Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Flip3 offers a unique, compact design when folded, while the Realme 8 is a traditional slab phone. This impacts portability and user experience significantly. |
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 166 × 72.2 × 6.9 mm | The Flip3 is slightly taller and thinner when unfolded. Realme 8 has more overall volume, which might feel less comfortable to hold in the hand, specially for people with small hands. |
| Weight | 177g | 183g | Realme 8 is marginally lighter, making it slightly more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | The Flip3 has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2640 | The Flip3 has a slightly sharper display. |
| Pixel Density | 411 PPI | 426 PPI | Both offer similarly sharp displays, with the difference being practically unnoticeable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unspecified | Realme 8's AMOLED offers superior contrast, vibrant colors, and deeper blacks, enhancing the visual experience, especially in dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Flip3's 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations, making the phone feel more responsive and fluid. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 1200 nits | The Flip3 offers better outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | The Flip3's chipset is significantly more powerful, providing faster performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 898,700 | The Flip3 offers a much smoother and faster user experience in all areas and for all tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 660 | The Flip3's GPU is significantly more powerful, resulting in better graphics performance for gaming and other graphically intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3300mAh | Realme 8 has a much larger battery, likely offering significantly longer battery life, and thus less worry about recharging daily. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging | 15W fast charging | Realme 8 charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Flip3 can charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 64MP | 12.2MP | Realme 8's main camera has a higher megapixel count, but the Flip3 has a larger pixel size, which leads to better low-light performance. |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | Realme 8 has a slightly wider aperture |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/2.55" | Realme 8's main camera has a larger sensor, potentially allowing it to capture more light and better detail in some conditions. |
| Standard Camera Pixel Size | 0.70 µm pixel size | 1.40 µm pixel size | The Flip3 has a bigger pixel size, which leads to better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 10MP | Realme 8 has a higher megapixel count for selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.4 | Flip3 has a slightly wider aperture for selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.13" | 1/3.2" | Realme 8's selfie camera has a slightly larger sensor size. |
| Selfie Camera Pixel Size | 1.00 µm pixel size | 1.22 µm pixel size | The Flip3 has a bigger pixel size for selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens Resolution | 8MP | 13MP | The Flip3's wide-angle camera has a higher resolution. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | None | Realme 8 includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, which the Flip3 lacks. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP | None | Realme 8 includes a black and white camera for potentially more creative photos. The Flip3 lacks this lens. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@60/240fps, 720p@960fps | The Flip3 offers better video recording quality and a wider range of framerates and resolution, including higher frame rates for slow-motion. |
| OIS | No | Yes | Flip3 has Optical Image Stabilization, that will help to get better videos and photos, specially in low light conditions. |
| DxoMark Score | N/A | 111 (Mobile) | The Flip3 has a tested DxoMark Score, indicating a better overall camera performance. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 (up to 14) | The Flip3 has a promise for a higher android version, providing a longer life span in terms of software updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Flip3's Wi-Fi 6 offers faster speeds and more efficient network usage. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 LE | Bluetooth 5.1 LE | Both have Bluetooth 5.1 LE. Samsung offers some extra features related to audio control. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | The Flip3 has more advanced GPS with dual band capabilities and therefore, a more precise GPS accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | The Flip3 supports eSIM, offering flexibility for carrier selection. Realme 8 supports using two SIMs simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | The Flip3 offers more storage options (256GB), which is beneficial for users with large media collections. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 8 GB | The Flip3 offers more RAM, suitable for demanding apps and multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards, limiting storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers | The Flip3 offers better audio separation and immersion, while Realme 8 offers better sound quality for headphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Flip3's side mounted fingerprint scanner is more accessible and convenient compared to Realme 8's in-display scanner. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unspecified | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Flip3 offers superior screen protection, which is a key feature for a foldable device. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Biometric, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Gravity, Hall, Geomagnetic | Flip3's additional sensors can provide a more comprehensive data suite. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Significantly Longer Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery provides much greater longevity for extended use without recharging.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging quickly replenishes the large battery.
- Dedicated Macro and B&W Lenses: Offers more creative flexibility in photography.
- Lower Price: Generally more affordable, providing better value for budget-conscious users.
- Hi-Res Audio: Delivers better sound quality for headphones.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G Advantages:
- Unique Foldable Design: Offers a compact form factor and novel user experience.
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset ensures smooth, responsive performance for all tasks.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate offers a visually fluid and premium experience.
- Better Outdoor Visibility: The higher brightness screen enhances visibility in bright conditions.
- Advanced Camera Features: Optical image stabilization and generally better processing deliver higher quality photos and videos with its main camera, while also capturing good images with the wide angle lens and a better video quality.
- eSIM Support: Flexibility for choosing carriers without needing a physical SIM card.
- Stereo Speakers: Provides a more immersive audio experience for media consumption.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers significantly better durability.
- Better GPS and Wi-Fi: Advanced connectivity and more satellite options.
- Wireless Reverse Charging: Charge other devices wirelessly.
- Better RAM & Internal Storage: Has a greater amount of RAM and internal storage.
- Software Update: Will get Android updates up to version 14.
Trade-offs:
- The Realme 8 sacrifices raw performance and some premium features for a more budget-friendly price and significantly better battery life.
- The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 prioritizes premium performance, a cutting-edge design, and advanced features, at a higher price and with significantly lower battery capacity.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Those who prioritize affordability and value.
- Users with Heavy Daily Use: Users who need long-lasting battery life and faster charging.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want diverse camera options, including macro and black and white lenses.
- Users who consume media with headphones: Users who want the best possible sound quality for their headphones.
Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing, social media, and communication
- All-day use without worrying about battery life
- Casual photography and creative experimentation
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G Ideal User:
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who want cutting-edge technology and design.
- Power Users: Those who need fast and smooth performance for demanding tasks.
- Users who want portability and unique features: Users who enjoy a foldable form factor and advanced features, including a dual SIM with an eSIM option.
- People who want the best screen possible: People who value smoother animations, and a bright screen for good outdoor visibility.
- Video Creators: People who will use the camera a lot, and value the higher resolution video recording quality, the wider range of framerates, and the optical image stabilization.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and media consumption
- On-the-go productivity and multitasking
- Premium mobile photography and videography
- Showcase of a sleek and modern device.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is battery life? If you need all-day battery without frequent charging, Realme 8 is the better choice.
- How important is performance and premium features? If you want a cutting-edge phone with top-tier performance, the Flip3 is a better option.
- Is a foldable design essential, or do you prefer a traditional phone? If you want the unique experience of a foldable phone, the Flip3 is the only option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Daily Drivers: If you need a reliable phone for daily tasks, focusing on battery life and a good display, the Realme 8 is a very good option.
- For Power Users: If performance is critical for gaming, video editing, and multitasking, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G is the best choice.
- For Budget-Conscious Users: If affordability is the primary concern and you prioritize battery life, the Realme 8 is an excellent value.
- For Tech Enthusiasts: If you want a premium and cutting-edge device with a unique design, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G is a very interesting option, even if it sacrifices some battery life.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose one, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G. Although the Realme 8 has some strengths (particularly battery life and price), the Flip3's superior chipset, smoother display, better camera features (especially for video), unique foldable design, better screen protection, more advanced GPS, Wi-Fi, and RAM, and the promise of more software updates make it a more compelling device for me. While the battery life is a trade-off, the other enhancements provide an overall experience that better fits my needs and preferences, which include using the camera a lot and playing demanding games and using several apps at the same time.
