1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Xiaomi 12X | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 152.7 × 69.9 × 8.2 mm | Realme 8 is slightly larger and wider; Xiaomi 12X is more compact. |
| Weight | 177g | 176g | Virtually identical weight; both feel light. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.28" | Realme 8 has a slightly larger display, which can be preferable for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Same sharpness; both offer good detail. |
| PPI | 411 | 419 | Negligible difference; both displays will appear crisp and sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Xiaomi 12X offers significantly smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 1100 nits | Xiaomi 12X has slightly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) | Xiaomi 12X offers superior performance, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 815,210 | Xiaomi 12X provides nearly twice the performance in benchmarks, indicating a noticeable real-world speed difference |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 650 | Xiaomi 12X provides better graphics performance for demanding games and applications |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Realme 8 has a slightly larger battery, likely offering slightly better battery life. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Xiaomi 12X charges significantly faster; convenient for quick top-ups. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Cam | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56" | Xiaomi 12X's larger sensor is likely to result in better low-light performance despite lower megapixel count |
| Front Cam | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13" | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/3" | Xiaomi 12X offers higher resolution for sharper selfies and slightly larger sensor. |
| Wide Angle Cam | 8MP, f/2.25 | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06" | Xiaomi 12X offers higher resolution, capturing more detail in wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Cam | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4 | Xiaomi 12X has a higher resolution macro camera, allowing for slightly better close-up shots. |
| Black & White Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not present | Realme 8 has an additional monochrome camera for creative photography. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | Xiaomi 12X offers 8K recording, better frame rates for video with more detail and smooth recording |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both phones run Android 11 |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Xiaomi 12X has a faster and more stable Wi-Fi connection, especially in congested networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.1 | Both use Bluetooth 5.1; Xiaomi 12X has more advanced audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Xiaomi 12X offers more robust and accurate location tracking thanks to additional GPS systems. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Xiaomi 12X offers more internal storage with a 256GB option for users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB | Xiaomi 12X provides superior multitasking and smoother app switching experience. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports external memory. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Xiaomi 12X offers enhanced audio with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support for immersive experiences. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic biometric security. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Xiaomi 12X has superior screen protection for increased durability and scratch resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both have essential sensors; Realme 8 has magnetometer and standard proximity sensor while Xiaomi 12X has compass and virtual ultrasonic sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Slightly larger display: Provides a marginally more immersive experience for media consumption.
- Larger battery: Potentially longer battery life, which is helpful for users who are frequently away from a power outlet.
- Monochrome camera: Offers additional creative photography options.
- Magnetometer: Useful for some compass-related apps
Xiaomi 12X Advantages:
- Significantly faster processor: Provides smoother performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Higher refresh rate display (120Hz): Offers a much smoother visual experience, especially noticeable during scrolling and gaming.
- Faster charging (67W): Quickly charges the device, useful for users who are frequently on the move.
- Superior main camera sensor: Likely better low-light performance with more detail and less noise.
- Better selfie camera: Higher resolution for sharper, more detailed selfies.
- 8K video recording: Superior video capture quality for professional or advanced users.
- Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos: Enhanced audio experience with better clarity and immersion.
- Superior Wi-Fi standard (Wi-Fi 6): Faster and more stable Wi-Fi connections, especially in congested areas.
- Better build with Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection: offers increased durability and scratch resistance.
- Better GPS Support: Superior location tracking thanks to the addition of dual band GPS support
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Trade-off is the slower performance and a 60hz display for a slightly larger screen and potentially slightly better battery life.
- Xiaomi 12X: Trade-off is the slightly smaller battery for faster charging, far superior performance, a 120Hz display and superior camera performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Looking for a phone with a large screen and decent battery life at a lower price.
- Casual users: Those who primarily use their phone for basic tasks, browsing, social media, and casual photography.
- Users who value battery life over performance: Prioritizing battery endurance over gaming performance or heavy multitasking.
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Watching videos and movies on the go.
- Social media browsing and light web surfing.
- Casual photography and everyday use.
- Navigating using maps apps (magnetometer could be helpful).
Xiaomi 12X Ideal User:
- Performance-focused users: Those who prioritize smooth performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Users who value camera quality: Looking for a device with superior image quality and video recording capabilities.
- Multimedia enthusiasts: Those who enjoy streaming content and appreciate better audio and visuals.
- Users who want a premium feel and experience: Wanting faster charging, better build and a smoother display.
Use Cases for Xiaomi 12X:
- Playing demanding mobile games.
- Video editing and content creation.
- High-quality photography and video recording.
- Streaming movies and music.
- Frequent travel requiring quick charging and reliable location tracking.
- Heavy multitasking using several apps at once
Price-to-Value:
- The Realme 8 offers good value for users on a tight budget, providing essential features at a low price point.
- The Xiaomi 12X, while pricier, offers a superior experience with its high performance, superior camera, and fast charging, making it a better value for users who need those features and are willing to pay for them.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Realme 8 is more budget-friendly, while the Xiaomi 12X is a higher-priced phone.
- What is your main use case? Prioritize gaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking, or basic use like social media, browsing, and casual photography?
- How important is screen smoothness and charging speed? The Xiaomi 12X's 120Hz refresh rate and faster charging are significant advantages if these are priorities.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic Usage and Budget: If your budget is tight and you primarily use your phone for basic tasks, the Realme 8 is a good option.
- Scenario 2: Gaming and Performance: For users wanting a superior gaming and multitasking experience, the Xiaomi 12X is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Photography and Multimedia: If camera quality and multimedia consumption are important, the Xiaomi 12X offers the more capable camera system, better video recording, and enhanced audio experience.
What I would choose and why
I would choose the Xiaomi 12X. While the Realme 8 has a slightly larger battery and screen, the Xiaomi 12X provides a far more compelling overall package for the following reasons:
Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset in the Xiaomi 12X provides significantly better performance, crucial for smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a better gaming experience. This difference in performance is not just theoretical; it is very noticeable in real-world use and is critical for a smoother experience over the lifespan of the phone.
Display: The 120Hz refresh rate display of the Xiaomi 12X provides a considerably smoother visual experience. Scrolling and animations will feel much more responsive. This is very noticeable in everyday usage. While both have AMOLED panels, the higher refresh rate is a substantial upgrade for user experience.
Camera: The Xiaomi 12X offers a superior camera setup overall. The larger sensor in the main camera will likely perform better in low-light conditions. Higher resolution front and wide-angle cameras also contribute to more detailed images. The addition of 8K video recording is a valuable feature.
Fast Charging: The 67W fast charging in the Xiaomi 12X is a significant advantage. It allows for much quicker charging times, a very useful feature for users who are often on the go.
Build Quality: The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on the Xiaomi 12X provides much needed peace of mind for scratch resistance and better durability.
Audio: The stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support on the Xiaomi 12X provide a more immersive and enjoyable audio experience.
Connectivity: The newer Wi-Fi 6 standard and more robust GPS systems provide faster and more reliable connections, which is important for many use cases.
While the slightly larger battery on the Realme 8 is nice, the superior performance, smoother display, better camera, faster charging, and overall enhanced user experience of the Xiaomi 12X make it the better choice.
