1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Realme 8 and Samsung Galaxy A23 5G, focusing on their practical implications:
Design & Build
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 165.4 × 76.9 × 8.4 mm | The A23 5G is noticeably larger, which may affect one-handed use and pocketability. |
| Weight | 177g | 197g | The Realme 8 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Quality | Unknown Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The A23 5G has better screen protection against scratches and minor impacts. |
Display
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.6" | The A23 5G has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2408 | Both have similar sharpness, with no practical difference in clarity. |
| PPI | 411 | 400 | Both displays have very similar pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | PLS LCD | The Realme 8’s AMOLED screen has superior contrast, deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The A23 5G offers significantly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | The Realme 8 screen is much easier to view outdoors, especially under sunlight. The A23 5G brightness is not specified. |
Performance
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) | Both phones offer similar performance. The Snapdragon 695 is slightly more efficient due to its smaller fabrication process, potentially offering better battery life under similar usage conditions. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 418,000 | Both have similar benchmark scores, suggesting comparable performance in daily tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 619 | Different GPUs, both capable of gaming, but user preference might dictate choice depending on optimized game titles. |
Camera
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" | Realme 8 has a higher resolution sensor and wider aperture potentially resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13" | 8MP, f/2.0 | Realme 8 has higher resolution. Samsung has a wider aperture for better low light selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.25 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Realme 8 has higher resolution. Samsung Galaxy A23 has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Portrait (Depth) | Not available | 2MP, f/2.4 | The A23 5G can capture depth information for portrait photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both have similar macro capabilities, mostly for fun rather than high-quality shots. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not available | Realme 8 allows for some artistic black and white shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@120fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | Realme 8 offers significantly higher video quality. Samsung has OIS. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | OIS | The A23 5G has optical stabilization that provides better stability for video. |
Battery
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones should offer comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer) | 25W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | Realme 8 charges slightly faster. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Non-removable | Bypass charging allows you to power the phone while avoiding heat by not charging the battery, extending battery longevity. |
Other
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | The A23 5G has a newer OS and will receive more software updates. |
| WiFi | 802.11ac, Dual band, MIMO | 802.11ac | Both phones have similar Wi-Fi capabilities but Realme 8 additionally supports MIMO for improved speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, LE, A2DP, EDR, HID | 5.1, LE, A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, PAN, OPP, PBAP, HOGP, APT-x | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G has a wider variety of Bluetooth profiles. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The A23 5G has better GPS accuracy with QZSS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Single SIM | The Realme 8 can use two SIMs simultaneously. |
| Storage | 128GB or 64GB | Not specified | Realme 8 has more storage (128 GB or 64 GB variants). |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Not specified | Realme 8 has more ram in some of its variants (up to 8GB) for better multi tasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device supports additional storage via MicroSD card. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio | Basic | The Realme 8 offers higher quality audio playback. |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted | The A23 5G has a more convenient side mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer, Geomagnetic, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | The A23 5G has more sensors for advanced functionalities such as a Barometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and excellent brightness, making it much better for outdoor use.
- Better Main Camera: Higher resolution (64MP) sensor with wider aperture (f/1.79) and larger sensor size, resulting in better low light photos
- Higher Quality Video: Capable of recording in 4K at 30fps and has 1080p at 120fps.
- Faster Charging: Supports 30W fast charging, which is quicker than the A23 5G.
- Dual SIM: Dual SIM capabilities for users who need two active numbers.
- Hi-Res Audio: For users who prioritize high quality audio playback.
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate display for smoother animations and scrolling.
- Newer Android OS: Comes with Android 12 and guaranteed upgrades up to Android 14, offering a more up-to-date software experience.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): OIS on the main camera for more stable videos and images.
- Bypass Charging: Allows phone to be powered without charging the battery, for better longevity.
- Wider Bluetooth Profiles: Supports a wider range of Bluetooth profiles for better compatibility with audio devices and accessories.
- Better GPS: QZSS for more accurate location services.
- More Advanced Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor is often more convenient.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
- More Sensors: Barometer and geomagnetic sensors.
Trade-offs:
- The Realme 8 has a significantly better display panel in terms of vibrancy, contrast, and brightness, but the A23 5G has the smoother 120Hz refresh rate.
- The Realme 8 provides more high resolution video quality (4K). The A23 5G has video stabilization via OIS.
- Realme 8 has a slightly higher quality main camera. Samsung provides depth sensor for better portraits.
- The Realme 8 has a faster charger, but the A23 5G has better battery longevity through bypass charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8:
- Ideal User: Those who prioritize display quality (vibrant colors, contrast, and brightness), better video recording, and faster charging. Users who need dual SIM functionality, and high quality audio.
- Use Cases:
- Users who watch a lot of videos and want a high quality screen
- Users who want to record high quality videos (4k).
- Users who spend a lot of time outdoors and need a bright screen.
- Users who need to switch between two SIMs easily
- Users who like high quality audio playback
- Price-to-Value: Offers great display and camera features for its price point.
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G:
- Ideal User: Those who prioritize a smoother display, a newer operating system, optical image stabilization, better GPS, and more convenient fingerprint sensor.
- Use Cases:
- Users who play mobile games or use social media heavily.
- Users who need the latest software updates and long-term support
- Users who are concerned about video quality and need OIS.
- Users who need accurate location services.
- Users who like the convenience of a side mounted finger print sensor
- Price-to-Value: A good option for users who want an up-to-date device with a smoother display experience.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions potential buyers should consider:
What is more important: display quality (vibrant colors, brightness) or display smoothness (120Hz)? If vibrant colors and brightness are crucial, the Realme 8 is better. If you prefer smoother animations and scrolling, the A23 5G's 120Hz refresh rate is the better pick.
How important are software updates and long term support? If having the latest Android version and long-term support is a must, the A23 5G is the better choice, with an upgrade path to Android 14.
What is your primary camera use case? If you're focused on video quality and capturing content in 4K, the Realme 8 is superior. But if you prioritize stable videos and better low light portraits, then the A23 5G is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor Enthusiast: If you spend significant time outdoors, the Realme 8's significantly brighter display makes it much more usable in sunlight.
- Scenario 2: Casual Gamer: If you casually game on your phone, the 120Hz display of the A23 5G will provide a smoother experience.
- Scenario 3: Photography/Videography Enthusiast: If you're focused on higher resolution videos, the Realme 8 is superior. For still images, the differences are minor, but the Realme 8 may slightly edge out.
- Scenario 4: General use with focus on longevity: If you plan on keeping your phone for many years and value battery longevity, the A23 5G would be the better choice thanks to bypass charging.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would lean towards the Realme 8.
Reasoning:
My primary priorities for a smartphone are display quality, camera capabilities, and overall performance. The Realme 8's AMOLED display with its superior brightness, contrast and color reproduction is a big draw for me, as I often watch videos and consume a lot of visual content. The higher resolution main camera and 4K video recording are also very important to me, as I occasionally take pictures and videos that I would like to be of higher quality. While the 120Hz refresh rate of the A23 5G is appealing, I find that the vibrancy and clarity of an AMOLED display are more impactful on daily usage. Lastly, I do find the dual SIM capabilities more useful than the benefits offered by A23 5G's extra sensors, OIS and Bluetooth profiles.
While the A23 5G offers a smoother display and newer software, these are not my top priorities compared to the Realme 8's strengths. I acknowledge the trade-offs but feel the Realme 8 better aligns with my personal usage and preferences. If I was a user who prioritize smoothness and long term software updates and battery longevity then I would choose the A23 5G.
