1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 163.2 × 76 × 7.7 mm | Poco F4 is taller and wider, Realme 8 is slightly thicker. Affects hand feel and pocketability. |
| Weight | 177g | 195g | Realme 8 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.67" | Poco F4 offers a slightly larger screen for a more immersive experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness for both phones. |
| PPI | 411 | 395 | Very similar pixel density, both appear crisp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Poco F4 has smoother animations and scrolling. Noticeably better for gaming and fluid UI. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 1300 nits | Poco F4 offers significantly better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Poco F4 has a much more powerful and efficient processor for faster app loading, multitasking and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 861,200 | Poco F4 significantly outperforms Realme 8 in benchmarks. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 650 | Poco F4 offers much better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Realme 8 has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W | 67W | Poco F4 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.70µm | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.70µm | Both have similar primary camera specs. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.00µm | 20MP, f/2.4, 1/2", 0.80µm | Poco F4 captures more detailed selfies with a larger sensor. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", 1.12µm | Poco F4 has a wider aperture and larger pixel size on the wide-angle lens which gives better low-light performance. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | Both have similar macro lens resolutions. Poco F4 has a larger pixel size which could be better in low-light. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Realme 8 has an additional black & white lens, Poco F4 does not. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 4K@60fps | Poco F4 has higher 4k frame rate. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Poco F4 has digital stabilization |
| Other Features | Quad Camera | Triple Camera, OIS, PDAF, RAW, Night Mode | Poco F4 has more advanced camera features such as OIS, PDAF, RAW, and Night Mode |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 (upgradeable to 13) | Poco F4 has a newer OS and will likely receive updates for longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Poco F4 supports Wi-Fi 6 for faster speeds and better performance on compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Poco F4 has a newer Bluetooth version for more stable connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Poco F4 supports more satellite systems, improving location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Poco F4 offers a larger 256GB option. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB | Poco F4 has an option for up to 12GB RAM for more demanding users. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Poco F4 has superior audio features for more immersive experiences. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Poco F4 has a faster side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Poco F4 has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Poco F4 has an ultrasonic proximity sensor and Compass. Realme 8 has Magnetometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use and one-handed operation.
- Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life between charges.
- Magnetometer Sensor: Useful for some navigation and AR applications.
- Dedicated Black & White Lens: Offers more creative photography options.
Xiaomi Poco F4 Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Processor: Superior performance in all tasks, especially gaming and heavy apps.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: Smoother animations and scrolling for a more fluid user experience.
- Brighter Display: Better visibility outdoors and in direct sunlight.
- Faster Charging: Reduces downtime and gets you back to full power more quickly.
- Superior Camera Features: OIS, PDAF, and RAW support lead to better image quality and creative control.
- More Advanced Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos for a better sound experience.
- More Storage & RAM: Provides a higher storage and RAM options.
- Newer OS with Longer Support: Likely to receive more software updates.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass 5 offers superior durability.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Faster and more convenient access.
- Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor: More reliable and accurate than standard proximity sensors.
- Compass Sensor: Useful for orientation and navigation.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Sacrifices performance and display quality for a lighter design and larger battery.
- Poco F4: Trades slightly smaller battery capacity and heavier design for significantly better performance and display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Realme 8:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritizing affordability and essential features.
- Users who value a light and comfortable design: Preferring a lighter phone for easy handling.
- Users who prefer battery life over peak performance: Preferring the larger battery for longer usage times.
- Casual users: Primarily using their phone for social media, browsing, and basic tasks.
- Users who value the additional black and white lens Looking for creative photography options.
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Everyday social media and web browsing.
- Watching videos and casual gaming.
- Longer usage scenarios where the battery is a priority over peak performance.
Ideal User for Xiaomi Poco F4:
- Performance-focused users: Prioritizing speed and responsiveness for gaming and demanding apps.
- Users who value display quality: Looking for a smoother, brighter display for a better visual experience.
- Photography enthusiasts: Needing advanced camera features and better image quality.
- Users who want a modern, feature-rich phone: Preferring the latest tech and convenience.
- Users who prioritize audio quality: Looking for the best possible audio experience.
Use Cases for Poco F4:
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos.
- Heavy multitasking with multiple apps.
- Viewing content in bright outdoor environments.
Price-to-Value:
- The Realme 8 offers good value for its price, targeting basic users.
- The Poco F4 justifies its price by offering a significant upgrade in performance, display, and camera features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (e.g., gaming, photography, social media, everyday use).
- What is your priority: performance or battery life? (or is there a balance you prefer)
- What is your budget?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User on a Tight Budget: If your main concern is cost, and you only need basic functionalities, the Realme 8 is adequate.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Display are Key: If you want to play games or use demanding apps, and also want the best possible display quality, the Xiaomi Poco F4 is the better option.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you take pictures often, and want great image quality, the Poco F4 is recommended.
- Scenario 4: Balanced User: If you want a good mix of performance, display quality, and features, with less emphasis on a light weight and battery, the Poco F4 is the better choice.
What I Would Choose and Why!
Based on a comprehensive evaluation, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F4.
Here's my reasoning:
- Performance: As a user who values a smooth and responsive user experience, the Snapdragon 870 processor in the Poco F4 is significantly better for handling multitasking and demanding games, and provides headroom for future apps.
- Display: The 120Hz refresh rate is a very noticeable improvement over the Realme 8's 60Hz, making scrolling, animations, and gameplay much smoother. The higher brightness also makes outdoor visibility better.
- Camera: The Poco F4 has better image quality due to its camera features such as OIS, PDAF and RAW capture and it captures superior selfies with its higher resolution.
- Software: The newer operating system is important for long-term support. The Poco F4 is running Android 12 (with an update to Android 13) compared to Android 11 on the Realme 8.
- Audio: The stereo speakers on the Poco F4 greatly enhance the multimedia experience.
- Charging: The faster charging is significantly more convenient, ensuring that my phone is ready to go quicker when needed.
While the Realme 8 does have a larger battery and is lighter, the performance and display differences with the Poco F4 are significant. The Poco F4 is the superior phone for overall user experience in my opinion. Even though the battery is slightly smaller, the improved efficiency of the newer Snapdragon processor helps to offset this to some degree. The benefits of better performance, camera capabilities, display quality, and overall feature set make the Poco F4 the better choice for me.
