1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A25 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 161 × 76.5 × 8.3 mm | A25 is slightly taller, wider, and thicker, potentially feeling less comfortable for one-handed use |
| Weight | 177g | 197g | Realme 8 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.5" | Negligible difference in screen size for most users. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Very similar resolution, no noticeable difference in sharpness for the naked eye. |
| PPI | 411 | 396 | Very similar pixel density, no practical difference in screen clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | A25 offers smoother scrolling and animations, a key benefit for gamers or those who value fluid visuals. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 1000 nits | Both displays are equally visible in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) | A25's 5nm chip is more power-efficient and performs better in demanding tasks like gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 480,688 | A25 is slightly faster for overall performance |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G68 MC4 | A25's GPU is better for gaming due to newer architecture |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Realme 8 has a higher MP count and a slightly wider aperture, potentially capturing slightly more detail in good lighting; however real-world performance is subject to image processing. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Realme 8 has a higher MP count, but Samsung A25 has a wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.25 | 8MP, f/2.2 | A25 has a marginally wider aperture which may improve low-light performance |
| Portrait Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | A25 can capture better depth-of-field for portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 provides macro photography capabilities. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 offers a dedicated black and white camera lens for creative photos. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps (EIS) | Up to 4K@30fps (EIS) | Both phones can record 4k videos, but the A25 has better stabilization, due to OIS. |
| DXOMark | N/A | Mobile: 92, Photo: 98, Video: 94 | Samsung A25 is rated by DXOMark indicating better overall camera performance, especially photo and video. |
| Stabilization | EIS | EIS, OIS | A25 has superior stabilization for video recordings |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity, expected to have comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Realme 8 charges faster. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Similar battery types, no practical impact for users |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | A25 has a significantly newer OS, with better features and more future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Hotspot, Wi-Fi Display, MIMO | 802.11ac, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Hotspot, Wi-Fi Display | Similar WiFi standards, Realme 8 has additional MIMO for better performance in supported networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.3 | A25 has a newer Bluetooth version, offering faster and more reliable connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | A25 has more satellite system support for more accurate navigation |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | A25 offers higher storage capacity, allowing for more media files and apps |
| RAM | 4 GB, 6 GB or 8 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | A25 is better for multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | A25 has superior audio with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos for better sound quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | A25 uses a more convenient and faster side-mounted sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | A25 offers significantly better screen protection, reducing chances of scratches and breakage. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter Design: Significantly lighter (177g vs 197g) making it more comfortable for extended use.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging is slightly faster than the 25W charging in the Samsung.
- Macro and B&W Lens: Offers dedicated macro and black & white lens, giving more creative freedom.
- Hi-Res Audio: This ensures excellent audio quality, appealing to audio enthusiasts.
Practical Implications: The Realme 8 prioritizes comfort and flexibility in camera features, while also featuring hi-res audio.
Samsung Galaxy A25 Advantages:
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 14 out of the box with more guaranteed future updates.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a noticeably smoother visual experience, which is useful for gaming and overall fluidity.
- Better Performance: The Exynos 1280 chipset is more powerful than the Helio G95 offering an edge in performance-intensive tasks.
- Improved Main Camera: While the resolution is lower, the DxOMark score suggests better image processing and overall camera performance.
- Optical Image Stabilization: OIS provides smoother video recording.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 adds a layer of physical protection.
- Stereo Speakers & Dolby Atmos: Offers better audio experience through stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos integration.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Scanner: Side fingerprint scanner is faster and more convenient.
Practical Implications: The A25 offers a better all-around experience, especially for media consumption, gaming, and photography.
Significant Trade-Offs:
- Realme 8: While it offers a dedicated macro and black and white lens, it lacks OIS in the camera and its performance is lower.
- Samsung Galaxy A25: The absence of a macro lens and lack of a black & white camera sensor, may disappoint some users, additionally it is heavier and has slower charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious: Users seeking a cost-effective phone with a good display.
- Casual Photographer: Enjoys creative photography with macro and black & white options.
- Comfort Seekers: Users who prioritize lightweight phone for prolonged use.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Users looking for high fidelity audio
Use Cases:
- Everyday use with social media, browsing and watching videos.
- Creative photography with its macro and black & white lens
- Enjoying high-fidelity audio.
Samsung Galaxy A25 Ideal User:
- Mobile Gamer: Users seeking a smoother display and higher performance.
- Photography Enthusiast: Users who want better overall photo and video quality.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who value good audio and video.
- Long-Term Users: Users looking for an up-to-date OS with longer software support.
Use Cases:
- Demanding gaming and graphic-intensive tasks.
- High-quality photography and videography.
- Watching videos and enjoying audio with stereo speakers.
- Long-term usage with future software upgrades.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Realme 8 may offer a slightly better value for basic usage, due to its lower price.
- The Samsung Galaxy A25 provides a more robust set of features, justifying a slightly higher price point for users with specific needs and use cases.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget?
- How important is gaming and high-performance?
- How important is the camera quality and stabilisation?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is primary: If the price is your biggest concern and you need a basic phone for everyday tasks, browsing, and social media usage and don't mind a slower processor and a standard 60Hz display, then the Realme 8 offers a suitable solution.
- Scenario 2: High Performance and Gaming: If you are a mobile gamer or someone who values a smoother and faster experience, the A25 is a better fit with its 120Hz display and superior chipset.
- Scenario 3: Camera is important: If you care about photography and want the best quality camera and also want to shoot videos with stabilisation, the A25 is more compelling.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy A25.
Reasoning:
While the Realme 8 offers a lighter design and faster charging, the Samsung Galaxy A25 provides a better all-around experience that aligns more with my priorities in a smartphone. The 120Hz display, combined with the more powerful Exynos 1280 chipset and improved camera capabilities, makes the A25 a better choice for daily usage and more demanding tasks like gaming and media consumption. I prefer the superior overall camera quality, optical stabilization, the modern version of Android with future updates, and the stereo speakers. Although the lack of a macro lens and slightly slower charging are drawbacks, they are outweighed by the overall advantages of the A25. Ultimately, the additional features and performance enhancements of the Samsung Galaxy A25 justify its higher price for my needs, offering a more future-proofed and enjoyable smartphone experience.
