Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Xiaomi 11T Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Xiaomi 11T Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 164.1 × 76.9 × 8.8 mm | Xiaomi 11T Pro is larger and may feel less comfortable in hand for some users. |
| Weight | 177g | 204g | Realme 8 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Xiaomi 11T Pro's screen offers significantly superior protection against scratches and drops. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.67" | Xiaomi 11T Pro has a slightly larger display for a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have the same clarity for daily tasks and media consumption. |
| PPI | 411 | 395 | Both offer sharp display. The difference in pixel density is unlikely to be noticeable to the naked eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, enhancing viewing quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Xiaomi 11T Pro has a significantly smoother display experience, especially noticeable when scrolling or gaming. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 1000 nits | Both offer high peak brightness, ensuring good visibility in bright outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Xiaomi 11T Pro provides substantially faster performance, handling demanding tasks and gaming much better. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 863,489 | Xiaomi 11T Pro scores significantly higher in benchmarks indicating more capable performance for demanding applications. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 660 | Xiaomi 11T Pro offers superior graphics performance for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" | 108MP, f/1.75, 1/1.52" | Xiaomi 11T Pro captures more detailed photos with better low-light performance thanks to a larger sensor and higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13" | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06" | Both offer similar selfie camera performance with Xiaomi 11T Pro having negligibly larger sensor. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.25 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | Xiaomi 11T Pro's slightly wider aperture and larger sensor might offer slightly better wide-angle shots. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Xiaomi 11T Pro captures more detailed macro shots. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated B&W camera for monochrome photography. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Xiaomi 11T Pro supports 8K video recording, offering higher quality footage for video enthusiasts. |
| DXOMARK (Mobile) | Not Available | 108 (overall) | Xiaomi 11T Pro offers better photo and video quality according to DXOMARK, indicating superior real-world performance. |
| DXOMARK (Selfie) | Not Available | 121 (overall) | Xiaomi 11T Pro offers better photo and video quality according to DXOMARK, indicating superior real-world performance for selfies. |
| Camera Features | Quad, various modes | Triple, Manual, RAW, Night Mode | Xiaomi 11T Pro offers a wider range of camera features and modes for advanced users. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life for daily use. |
| Charging | 30W | 120W | Xiaomi 11T Pro charges much faster, allowing users to quickly top up the battery. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, Two 2500mAh cells | Xiaomi 11T Pro has slightly faster charging due to its dual battery design. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Xiaomi 11T Pro offers longer software support with upgrade to Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Xiaomi 11T Pro offers faster and more efficient Wi-Fi, useful for quick downloads and streaming. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Xiaomi 11T Pro offers a more reliable and power-efficient connection and supports high-quality audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Xiaomi 11T Pro provides more precise location tracking by supporting more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM cards for convenience. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Xiaomi 11T Pro offers more storage for users who have larger libraries of files and media. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB | Xiaomi 11T Pro provides smoother multitasking and better performance with heavy apps thanks to a higher RAM configuration. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows expandable storage, which may be limiting for some users. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Xiaomi 11T Pro offers a superior audio experience with Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers and enhanced microphone setup. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | basic | side-mounted | Xiaomi 11T Pro has a faster and more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor for unlocking. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, RGB, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Xiaomi 11T Pro includes more advanced environmental sensors including barometer which gives more functionality. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter and more compact design: Easier to handle and carry for longer periods.
- Dedicated Black & White lens: Offers a unique feature for monochrome photography enthusiasts.
- Cheaper: The Realme 8 is significantly cheaper than the Xiaomi 11T Pro
- Magnetometer: Gives the phone compass capabilities.
Xiaomi 11T Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Snapdragon 888 chipset delivers much faster processing for demanding applications and games.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a much better visual experience, especially for gaming and scrolling.
- Significantly Faster Charging: 120W charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution main sensor, better wide-angle lens, and 8K video recording capability.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides significant scratch and drop protection.
- More RAM and Storage Options: The 11T Pro has better RAM and storage options.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers for superior audio quality.
- Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2: Faster and more reliable connectivity standards.
- Advanced GPS: More satellite system support for improved location accuracy.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Scanner: Gives a faster and more comfortable experience
- More Advanced Sensor Suite: Barometer, and Ultrasonic Proximity sensor
- Longer Software Support: Upgradable to Android 13
Trade-offs:
- The Realme 8 is more affordable and lighter, but it compromises on performance, screen quality, and camera capabilities.
- The Xiaomi 11T Pro offers high-end features but is bulkier and more expensive.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Those looking for a reliable smartphone at a lower price point.
- Users who prioritize portability: Prefers a lightweight and compact device that is easy to handle.
- Casual photographers: People who take photos occasionally and don't require professional-grade image quality, but may want a black and white lens.
- General Users: For users who don't require a lot of processing power and just use social media and make phone calls.
Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and making calls.
- Casual photography for social media.
- Light gaming.
Xiaomi 11T Pro Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who want top-tier performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those looking for a versatile camera system that can capture high-quality photos and videos, including 8k.
- Media Consumers: People who enjoy watching videos, playing games and listening to music, and appreciate a smooth display.
- Users wanting future proof devices: Devices which will be supported for a long period of time
- Users who value build quality and fast charging: Wanting a premium build with fast charging technology
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming.
- Professional-quality photography and videography.
- Media consumption on the go.
- Heavy multitasking and running resource-intensive applications.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The Realme 8 is significantly more budget friendly, while the Xiaomi 11T Pro is more expensive.
- How important is performance and gaming? If you play demanding games or multitask heavily, the Xiaomi 11T Pro is superior.
- What do I value more - portability or features? The Realme 8 is lighter and more compact, while the 11T Pro offers more advanced technology at the cost of size.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Limited Budget, Basic Use: If you need a reliable phone for basic tasks and are on a tight budget, the Realme 8 is a more suitable and cost effective choice.
- Scenario 2: Gaming and Photography Focused: If you want a top-tier mobile gaming experience with high-quality camera capabilities, the Xiaomi 11T Pro is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Balanced User, Medium Budget: If you want great performance but want to save money and the most important thing is that the device is light, the Realme 8 is the better choice, if budget is no concern and you would want all the features, the Xiaomi 11T Pro is the better device.
What I Would Choose
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi 11T Pro. While the Realme 8 is more affordable and lighter, the overall package that the Xiaomi 11T Pro provides is far superior. The dramatically improved performance, vastly better 120Hz display, significantly faster 120W charging, enhanced camera capabilities, better connectivity (Wifi 6, Bluetooth 5.2) , and superior build quality all make it worth the higher price for me. Additionally, the longer software support ensures the device will be relevant for a longer period of time.
My primary use cases include mobile gaming, video recording for my side projects, and heavy multitasking, and the Xiaomi 11T Pro is much more suited to handle these. The superior audio experience is also a welcome feature since I listen to music a lot on my phone.
