1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Realme C55 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 165.6 × 75.9 × 7.9 mm | C55 is slightly taller and wider, may feel less comfortable in smaller hands. Both are similar in thickness. |
| Weight | 177g | 189.5g | Realme 8 is lighter, slightly more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.72" | C55 has a larger display for more immersive media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness, so pixel density difference is small |
| PPI | 411 | 392 | Both offer similar sharpness for daily use. Difference is hardly noticeable |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Realme 8 has superior blacks, contrast, and color vibrancy, better for dark mode usage. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Realme C55 has slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 680 nits | Realme 8 is much better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm) | Realme 8's chipset is significantly more powerful for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Antutu Score | 409,874 | 245,800 | Realme 8 is noticeably faster in day-to-day tasks, better for gaming, multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Realme 8 has a superior GPU for better gaming performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life, expect comparable endurance on both devices. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Realme C55 charges slightly faster, meaning shorter time to fully charge. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" OV64B | 64MP, 1/2" OV64B | Similar primary camera performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13" Sony IMX471 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Realme 8 has higher resolution for better detail in selfies. C55 has slightly wider aperture for better low light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | Not Available | Realme 8 has a wide angle lens for more versatile photos |
| Portrait Mode Lens | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" GalaxyCore GC02M1 | Realme C55 has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | Realme 8 has a macro lens for close up shots |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | Realme 8 offers black and white sensor for additional photo style |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps | 1080p@60fps | Realme 8 can record higher resolution videos, useful for vloggers |
| Slow Motion Video | 240 fps | 120 fps | Realme 8 can record slower slow motion videos |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Realme C55 has a newer version of Android, likely to receive more updates and security patches. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, Wi-Fi MiMO | 802.11n | Realme 8 offers a newer WiFi standard and supports WiFi MiMO, which may give better connectivity performance under certain conditions. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Realme C55 has a newer Bluetooth version for slightly improved connectivity. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/64 GB | 256/128/64 GB | Realme C55 offers larger storage option (256 GB), better for people who store lots of files. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 4/6/8 GB | Both have similar RAM configurations |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion, consider your storage needs when selecting device. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Basic Audio | Realme 8 has higher quality audio for better listening experience (small difference) |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | C55 has a more convenient side-mounted sensor |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Gyroscope, Magnetometer | No Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Realme 8 has more sensors for improved gaming experience and motion detection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology offers richer colors, better contrast, and deeper blacks, along with higher peak brightness for better outdoor visibility.
- Stronger Performance: The Helio G95 chipset and Mali-G76 MC4 GPU deliver significantly better performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Better Camera System: Offers a wide-angle lens, macro lens, higher-resolution selfie camera and is capable of 4k video recording, providing more shooting options and versatility.
- Hi-Res Audio: Higher quality audio output for better listening experience.
- More Sensors: Gyroscope and Magnetometer adds to the functionality of the phone.
- Better Video Recording: Supports 4K video recording with EIS.
Realme C55 Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.72-inch screen offers more screen real estate for media consumption and productivity.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate provides a smoother user experience with less motion blur.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging is slightly faster, reducing charging times.
- Newer Android OS: Comes with Android 13 out of the box.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Generally considered more convenient than a rear-mounted sensor.
- Larger Storage Option: 256GB storage available.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Sacrifices a slightly larger display and smoother refresh rate for significantly better display quality and performance.
- Realme C55: Trades display quality, performance, and camera versatility for a slightly larger and smoother display, newer OS, and faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Gamers: The superior chipset and GPU make it better for mobile gaming.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who want a versatile camera setup with wide-angle, macro, and higher resolution selfie.
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize high-quality visuals and better outdoor visibility, and audio quality for movies and videos.
- Users who prioritize performance: Prefer faster overall performance for daily use.
Realme 8 Use Cases:
- Playing graphically demanding games.
- Capturing photos in diverse scenarios, especially in low light.
- Watching movies or streaming content.
- Multitasking between various applications.
Realme C55 Ideal User:
- Casual Users: Those who prioritize a larger display and smoother scrolling for social media and content consumption.
- Users who want longer software support: A newer OS version would mean longer update availability.
- Users who value convenience: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor is more accessible.
- Users who need a lot of storage: More storage option (256 GB).
Realme C55 Use Cases:
- Browsing social media and web content.
- Watching videos and movies.
- Using productivity apps.
- Taking casual photos and selfies.
Price-to-Value:
- If both are similarly priced, the Realme 8 likely provides better value for performance and display.
- If the C55 is priced lower, it may provide good value for those prioritizing a larger display, newer OS and longer software support, and better charging speeds.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize gaming and performance, or is a smooth display and basic usage sufficient?
- Is display quality (AMOLED) or a larger screen size and smoother refresh rate more important to you?
- What is your budget, and which phone offers the best value based on its price?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gaming & Media Consumption: Choose the Realme 8. Its superior performance, AMOLED display and better audio quality significantly enhances gaming and media experiences.
- Scenario 2: Casual Use & Content Consumption: The Realme C55 will be sufficient and offers a slightly larger screen, smoother refresh rate, and newer OS.
- Scenario 3: Photography & Versatile Camera: The Realme 8 has a more versatile camera system, making it more suitable for a wide range of shooting scenarios.
- Scenario 4: Budget-Conscious Shopper: If the Realme C55 is significantly cheaper and your budget is limited, it will provide decent performance for day-to-day tasks.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Realme 8. While the Realme C55 offers a slightly larger display and faster charging, the superior performance of the Realme 8's chipset, its higher quality AMOLED display, and more versatile camera system are more important to me. I prefer the rich colors, deeper blacks, and the higher outdoor visibility of the AMOLED display. I also value the better performance of the Realme 8 for gaming and faster app loading. Lastly, the better camera system with the inclusion of wide-angle and macro lenses adds versatility that I would find useful.
