Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Xiaomi 12 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Xiaomi 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 163.6 × 74.6 × 8.2 mm | Xiaomi 12 Pro is slightly larger, may be less comfortable for small hands. |
| Weight | 177g | 204g | Realme 8 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.73" | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers more screen real estate, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3200 | Xiaomi 12 Pro displays sharper, more detailed images and text. |
| Pixel Density | 411 PPI | 521 PPI | Xiaomi 12 Pro's higher pixel density results in a noticeably crisper display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Similar color quality and deep blacks on both, but higher quality on Xiaomi 12 Pro. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Xiaomi 12 Pro provides much smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 1500 nits | Xiaomi 12 Pro is significantly more visible outdoors in bright sunlight. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Xiaomi 12 Pro's screen is more resistant to scratches and damage. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Xiaomi 12 Pro is much faster and more powerful, handling demanding tasks with ease. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,177,498 | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers a significantly faster experience overall, better for gaming and heavy app use. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 730 | Xiaomi 12 Pro's GPU is much more powerful, providing superior graphics performance. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB | Xiaomi 12 Pro allows for smoother multitasking, and can handle more open apps without slowdowns. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.28", 1.22µm | Xiaomi 12 Pro's larger sensor allows better low light performance and dynamic range despite lower MP count. |
| Front Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | 32MP, 1/3.14", 0.7µm | Xiaomi 12 Pro's higher resolution offers more detail in selfies, though slightly smaller sensor. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers much wider, detailed wide angle photos, better for landscape and group shots. |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | None | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers better portrait photos with depth information. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 allows dedicated macro shots, though quality is often basic. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 offers a dedicated black and white photo option for artistic effect. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS and various 4K options | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers significantly higher video recording quality and frame rate options |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, basic stabilization | Triple camera, OIS, advanced autofocus, RAW, Night mode | Xiaomi 12 Pro has significantly more camera features and better stabilization. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4600mAh | Realme 8 has slightly more battery capacity, potentially longer battery life with lighter usage. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 120W Fast Charging, 50W Wireless, 10W Reverse | Xiaomi 12 Pro charges much faster, wireless charging adds convenience |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, Reverse Wireless Charging, Xiaomi Surge P1 chip | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers more features, including reverse wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | Xiaomi 12 Pro has a more recent version of Android, may offer new features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Xiaomi 12 Pro has a newer, faster Wi-Fi standard for better performance and stability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Xiaomi 12 Pro has a newer version of Bluetooth with more audio codecs support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers more accurate and reliable location tracking due to wider support for satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones allow two SIMs to operate on standby mode |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Xiaomi 12 Pro has a higher storage option (256GB), suitable for those who store many files locally. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for memory expansion via external card |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers a more immersive audio experience, with better overall sound quality and microphone capability. |
| Security | |||
| Biometric | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones have a basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, RGB, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Xiaomi 12 Pro has more environmental sensors, suitable for more applications like altitude information and gaming enhancements. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: The Realme 8 is significantly lighter (27g less) and slightly smaller, making it more comfortable for prolonged single-handed use.
- Larger Battery Capacity: The 5000mAh battery offers slightly more capacity, potentially resulting in longer battery life under light usage.
- Dedicated Macro and Black & White Lenses: Provides extra creative options for close-up and black & white photography.
- Lower Price: The Realme 8 will likely be significantly more affordable than the Xiaomi 12 Pro.
Xiaomi 12 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Larger, higher resolution, higher pixel density, 120Hz refresh rate, and higher brightness display for a vastly superior visual experience.
- Much Higher Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset offers significantly faster processing speeds, excellent for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Significantly better camera system: Much better wide angle, depth and selfie camera performance, more advanced video capabilities.
- Faster Charging: 120W fast charging is significantly quicker than 30W on Realme 8.
- Wireless Charging: 50W wireless charging adds convenience, with 10W reverse wireless charging for added flexibility.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and dual microphones result in better audio quality and voice capture.
- Newer Features including: reverse wireless charging, OIS, better wifi, Bluetooth, GPS, and other features.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers superior protection.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Additional sensors enhance capabilities in gaming and other specialized applications.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Sacrifices performance, camera quality, display, and many features to be more budget friendly.
- Xiaomi 12 Pro: Is significantly more expensive, may have a slightly lower battery life under heavy usage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and a lightweight design over top-tier performance and camera quality. Students, casual users, and those looking for a secondary device.
- Use Cases: Basic social media, calls, texting, media consumption at moderate settings, some casual gaming.
- Price-to-Value: Offers good value for its price point, providing a decent experience for everyday tasks.
Xiaomi 12 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users, mobile gamers, photography enthusiasts, or anyone who wants top-tier performance and advanced features.
- Use Cases: Demanding gaming, professional-grade photography and video, heavy multitasking, high-resolution media consumption, and outdoor usage.
- Price-to-Value: Justifies its high price point with its flagship specifications and performance, but is only good value if such features are needed.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Realme 8 is a budget option, while the Xiaomi 12 Pro is a high-end device.
- What is your main use case? Basic tasks versus heavy gaming and photography will lead to different preferences.
- How much do you value screen quality, performance, and camera? These are areas where the Xiaomi 12 Pro has significant advantages.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget Conscious User: If budget is the primary concern, the Realme 8 is a solid choice for basic tasks.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer: If gaming is a priority, the Xiaomi 12 Pro's powerful processor, high refresh rate display, and fast charging make it ideal.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you want to take high-quality photos and videos, the Xiaomi 12 Pro's superior camera system is the way to go.
- Scenario 4: Daily Use and Media: If you are a daily user that requires a smooth experience for media consumption and multitasking, the Xiaomi 12 Pro’s display and performance will be worth the extra investment.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi 12 Pro. While the Realme 8 is a good budget phone, the sheer difference in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and overall feature set of the Xiaomi 12 Pro is too compelling. As someone who values a smooth, high-performance device for multitasking, gaming, and photography, the significant increase in cost would be worth it to me. The faster charging and superior display alone make it a better daily driver. Although the Realme 8 has a slightly larger battery, the faster charging of the Xiaomi 12 Pro mitigates most of the battery difference, and the wireless charging is very appealing. Essentially, for my needs, the premium of the Xiaomi 12 Pro justifies the investment.
