Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 155.7 × 74.5 × 7.9 mm | S21 FE is slightly shorter and negligibly thinner; Realme 8 is taller by nearly 5 mm. |
| Weight | 177g | 177g | Both feel very similar in hand regarding weight. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.4" | Identical screen size for media consumption and daily use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Visually very similar sharpness, minor difference not noticeable to most users. |
| PPI | 411 | 403 | Negligible difference in pixel density, both appear sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S21 FE offers much smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 1300 nits | S21 FE is much better for outdoor use in bright sunlight, improving visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | S21 FE has significantly faster performance for gaming, demanding apps, and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 923,836 | S21 FE is much faster overall, leading to quicker app launches and smoother performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 660 | S21 FE's GPU is significantly more powerful for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Realme 8 likely offers slightly longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Realme 8 charges slightly faster. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse Charging, Wireless Charging 15W, Reverse Wireless Charging 4.5W, No Charger in-box, Non-removable | S21 FE offers convenient wireless charging and reverse charging capabilities. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 12MP f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | Realme 8 has higher resolution but S21 FE has larger pixels, potentially better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto | None | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.0µm | S21 FE offers dedicated telephoto zoom for portrait shots |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | 32MP f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.8µm | S21 FE has a higher resolution and wider aperture selfie camera that can potentially perform better in low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP f/2.25 | None | Realme 8 offers a dedicated wide-angle camera for landscape shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 offers a dedicated macro camera for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | S21 FE has a dedicated ultrawide camera with macro capabilities, offering versatility for different use cases. |
| Black & White Camera | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 offers a dedicated Black & white camera. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60/120fps with EIS; No | 4K@30/60fps with HDR, EIS, 1080p@30/60/240fps with HDR, EIS, 720p@960fps with HDR, EIS; Yes | S21 FE has better video features, including 4K@60fps recording, HDR and more comprehensive video stabilization. S21 FE also offers better slow-motion recording at 960fps. |
| DxOMark | Not Available | Mobile: 117, Selfie: 127 | S21 FE is rated significantly better in mobile photography and selfie performance. |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | S21 FE offers OIS, telephoto capabilities, RAW capture, panorama mode, and better autofocus, providing greater flexibility and control over the images. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | S21 FE has a newer version of Android, likely with access to the newest features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | S21 FE supports the latest WiFi standard, for better speed, reliability, and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.0 LE | Realme 8 has a slightly newer bluetooth version, S21 FE has wider feature support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128GB | 128/256GB | S21 FE offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 6/8 GB | S21 FE has a minimum of 6GB, making multitasking slightly smoother than the base model of Realme 8. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | S21 FE offers better audio experience via stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both use basic fingerprint sensors for security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | S21 FE has superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | S21 FE offers Barometer for altitude tracking and Compass, for navigation; Realme 8 has Magnetometer, which is similar to a compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging is slightly faster than the S21 FE's 25W.
- Dedicated Wide Angle and Macro Lenses: Offers more creative shooting options with dedicated lenses.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers high quality audio files.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: Snapdragon 888 is a much more powerful processor, leading to better gaming and multitasking.
- 120Hz Display: Significantly smoother and more fluid user experience.
- Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Better Main Camera: Despite lower resolution, larger pixel size and better image processing results in better low-light performance.
- Versatile Camera System: Telephoto zoom, ultrawide with macro, and better selfie camera offer a wider range of photography options.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Charging: Convenient for users who want to charge wirelessly or charge other devices.
- Better Video Recording: HDR video, and slow-motion, with EIS provides better quality video than Realme 8.
- Stereo Speakers & Dolby Atmos: Enhanced audio experience.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers better protection against damage.
- Newer OS version: Ships with Android 12 and promises longer software update support.
- WiFi 6: Offers better wireless performance than Realme 8.
- Better Sensor Suite: Includes barometer and compass, for better functionality.
Trade-offs:
- The Realme 8 sacrifices processing power and some screen quality (lower brightness, 60hz refresh rate) for a larger battery and slightly faster wired charging, and extra lenses.
- The S21 FE lacks a headphone jack.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Realme 8:
- Budget-conscious Users: Users who prioritize battery life and essential smartphone functions, and do not need top-tier performance.
- Casual Photographers: Those who want a versatile camera system with wide angle and macro lenses without the need for top-tier image quality.
- Users Who Value Battery Life: Those who need their phone to last all day on a single charge.
- Users who value having a headphone jack: For wired audio devices.
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Daily Communication and Social Media: Suitable for basic tasks like texting, calls, browsing, and social media.
- Casual Gaming: Handles less intensive games adequately.
- Media Consumption: The AMOLED display and large battery makes it good for watching videos and browsing the web.
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G:
- Performance-Oriented Users: Gamers and users who demand smooth multitasking and fast app loading.
- Users Who Prioritize Display Quality: Those who want a vibrant, smooth, and bright display.
- Users Who Value Camera Versatility and Quality: Those who desire quality photos with OIS and zoom, versatile video recording with HDR and smooth slow-motion, and high quality selfies.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who appreciate advanced features such as wireless charging, superior display protection, and the latest software and connectivity standards.
- Users who want the latest Samsung experience: With one of the latest Samsung interfaces and software.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G:
- Gaming and Heavy App Usage: Smooth performance in demanding apps and graphics-intensive games.
- High-Quality Photography and Videography: Excellent image quality, with OIS and the telephoto lens and comprehensive video capabilities.
- Outdoor Use: The bright display is great for use outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Media Consumption: Immersive experience with the high refresh rate, HDR, vibrant AMOLED display and stereo speakers.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is my budget? The Realme 8 will likely be more affordable.
- Do I prioritize battery life or performance? Realme 8 has longer battery life, S21 FE offers much more powerful performance.
- How important are display quality and camera capabilities? S21 FE is far superior in these areas, offering a smoother display, better camera versatility and performance.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget User): If you need a functional smartphone for everyday tasks and value battery life over performance and a premium camera system, the Realme 8 is a good choice.
- Scenario 2 (Performance User): If you want a smartphone for gaming, heavy app usage, and high quality photography and videography with a premium display, then the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the superior device.
- Scenario 3 (Value Seeker): If you are looking for the best experience at the lowest price, with a premium screen, higher performance, and a versatile camera system, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the best choice.
What I would choose and why!
If I were to choose between the Realme 8 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. Although the Realme 8 has a larger battery and slightly faster wired charging, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G excels in nearly all other critical areas. It offers a far superior display, with a 120hz refresh rate and better brightness, which makes a noticeable difference in day-to-day usage. The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides much faster performance, leading to a much smoother experience overall, and it has better camera capabilities with OIS and a versatile lens array, with significantly better video recording. Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers premium features like wireless charging, better screen protection, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, and the latest software versions. These advantages outweigh the slightly longer battery life of the Realme 8, making the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G the clear choice for me.
