Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Realme C51
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Realme C51 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 167.2 × 76.7 × 8 mm | C51 is taller and wider, slightly less comfortable for one-handed use, might be more difficult to fit in pockets. Both have same thickness. |
| Weight | 177g | 186g | Realme 8 is lighter, slightly more comfortable to hold for long periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.74" | C51 provides a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming, Realme 8 is more compact |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | Realme 8 offers sharper visuals and text, noticeably clearer image, better detail in photos and videos. C51 has lower image clarity. |
| PPI | 411 | 260 | Realme 8 provides noticeably sharper text and images, better for reading and detail-oriented tasks. C51 has more pixelated display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Realme 8 offers better color accuracy, deeper blacks, higher contrast, more vibrant colors, better for HDR content. C51 offers more washed-out colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Realme C51 offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations, more responsive feel, Realme 8 has less smooth transitions |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 screen is significantly more visible outdoors in bright sunlight, C51 is hard to use outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | Realme 8 offers significantly faster performance for apps, games, and multitasking. Realme C51 is slower and not suitable for heavy usage. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 220,000 | Realme 8 provides a much smoother experience with better gaming and app performance. C51 is suitable for less demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Realme 8 offers better graphics processing, smoother gameplay. C51 may struggle with graphically demanding games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life, should last a full day for moderate usage. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging | 33W fast charging | C51 charges slightly faster, but the difference is not very significant. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" | Realme 8 captures more detailed photos due to higher resolution, larger sensor, and wider aperture, which also enables better low light performance |
| Front Selfie | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13" | 5MP, f/2.2, 1/5" | Realme 8 captures significantly more detailed and higher-quality selfies with higher resolution, bigger sensor and narrower aperture |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.25 | N/A | Realme 8 offers the flexibility of wide-angle shots, which the C51 lacks, good for capturing landscapes. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Realme 8 has a dedicated macro lens, allowing for close-up shots, the C51 does not provide a macro lens |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Realme 8 has a dedicated black and white lens for creative photo options. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps with EIS | Realme 8 captures significantly higher quality videos with 4k resolution and higher frame rates. C51 is limited to 1080p. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Realme C51 has newer OS with better features, enhanced security, and potentially better app compatibility. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, dual-band | 802.11ac, dual-band | Both have similar Wi-Fi performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.0 LE | Realme 8 has slightly newer Bluetooth version, for more efficient connectivity, C51 supports LDAC, SBC, AAC which allows higher audio transfer. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | Realme 8 has better global position accuracy due to supporting Beidou. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128GB | 64/128/256GB | C51 offers 256GB storage as a higher option compared to 128 GB of Realme 8, providing more space for apps, media, and other files. |
| RAM | 4/6/8GB | 4/6GB | Realme 8 has an additional 8GB variant offering better performance for multitasking and resource-intensive apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Noise cancellation microphone | Realme 8 offers better audio quality for listening through headphones. C51 has a noise cancellation microphone for better call quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Realme C51 provides a more convenient fingerprint unlock feature. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Realme 8 has a wider range of sensors for more advanced features, better gaming experience. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with significantly higher resolution, pixel density, and brightness (1000 nits) makes a substantial difference in viewing quality, outdoor visibility, and overall user experience.
- Better Performance: The Helio G95 chipset offers significantly faster processing, better app loading, and smoother gaming compared to the Unisoc T612.
- Superior Camera System: Higher-resolution primary and selfie cameras, plus additional wide-angle, macro, and black and white lenses, lead to more versatile and better quality photos and videos.
- Better video recording: 4K Video recording at 30fps and 1080p at 120fps compared to 1080p@30fps of C51.
- Wider sensor array: Gyroscope and Magnetometer sensors provide for better and more detailed functionality of the phone.
- Better Audio Quality: High Resolution audio improves headphone listening experience.
- More accurate GPS: Supporting Beidou provides for better GPS functionality.
