Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Sony Xperia 10 III
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Sony Xperia 10 III | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 154 × 68 × 8.3 mm | Realme 8 is larger overall, which may feel bulkier in hand and pocket. Sony Xperia 10 III is more compact. |
| Weight | 177g | 169g | Sony Xperia 10 III is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for long-term holding. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6" | Realme 8 has a larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. Sony Xperia 10 III is more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2520 | Sony Xperia 10 III has a slightly sharper display, though the difference is hard to perceive with the naked eye. |
| PPI | 411 | 457 | Sony Xperia 10 III has higher pixel density, leading to slightly crisper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; no significant practical difference here. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have standard 60Hz refresh rates, resulting in similar smoothness during everyday use. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8's significantly higher brightness makes it much better for outdoor visibility under sunlight. Sony Xperia 10 III's brightness is unknown, implying potential issues with outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) | Realme 8's chipset benchmarks higher, meaning better performance in demanding tasks and gaming. Sony Xperia 10 III benefits from 5G connectivity. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 275,000 | Realme 8 is significantly faster, with snappier app loading and smoother overall performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 619 | Different GPU architectures; Realme 8 expected to perform better in graphics-intensive tasks based on the AnTuTu score. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Realme 8 has a larger battery, likely providing longer usage on a single charge. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging | 18W fast charging | Realme 8 charges noticeably faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79 | 12MP, f/1.8 | Realme 8 captures more detailed images in good lighting due to higher resolution. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | Not Available | 8MP, f/2.4 | Sony Xperia 10 III offers an extra telephoto/portrait lens, improving versatility in capturing portraits and zoomed-in shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Realme 8 captures higher-resolution selfies. Sony Xperia 10 III has a wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.25 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Both phones offer a wide-angle lens. Sony Xperia 10 III has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | Realme 8 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| B&W Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | Realme 8 offers a dedicated black & white lens for artistic photos. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps, EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | Realme 8 offers more options for high frame rate recording, including 1080p@120fps, and EIS across all modes. Sony Xperia 10 III has standard video recording options with EIS. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradeable to 13 | Sony Xperia 10 III has a guaranteed upgrade to Android 13, whereas the max Android version of Realme 8 is not specified. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, MiMO | 802.11ac | Both support common Wi-Fi standards, but Realme 8 supports MiMO for faster data transfers. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, EDR | 5.1 LE, Extensive codec support | Sony Xperia 10 III offers a wider range of Bluetooth audio codecs and profiles. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Sony Xperia 10 III has a more comprehensive GPS system, potentially better accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 64GB | 128GB | Both have the same maximum storage capacity of 128GB. Realme 8 also comes in a 64GB variant. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 6GB | Realme 8 offers up to 8 GB of RAM, while Sony Xperia 10 III only has 6GB. This could improve multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Hi-Res Audio, 2 microphones | Sony Xperia 10 III provides slightly higher audio quality through dual microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Sony Xperia 10 III offers a more ergonomic side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Sony Xperia 10 III offers much better protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Proximity, Fingerprint | Realme 8 has a Gyroscope & Magnetometer, making it better for more intensive gaming and AR, while the Sony includes a Compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Significantly better performance: Higher AnTuTu score indicates faster app loading, smoother multitasking and superior gaming.
- Brighter Display: 1000 nits brightness offers excellent outdoor visibility.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Larger 5000 mAh battery and 30W fast charging provide longer battery life and quicker charging times.
- Higher Resolution Main and Selfie Cameras: Captures more detailed photos with 64MP rear camera and 16MP selfie camera.
- Additional Camera Features: Dedicated macro and black & white cameras, as well as EIS on all video modes.
- Higher RAM: up to 8GB, leading to improved multitasking capabilities
- Gyroscope and Magnetometer: Makes it more suitable for advanced gaming and AR experiences.
- Wi-Fi MiMO: Improved speeds in Wi-Fi connections
Sony Xperia 10 III Advantages:
- More compact and lighter design: Easier to handle and pocket.
- Telephoto/Portrait Lens: Offers more versatile photography options.
- Guaranteed Android Upgrade: Confirmed upgrade to Android 13, ensuring longer software support
- Better Bluetooth Audio Codec Support: Supports a wider array of codecs, useful for audiophiles.
- More accurate GPS: QZSS support enhances location accuracy
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 enhances the screen durability and scratch resistance.
- Dual Microphones: Better audio recording for calls and videos.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Ergonomic placement of fingerprint sensor
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Lacks the versatility of a telephoto lens and may have a bulkier design. Unknown screen protection.
- Sony Xperia 10 III: Lower performance, possibly resulting in slower app loading times. Unspecified screen brightness could be problematic in sunlight.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Realme 8:
- Gamers: The stronger chipset, higher RAM, and gyroscope make it better suited for gaming.
- Media consumers: Large, bright AMOLED screen is great for watching videos and browsing.
- Photography enthusiasts on a budget: Higher-resolution main and selfie cameras.
- Users needing long battery life: Larger battery and fast charging are ideal for long usage days.
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Playing graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact.
- Watching videos outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Daily photography with macro shots and high-resolution results.
- Heavy mobile usage without constant recharging.
Ideal User for Sony Xperia 10 III:
- Users prioritizing a compact phone: Smaller size and lightweight design makes it pocketable.
- Photography enthusiasts: Telephoto lens provides better portrait and zoom capabilities.
- Users wanting long term software support: Guaranteed update to Android 13 provides future-proofing
- Audio enthusiasts: Better Bluetooth audio codec support provides for higher quality wireless audio.
- Users valuing screen protection: Gorilla Glass 6 ensures the screen is better protected
Use Cases for Sony Xperia 10 III:
- Using the phone one-handed and having an easily pocketable device.
- Taking a variety of photos, including portraits with good zoom capabilities.
- Listening to high-quality audio through Bluetooth headphones.
- Using the phone for an extended period without worrying about the software version becoming obsolete.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Consider the price point of each device in your region, and the features each offers
- The Realme 8 provides better performance and a brighter screen at a good value.
- The Sony Xperia 10 III offers a more refined design and telephoto lens with future-proofing at a similar value.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize performance and gaming, or a compact design and guaranteed software updates?
- Is outdoor visibility and battery life more important, or a telephoto lens and superior build quality?
- Is a higher resolution main camera more valuable, or is a more versatile bluetooth codec support important?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For users who want the best performance and a good screen for media consumption and gaming: Choose the Realme 8.
- For users who prefer a more compact phone with a more versatile camera and long-term software support: Choose the Sony Xperia 10 III.
- If a phone is only used for basic tasks with the need for quality audio: Choose the Sony Xperia 10 III
- If a phone is for more intensive use cases like gaming and high use: Choose the Realme 8.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Realme 8. My primary need for a smartphone is for performance, gaming, and good screen visibility for media consumption, and the Realme 8 clearly excels in these areas with its higher benchmark scores and a brighter display. The larger battery and faster charging are also great benefits for my usage patterns. While I appreciate the Sony Xperia 10 III's telephoto lens and compact design, those are not as critical to my daily usage as smooth operation and long battery life, which the Realme 8 provides in greater measure. The Sony’s lack of a specified screen brightness would also be a significant problem for my frequent use in sunny environments. Ultimately, the Realme 8's superior performance and display make it a more compelling option for my needs.
