Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Realme 9 Pro+
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Realme 8 and Realme 9 Pro+, focusing on practical implications for users:
| Feature | Realme 8 | Realme 9 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 160.2 × 73.3 × 8 mm | Virtually identical in size; both are pocketable and comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 177g | 182g | Realme 8 is slightly lighter (5g), which is negligible for most users. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.4" | Identical screen size for both, similar viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Sharpness is identical on both screens, great for media consumption. |
| Pixel Density | 411 PPI | 411 PPI | Identical visual clarity for both. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors, deep blacks and good contrast on both phones. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Realme 9 Pro+ will have slightly smoother scrolling and animations, feels more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 has significantly better visibility in bright sunlight, whereas brightness for the 9 Pro+ is not specified, implying it may not be as good in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) | Realme 9 Pro+ is faster and more power-efficient, better for gaming and heavy apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 496,970 | Realme 9 Pro+ offers a noticeable performance boost, loading apps and running smoother. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Realme 9 Pro+ offers better graphics performance and efficiency for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh | Realme 8 has a larger battery, potentially longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 60W Fast Charging | Realme 9 Pro+ charges significantly faster, convenient for quick top-ups. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | Realme 9 Pro+ has larger pixels and sensor resulting in better low light performance, despite lower resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | Realme 9 Pro+ has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | Realme 9 Pro+ has slightly wider aperture and bigger sensor, leading to better wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | Similar macro capabilities, but Realme 9 Pro+ has slightly larger pixels, which might be better in low-light. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not present | Realme 8 offers a dedicated black and white lens, allowing for stylistic photography |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Both support 4K video with stabilization; Realme 9 Pro+ has more slow-motion options with better stabilisation. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple Camera, Digital Stabilisation, various modes | Triple Camera, OIS, Digital Stabilisation, various modes, Night Mode, RAW | Realme 9 Pro+ has OIS for better low-light and video performance; includes Night Mode and RAW option, allowing for high quality and creative photography. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, upgradable to 13 | Realme 9 Pro+ is newer and has a more up-to-date Android OS. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (WiFi 6) | Realme 9 Pro+ has WiFi 6 for faster speeds, better performance on modern routers. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Realme 9 Pro+ has Bluetooth 5.2 for better range, efficiency, and audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS | Realme 9 Pro+ has better GPS accuracy with more satellite options. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both phones support dual sim cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128GB | 128/256GB | Realme 9 Pro+ has higher storage options and more capacity available |
| RAM | 4/6/8GB | 6/8GB | Realme 9 Pro+ comes with 6/8GB of ram, meaning it is better equipped to multitask. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Realme 9 Pro+ has enhanced audio experience with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers, while the Realme 8 does not. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones have fingerprint sensors for security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Realme 9 Pro+ has better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Realme 9 Pro+ includes a heart rate sensor while the Realme 8 does not. The Realme 8 has a magnetometer sensor, which the 9 Pro+ lacks. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Potentially longer battery life: Larger 5000mAh battery offers potentially extended usage compared to the 4500mAh in the Realme 9 Pro+. This can be important for users who are on the go and prefer not to charge during the day.
- Brighter Display: With a specified brightness of 1000 nits, it is much easier to see in direct sunlight.
- Black and white lens: Allows for stylistic photography.
- Magnetometer: Can be useful for some apps, such as compass or star gazing apps.
Realme 9 Pro+ Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Dimensity 920 chipset and higher AnTuTu score translate to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming experience.
- Better Camera System: The Sony IMX766 sensor and larger pixel size provide better low-light performance, combined with OIS which ensures more stable shots in video and stills.
- Faster Charging: 60W charging is twice as fast as the Realme 8's 30W charging, allowing for much quicker power replenishment.
- Improved Display: 90Hz refresh rate makes for a smoother user experience, while the presence of Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides better screen protection.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers offer an enhanced audio experience.
- More up-to-date software: Comes with Android 12, and upgradable to 13, offering the latest features and security updates.
- Enhanced connectivity: Offers faster Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
- Additional features: Including RAW, manual focus, Panorama and night mode.
