1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 161.7 × 78 × 8.2 mm | Samsung Galaxy A35 is slightly larger and may feel bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 177g | 209g | Realme 8 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Build | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus front | Samsung Galaxy A35 offers significantly better screen protection against scratches and drops. |
Display
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.6" | Samsung Galaxy A35 has a slightly larger viewing area, beneficial for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both have sharp displays, minor differences are negligible in real use. |
| PPI | 411 | 390 | Realme 8 has a slightly sharper display, though not noticeable to the naked eye for most users. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, providing an excellent viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Samsung Galaxy A35 provides noticeably smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall experience. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 offers significantly better screen visibility in bright sunlight, while A35 has no brightness information available making its performance unknown |
Performance
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Exynos 1380 (5nm) | Samsung Galaxy A35’s newer 5nm chip is more power-efficient and offers faster performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 578,500 | Samsung Galaxy A35 demonstrates significantly better overall performance, loading apps faster and running games more smoothly. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G68 MP5 | Samsung Galaxy A35 has a more modern GPU, offering better performance in graphics intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.96", 0.8µm | Realme 8 has higher resolution but Samsung A35 has a larger sensor and pixel size which may improve low-light performance |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Samsung Galaxy A35 has a wider aperture and larger pixel size, potentially capturing more light for better selfies, while Realme has more megapixels. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Samsung Galaxy A35 has a slightly wider aperture which may slightly benefit low light performance. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4 | Samsung Galaxy A35 has a higher resolution macro lens for more detailed close-up shots. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Realme 8 offers a dedicated monochrome lens for artistic black and white photography. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60/120fps with EIS | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | Both have similar video capabilities, but Samsung Galaxy A35 offers more comprehensive stabilization and pro video mode for more control and better output. |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | Mobile: 104 (Photo: 107, Video: 110) | Samsung Galaxy A35 scores better in photo and video quality as verified by an independent camera testing agency |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Digital Stabilization | Triple camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Pro Mode, AI engine, RAW, AutoFraming | Samsung Galaxy A35 features OIS for sharper images, pro mode for manual settings, and AI enhancements for better image quality. |
Battery
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer similar battery life, likely providing a full day of usage for most users. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Realme 8 charges slightly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer tend to have a longer lifespan, but the difference might be negligible for average users. |
Software
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Samsung Galaxy A35 has a newer operating system with the latest features, security updates, and likely long term software support. |
| Max Version | 18 | Samsung Galaxy A35 has a long term software support as it will get Android 18 |
Connectivity
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual Band | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Dual Band | Samsung Galaxy A35 supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), offering faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | Samsung Galaxy A35 features a newer Bluetooth standard with enhanced features and reliability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Samsung Galaxy A35 supports more satellite systems, improving location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Nano SIM | Dual SIM, Nano SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
Storage & Audio
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 128GB or 256GB | Samsung Galaxy A35 has a higher base storage option and is available with more storage, accommodating more apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB | Both offer similar RAM options for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for additional storage via SD card. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Samsung Galaxy A35 offers a more immersive audio experience, benefiting from stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos. |
Security & Sensors
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Geomagnetic, Hall | Realme 8 additionally features Magnetometer, but Samsung Galaxy A35 includes Geomagnetic, Hall and Ultrasonic proximity sensor for more comprehensive sensor suite. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter: Significantly lighter (177g vs. 209g), enhancing portability and comfort during prolonged use.
- Brighter Display: 1000 nits display is better for outdoor visibility under bright sunlight, providing a huge advantage in certain conditions.
- Faster Charging: Offers slightly faster 30W charging, reducing downtime.
- Dedicated Black & White Lens: Provides a unique artistic feature for monochrome photography.
Samsung Galaxy A35 Advantages:
- Newer & Faster Chipset: Exynos 1380 (5nm) is significantly more powerful and efficient than the Helio G95 (12nm), resulting in better overall performance, faster app loading and enhanced gaming.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides noticeably smoother animations and scrolling, offering a more fluid user experience.
- Better Camera System: Higher quality images and videos with OIS, pro video mode, AI and a higher DXOMark score.
- More Storage: Offers more storage with 256GB variant vs the Realme 8's max 128GB.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support provides a richer audio experience.
- Superior Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers better screen protection against scratches and drops.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with Android 14, ensuring a modern user experience and better long-term software support.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3.
- More Accurate GPS QZSS support for better location tracking
Trade-offs:
- The Realme 8 trades superior performance and features for a lighter design, brighter display and faster charging.
- The Samsung Galaxy A35 compromises some portability for a superior overall experience.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious buyers: Looking for a good value smartphone with essential features at a lower price point.
- Users prioritizing lightweight portability: Value a lightweight device and a brighter screen for outdoor use.
- Users who appreciate black & white photography: Value the dedicated monochrome lens.
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Everyday use: Calls, messages, social media, and web browsing in bright sunlight.
- Photography: Casual photography with its versatile quad camera, including the unique black and white lens.
- Light gaming: Can handle less graphically intense games.
Samsung Galaxy A35 Ideal User:
- Performance-focused users: Looking for a smooth and responsive experience for multitasking and gaming.
- Users who enjoy mobile media: Value the larger screen with a smoother refresh rate, better audio and higher quality image capture.
- Users seeking premium features: Desire long-term software support, better camera quality, better audio experience and robust build quality with Gorilla Glass screen protection.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A35:
- Mobile Gaming: Smooth gaming with its superior processor and display.
- Multimedia Consumption: Enjoy videos, music, and movies with enhanced audio.
- Content Creation: Benefit from the improved camera features, including pro video mode, OIS and AI enhancements
- Professional Use: Appreciate the extra storage, enhanced connectivity and latest operating system.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is a lightweight design for you? (If very important, consider Realme 8)
- What is your primary phone usage? (Gaming, content creation or professional use leans towards Samsung Galaxy A35)
- How important is bright sunlight visibility for you? (If its essential, consider Realme 8)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Basic Daily Use and Budget Constraints - If you primarily use your phone for basic tasks, value light weight and need a phone with good visibility in bright sunlight, the Realme 8 offers great value.
Scenario 2: Mobile Gaming and Multimedia - If you play mobile games, watch videos, and want a smooth experience with a better camera, the Samsung Galaxy A35 offers a superior overall experience.
Scenario 3: Content Creation and Professional Use - If you need a phone that can reliably produce high-quality images and videos, perform professional tasks and need the latest software and features, the Samsung Galaxy A35 is the better choice.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A35.
Although the Realme 8 boasts a lighter design, slightly faster charging and a brighter display, the Samsung Galaxy A35 has a more powerful processor, significantly smoother display, superior camera capabilities including OIS, more storage space, an immersive audio experience with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos, better long-term software support and much better screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus. These benefits outweigh the Realme 8's advantages for me, as the A35 offers a much more robust and modern experience. I value performance, a good camera and a smooth display and this makes the Samsung Galaxy A35 the preferable phone of the two.
