Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24+
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 158.5 × 75.9 × 7.7 mm | Realme 8 is slightly taller and thicker, while the S24+ is wider. Differences are minor and may not be noticeable during daily use. |
| Weight | 177g | 196g | The Realme 8 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended one-handed use. |
| Build | Unknown Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The S24+ offers significantly better screen protection against scratches and drops. The Realme 8 screen protection is unknown |
Display
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | The S24+ offers a slightly larger display, providing more screen real estate for content consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3120 | The S24+ has a significantly sharper display, resulting in clearer text, images, and video. |
| Pixel Density | 411 ppi | 513 ppi | The higher pixel density of the S24+ results in a crisper, more detailed viewing experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | | The Realme 8 has an AMOLED display which provides richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast. The S24+ display technology is not specified. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The S24+ has a smoother display experience with faster animations and less motion blur, especially noticeable during gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 2600 nits | The S24+ offers dramatically better visibility in bright sunlight, making it easier to use outdoors. |
Performance
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | The S24+ has a vastly superior chipset, offering significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and higher gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,639,695 | The S24+ benchmarks much higher, which means much better real world performance, faster processing, and more future-proof. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 750 | The S24+ has a much faster and more powerful GPU, resulting in smoother gameplay and graphics-intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.70µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", 1.00µm | While Realme 8 has a higher megapixel count, the larger sensor and pixels on the S24+ generally result in better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.00µm | 12MP, f/2.2, | Realme 8 has a higher megapixel count, but the S24+ has a slightly wider aperture which might improve low light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9", 1.00µm | The S24+ offers the ability to zoom in on subjects with a dedicated telephoto lens, a feature absent in the Realme 8. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | The S24+ has a slightly higher resolution and a larger pixel size for better image quality with the wide-angle lens. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 includes a macro lens for close-up photography; this is not available on S24+. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 includes a black and white lens, useful for specific effects; this is not available on the S24+. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, EIS | 8K@30fps, HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | The S24+ supports much higher resolution video recording and has a wider array of features such as HDR recording and stereo sound capture. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, EIS, Quad Camera | Night Mode 2.0, 8K video, Optical zoom, OIS, Triple Camera | The S24+ has a more advanced camera system with better features for both still and video capture, while the Realme 8 has a basic setup. |
Battery
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4900mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging | 45W fast charging | The S24+ charges faster, reducing downtime spent waiting for the phone to charge. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable, 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging | The S24+ has more advanced battery features including wireless charging, reverse charging for other devices, and bypass charging to reduce heat generation while gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for prolonged use, especially one-handed.
- AMOLED Display: Offers potentially better colors and contrast compared to an unspecified technology on the S24+.
- Macro Lens: Allows for dedicated close-up photography.
- Black & White Lens: Allows for creative monochrome photography.
- Potentially Lower Cost: Could be a more budget-friendly option.
Samsung Galaxy S24+ Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Much faster processor and GPU, leading to smoother multitasking, better gaming, and more future-proof.
- Higher Resolution & Brighter Display: Sharper images and better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother display experience during animations and gaming.
- Telephoto Lens: Allows for optical zoom, offering more versatile photography.
- 8K Video Recording: Captures professional-grade video content.
- Advanced Battery Features: Includes wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and bypass charging.
- Better Connectivity: Supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth versions.
- More RAM and Storage: Provides ample space for files and heavy multitasking.
- Advanced Camera Features: Includes OIS, better HDR capture, and more robust still and video modes.
- Superior Build Quality: Features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 screen protection.
Trade-offs:
- The Realme 8 prioritizes affordability and offers some niche camera features, but sacrifices performance, display quality, and advanced features.
- The Samsung Galaxy S24+ offers top-of-the-line performance, display, and camera features, but at a likely higher price point and a slightly heavier build. It sacrifices the macro and black & white lenses.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize a lightweight phone with an AMOLED screen for everyday use, social media, and media consumption.
- Use Cases: Casual photography, browsing, social media, watching videos, users with a limited budget.
- Price-to-Value: A good value pick for users who don't require high performance or advanced features.
Samsung Galaxy S24+:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, content creators, and those who value the best possible performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, professional photography and videography, demanding multitasking, heavy app use, long-term usage.
- Price-to-Value: Justifies the higher price with top-tier performance, features, and a more premium experience.
4. Decision Framework
Consider these questions before deciding:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Performance Needs: Do you require a phone for demanding tasks like gaming and heavy multitasking, or is basic usage sufficient?
- Photography Priorities: Do you need advanced camera features like optical zoom and 8K video, or are basic photo features enough?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you're on a tight budget and mostly use your phone for basic tasks: The Realme 8 is a viable choice offering a decent display and everyday performance, plus some niche camera features.
- If you prioritize performance, display quality, and the best possible camera features: The Samsung Galaxy S24+ is the superior choice offering cutting-edge technology.
- If you require a well-rounded device with a premium feel and versatile features: The Samsung Galaxy S24+ is the only option due to its advanced capabilities and higher quality build.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S24+. The S24+ offers a far superior user experience in almost every aspect, which justifies its higher price point. As a tech enthusiast, I value the advanced display, powerful performance, and superior camera system. I often use my phone for demanding tasks, gaming, and capturing higher quality images. The S24+ is not just a phone, but a capable tool that will remain powerful for many years to come. While the Realme 8 has its benefits like the macro and black & white lens and is lighter, the trade-offs in performance, screen, and overall features are too significant for my usage. The S24+ also has higher storage and RAM. Finally, the build quality and advanced features of the S24+ make it the better overall device for my needs.
