1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A34 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 161.3 × 78.1 × 8.2 mm | A34 is slightly larger and wider, may feel less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 177g | 199g | Realme 8 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.6" | A34 offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both offer sharp visuals, minor resolution differences are practically negligible. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 411 | 390 | Realme 8 has slightly sharper display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | A34 offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the user experience feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Samsung Galaxy A34's brightness is not provided, making it difficult to compare. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6nm) | A34's newer chipset provides faster processing and improved energy efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 532,300 | A34 demonstrates superior performance in benchmarks, suggesting smoother and faster performance for demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G68 MC4 | A34's newer GPU results in better graphic performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 48MP | Realme 8 captures more detail in ideal lighting conditions. |
| Rear Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | Realme 8 has better low-light performance. |
| Rear Main Camera Sensor | Omnivision OV64B | Sony IMX582 Exmor RS | Differences in image processing algorithms, subjective in final output. |
| Rear Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.70µm | 0.80µm | Samsung Galaxy A34 has better light gathering. |
| Front Camera Resolution | 16MP | 13MP | Realme 8 has slightly higher resolution for selfies. |
| Front Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.2 | Samsung Galaxy A34's front camera captures brighter photos. |
| Front Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.13" | 1/3.06" | Samsung Galaxy A34's front sensor is slightly larger, potentially better for low light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Camera Resolution | 8MP | 5MP | Realme 8 has a higher-resolution wide-angle camera for capturing more detail. |
| Wide Angle Camera Aperture | f/2.25 | f/2.2 | Samsung Galaxy A34's wide angle camera captures brighter photos. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) Camera | Not available | 5MP | Samsung Galaxy A34 has a dedicated depth camera for better portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens Camera | 2MP | Not available | Realme 8 has a dedicated macro lens for close up shots. |
| Black & White Camera | 2MP | Not available | Realme 8 has a dedicated black & white camera. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p@120fps | 4K@30fps, 720p@480fps | Both record 4K video, but the Samsung has OIS for video, and different slow-motion capabilities. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization | Triple camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Night Mode | Samsung A34 has OIS, which helps with sharper images and videos, and a dedicated night mode. |
| DxoMark Score | Not Available | Mobile: 92 | A34 has better overall camera performance based on dxomark testing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity suggests comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 30W | 25W | Realme 8 charges slightly faster. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | A34 is significantly newer, with access to the latest features, better security and longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Both support modern Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | A34 has a newer version for better efficiency and connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1) | Samsung A34 has better satellite support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 64 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | A34 offers more storage (up to 256GB). |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 6/8 GB | A34 offers better performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, limiting flexibility. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Samsung A34 provides more immersive audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint-based biometric security. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic, Proximity, Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Fingerprint | Each phone offers a different collection of sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter and Smaller: Easier to handle and carry around for extended periods.
- Higher Brightness: Significantly better outdoor visibility, making it ideal for use in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging offers slightly faster recharge times compared to 25W.
- Higher Resolution Wide-Angle and Main Camera: Realme 8 has higher resolution cameras in both wide and standard lenses.
- Dedicated macro lens and black & white lens: For niche photography interests.
Samsung Galaxy A34 Advantages:
- Newer and More Powerful: Significantly better performance, smoother multitasking and gaming experience with its newer chipset and GPU.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides significantly smoother scrolling and animations.
- Better Software: Comes with Android 13 and is expected to receive multiple future updates compared to Android 11 on Realme 8.
- Larger Display: 6.6" display is better for media consumption.
- Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos: Provides a better audio experience.
- Optical image stabilization (OIS) on the main camera: Better image quality for photos and videos, especially in low light.
- More storage options: More internal storage with options of 256 GB.
- Better Satellite Support: More accurate location.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: More stable connections.
- Dedicated Portrait mode camera: Better portrait shots.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8's higher screen brightness comes at the cost of inferior overall performance, a lower refresh rate display, and older software.
- Samsung A34 has better overall performance but lacks a dedicated macro lens and black & white lens, a slightly larger size, higher weight, and its display brightness is not specified.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious: Users who prioritize affordability.
- Outdoor enthusiasts: Users who need excellent screen visibility in bright sunlight.
- Users who prefer lighter smartphones: Prioritizing portability and ease of handling.
- Users interested in macro and black and white photography.
Use Cases:
- General daily use, web browsing, social media, and light gaming.
- Taking photos in bright outdoor conditions.
- Users who value quick charging.
- Users that like a dedicated macro and black and white lens
Samsung Galaxy A34 Ideal User:
- Performance Seekers: Users who prioritize overall performance, gaming, and smooth multitasking.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos and playing games on their phones with higher refresh rate.
- Users who prioritize camera quality: Particularly those who value OIS and good portrait shots.
- Users that want the latest android software.
- Users who want a better audio experience.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming, video editing, and other resource-intensive tasks.
- Watching high-definition videos and movies.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos, especially in low light.
- Users who want a phone that feels more premium.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your priority: overall performance or screen brightness? If you value performance more than brightness, the A34 is better. If you prioritize brightness for outdoor use, the Realme 8 might be better.
- Do you value smooth animations or lighter weight? The A34 has a smoother display at 120hz, while the Realme 8 is significantly lighter.
- How important is the latest software, camera capabilities, and audio experience? If you are looking for a phone that is up to date and has great software, camera, and audio features, the A34 is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-conscious user primarily using the phone for basic tasks and needs good sunlight visibility - The Realme 8 is the more suitable choice, offering good screen brightness for outdoor visibility.
- Scenario 2: A user who loves watching videos and playing games, and wants a smooth and fast phone with better software - The Samsung Galaxy A34 is recommended, providing a superior user experience, including better audio, a better display, and much better performance.
- Scenario 3: A user who wants a decent phone that offers the best features for its price. - The Samsung Galaxy A34 offers a much better overall experience that makes it the better buy.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy A34.
While the Realme 8 offers a lighter build and significantly higher screen brightness, the Galaxy A34 provides a more well-rounded experience in almost all other areas that are more important to me. The newer chipset, smoother 120Hz display, better software support, and superior camera features including OIS make the A34 the better option. The stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos also provide a far better audio experience. The A34's 30% higher benchmark scores also indicate that I would have a much smoother experience in day to day use. Finally the larger storage option also makes the A34 the clear winner.
The missing brightness specification for the A34 is a limiting factor in the comparison, however, the A34 offers a better overall balance of performance and features. Therefore, for general use, content consumption, photography and gaming, the Samsung Galaxy A34 is the better option.
