 | Realme 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Realme 11 is more versatile with additional heart rate sensor and geomagentic sensor while Realme 8 has a dedicated magnetometer sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display Technology: AMOLED screen with deeper blacks and more vibrant colors.
- Better Main Camera Features: More versatile camera system with quad-camera setup, wide-angle, macro and black/white lenses
- 4K Video Recording: Higher resolution video capability for better video quality.
- Hi-Res Audio: Better quality audio playback.
Realme 11 Advantages:
- Newer OS: Android 13 offers newer software features and security patches.
- Larger Display with 120Hz Refresh Rate: Smoother visuals, more immersive experience.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection for added durability.
- More RAM and Storage: More capacity and better performance for multitasking.
- Faster Charging: 33W for quicker battery top-ups.
- Better Bluetooth Audio: Supports advanced audio codecs for higher quality wireless audio.
- Additional Sensors: Heart Rate and Geomagnetic sensors.
- Wider Aperture on Front Camera: Potentially better low-light selfie performance.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8's AMOLED display comes at the cost of a lower refresh rate and smaller size, while Realme 11's faster refresh rate and larger display is an LCD panel.
- Realme 8 has more cameras but less focus features, while Realme 11 has better focus features for its main camera.
- Realme 8 has better video recording while Realme 11 is capped at 1080p.
- Realme 8 provides Hi-Res Audio, while Realme 11 has basic audio features but advanced Bluetooth codecs.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Realme 8:
- Media Consumers: Those who prioritize a high-quality screen with vibrant colors and deep blacks for movies and videos.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want versatile cameras (wide-angle, macro, and depth sensors) and 4k video recording.
- Audio Lovers: Users that are looking for better audio quality using the Hi-Res audio feature.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who want a reliable phone without paying for cutting-edge features.
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Watching movies and TV shows on a vibrant AMOLED display.
- Capturing detailed photos in various scenarios.
- Recording high-quality video in 4k
- Enjoying better audio quality through wired headphones.
Ideal User for Realme 11:
- Gamers: Who want a smoother gaming experience with a high refresh rate display and more RAM.
- Power Users: Those who need more RAM and storage for heavy multitasking, apps, and files.
- General Use: Users who want a fast and responsive device with a bigger screen for everyday use.
- Durability Focused: Users that are looking for a smartphone with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for better scratch resistance.
- Bluetooth Audio Lovers: Users that are looking for more high-fidelity audio quality via Bluetooth codecs.
Use Cases for Realme 11:
- Playing graphically demanding games with smoother animations.
- Multitasking between multiple apps with ease.
- Enjoying a larger display for browsing, reading, and social media.
- Taking more stable photos and selfies with PDAF and wider front camera aperture.
Price-to-Value:
- Realme 8 offers better value for users who value a better display and camera at a budget.
- Realme 11 offers better value for users who prioritize performance and a smoother experience at the same price bracket.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Display Preference: Do you prioritize vibrant colors and deep blacks (AMOLED), or a smoother, larger display (120Hz LCD)?
- Performance Needs: Will you be playing demanding games or performing heavy multitasking? Do you need more storage?
- Camera Requirements: Do you need 4K video and a wide variety of camera lenses or improved selfie performance and better autofocus?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you watch a lot of videos and value image quality, the Realme 8 is the better choice due to the AMOLED screen and 4k video recording
- Scenario 2: If you want smooth UI and better performance for gaming, or multitask heavy apps, the Realme 11 is better because of its 120Hz refresh rate, bigger screen and extra ram.
- Scenario 3: If you prioritize a bigger screen for productivity and better scratch resistance, the Realme 11 is the better choice.
- Scenario 4: If you want to have more creative control over your photos via different camera lenses, the Realme 8 is better choice.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the Realme 8 and Realme 11, I would lean towards the Realme 11. My reasoning is as follows:
While the AMOLED screen on the Realme 8 is appealing, the real-world advantages of a 120Hz refresh rate on the Realme 11 is very hard to pass on. The smoothness it provides greatly enhances the day-to-day user experience. The extra RAM and storage on the Realme 11 also makes it better suited for long-term use and more intensive multitasking. Additionally, the better screen protection and faster charging, makes it more future-proof.
The Realme 8 is still a solid phone that offers unique benefits like a quad camera setup and Hi-Res audio for a great price, it does not have the same general performance capabilities as the Realme 11. Therefore, for me, the slightly higher overall performance, combined with a better display and better durability makes the Realme 11 a better overall package.
