1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 168.8 × 78.2 × 8.8 mm | A05 is noticeably larger & thicker, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. Realme 8 will fit easier in smaller hands and pockets. |
| Weight | 177g | 195g | Realme 8 is lighter and easier to hold for longer periods. The 18g difference is noticeable, especially for long calls or gaming sessions. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard, non-folding phones. |
Display
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | A05 offers slightly more screen real estate, better for media consumption, but can make the phone more cumbersome to handle. Realme 8 is slightly more compact |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | Realme 8 has a sharper, clearer display, resulting in more detailed text and images. A05 may appear slightly blurry in comparison. |
| PPI | 411 | 262 | Realme 8's higher pixel density translates to a much crisper display, with finer details visible; A05 has a lower resolution and pixel density |
| Technology | AMOLED | PLS LCD | Realme 8's AMOLED display offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better visibility in sunlight. Samsung's PLS LCD may appear less vivid and may have poorer visibility under direct sunlight. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have a standard refresh rate; scrolling and animations will feel equally smooth on both. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 offers vastly superior visibility in bright outdoor conditions. The A05 brightness is not specified, and will likely be poor in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | Realme 8’s G95 is a more powerful chipset; Expect faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance compared to the A05. |
| Antutu Score | 409,874 | 225,154 | Realme 8 demonstrates significantly superior performance in benchmarks; the real world difference will be noticeable in faster app launches and more fluid gameplay. The A05 may feel slower in comparison when running more demanding apps. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 (Arm Mali-G76 3EEMC4720 MHz) | Mali-G52 MC2 (Arm Mali-G52 MC2) | Realme 8's superior GPU configuration will provide better graphic rendering for gaming and other GPU-intensive applications. A05 GPU may struggle with graphically demanding games. |
Camera
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Omnivision OV64B, 0.70 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.8 | Realme 8’s higher resolution, wider aperture and larger sensor results in better detail, better low light performance and overall better image quality compared to A05. Pixel size is not specified in A05. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.00 µm pixel size | 8MP, f/2.0 | Realme 8's higher resolution captures more detail in selfies. A05 wider aperture allows better low light performance for selfies. Realme 8 has better pixel size for the selfie camera. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | Not Available | Realme 8 includes a wide-angle lens for more versatile shots and group photos while A05 lacks this functionality. |
| Depth Lens | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung Galaxy A05 has a dedicated depth camera for better portrait mode effects, where Realme 8 does not offer that. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | Realme 8 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, while the A05 does not offer that. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | Realme 8 has a dedicated black and white lens for artistic monochrome photos, while A05 does not offer that. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60/120fps with EIS Slow-motion 240fps | 1080p@30/60fps Slow-motion 30fps | Realme 8 records higher resolution videos (4K). Realme 8's slow-motion mode is superior compared to A05. EIS is available at all supported resolutions on the Realme 8. No EIS on A05 |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Digital zoom, Dual camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, Scene mode, Self-timer | Realme 8 has many more camera features than the A05. |
Battery
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones should offer similar battery life under typical use. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Realme 8 charges faster, reducing charging time. |
| Technology | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer batteries tend to be more durable and offer slightly higher energy density. |
| Removable | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both phones have non-removable batteries. |
Other
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Samsung Galaxy A05 has a newer version of Android, potentially offering better features, security, and longer software support. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | Both have similar Wi-Fi capabilities, Realme 8 includes Wi-Fi MIMO for slightly better network performance on compatible routers. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, A2DP, EDR, HID, LE | 5.3 LE, A2DP, LE | Samsung Galaxy A05 has a newer Bluetooth version with potentially better efficiency and faster connection speeds. Realme 8 includes more Bluetooth protocols such as EDR and HID. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both offer comprehensive GPS capabilities for accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both support dual SIM functionality, allowing for two active SIM cards at once. |
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 64 GB | 128 GB or 64 GB | Both come in 128GB and 64GB storage variants. |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB or 8 GB | 4 GB or 6 GB | Realme 8 offers more RAM options up to 8GB, which will help with smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No expandable storage | No expandable storage | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio | Basic audio features | Realme 8 offers higher quality audio playback. |
| Security | basic fingerprint sensor | Basic security features | Realme 8 provides fingerprint security. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones screen protection technologies are unknown. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Proximity, Accelerometer | Realme 8 has additional sensors, enabling better motion sensing for gaming and other features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen with higher resolution and brightness makes for a significantly better viewing experience with deeper blacks, vibrant colors, sharper text and images, and much better visibility under direct sunlight.
