1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Realme 8 and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 162.3 × 79 × 8.6 mm | The S24 Ultra is larger and bulkier, which may be less comfortable for small hands or pocketing. |
| Weight | 177g | 232g | The Realme 8 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. The S24 Ultra is noticeably heavier. |
| Build Quality | Unknown Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Armor | The S24 Ultra offers superior screen scratch and shatter resistance for improved durability. The Realme 8 screen protection is unknown. |
Display
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.8" | The S24 Ultra's larger screen provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3120 | The S24 Ultra has a significantly sharper and more detailed display, enhancing text clarity and image quality. |
| PPI | 411 | 505 | The S24 Ultra's higher pixel density provides a visibly crisper and sharper display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | The Realme 8's AMOLED screen offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and vibrant colours, leading to better visual quality compared to an unknown display type in the S24 Ultra spec sheet. | |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The S24 Ultra's higher refresh rate results in smoother scrolling, animations, and a more responsive feel. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 2600 nits | The S24 Ultra is significantly brighter, resulting in vastly better outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The S24 Ultra's flagship chipset offers substantially faster performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,814,869 | The S24 Ultra demonstrates significantly higher benchmark scores, resulting in a much more responsive user experience for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 750 | The S24 Ultra has a more powerful GPU for significantly enhanced gaming graphics. |
Camera
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 200MP | The S24 Ultra captures far more detailed images, offering superior cropping and clarity. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.7 | The S24 Ultra's wider aperture performs slightly better in low light conditions. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.3" | The S24 Ultra's larger sensor captures more light, enhancing low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Camera | None | 50MP + 10MP | The S24 Ultra has dedicated telephoto lenses for optical zoom capabilities, which the Realme 8 lacks. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 8MP | 12.2MP | The S24 Ultra's wide-angle lens provides slightly higher resolution and a wider aperture resulting in better quality. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated Macro lens, which might be useful for close-up photography, but the quality might not be great. S24 Ultra doesn't have it. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP | 12MP | While the Realme 8 has higher megapixel, the S24 Ultra has a wider aperture for better low-light performance |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | The S24 Ultra records much higher resolution videos with more advanced stabilization options. |
| DXOMark Score | 144 | The S24 Ultra has a professionally assessed camera with very good score on DXOMark. Realme 8 doesn't have a DXOmark score. | |
| Camera Features | Ultra stable video | Night Mode 2.0, 8K Video, Optical zoom, OIS, PDAF, RAW | The S24 Ultra has advanced features for capturing high quality images and videos |
Battery
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity; however, real world performance will vary due to software, screen size and chipset. |
| Charging Speed | 30W | 45W | The S24 Ultra charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging, Non-removable | The S24 Ultra offers superior charging options like wireless and reverse charging, adding convenience. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | WiFi 6E | The S24 Ultra provides faster and more efficient WiFi connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | The S24 Ultra has a newer version of Bluetooth that potentially improves connection speed and quality. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1 + L5) | The S24 Ultra has more accurate and reliable location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM) | The S24 Ultra offers more flexibility with eSIM support. |
Storage and RAM
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | The S24 Ultra has much more storage for files, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 12 GB | The S24 Ultra has much more RAM, ensuring smoother multitasking and app switching. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports additional storage via SD cards. |
Audio, Software & Security
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Microphones | The S24 Ultra offers better audio clarity through its microphone, and better immersion with the stereo speaker. Realme 8 excels in Hi-Res audio for a better experience with wired headphones. |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | The S24 Ultra offers a newer operating system with added features, better performance, and security updates. |
| Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer basic fingerprint security |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | The S24 Ultra has more comprehensive sensor array supporting more advance features and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: The Realme 8 is more pocketable and comfortable to hold for long periods due to its lighter weight and smaller size.
- AMOLED Display: Offers vibrant colors and deep blacks with more power efficiency for dark modes.
- Hi-Res Audio: Appeals to audio enthusiasts with its high-resolution audio capabilities.
