Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 147 × 70.6 × 7.6 mm | Realme 8 is noticeably larger and slightly thicker, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. S24 is more compact. |
| Weight | 177g | 167g | S24 is lighter, possibly more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.2" | Realme 8 has a slightly larger screen, which can be better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both offer sharp displays, differences are negligible. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 411 | 416 | Very similar sharpness, no practical difference. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | Realme 8 has superior display technology with deeper blacks and vibrant colors. Samsung S24 display technology is unknown. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S24 provides much smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 2600 nits | S24 is much better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | S24 offers drastically better performance, faster app loading, smoother multitasking, better gaming and significantly more future proof. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,639,695 | S24 has significantly higher performance in benchmarks, translating to better performance across all tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 750 (Xclipse 940) | S24's GPU provides much better gaming performance and graphics rendering. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4000mAh | Realme 8 should offer better battery life due to larger capacity, but the efficiency of S24's processor may reduce this gap. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 25W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | Realme 8 charges slightly faster, but real world differences in charging time might be negligible. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable | S24 offers the added flexibility of Bypass Charging and reverse charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", 1.0µm | S24 has a larger sensor and larger pixels, generally better in low light. Realme 8 has a higher resolution, potentially better in good light. |
| Selfie Lens | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | 12MP, f/2.2, pixel size unknown | Realme 8 has a higher resolution selfie lens, while S24 has wider aperture, allowing more light. The effect of unknown pixel size in S24 is unclear. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9", 1.0µm | S24 has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, offering versatility. Realme 8 lacks this feature. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25, sensor model unknown, pixel size unknown | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | S24 has a better wide-angle lens, capturing sharper images with better low-light capability. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, sensor model and pixel size unknown | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated macro camera, while S24 doesn't. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, sensor model and pixel size unknown | None | Realme 8 has a black and white camera, while S24 doesn't. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | S24 offers significantly better video recording capabilities, including 8K resolution, HDR, and stereo audio recording. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | S24 has a newer version of Android with more features, better security and likely longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6E | S24 has the latest Wi-Fi standard, offering faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.3 | S24 has the newer Bluetooth version, offering better efficiency and new features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | S24 has better location accuracy due to more satellite systems supported. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM / eSIM) | S24 offers the added flexibility of using eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 64 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB | S24 offers more storage options with larger capacities. |
| RAM | 4 GB, 6 GB, or 8 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | S24 has more RAM, enabling better multitasking and smoother operation of demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones lack expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | S24 offers superior audio features for both listening and calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer basic fingerprint sensor technology |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | S24 is more durable, with superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | S24 includes additional environmental sensors, while Realme 8 has a magnetometer and fingerprint sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh capacity offers potentially longer battery life.
- Larger Display: A slightly larger 6.4-inch screen.
- Macro & B&W Cameras: Dedicated macro and black & white lenses for creative photography options, although their quality might be limited.
- Hi-Res Audio: Support for high-resolution audio playback.
- Lower Cost: Typically costs significantly less than the Samsung Galaxy S24
Samsung Galaxy S24 Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset is much faster than the Helio G95, leading to snappier experience.
- Superior Display: 120Hz refresh rate, significantly higher brightness, and better screen protection.
- Advanced Camera System: Better main sensor, dedicated telephoto lens, and better wide-angle lens, as well as 8K video recording.
- eSIM Support: Offers the convenience of eSIM for easier carrier switching.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Higher RAM and storage capacity options, contributing to better multitasking and more room for your media.
- Better Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for better speeds and features.
- Additional Sensors: Includes a barometer and other sensors.
- Better Software and Support: Newer Android version with longer software support.
- Stereo Speakers and Noise Cancellation: Enhanced audio output and clearer voice calls.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: While it offers a larger battery, its performance is significantly lower compared to the S24. The macro and B&W cameras are niche features that may not provide high quality photos.
- Samsung Galaxy S24: Has a smaller battery and lacks a dedicated macro camera. It also comes at a much higher price point.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Realme 8:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals seeking an affordable phone with a large battery and a decent display.
- Basic Users: Those who primarily use their phone for web browsing, social media, and casual gaming.
- Users Who Value Battery Life Over Performance: If battery longevity is more important than raw speed.
- Niche Camera Enthusiasts: Individuals interested in exploring macro and black & white photography.
- Audio Enthusiasts Wanting high resolution audio playback.
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Daily driver for less demanding tasks.
- Backup phone due to its lower cost.
- Media consumption on the go.
- Basic photography.
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S24:
- Performance-Oriented Users: Individuals who want the best possible speed and performance for gaming and demanding applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value a versatile camera system with telephoto zoom and high-quality images.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who want the latest features and technology.
- Professional Content Creators: Those who need high-quality video recording with 8K resolution, HDR, and stereo sound.
- Users Who Value Smoothness: Those who value a seamless user experience with smooth scrolling and animations.
- Users who value a premium build quality.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy S24:
- Mobile gaming.
- High-quality photography and videography.
- Professional content creation.
- Multitasking and heavy application usage.
- Business and productivity tasks.
- Daily driver for users wanting a premium experience.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Realme 8: Offers a good value for the budget-conscious buyer, but has limitations in performance and features compared to the S24.
- Samsung Galaxy S24: Offers a premium experience and top-tier features, however it commands a higher price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers to Consider:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a phone?
- Performance Needs: How important is speed and performance for your daily usage?
- Camera Priorities: How important is a versatile camera system with telephoto zoom, and high video quality?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Needs: If you have a limited budget and only need a phone for basic tasks and media consumption, the Realme 8 is a more economical choice that delivers good value for the price.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Premium Features: If you need the best possible performance, camera quality, and want premium features like 8K video recording and smooth display, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is the superior option, provided the higher price aligns with your budget.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Approach: If you need a good battery life and decent performance, with a slight focus on larger screens, the Realme 8 may fit your needs for a lower price. However the Samsung Galaxy S24 offers more power and an overall better experience even though it may have a smaller battery.
- Scenario 4: Niche Photography Needs: If you have a specific need for a Macro or a B&W camera, Realme 8 is your only choice, however you may be sacrificing in most other key areas.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S24. While the Realme 8 is a capable device for its price point and excels with it's battery life, the performance and features offered by the S24 are just too compelling to ignore.
Here's why:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset in the S24 provides a noticeable improvement in performance compared to the Realme 8's Helio G95. This translates to a much smoother and faster user experience, particularly for multitasking and playing demanding games.
- Camera System: I value the S24's versatility with its telephoto lens and improved wide angle and main lens. This gives more flexibility and enables better results in more situations. The ability to record 8K video and take advantage of the improved HDR is also a significant advantage.
- Display Quality: The 120Hz refresh rate, higher brightness and superior screen protection on the S24 offers a better and more enjoyable visual experience.
- Software and Support: The Samsung Galaxy S24 comes with a newer Android version and a longer promise of software updates which is more future proof.
While the Realme 8 has a larger battery, the S24's more efficient processor and optimized software should make it last through the day for most typical users. Additionally, the S24's advanced charging features such as reverse charging and bypass charging makes up for the slightly smaller capacity.
Although the Samsung Galaxy S24 is significantly more expensive, the performance and features it offers justifies the premium price for my usage scenario. In my case, I value a smooth, fast experience with a very capable camera and the S24 fits that bill perfectly.
