1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Realme 12x | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 165.6 × 76.1 × 7.9 mm | Realme 12x is slightly larger and may feel less comfortable for one-handed use. The difference in thickness is minimal. |
| Weight | 177g | 190g | Realme 8 is slightly lighter, which might be more comfortable for long periods of use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.67" | Realme 12x has a larger display, better for media consumption, while Realme 8 is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1604 | Realme 8 has a significantly sharper display, leading to crisper text and images. |
| PPI | 411 | 264 | Realme 8's higher pixel density results in visibly clearer details and less pixelation. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Realme 8 offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, ideal for immersive viewing. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Realme 12x provides smoother scrolling and animations, making it feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 is much more viewable in direct sunlight due to higher brightness. Realme 12x brightness is not provided, which makes comparison difficult. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) | Realme 12x has a more modern and power-efficient chipset, offering slightly better performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 442,599 | Realme 12x will likely feel a bit faster in everyday tasks and gaming, though the difference may not be significant. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Realme 8's GPU is slightly more powerful, but the practical difference in gaming will depend on the specific game. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | Realme 8 captures more detailed photos with higher resolution. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | Realme 8's slightly wider aperture allows more light, potentially better for low-light photography. |
| Front Camera Resolution | 16MP | 8MP | Realme 8 takes sharper selfies with more detail. |
| Front Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.1 | Realme 12x has a slightly wider aperture, potentially improving low light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes | No | Realme 8 captures wider scenes without the need for a panorama. |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | No | Yes | Realme 12x produces better portrait photos with a depth effect for subject separation. |
| Macro Lens | Yes | No | Realme 8 can capture detailed close-up shots of small objects. |
| Black & White Lens | Yes | No | Realme 8 offers artistic black and white photography options. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | 1080p@30fps | Realme 8 can record videos at higher resolution and faster frame rate. |
| Video Stabilization | Yes | Yes | Both offer electronic stabilization for smoother videos. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones should provide similar battery life, lasting a full day for most users. |
| Charging | 30W | 15W | Realme 8 charges significantly faster, meaning less time plugged into the wall. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Realme 12x offers a more up-to-date OS and potentially longer software support. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, MiMO | 802.11ac | Both have similar Wi-Fi capabilities; Realme 8 supports MIMO for potentially faster connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Realme 12x has slightly more efficient and reliable Bluetooth connectivity. |
| GPS | Yes | Yes | Both offer similar GPS capabilities. |
| Storage & Audio | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/64 GB | 256/512 GB | Realme 12x provides significantly more storage for photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 12 GB | Realme 12x excels in multi-tasking and handling demanding apps with 12GB of RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones do not support storage expansion. |
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Realme 12x offers a better audio experience with stereo speakers and Hi-Res audio. |
| Security & Sensors | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | basic | side-mounted | Realme 12x has a more modern fingerprint sensor that may be more convenient to use. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Realme 12x offers compass which makes it better for mapping apps and other navigational needs |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution and brightness provides a visually richer experience. Its superior pixel density offers sharper image quality
- Better Camera Setup: Higher resolution sensors, multiple lenses (wide-angle, macro, black & white), and 4K video capabilities offer more versatility in photography and videography.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging significantly reduces charging times compared to 15W on the Realme 12x.
Realme 12x Advantages:
- Newer Operating System: Android 14 provides the latest features, performance optimizations, and security updates
- More RAM: 12GB of RAM enables smooth multitasking and better handling of resource-intensive applications.
- Larger Storage Options: Significantly more storage space to store files and apps without worrying about running out of space.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate enhances the user experience with smoother animations and scrolling.
- Stereo Speakers: Better sound experience with stereo speakers
- Side-mounted Fingerprint: Modern fingerprint reader is more conveniently located than basic sensor on Realme 8
- Better Performance: Slightly better performance with a more modern chipset and superior benchmark scores
Significant Trade-Offs:
- Realme 8: Trades a higher refresh rate, newer software, and internal storage for superior display and camera quality
- Realme 12x: Trades higher resolution, camera versatility, faster charging for smoother screen, newer OS and double the internal storage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Realme 8:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value high-quality photos and videos and need a versatile camera system.
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize display quality with vibrant colors and high resolution and do not mind a lower refresh rate.
- Users who prioritize fast charging Need a quick top-up battery for continuous usage.
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- High-quality photography and videography, especially in diverse lighting conditions.
- Watching movies and videos with superior AMOLED color and image clarity.
- Gaming where better GPU performance is preferred
- Quick charging for people who are frequently on-the-go.
Ideal User for Realme 12x:
- Multitaskers: Users who switch between numerous apps and need a device that performs smoothly with 12GB of RAM.
- Users who need more storage: Users who have a lot of media or want to install many apps
- Gamers and casual users: Users who want a smoother experience due to a 120hz refresh rate.
- Users wanting a phone with the latest OS: Users who want the newest version of Android
- Users who appreciate good sound: Users who consume a lot of multimedia and want the advantages of stereo speakers.
Use Cases for Realme 12x:
- Smooth performance while using numerous apps, games, and media.
- Ample storage for photos, videos, and other files.
- A more modern experience with the latest Android version and security updates
- Enjoying videos and other audio content using the stereo speakers.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is more important, screen quality or screen smoothness? (Realme 8: superior display vs. Realme 12x: smoother refresh rate)
- How important is the camera setup and its features? (Realme 8: More features and better photo quality vs. Realme 12x: simpler, portrait oriented experience)
- What is more important, fast charging or more storage and RAM? (Realme 8: faster charging vs. Realme 12x: more storage/RAM)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: A user wants the best visual experience for watching movies, while capturing high quality photos and videos.
- Recommendation: Realme 8. The superior AMOLED screen and more versatile camera setup make it the better choice for multimedia lovers.
- Scenario 2: A user needs a device that offers the smoothest user experience for gaming and everyday use, plus enough storage.
- Recommendation: Realme 12x. The 120Hz refresh rate, ample RAM, and large storage capacity will make for better multitasking and a smoother experience overall.
- Scenario 3: A user values the latest software and a large amount of internal storage, while fast charging is less important.
- Recommendation: Realme 12x. The Android 14 OS and abundant internal storage make the 12x the better choice.
- Scenario 4: A user is on a budget and prioritizes a phone that can be quickly charged for use while also providing good camera quality for photos and videos.
- Recommendation: Realme 8. The 30W charging will make the phone ready to use faster, while also having a more feature-rich camera.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose, I would choose the Realme 8. While the Realme 12x offers a smoother 120Hz refresh rate and more RAM, the superior AMOLED display of the Realme 8 with its higher resolution and brightness is a critical factor for me, as it significantly impacts my viewing experience. The significantly better main camera setup, with its wide-angle lens, higher resolution, and 4K video capabilities, suits my need for better photo and video capture. The faster 30W charging is also very important to me, as I want my phone to be ready to use in the least amount of time. Although the 12x has the latest operating system, with the right custom skin the difference would not be noticeable. While the 12x is slightly better in some areas, they are not as significant for my personal use case.