- More Affordable: Generally available at a significantly lower price point.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset delivers unparalleled speed and performance for gaming and heavy apps.
- Significantly Better Display: Larger, higher-resolution, brighter, and smoother display experience overall.
- Much Better Camera System: Superior camera quality with more features like optical zoom, better low-light performance, and 8K video capabilities.
- Advanced Features: Includes wireless and reverse charging, and a more comprehensive sensor suite.
- eSIM Support: Offers greater flexibility with dual SIM functionality.
- Latest Software: Uses the latest Android version with more software updates.
- Larger RAM and Storage: Provides significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and larger internal storage for files.
- Better Audio: Clearer calls and better audio separation via noise cancellation microphones and stereo speakers.
- Superior WiFi and Bluetooth: The S24 Ultra has faster and better WiFi/Bluetooth versions.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Sacrifices performance, camera quality, and display quality for a lower price, lighter body, and a Macro lens.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Significantly heavier and more expensive while lacking a Macro lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Realme 8:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking a capable smartphone without breaking the bank.
- Casual Users: People who primarily use their phones for social media, browsing, and basic tasks.
- Users Prioritizing Portability: Those who prefer a lighter and smaller device for comfortable handling.
- Users who listen to Music with Wired Headphones: For people who appreciate Hi-Res Audio experience using wired headphones.
- Users who are interested in close-up Photography: For users who would appreciate a dedicated Macro lens.
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Everyday social media and web browsing.
- Watching videos and casual gaming.
- Light photography and capturing occasional photos.
- Basic productivity tasks.
- Users who like to capture close-up photography using a dedicated Macro lens.
- Users who appreciate Hi-Res audio with wired headphones.
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
- Power Users: Individuals who need top-tier performance for gaming, professional tasks, and heavy multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who demand high-quality images and videos with professional features.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who want the latest features, premium build, and cutting-edge technology.
- Users Prioritizing a larger screen For people who enjoy content consumption on a larger screen with more detail and a smoother refresh rate.
- Users Prioritizing Premium Audio: For people who would appreciate Stereo speakers and noise cancellation.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
- Mobile gaming and graphic-intensive applications.
- High-quality photography and videography (including professional content creation).
- Demanding multitasking and productivity on the go.
- Extended use with advanced features like wireless charging and reverse charging.
- Users who prioritize audio quality and use the integrated stereo speakers and noise cancellation for calls.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Realme 8 offers solid value for its price, suitable for those who prioritize basic functionality and affordability.
- The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a premium device with a premium price tag. While expensive, it provides best-in-class features and performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What's your Budget? The S24 Ultra is significantly more expensive than the Realme 8.
- What are your Primary Use Cases? Are you a casual user, a gamer, a photographer, or a professional?
- How Important are Display, Performance, and Camera Quality? Do you value cutting-edge features or basic functionality?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User on a Budget: If you need a phone for everyday tasks like social media and web browsing with basic photography and prioritize affordability, the Realme 8 is a better choice.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer or Power User: If you prioritize performance, high-quality gaming, multitasking and premium features, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a far superior option, despite its higher price.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast or Content Creator: If your priority is high-quality photography with professional features and 8K Video, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a clear winner.
- Scenario 4: Travel & Outdoor Use: If you need better battery life with superior outdoor visibility, more satellite GPS, and wireless charging, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is recommended.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose between the Realme 8 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, even though it comes at a higher price point. My reasoning is that the S24 Ultra offers a dramatically superior user experience in almost every area that matters to me. I am a power user that utilizes the phone for high-quality photography and video recording, as well as some mobile gaming and multimedia. The S24 Ultra's display is significantly better in terms of resolution, refresh rate, and brightness making my media consumption a much better experience. I also find the vastly superior processor beneficial for demanding tasks. While the Realme 8 is more affordable and lighter, the S24 Ultra's overall performance, camera capabilities, and extra features significantly outweigh the price difference.
