1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Realme 8 and Xiaomi Poco M4 5G, focusing on their practical implications:
| Feature | Realme 8 | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 164 × 76.1 × 8.9 mm | Realme 8 is more compact, potentially easier to handle with one hand. Poco M4 5G is larger and slightly thicker. |
| Weight | 177g | 200g | Realme 8 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and portability. Poco M4 5G is heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.58" | Poco M4 5G offers slightly more screen real estate. The difference is minor and may not be noticeable to all users. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2408 | Both have similar FHD+ resolution; image sharpness is comparable. |
| PPI | 411 | 401 | Both offer similar pixel density. The difference is negligible in daily use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Realme 8's AMOLED offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, leading to a more engaging viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Poco M4 5G’s 90Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations, making the user interface feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 has dramatically superior brightness, significantly improving outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. Poco M4 5G's brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Poco M4 5G's 7nm chipset is generally more power-efficient, potentially resulting in slightly better battery life. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 381,300 | Realme 8 shows slightly better overall performance in benchmarks, possibly leading to smoother gameplay and faster app loading. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Realme 8 has a more powerful GPU that may provide better graphics performance in games and GPU intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life. Expected battery endurance is likely comparable. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Realme 8 charges significantly faster, reducing charging times. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Poco M4 5G can act as a power bank to charge other devices, a useful feature in some situations. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res. | 64MP (f/1.79) | 13MP (f/2.2) | Realme 8 captures much more detail in photos due to its significantly higher resolution and wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera Res. | 16MP (f/2.45) | 5MP (f/2.2) | Realme 8 produces much sharper and detailed selfies with more light gathering capability. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP (f/2.25) | None | Realme 8 has an ultra-wide lens for capturing expansive landscapes or group photos. |
| Portrait Lens | None | 2MP (f/2.4) | Poco M4 5G includes a dedicated depth sensor for creating bokeh effects in portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | None | Realme 8 can take close-up macro photos. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | None | Realme 8 offers enhanced black and white image capturing. |
| Video Resolution | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Realme 8 can shoot higher-resolution videos with more details. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | Poco M4 5G has a newer OS out of the box, which may provide updated features and better security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Both phones have the same Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.1 LE | Both phones have the same Bluetooth versions and features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both offer standard GPS capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM for managing two numbers simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 64/128 GB | Both come with similar storage options. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 4/6 GB | Realme 8 offers a greater maximum RAM which is beneficial for gaming and heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device supports storage expansion through a MicroSD card. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Basic | Realme 8 can play high-resolution audio for higher quality sound. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint sensor | Poco M4 5G has a more modern side mounted fingerprint sensor offering a good balance of aesthetics and performance. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Poco M4 5G has superior screen protection against scratches and accidental drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Realme 8 provides a Magnetometer sensor, while the Xiaomi has a Compass. Both have all the standard sensors for typical use cases. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors.
- Higher Brightness: 1000 nits brightness offers much better visibility in direct sunlight.
- Better Main Camera: 64MP main sensor captures significantly more detail compared to the Poco M4 5G's 13MP sensor.
- Better Selfie Camera: 16MP selfie camera takes much sharper and detailed selfies compared to 5MP sensor.
- More Versatile Camera System: Includes a wide-angle, macro, and black & white lens for more creative flexibility.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging is significantly faster compared to 18W.
- Better Graphics Performance: Mali-G76 MC4 provides better performance for GPU intensive tasks like gaming.
- Higher RAM: 8GB RAM variant for smoother multitasking and better performance.
- Hi-Res Audio: Provides better quality audio playback.
- Magnetometer sensor: Allows for compass and mapping applications.
Xiaomi Poco M4 5G Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate offers a smoother user interface experience.
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 12 out of the box.
- Reverse Charging: Can act as a power bank to charge other devices.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint sensor: More practical and modern.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for better scratch and shatter resistance.
- Compass: Useful for navigation and map applications.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8 sacrifices a higher refresh rate for a superior AMOLED display and better camera performance.
- Poco M4 5G offers smoother animations but has a lower quality display and less capable cameras.
- Realme 8 does not have the reverse charging capability of the Poco M4 5G
- The Realme 8 does not have the screen protection of the Poco M4 5G.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Realme 8:
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize a vibrant display for watching videos and playing games will appreciate the AMOLED screen.
- Photography Lovers: Those who need a more versatile and better camera system will benefit from the multiple lenses and the higher resolution main and selfie cameras.
- Power Users: Those who need faster charging and more RAM for multitasking and heavier applications.
- Outdoor users: Users who use their phones under bright sunlight and need a high brightness screen.
Ideal User for Xiaomi Poco M4 5G:
- Casual Users: Those who want a decent smartphone with a smooth user experience (90Hz display).
- Users on a Budget: The Poco M4 5G is likely to be more affordable, potentially making it a good value for its price.
- Users Who Want Reverse Charging: Those who may need to charge other devices on the go.
- Users who prioritize screen protection: Users that prioritize a more durable screen that is less prone to scratches and breaks.
Specific Use Cases:
- Realme 8:
- Watching high-quality videos and playing graphic-intensive games.
- Capturing detailed photos and videos, especially in varying lighting conditions.
- Heavy multitasking and using multiple apps simultaneously.
- Using phone outdoors.
- Xiaomi Poco M4 5G:
- Everyday browsing, social media, and communication.
- Users who want a smooth interface and decent battery life.
- Situations where you might need to charge another device.
- Users who are clumsy with their phone.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Display Preference: Do you prioritize a vibrant and high-contrast AMOLED display (Realme 8) or a smoother 90Hz LCD (Poco M4 5G)?
- Camera Importance: How important are camera quality and versatility to you? The Realme 8 has more capable and versatile cameras.
- Usage Needs: Do you need the extra power for multitasking and gaming or just basic daily usage? Realme 8 offers more RAM.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Realme 8 for its superior main and selfie cameras, along with the ultra-wide, macro, and black & white lenses and better video recording capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Casual User with Budget Constraints: The Xiaomi Poco M4 5G might be more suitable due to its smoother 90Hz display and potentially lower price while offering a modern side mounted fingerprint sensor and a more durable screen.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Gamer: The Realme 8, with its more powerful GPU and 8 GB of RAM, will offer slightly better gaming performance.
- Scenario 4: Outdoor User: The Realme 8 will be more suitable due to it's higher screen brightness.
- Scenario 5: User who is clumsy: The Xiaomi Poco M4 5G will be more suitable due to it's Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would select the Realme 8. My main reason for this choice is the significantly better AMOLED display and much more versatile and capable camera system. While the 90Hz refresh rate on the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G is nice, I find that the benefits of an AMOLED screen, including superior colors, contrast, and black levels, outweigh the smoothness advantage. Additionally, the significantly better camera performance and faster charging on the Realme 8 make it a more well rounded phone for my specific use case. Though it does not have reverse charging, I rarely use that feature, and the lack of screen protection is a minor drawback compared to the advantages.
Although the Poco M4 5G has certain advantages, such as the 90Hz display, side-mounted fingerprint scanner, newer Android version and better screen protection, it's the display and camera that push the Realme 8 to be the winner for me. The higher RAM variant also helps in performance and makes this a clear winner in my eyes.
