1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Xiaomi Poco F4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-25 | 2022-04-28 | Poco F4 GT is a newer phone with potentially longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 162.5 × 76.7 × 8.5 mm | Poco F4 GT is larger and less pocketable. |
| Weight | 177g | 210g | Realme 8 is lighter and more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.67" | Poco F4 GT has a slightly larger screen for more immersive content consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have sharp displays for detailed visuals. |
| PPI | 411 | 395 | Both are very sharp and indistinguishable in real world usage. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors and deep blacks on both devices. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Poco F4 GT offers much smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 is much better for outdoor visibility, while Poco F4 GT brightness is not specified. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Poco F4 GT offers significantly faster performance and better energy efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,178,365 | Poco F4 GT handles demanding games and tasks with ease. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 730 | Poco F4 GT offers superior graphics performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4700mAh | Realme 8 has a slightly larger battery for potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging | 120W fast charging | Poco F4 GT charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Standard feature in both. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.70 µm | 64MP, f/1.73, 1/1.7", 0.80 µm | Poco F4 GT has a larger sensor and wider aperture, potentially better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.00 µm | 20MP, f/2.4, 1/2", 0.80 µm | Poco F4 GT captures more detailed and brighter selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", 1.12 µm | Poco F4 GT has a wider aperture for a brighter image. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both have similar Macro cameras. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Realme 8 has a dedicated black and white sensor, Poco F4 GT does not. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR | Poco F4 GT offers higher resolution videos, higher framerates, HDR recording and much faster slow motion recording. |
| Video Features | EIS | HDR, Gimbal, EIS | Poco F4 GT offers more advanced video features such as Gimbal and HDR. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, upgradeable to 13 | Poco F4 GT has a more up to date Android and will receive more software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Poco F4 GT supports newer WiFi standards for faster and more reliable connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Poco F4 GT supports more audio codecs for better wireless audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2) | Poco F4 GT has greater satellite connectivity for much more precise location. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128GB | 128/256GB | Poco F4 GT has higher storage capacity options. |
| RAM | 4/6/8GB | 8/12GB | Poco F4 GT has more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Poco F4 GT has superior audio experience with Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, and 3 microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Poco F4 GT has a faster and more ergonomic side-mounted sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Poco F4 GT has significantly better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Xiaomi Poco F4 GT includes advanced sensors, while missing magnetometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and carry, ideal for users who prefer smaller phones.
- Brighter Display: Significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Larger Battery: Slightly larger battery capacity for potentially longer battery life.
- Magnetometer: Useful for apps that rely on magnetic fields.
Xiaomi Poco F4 GT Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers much faster performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: 120Hz display provides a much smoother visual experience.
- Much Faster Charging: 120W charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Better Main and Selfie Cameras: Larger sensors and wider apertures allow for better low-light photos and videos.
- More Advanced Video Features: Including HDR recording and gimbal-like stabilization for higher quality videos.
- Newer Software and Updates: Running a newer Android version and is eligible for future upgrades.
- Faster WiFi and Bluetooth: Supports newer standards for better connectivity and audio quality.
- Better Audio Quality: Includes Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and 3 microphones for enhanced audio experience.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides superior scratch and drop resistance.
- More Advanced Sensors: Includes Compass, RGB, Ultrasonic proximity virtual.
Trade-offs:
- The Realme 8 trades performance and display smoothness for a lower price point and lighter weight.
- The Poco F4 GT sacrifices the magnetometer sensor, slightly lower battery and brightness in exchange for substantially improved performance, camera capabilities, display smoothness, and faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who value a lightweight device with a bright display and acceptable performance for daily tasks.
- Use Cases: Casual browsing, social media, video consumption, photography in bright lighting, and general day to day use cases.
- Price-to-Value: Good value for its price point, offering a decent AMOLED display and a reliable chipset.
Xiaomi Poco F4 GT:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, and anyone who prioritizes performance, display quality, and fast charging.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, video editing, multitasking, photography and videography in various conditions, and demanding apps.
- Price-to-Value: Premium performance at a mid-range price, justifies its cost through high performance, premium build quality and a host of flagship features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance and gaming? If gaming and demanding tasks are a priority, the Poco F4 GT is the clear winner.
- How important is outdoor visibility? If you need to use your phone in bright sunlight, the Realme 8's higher brightness is an advantage.
- What is your budget? If budget is a major concern, the Realme 8 is a more affordable option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: If you primarily need a phone for day to day tasks, social media, media consumption, and photography under good lighting conditions, and want a lightweight phone, the Realme 8 is a good choice.
- Gamer/Power User: If gaming, multitasking, and video editing are priorities, the Poco F4 GT provides a much better experience due to its powerful processor, smooth display, and advanced camera capabilities.
- Photography Enthusiast: If photography and videography are important, the Poco F4 GT offers improved sensors, apertures, and HDR video capabilities with stabilization.
- Outdoor User: If you work outdoors or spend a lot of time in bright sunlight, the Realme 8 will provide better visibility with its brighter display.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco F4 GT. While the Realme 8 has the advantage of being lighter and having a brighter display, the Poco F4 GT offers a significantly better overall experience in almost every other important category. The performance difference is huge, the display is much smoother with 120Hz refresh rate, the camera system is more capable with better photos and video recording capabilities, the charging is much faster and it has newer software support. The Poco F4 GT is more future proof with the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and newer Bluetooth and WiFi. The Realme 8 might be the better choice for a user on a very tight budget who spends a lot of time in bright sunlight, but for the majority of users, the extra features and better performance of the Poco F4 GT justify its higher price.