- Heart Rate sensor: Can be useful for some users interested in basic health tracking.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Realme 8 sacrifices camera quality, performance and fast charging for better battery life and display brightness in direct sunlight.
- The Realme 9 Pro+ sacrifices battery life for better performance and faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Who prioritize battery life and want a phone that can last all day.
- Users who spend a lot of time outdoors: Where display brightness is important.
- Users who do not play demanding games: As the performance is not as good as the Realme 9 Pro+.
- Casual photographers: That value having a black and white camera for stylistic photography.
- Users who have navigation needs: As it contains a magnetometer.
Realme 8 Use Cases:
- Day-to-day tasks like social media, browsing, and calls.
- Long days out and about where battery life is critical.
- Occasional photos in daylight scenarios.
- Navigation, using compass features or other specific apps that require a magnetometer.
Realme 9 Pro+ Ideal User:
- Users who demand better performance: Those who play games and use resource-intensive apps and wish for better overall speed.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who want a more versatile camera with better low-light performance and Optical Image Stabilisation.
- Users who value faster charging: As this phone can charge faster.
- Users that want the best software: As it comes with the newer Android OS.
- Multimedia consumers: Those who appreciate better audio from Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers.
- Users who value better screen protection: With its Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
Realme 9 Pro+ Use Cases:
- Gaming and demanding apps.
- Low-light photography and videography.
- Fast charging scenarios where quick battery top-ups are needed.
- Multimedia consumption, listening to music, watching videos and playing games.
- Future proofing with the latest software and connectivity standards.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Realme 8 is likely the more budget-friendly option, and is suitable for users who prioritise battery life, display brightness, and basic use.
- The Realme 9 Pro+ offers a premium experience, with a focus on performance and camera quality; however, this will come at a higher price tag.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is performance for you? If you are a heavy gamer or need to run demanding apps, the Realme 9 Pro+ is a better choice.
- How important is camera quality? If you take a lot of photos, especially in low light, the Realme 9 Pro+ has a superior camera. If you are a more casual photographer, the Realme 8 would be sufficient for your needs.
- How much do you value battery life vs. fast charging? If battery life is crucial, the Realme 8 may be better. However, if fast charging is more of a priority, then the Realme 9 Pro+ is the better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic user on a budget: If your main concerns are battery life, a decent display, and good performance for basic apps, the Realme 8 is a suitable and more budget friendly choice.
- Scenario 2: Gaming and multimedia user: If you want to play the latest games and enjoy high-quality videos, the Realme 9 Pro+ is worth the investment for the better processor, display, and audio features.
- Scenario 3: Photography enthusiast: If you are looking for a phone with a good low-light camera, OIS, RAW and Night Mode, the Realme 9 Pro+ is the clear choice.
- Scenario 4: Power users that require a bright display and long battery life: The Realme 8 is the better option, as the brightness of the screen is higher and has better battery capacity.
Final Decision
My Choice: Realme 9 Pro+
Based on my priorities as a smartphone analyst, and a user who values performance, camera quality, and an all-around refined experience, the Realme 9 Pro+ is the phone I would choose.
- Performance: The Dimensity 920 chipset offers a noticeable performance increase, which makes the phone feel more responsive and capable of multitasking.
- Camera: The camera system is a significant upgrade with better low-light performance, Optical Image Stabilisation and additional creative tools, making it suitable for capturing high quality photos and videos.
- Faster Charging: The 60W fast charging is a feature that I would appreciate for quick power top-ups when needed, while the battery life is sufficient to last a full day of use.
- Software: The Realme 9 Pro+ offers the latest software, as well as a higher upgrade path.
- Additional Features: The better speakers and features such as Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, and a heart rate sensor are also welcomed additions.
While the Realme 8 excels in battery life and display brightness, these do not overshadow the substantial improvements that the Realme 9 Pro+ offers in crucial areas like performance, camera, and overall user experience.
Disclaimer: While the Realme 8 offers much better outdoor brightness, the Realme 9 Pro+'s screen protection may be a higher priority to some users. While the Realme 8 offers a magnetometer, this is a less common and necessary feature to the vast majority of users.
