1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A15 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 160.1 × 76.8 × 8.4 mm | Realme 8 is slightly narrower and thinner, making it potentially more comfortable for one-handed use. The A15 5G is a bit wider and thicker. |
| Weight | 177g | 200g | Realme 8 is noticeably lighter, which makes it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. The A15 5G may feel more substantial but could cause fatigue over time. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.5" | Negligible difference in size, both offer ample screen space. The difference is unlikely to be noticeable in daily use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both are close in resolution, resulting in sharp images. The difference is unlikely to be noticeable. |
| PPI | 411 | 396 | Both have similar pixel densities, meaning both displays will look sharp with comparable clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and great contrast thanks to AMOLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | A15 5G's 90Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience compared to Realme 8's 60Hz. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 800 nits | Realme 8's higher brightness will offer better outdoor visibility, making it easier to use under direct sunlight compared to the A15 5G. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) | A15 5G's newer 6nm chip provides slightly better performance and energy efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 442,500 | A15 5G has a marginally better benchmark score, indicating slightly smoother everyday use and slightly improved gaming capabilities. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Realme 8 has a better GPU, leading to better gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Realme 8's higher resolution sensor can capture more detailed images, while the slightly wider aperture on the A15 5G might help in low-light. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45 | 13MP, f/2.0 | Realme 8 has higher resolution for potentially more detailed selfies, while A15 5G's wider aperture can improve low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Realme 8's wide angle lens can capture more detail than A15 5G's. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both have similar macro lenses, which are primarily for close-up shots but generally not high quality. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 provides the option for black and white photography |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps | 1080p@30fps | Realme 8 offers much higher video recording capabilities including 4K resolution. A15 5G video capabilities are lower resolution. |
| Features | 4K Video, Quadruple camera, Ultra stable video | Triple camera, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Panorama | Realme 8 is more focused on video recording, and versatility of a quad camera system, while the A15 5G is focused on still photography with added features. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer similar battery life. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Realme 8 charges faster, reducing downtime waiting for the battery to refill. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | A15 5G has a much more modern OS, meaning better compatibility with newer apps and potential software updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both support the same Wi-Fi standards; Realme 8 additionally supports Wi-Fi MIMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE | A15 5G uses a newer version of bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both provide reliable location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 64GB | Unknown | Realme 8 has known storage configurations, while A15 5G's storage is not listed, making comparison difficult. |
| RAM | 4GB, 6GB, 8GB | Unknown | Realme 8 offers more RAM options, good for multitasking. A15 5G is unknown. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows storage expansion, so the internal storage is what you get. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | 2 Microphones | Realme 8 offers high-resolution audio playback which will sound better than the A15 5G. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | A15 5G's side-mounted fingerprint sensor is generally considered to be more convenient. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Information is missing, making a comparison impossible. |
| Sensors | |||
| Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both phones have the same basic set of sensors. Realme 8 has an additional Magnetometer, Samsung A15 5G has an Ultrasonic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter and more compact: More comfortable for extended use and better for one-handed operation.
- Brighter display: Better outdoor visibility, crucial for use in direct sunlight.
- More versatile camera system: 4K video recording, a higher resolution main camera, better wide-angle, and a dedicated Black and White lens.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging is faster than the A15 5G's 25W, which will reduce downtime when charging.
- Hi-Res Audio: Better audio playback for music enthusiasts.
- More known storage and RAM options: You know exactly what you're getting for storage and RAM options.
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G Advantages:
- Newer Chipset: More efficient and slightly better performance with its 6nm chip.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate for a more fluid user experience, especially when scrolling.
- Newer Android OS: Android 14 offers better app compatibility and potential for future updates.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Often considered more convenient than a rear-mounted sensor.
- More Modern Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.2
- More Modern Proximity Sensor: Ultrasonic proximity sensor.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8 trades a newer OS and smoother display for a more versatile camera system, a brighter display, and a lighter design.
- Samsung Galaxy A15 5G trades a more versatile camera system, a brighter display, and faster charging for a smoother display and a more modern operating system.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious photographers: Enjoys taking photos and videos and benefits from better main and wide-angle lens, and 4k video.
- Users who prioritize a bright display: Someone who uses their phone often in sunlight.
- Users who prioritize charging speed: Someone who needs quick charging.
- Users who want a lighter phone: Someone looking for a phone that's easy to hold.
- Audio enthusiasts: Someone who enjoys listening to high resolution audio and wants the best sound possible.
- Users who need known storage and RAM options: Users who want to be able to select from options with known storage and RAM quantities.
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Capturing high quality photos and video while travelling
- Outdoor photography and videography.
- Quickly topping up the battery during the day
- Long sessions of audio playback and listening to music.
- Casual gamers
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a smooth experience: Someone who values a smoother user experience with 90hz display.
- Users who prioritize a modern Android OS: Someone who wants to be using the latest Android OS version with all features.
- Users who want a modern fingerprint sensor: Someone who prefers side-mounted fingerprint sensors.
- Users who want a more modern proximity sensor: Someone who wants an Ultrasonic proximity sensor.
- Casual users: Someone who wants a phone with a good general experience.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A15 5G:
- Daily use with a focus on smooth navigation and browsing.
- Users who enjoy using the latest apps.
- Social media browsing and content consumption.
- Everyday photography.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Realme 8: Offers better value for users who value camera versatility, screen brightness, faster charging, and Hi-Res Audio, and is a very strong budget option.
- Samsung Galaxy A15 5G: Offers a more modern experience for users who prefer a smoother display and newer OS, at a potentially slightly higher price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Camera Priority: How important is camera quality, versatility, and video recording? If this is a priority, choose the Realme 8. If you care less about the camera, the A15 5G may be better for you.
- Display Preference: Do you value a brighter display or a smoother scrolling experience? If you care about a brighter display, choose the Realme 8. If you care about a smoother display choose the A15 5G.
- Software and Features: Do you want the latest Android OS, or do you prefer faster charging and better audio quality? If you prefer latest Android, chose A15 5G. If you prefer faster charging and better audio quality choose the Realme 8.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent traveler and content creator: Choose the Realme 8 for its superior camera, better outdoor visibility, and faster charging.
- Scenario 2: Social media user: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G for its smooth 90hz display and modern Android OS.
- Scenario 3: Budget-conscious user: Choose the Realme 8 for its better camera, brighter display, faster charging, and Hi-Res audio at an attractive price point.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Realme 8.
Here's why:
While the Samsung A15 5G does have a smoother display with its 90Hz refresh rate and a newer version of Android, the Realme 8's overall feature set aligns more closely with my needs. I prioritize a versatile camera system, and the 4K video recording, higher resolution main camera, and the wider-angle lens on the Realme 8 are a considerable advantage. Additionally, the brighter display on the Realme 8 would be more beneficial for outdoor use. Finally the fact that the Realme 8 has more known storage options is very reassuring when it comes to knowing what you're buying. Although I would be missing out on a slightly smoother UI, the trade-off for the brighter display, faster charging, better camera system, Hi-Res audio, and a lighter weight is worth it for my use case. I am also not concerned about having the latest Android OS.
