1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Realme 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 164.3 × 75.6 × 8.5 mm | Realme 9 Pro is slightly larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use, while Realme 8 is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 177g | 195g | Realme 8 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.6" | Realme 9 Pro offers a slightly larger screen, beneficial for media consumption, while the Realme 8 is slightly more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both offer similar sharpness for everyday use; minor difference is negligible. |
| Pixel Density | 411 PPI | 400 PPI | Both have very similar pixel density making for similarly sharp images and text |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Realme 8 has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, better for media consumption and outdoor visibility. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Realme 9 Pro offers smoother animations and scrolling, making the phone feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 will have better outdoor visibility under bright sunlight, while information is missing for Realme 9 Pro |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Realme 9 Pro's chipset is more power-efficient and supports 5G, while performance is similar between both phones. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 402,916 | Both offer similar day-to-day performance for most tasks, only a marginal difference. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 619 | Both phones provide adequate graphics processing for gaming and general use. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP f/1.79 | 64MP f/1.79 | Both offer similar primary camera image quality, with good details and color reproduction. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.45 | 16MP f/2.0 | Realme 9 Pro's wider aperture is better for low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP f/2.25 | 8MP f/2.2 | Realme 9 Pro's wider aperture is better for low-light wide angle photos |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both offer similar macro capabilities; image quality may not be as high as primary camera. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 provides additional monochrome shooting options, although not essential for most users. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | Realme 8 records video at higher resolution (4K), while Realme 9 Pro records at 1080p. |
| Features | Quadruple camera | Triple camera, Manual Focus, Continuous shooting, Panorama, RAW, Night Mode | Realme 9 Pro offers more advanced photography modes. Realme 8 offers a dedicated black and white lens. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer similar battery life, generally lasting a full day. |
| Charging | 30W | 33W | Realme 9 Pro offers slightly faster charging, reducing charging time by a small margin. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 (Upgradable to 13) | Realme 9 Pro provides a more up-to-date Android version with longer update support |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Both support modern Wi-Fi standards for fast and reliable connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.1 | Realme 9 Pro has wider codec support for high-quality audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Realme 8 has additional Galileo satellite support for better location accuracy. |
| Storage & Audio | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128 GB | Both have the same maximum storage capacity; Realme 8 offers a cheaper 64GB model. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB | Both offer good options for smooth multi-tasking |
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation mic, 2 microphones | Realme 9 Pro has a slight edge in audio recording quality. |
| Security & Other | |||
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Realme 9 Pro offers faster fingerprint unlock. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Realme 8 includes Magnetometer, Realme 9 Pro includes Geomagnetic sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology offers better contrast, black levels and color vibrancy, ideal for media consumption.
- Brighter Screen: Higher brightness (1000 nits) ensures better outdoor visibility, especially under bright sunlight.
- Higher Resolution Video: Supports 4K video recording, ideal for higher quality videos.
- Lighter Build: Slightly lighter making it more comfortable to hold for longer periods
- More sensors: Has a magnetometer and Galileo GPS Support
- More camera lenses: Has an additional black and white sensor
Realme 9 Pro Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a much smoother user experience, better for gaming and scrolling.
- More Powerful Chipset: Snapdragon 695 5G offers better efficiency and supports 5G connectivity.
- More Up-to-Date Software: Comes with Android 12 with an upgrade to 13, ensuring longer software support.
- Faster Charging: Slightly faster charging time, useful for a quick top-up.
- Better Selfie Camera: wider aperture is better for low light photos.
- Better Audio Quality: Offers noise cancellation and dual microphones, for better recording and audio quality during calls.
- More Advanced Camera Features: Manual focus, continuous shooting, and RAW support offer more flexibility for advanced photography.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Provides faster and easier access for unlocking the phone.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Realme 8 users sacrifice smoother animations, a more advanced camera and 5G connectivity for a superior AMOLED display, lighter weight, better video recording quality and additional black and white camera.
- Realme 9 Pro users sacrifice the superior display, lighter weight, brighter screen, better video recording and the black and white camera lens of the Realme 8, for a smoother screen, 5G, advanced camera features, slightly better charging and side-mounted fingerprint.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Media Enthusiasts: Those who value a vibrant display for watching videos and browsing photos.
- Outdoor Users: People who often use their phones in bright sunlight and need a brighter display.
- Budget Conscious Consumers: Those who want a good value AMOLED smartphone.
- Photography hobbyists: Users that like to play around with black and white photography.
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Watching movies and TV shows.
- Viewing photos and social media feeds.
- Taking detailed photos in a variety of conditions.
- Recording 4k high resolution videos.
Realme 9 Pro Ideal User:
- Gamers: Those who prioritize a smooth, responsive display for fast-paced games.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who want the latest features like 5G, and a smoother interface.
- Social Media Users: People who prioritize smooth scrolling and quick access to apps.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who want a good range of manual and advanced shooting modes.
Use Cases for Realme 9 Pro:
- Playing games with fast action.
- Quickly navigating menus and apps.
- Taking low-light selfies.
- Taking high-quality audio recordings and phone calls
- Taking detailed photographs with more advanced modes like manual focus and panorama.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Realme 8 may offer a better value for users who prioritize display quality, outdoor use, video recording quality and a lighter build.
- The Realme 9 Pro may offer better value for users who prioritize smoother display, 5G connectivity, more advanced camera features, side mounted fingerprint sensor and better audio quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality (contrast, vibrancy) vs. display smoothness? (AMOLED vs. 120Hz IPS LCD)
- Do you prioritize 5G connectivity and a more modern Android OS? (Realme 9 Pro)
- Do you prioritize a lighter, more compact design, and a brighter display? (Realme 8)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Media Consumption Focus
- Recommendation: Choose the Realme 8 for its superior AMOLED display, providing better image quality and outdoor visibility.
- Scenario 2: Gaming and Social Media Focus
- Recommendation: Choose the Realme 9 Pro for its smoother 120Hz display, 5G chipset, faster side-mounted fingerprint, and advanced camera features.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Use with Focus on Photo Quality
- Recommendation: Choose the Realme 9 Pro for its more advanced camera features and better low-light performance if you are willing to compromise on the display, otherwise choose Realme 8 for its better video and additional black and white lens.
My Choice and Why!
My Choice: Realme 9 Pro
While the Realme 8's AMOLED display is appealing, the Realme 9 Pro is the slightly better all-round phone for me. My reasoning is as follows:
- 120Hz Display: The smoother display is a major factor in enhancing the everyday user experience. Scrolling through social media, navigating menus, and playing fast paced games will be much more enjoyable.
- 5G Connectivity: I prefer to have access to the newest mobile network technology which is offered by the Realme 9 Pro, and will be more relevant over the lifespan of the phone.
- More Up-to-Date Software: Having a more modern Android OS with the Realme 9 Pro means the device will be supported with updates for longer, providing a more secure user experience over the long term.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint: I prefer a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for ease of use when picking up the phone.
- Camera Features: I'm interested in playing around with the additional advanced camera features, including manual mode, panorama, and RAW shooting capabilities, and enjoy the enhanced selfie camera with a wider aperture.
- Audio Quality: The noise cancelling microphone and two microphones on the Realme 9 Pro will be beneficial to better phone call and recording quality.
While the Realme 8’s display and brighter screen would be nice, I feel the benefits of the Realme 9 Pro’s more modern technology, smoother display, and advanced camera features ultimately make it the better choice for my usage patterns.
