1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Realme C61 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 167.3 × 76.7 × 7.8 mm | Realme C61 is taller and wider, but slightly thinner, resulting in a larger overall phone with a slightly slimmer feel. |
| Weight | 177g | 188g | Realme 8 is slightly lighter, which may be preferable for extended handheld use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.74" | Realme C61 has a noticeably larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | Realme 8 has a much sharper display, making text and images clearer. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 411 | 260 | Realme 8's higher pixel density results in a significantly sharper display, with less visible pixelation. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Realme 8's AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the IPS LCD of the C61. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Realme C61 has slightly smoother scrolling and animations, which can feel more fluid during daily usage. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 has dramatically higher brightness, offering much better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 | Unisoc Tiger T612 | Realme 8's chipset offers significantly faster processing, better for gaming and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 252,597 | Realme 8 offers much better overall performance, resulting in smoother performance for demanding applications, and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Realme 8 has a more powerful GPU, providing better graphics performance for gaming and GPU-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 32MP, f/1.8 | Realme 8 captures more detailed photos with a higher megapixel sensor and wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Front Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | 5MP, f/2.0 | Realme 8 takes much higher-resolution selfies. Realme C61's wider aperture may result in slightly better low-light performance in selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | None | Realme 8 has an additional ultrawide camera for landscape and group photos. |
| Portrait Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Realme C61 can create a bokeh effect in portrait mode, but its impact is questionable due to the low resolution. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 has a macro camera for detailed close-up shots. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 has an additional sensor for black and white photos. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps, EIS | 1080p@30fps | Realme 8 records much higher resolution videos (4K), with a smoother frame rate at 1080p, while Realme C61 is limited to 1080p recording at 30fps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer similar battery capacity, and therefore, comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 30W | 45W | Realme C61 charges faster than the Realme 8. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Realme C61 comes with a newer Android version, offering the latest features and security patches. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, MIMO | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Both phones support similar Wi-Fi standards, Realme 8 additionally features Wi-Fi MIMO which could result in a slight increase in speed |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.0 LE | Realme 8 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version, potentially offering more energy efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | Realme 8 supports more satellite systems (including Beidou) for potentially more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB | Realme C61 offers a higher max storage option. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Both phones offer similar RAM options, suitable for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for memory expansion, so choosing a higher storage model is important. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers | Realme C61 offers stereo audio which can be more immersive for media consumption. Realme 8 exclusively supports Hi-Res Audio. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Realme C61 has a more convenient and potentially more reliable side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Information missing, therefore no accurate comparison can be made |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Proximity, Accelerometer | Realme 8 offers a more comprehensive sensor suite, important for some applications and games. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display Quality: AMOLED panel with higher resolution and brightness provides a much better viewing experience.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Helio G95 chipset and Mali-G76 GPU deliver a vastly better gaming experience, with faster app loading and smoother multitasking.
- More Versatile Camera System: Includes a higher-resolution main sensor, ultrawide lens, macro lens, black and white sensor, resulting in better photos and video capture.
- Advanced Video Features: Offers 4K video recording and higher frame rate options, better for capturing higher quality videos.
- Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Includes a Gyroscope and Magnetometer which are beneficial for gaming and navigation apps.
- Hi-Res Audio: Better audio playback for audiophiles.
- Better location tracking: Including Beidou satellite system for more accurate location tracking.
- Slightly more updated Bluetooth Offering better battery efficiency.
- WiFi MiMO Offers a slightly better wifi connection
Practical Implications: The Realme 8 is a clear winner for users who prioritize visual quality, performance, and camera versatility, and value better location tracking and audio playback.
Realme C61 Advantages:
- Newer Android Version: Comes with Android 14 out of the box, ensuring access to the latest features and security updates.
- Slightly Faster Charging: 45W charging is quicker than the 30W in the Realme 8.
- Larger Screen: A bigger display which some users may prefer.
- Stereo Speakers: Offers a slightly more immersive experience for media consumption
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Convenient and reliable for quick unlocking.
- More Storage Options: Offers 256 GB variants.
Practical Implications: The Realme C61 is suitable for users who need the latest software, prioritize faster charging and prefer a larger display and stereo audio and a larger storage option.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Realme 8 trades a more up to date Android version and slightly faster charging for significantly better display quality, performance, and camera capabilities.
- Realme C61 trades lower display resolution, screen technology, weaker chipset, and a less capable camera for a newer android version and slightly faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal Users:
- Mobile Gamers: The more powerful chipset and GPU offer a much better gaming experience.
- Photography Enthusiasts: The higher resolution camera, multiple lenses and 4K video recording offer versatility.
- Media Consumers: The vibrant AMOLED display makes media consumption more immersive.
- Users who prioritize quality: Those who appreciate better performance, screen quality and audio quality will prefer this phone.
Realme 8 Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Taking high-quality photos and videos for social media.
- Watching movies and videos with deep blacks and vibrant colors.
- Using GPS for navigation with potentially more accurate tracking.
- Listening to music using High-Resolution audio.
Realme C61 Ideal Users:
- Budget Conscious Users: The price may be lower, making it attractive for cost conscious consumers.
- Users who prioritize newer software: Individuals who value the latest Android OS features and security updates.
- Users who value faster charging: The 45W charging will be appealing to those needing a quick top up.
- Users who prefer a bigger display: Some users may prefer the larger screen and do not need the improved sharpness.
Realme C61 Use Cases:
- General day to day usage, basic social media apps and web browsing.
- Quickly charging the phone before leaving the house.
- Viewing media with immersive stereo audio.
- Users wanting an easy to use side fingerprint sensor
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Realme 8 offers more value for performance, camera, and display quality. It is recommended to spend a bit more if possible to gain these advantages.
- The Realme C61 may offer a good price-to-value ratio if budget is the main concern.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality and performance for you? If screen quality and performance are critical, the Realme 8 is the clear winner. If the need is basic, then the C61 is an option.
- How important are the latest Android updates? If having the newest Android version is a must, the C61 is the better choice. If you don't need it the Realme 8 may be a better option.
- Is camera versatility and video quality important? The Realme 8 offers a much more comprehensive camera system and significantly better video recording.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Gaming & Media): If gaming or consuming high-quality media is your priority, choose the Realme 8. Its performance and display are significantly better.
- Scenario 2 (Budget & Basic Use): If you're on a tight budget and need a basic phone for daily tasks with a slightly larger display and up to date software, the Realme C61 is sufficient.
- Scenario 3 (Camera Enthusiast): If taking high-quality pictures and videos is essential, go for the Realme 8. The Realme C61 will not satisfy this need.
- Scenario 4 (Fast Charging Focused): If you are looking for the fastest charging possible then the C61 will be the preferred choice.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the Realme 8. The vastly superior AMOLED display, significantly better performance, more capable camera system, and more comprehensive sensor suite are worth the trade-off of having a slightly older version of Android and slightly slower charging. For me, a great display and smooth performance are more critical than having the latest software, and I also value a good camera. The Realme 8 offers a much better user experience overall.
