1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 163.4 × 78.1 × 8.9 mm | S23 Ultra is noticeably larger and bulkier, less pocketable. |
| Weight | 177g | 234g | Realme 8 is significantly lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Build | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | S23 Ultra offers better screen scratch and shatter protection |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard, non-folding phones. |
Display
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.8" | S23 Ultra has a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3088 | S23 Ultra has significantly sharper text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 411 ppi | 500 ppi | S23 Ultra display appears much crisper |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S23 Ultra has smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 1750 nits | S23 Ultra is much more usable in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) | S23 Ultra offers vastly superior processing speed and efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,521,862 | S23 Ultra handles demanding apps and games much more easily and smoothly. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 740 | S23 Ultra has much better graphics performance for gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79 | 200MP, f/1.7 | S23 Ultra captures significantly more detailed photos and videos. |
| Telephoto | None | 12MP, f/2.4 & 12MP, f/4.9 | S23 Ultra offers dedicated optical zoom for detailed close-ups. |
| Ultrawide | 8MP, f/2.25 | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | S23 Ultra captures much higher quality wide shots |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated macro camera for very close-up photos |
| Selfie | 16MP, f/2.45 | 12MP, f/2.2 | S23 Ultra selfie camera has a wider aperture for better low light performance |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | S23 Ultra allows significantly higher quality video capture. |
| Features | Basic Features | Advanced Features | S23 Ultra offers more features like OIS, RAW capture, & optical zoom |
| DxOMark | Not Available | 140 (Mobile) | S23 Ultra has a tested and significantly higher camera score |
Battery
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar potential for battery life, though software and usage patterns can cause variation. |
| Charging | 30W | 45W | S23 Ultra charges faster, minimizing downtime |
| Features | Non-Removable | Bypass Charging, Non-Removable | S23 Ultra offers bypass charging, improving battery health |
Storage and RAM
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | S23 Ultra offers significantly more storage for photos, videos, apps. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | S23 Ultra handles multitasking more smoothly, especially with demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
Other Features
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | S23 Ultra has a newer OS with the latest features, security updates |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | S23 Ultra offers faster and more efficient wireless connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | S23 Ultra has a more up-to-date connection for audio devices |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | S23 Ultra has more satellite support leading to better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM / eSIM | S23 Ultra offers eSIM, allowing multiple profiles |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | S23 Ultra has superior audio experience |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both have basic biometric security. |
| Sensors | Basic Set | Extended Set | S23 Ultra provides a more comprehensive set of sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages
- Significantly Lighter: The 57g difference in weight makes it more comfortable for long periods of use.
- Lower Price: The Realme 8 is considerably more affordable.
- Macro Lens: It has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, a feature missing in the S23 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Advantages
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides dramatically faster processing, smoother multitasking, and enhanced gaming performance.
- Much Higher Quality Display: The larger, higher resolution, brighter display with a 120Hz refresh rate offers a vastly better visual experience.
- Superior Camera System: The 200MP main camera, telephoto lens, and advanced video features capture much better photos and videos.
- Faster Charging: The 45W charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Advanced Features: Includes features like eSIM support, bypass charging, better audio, wider set of sensors, and a more up-to-date OS.
- More Storage Options: S23 Ultra offers significantly more storage and RAM.
Trade-offs
- Realme 8: The primary trade-off is significantly lower performance and camera quality compared to the S23 Ultra.
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: The main trade-off is the significantly higher price and bulkier design.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User
- Budget-conscious users: Those who prioritize affordability over top-tier performance.
- Users with basic needs: Good for daily tasks, social media, and casual photography.
- Light phone users: Prefer a lightweight and comfortable phone for extended use.
- Users needing a macro camera
Realme 8 Use Cases
- Everyday communications: Calls, texts, social media, browsing.
- Basic photography: Snaps for social sharing and personal use.
- Light gaming: Less demanding mobile games.
- Basic media consumption: Watching videos or listening to music, but the display isn't as sharp or smooth as the Samsung.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Ideal User
- Power users: Those who demand the best performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Photography/Videography Enthusiasts: Users who want professional-level camera capabilities.
- Users seeking premium experience: Those who want the latest tech, best display, and fast performance.
- Users needing excellent screen visibility
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Use Cases
- Professional photography and videography: Capturing high-quality photos and videos for both personal and professional use.
- Intensive gaming: Playing the latest graphically demanding mobile games at max settings.
- Heavy multitasking: Seamlessly using many apps at once.
- Professional work: Demanding tasks such as video editing or large file management.
- Extensive Media consumption: Watching movies, TV shows and other content on the high resolution and bright screen
Price-to-Value Ratio
- Realme 8: Offers excellent value for budget-conscious users.
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Provides a premium experience with a high price tag. Users need to determine if the features justify the cost.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Performance Needs: How important is high-end performance for your daily tasks and entertainment?
- Camera Requirements: How often do you use the camera and how important are features like optical zoom and high resolution?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Budget is a primary concern, and the user has basic needs: The Realme 8 is the better choice. It provides decent performance for everyday tasks at a significantly lower cost.
- Scenario 2: Performance and camera are the top priorities: The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the superior choice due to its top-tier performance and advanced camera system.
- Scenario 3: A user needs a balanced experience with occasional high-performance demands: Consider exploring other options between these two devices, or choosing based on which trade-off (price vs performance/features) is more important.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones for myself, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. While the Realme 8 is a more affordable option, my priority is superior performance, a top-tier camera, and a high-quality display for both work and entertainment. I heavily use my phone for photography, videography, and mobile gaming, and the S23 Ultra's powerful chipset, advanced camera features, and bright, high-resolution display would be a better fit for my needs. The price premium is significant, but in my use case the gains in performance and features outweigh the cost difference.