Realme C51 Advantages:
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 13, offering updated features and security, compared to Android 11 on the Realme 8.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 90Hz screen provides a slightly smoother scrolling and animation experience compared to 60Hz on the Realme 8, but at the cost of lower resolution, pixel density and display technology.
- Slightly faster charging: 33W charging compared to 30W, though the difference is not significant.
- Noise cancellation microphone: Improves phone call quality.
- More Storage: C51 offers 256 GB storage variant, compared to max of 128 GB of Realme 8
- Side mounted fingerprint sensor: More convenient than basic fingerprint sensor.
- Price: the C51 is positioned as a budget friendly option, with a considerably lower price point.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8 sacrifices newer OS, faster refresh rate, and convenience of side fingerprint sensor, for superior display, camera and performance.
- Realme C51 prioritizes newer OS, faster refresh rate and side fingerprint sensor while making significant compromises in display quality, camera system and processing power.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal Users:
- Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos, movies, and HDR content and prioritize good picture quality.
- Gamers: Users who play mobile games and need smooth performance, a high refresh rate, and good graphical capabilities.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value good photo and video quality and appreciate having versatile camera options.
- Users who consume a lot of audio content: with Hi-Res audio.
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Streaming movies and videos on the go: The superior AMOLED display ensures a good viewing experience even in bright light.
- Playing demanding games: The more powerful chipset and GPU provide smoother performance and better graphics.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos: The versatile camera system excels in various lighting conditions.
- Daily usage where performance and screen clarity is crucial for smooth multitasking and viewing detailed content
Realme C51 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users who prioritize price and are not looking for high-end features.
- Casual Users: Users who mainly browse the web, check social media, and make calls and do not need a high level of processing power and camera quality.
- Users who prioritize a newer OS: Those who prefer a newer software version.
- Users who like smooth scrolling: the 90hz screen is better for those who prioritize smooth scrolling and animations.
Use Cases for Realme C51:
- Basic social media and web browsing: The C51 is adequate for everyday tasks and provides smooth scrolling.
- Making phone calls: The noise cancellation microphone enhances audio clarity.
- Light gaming: The 90Hz display enables smoother gameplay for less graphically intensive games.
- Users that prefer a side mounted finger print sensor.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The C51 is generally more affordable, while Realme 8 offers better performance for the extra price.
- How important is display quality? If image clarity, outdoor visibility, and vibrant colors are a priority, the Realme 8's AMOLED display is essential.
- What will you mainly use the phone for? Heavy usage such as gaming, demanding apps, and video content is handled much better by the Realme 8. Casual use, on the other hand, could be satisfied with the C51.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is the biggest constraint. If price is the primary factor, the Realme C51 provides a newer OS and smoother scrolling while still being acceptable for casual usage.
- Scenario 2: Display and camera are priorities. For the best media consumption and photography experience, the Realme 8's superior AMOLED screen, and high end camera, are the clear choice.
- Scenario 3: Performance matters. For any user who plans to play games, use demanding apps, or multitask frequently, the better performance of the Realme 8 is needed.
- Scenario 4: Newest OS. If the user values having the newest features and security of the Android system, C51 would be a better option.
- Scenario 5: Long term value. If a user intends to use the phone for a few years the better performance of Realme 8 might be a better option.
My Choice:
If I were to choose between the two, I would opt for the Realme 8.
Reasoning:
While the Realme C51 has some advantages like a slightly faster refresh rate and newer Android version, these do not outweigh the significantly superior display, performance, and camera system offered by the Realme 8. I prioritize display quality, performance, and a great camera experience in a smartphone. The AMOLED display is a game-changer for media consumption, the Helio G95 chipset provides a much smoother user experience for heavy use, and the more versatile camera system is a must-have for my photography needs. The Realme 8 also has better audio quality and a more accurate GPS, these are added bonuses. Although it has an older OS, it will still be able to handle everyday tasks. The difference in performance and display quality is more important to me than a newer Android version. Although the C51 is better value for money, the difference in the overall experience and usability of the Realme 8 makes it a better choice.
