1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 161.5 × 74 × 8.8 mm | The Realme 12 Pro is slightly larger and thicker, which may be noticeable in hand. The Realme 8 is more compact. |
| Weight | 177g | 190g | The Realme 8 is lighter, which can make a difference during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | The Realme 12 Pro offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both phones have similar sharpness, the difference is negligible. |
| Pixel Density | 411 PPI | 394 PPI | Both offer a sharp display; difference is minimal. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both phones offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The 120Hz display on the Realme 12 Pro provides much smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 950 nits | The Realme 8 is slightly brighter, but this difference is not significant for daily use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Realme 12 Pro is significantly more powerful and energy-efficient, leading to faster app loading and better performance in demanding tasks and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 574,000 | The Realme 12 Pro shows significantly higher performance on benchmark, resulting in a more fluid user experience |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 710 | The Adreno 710 in the Realme 12 Pro offers better graphics performance for gaming and graphically intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | Realme 8 has a higher resolution sensor; however, sensor quality and image processing are key factors. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | The slightly wider aperture on Realme 8 might help in very low light, but the difference is minimal. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/2" | Both main sensors have the same size. |
| Main Camera Sensor | Omnivision OV64B | Sony IMX882 | The Sony sensor in Realme 12 Pro generally provides improved image quality. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.70µm | 0.70µm | Both have the same pixel size. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 16MP | Both have identical resolution. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.4 | The slightly wider aperture on Realme 12 Pro may perform slightly better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.13" | Unknown | Sensor size is not listed for the Realme 12 Pro's selfie camera. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 32MP (f/2.0) | The Realme 12 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens, enabling optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP (f/2.25) | No | The Realme 8 features a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | No | Realme 8 has a macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | No | 8MP (f/2.2) | The Realme 12 Pro has a combined wide-angle and macro lens. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | No | Realme 8 has an additional Black and White lens. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, EIS | 4K@30fps, EIS | Both have similar capabilities, but Realme 12 Pro benefits from better stabilization. |
| OIS | No | Yes | Realme 12 Pro has Optical Image Stabilization, resulting in sharper and smoother video and photos. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | The Realme 12 Pro charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | The Realme 12 Pro ships with a newer version of Android, offering the latest features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Realme 12 Pro supports the latest WiFi standards for higher speed and better performance |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Realme 12 Pro has a more recent Bluetooth version for more reliable connection. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Realme 12 Pro supports more satellite systems for more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 64GB | 256GB or 512GB | Realme 12 Pro offers significantly more storage, essential for users who store a lot of media. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB | The Realme 12 Pro provides more RAM, which means better multitasking and smoother performance, especially for gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation mic | Realme 12 Pro has better audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both phones use basic fingerprint sensors. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Realme 8 has an additional Magnetometer sensor, which is not present in the Realme 12 Pro. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Slightly More Compact and Lighter: Easier to handle and carry, especially for users with smaller hands.
- Slightly Brighter Display: While the difference is small, it might offer a minor advantage in direct sunlight.
- Dedicated Macro and Wide Angle Lenses: Offers more flexibility in creative photography with a dedicated Macro and Wide Angle lens.
- Magnetometer: Offers magnetic field sensing, which can be used for compass applications.
Realme 12 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 provides a noticeable boost in performance, leading to smoother operation and better gaming.
- 120Hz Refresh Rate Display: Offers much smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience.
- Optical Zoom: The telephoto lens enables greater zoom capabilities, improving versatility.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging significantly reduces charging time.
- More Storage and RAM: More internal storage for apps and media and more RAM for better multitasking.
- Superior Camera Sensor: The Sony IMX882 sensor and OIS result in better image quality.
- Newer Android OS: Ships with Android 14, offering the latest features and security updates.
- Stereo Speakers: Offers a more immersive and better audio experience.
- Better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Supports the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards, for faster speeds and better connectivity.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Loses out on significant performance, a smoother display, optical zoom and faster charging.
- Realme 12 Pro: Loses out on a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens, a magnetometer and is slightly heavier.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious buyers: Users who prioritize affordability over the latest features.
- Users seeking a lighter, more compact phone: Those who prefer easy one-handed use and portability.
- Users who use macro and ultrawide lens frequently: Those who need the additional camera versatility offered by dedicated lenses.
- Users needing Magnetometer sensor: Those who use compass and similar applications.
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Basic daily tasks: Browsing, social media, and messaging.
- Occasional photography: Capturing everyday moments with decent camera capabilities.
- Users who prefer compact phones: The phone's lightweight and dimensions make it suitable for easy carrying.
Realme 12 Pro Ideal Users:
- Users seeking a smooth and responsive experience: The 120Hz display and powerful processor make this phone ideal for performance users.
- Users who prioritize photography: The telephoto lens, OIS, and better main sensor quality make this phone a better option for capturing high-quality photos.
- Gamers: The powerful chipset and GPU make it suitable for gaming.
- Users who watch a lot of media: Larger display and stereo speakers improve entertainment experience.
- Users who need high performance and storage: The device offers fast charging, good storage and RAM.
Use Cases for Realme 12 Pro:
- Gaming: Demanding mobile games and resource-intensive applications.
- Photography and Videography: Capturing detailed photos and videos with optical zoom and OIS.
- Media consumption: Watching movies and videos with great display and sound quality.
- Heavy multitasking: Running multiple apps and tasks simultaneously with plenty of RAM.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance? If you prioritize smooth operation, fast app loading, and gaming, the Realme 12 Pro is the clear winner. If basic performance is sufficient, the Realme 8 will be adequate.
- How important is camera versatility and quality? If you need telephoto zoom and improved image quality with OIS, the Realme 12 Pro is better. If you prefer having dedicated macro and wide-angle lenses, the Realme 8 might be more appealing.
- What are your battery needs? Both phones have the same battery capacity, but the Realme 12 Pro provides much faster charging. Consider if you prioritize faster charging over marginal battery life differences.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget Conscious & Basic Use: If your primary concern is cost and you only need basic smartphone functions, the Realme 8 is a suitable option.
- Balanced Performance & Photography: If you need smooth performance, great photos and optical zoom and are willing to pay a bit more, the Realme 12 Pro is the superior choice.
- Heavy User: If you are a heavy user who needs fast performance, good media consumption and more storage, the Realme 12 Pro is the recommended phone.
What I would choose and why
I would choose the Realme 12 Pro. While the Realme 8 offers a slightly more compact form factor and a dedicated macro and wide angle lens, the advantages of the Realme 12 Pro outweigh these for my typical usage. Here’s why:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is a significant upgrade over the Helio G95. This means faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance, which are all important for a fluid user experience.
- Display: The 120Hz refresh rate on the Realme 12 Pro makes a noticeable difference in everyday usage, making scrolling and animations feel much more responsive and smooth.
- Camera: The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and the telephoto lens make the Realme 12 Pro’s camera system more versatile and better equipped for capturing good quality photos and videos. The upgraded Sony sensor is also likely to provide better overall image quality.
- Charging: The 67W fast charging is a key convenience factor, reducing the time needed to recharge the phone significantly.
- Future Proofing: The Realme 12 Pro comes with Android 14, ensuring that I get the latest features and security updates for a longer time. Additionally, it has more RAM and storage options which make it more suitable for future use.
Even though I appreciate the additional lenses on the Realme 8, the overall advantages of the Realme 12 Pro, especially the processing power, display quality and better main camera, make it a more compelling choice for a daily driver. While I wouldn't use the magnetometer on the Realme 8 extensively, the performance and experience gains in the 12 Pro are more practical.