- Higher Performance: The Helio G95 chipset offers much better performance, resulting in faster app loading, better multitasking, and smoother gaming.
- Better Camera System: Realme 8 has a more capable main camera and includes a wide-angle lens, macro, and black and white lens for versatile photography, and supports 4k video recording. The selfie camera has significantly more megapixels and pixel size.
- Faster Charging: The 30W fast charging allows for quicker battery top-ups.
- More Sensors: The additional sensors in the Realme 8 such as the gyroscope, magnetometer and fingerprint sensor allow for enhanced usability.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res audio support offers higher quality audio output.
Samsung Galaxy A05 Advantages
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 13 out of the box for potentially better security and longer software support.
- Newer Bluetooth: Features a newer Bluetooth version (5.3) that may have better power efficiency.
- Portrait Mode: Has a dedicated depth camera for better portrait photos, which may be valuable for some users.
- Slightly Larger Screen: 6.7" screen may be preferred by those who prioritize screen real estate for media consumption.
- Potentially Wider Selfie Aperture: Samsung Galaxy A05 has wider aperture selfie camera with f/2.0 vs f/2.45 for the Realme 8.
Trade-offs
- Realme 8: While it offers a superior experience in many areas, it runs on an older Android version (Android 11), and lacks expandable storage. It may also be more expensive than the A05.
- Samsung Galaxy A05: Lags behind in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and lacks a fingerprint sensor. It might be a better choice if those aspects are not important, especially if budget is the main concern.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User
- Gamers: The powerful processor, superior GPU and higher refresh rate will provide a smoother gaming experience.
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize high-quality video viewing and a great display for content consumption will prefer the AMOLED screen and high brightness of Realme 8
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who need a versatile camera system with wide-angle, macro, and 4K video recording.
- Users seeking a premium experience : Those who value smooth performance and excellent image quality on a budget.
- Users wanting faster charging speeds: Users who are always on the go will appreciate faster charging
Samsung Galaxy A05 Ideal User
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those who want a functional smartphone at a lower price point, without needing flagship-level features.
- Basic Smartphone Users: People who mostly use their phones for calls, messaging, browsing and social media.
- Users who need the latest software: Those who want the latest android version and software features.
- Users who need slightly larger display: For users who prioritize larger displays.
- Users who prefer depth photos: If the user prefers to take pictures with a more defined depth of field.
Specific Use Cases
- Realme 8: Excellent for playing demanding games, watching high-resolution videos in bright conditions, capturing detailed photographs, and taking advantage of its fast charging.
- Samsung Galaxy A05: Suitable for everyday tasks like checking emails, social media browsing, making calls, and taking casual photos in well-lit environments.
Price-to-Value Ratio
The Realme 8, while potentially costing more, offers far more value for those who need high performance, a superior display and a versatile camera. The Samsung Galaxy A05 is more suited for users who only need basic functionality and prioritize affordability. The price difference will be important for most buyers.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- What is your primary use case? (e.g., gaming, photography, basic usage).
- How important is display quality to you? (e.g., AMOLED, resolution, brightness).
- What is your budget? (Price differences may be significant)
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Performance and Display are Priorities If you frequently play games, watch videos, or need a vibrant screen for outdoor visibility, choose the Realme 8. The AMOLED display and powerful chipset provide a superior experience.
- Scenario 2: Basic Functionality and Budget is Key If you only need a smartphone for essential tasks and want a lower price, choose the Samsung Galaxy A05. It handles basic apps and calls but with slower performance and a less impressive screen.
- Scenario 3: Camera Versatility is Important If you want a camera with a wide-angle, macro and black and white lens, capable of taking 4k videos, choose the Realme 8. It will produce much better images and has greater versatility.
My Choice
I would choose the Realme 8.
Reasoning:
While the Samsung Galaxy A05 is the newer phone and has a more recent version of Android, the Realme 8 offers a significantly superior overall user experience. The AMOLED display is a game-changer, providing a far more enjoyable visual experience. The higher performance of the Helio G95 chipset is very noticeable, and will make the phone feel more responsive and faster in day to day use. I value having a better and more versatile camera, and the Realme 8 checks all those boxes. The faster charging is also very useful. The Realme 8 is the better overall phone, and the advantages that it has will outweigh the disadvantages of having an older software version. Although the A05 has a slightly newer bluetooth version, that would be the only advantage of choosing that phone.
