Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mm | Very similar size, negligible difference in hand feel. |
| Weight | 177g | 179.5g | Virtually identical weight, unnoticeable difference in daily use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.43" | Essentially the same display size; both offer a large viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness, both offer a crisp display. |
| PPI | 411 | 409 | Almost identical pixel density, both offer sharp and detailed visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Identical display technology, both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the interface feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 offers significantly better visibility in bright sunlight due to higher peak brightness; the missing value for the M4 Pro means no data on outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G96 (12 nm) | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro's chipset offers marginally better performance, suitable for slightly more demanding tasks and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 438,700 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro shows a 7% performance boost, which might be noticeable in resource-intensive applications and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Realme 8's GPU has better theoretical graphical performance, but the real-world difference may not be significant for all users. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life, both should comfortably last a full day for most users with moderate usage. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro offers slightly faster charging, leading to less time plugged into a power outlet. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.70µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Realme 8's primary camera has a higher resolution, larger sensor, and wider aperture, potentially leading to better low-light performance and more detailed images. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.00µm | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.00µm | Both offer similar selfie quality, though the difference in sensor size is minimal and likely unnoticeable in most cases. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro’s wide-angle lens may offer slightly better low-light performance thanks to a wider aperture and larger pixel size. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | Realme 8 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, which the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro lacks. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | Realme 8 includes a black and white lens, which adds extra possibilities for creative photography; while the M4 Pro is missing this lens |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS, up to 120fps at 1080p | 1080p@30fps | Realme 8 offers significantly better video recording capabilities, with 4K support and higher frame rate options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both phones ship with Android 11. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, Wi-Fi MiMO | 802.11ac | Both offer dual-band Wi-Fi, Realme 8 supports Wi-Fi MiMO which could translate to more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, EDR, HID, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro has wider audio codec support, particularly beneficial for users who use wireless headphones and prioritize higher audio quality. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro offers slightly improved GPS accuracy due to the additional satellite support. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 64 GB | Unknown | Realme 8 offers greater storage capacity; Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro's storage information is missing so its not possible to make an accurate comparison. |
| RAM | 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB | Unknown | Realme 8 comes with more RAM options, better for multitasking and gaming. Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro's RAM information is missing, making a direct comparison impossible. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro has better audio features, including Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and dual microphones, offering better audio experiences for listening to music, gaming, and calls. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro's side-mounted fingerprint sensor is typically faster and more convenient to access. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro offers better scratch protection for the screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Realme 8 offers a magnetometer, which provides more precise orientation data and Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro has a compass. Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro features Ultrasonic proximity, which is generally more reliable than standard proximity sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly better outdoor visibility with 1000 nits peak brightness.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 64MP sensor potentially captures more detail, also has a larger 1/2" sensor size and a wider f/1.79 aperture.
- 4K Video Recording: Supports 4K resolution video recording which makes it ideal for vloggers and content creators.
- Dedicated Macro and Black & White Lens: Offers a macro and a black and white lens, which provides more creative possibilities for photographers.
- Available with more RAM and Storage Options: Comes in more configurations with more storage and more RAM.
- Wi-Fi MiMO: Potentially more stable Wi-Fi connections
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate for a more fluid visual experience.
- Slightly Better Performance: The Helio G96 chipset provides slightly higher performance as well as a 7% higher benchmark score.
- Slightly Faster Charging: 33W fast charging.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and dual microphones enhance audio quality.
- Improved GPS: Offers BeiDou (B1) for better GPS accuracy.
- Wider Bluetooth Codec support: Apt-x, LDAC, AAC support offers better wireless audio quality.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Quicker and easier to access
- Gorilla Glass Protection: Better screen scratch resistance.
- Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor: More reliable than traditional proximity sensors
- Wider aperture on Wide angle lens: Slightly better low-light performance.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8 sacrifices a smoother 90Hz display for better outdoor visibility and better camera specs.
- Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro, while having a slightly better CPU, lacks the 4K video capabilities and additional camera lens features offered by Realme 8.
- Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro has missing information on internal storage and RAM and might not come in different storage/RAM variants.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal Users:
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Users who often use their phone in bright sunlight will appreciate the higher brightness.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value higher camera resolution and more versatile lenses for creative shots, and 4k video recording.
- Users who need more internal storage
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who want a good camera and better performance, and don't necessarily need 90hz refresh rates.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro Ideal Users:
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who prioritize smooth scrolling, audio quality, and immersive audio experiences (e.g., gamers, music lovers, video watchers).
- Everyday users: Users who want a well-rounded phone with a smooth 90Hz display and a modern design.
- Users who value better security
- Those who use wireless headphones: Bluetooth codec support gives users better audio quality.
- Users who want a more durable screen
Use Cases:
- Realme 8: Taking outdoor photos, shooting 4K videos, using the phone on the go, browsing, social media.
- Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro: Gaming, watching videos/movies, listening to music, everyday social media use.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize a brighter display for outdoor visibility, or a smoother refresh rate for everyday use?
- Is 4K video recording and additional camera features (macro, black & white) important to you?
- Do you value better audio features like Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers and dual microphones, or more stable wireless connections with Wi-Fi MiMO?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For content creators: The Realme 8 is better due to its 4K recording, dedicated camera lenses and brighter display.
- For everyday multimedia: The Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro is better with a smoother 90Hz display, stereo speakers, and improved GPS.
- For casual users who primarily use their phone indoors and not for demanding tasks, both phones are great choices but the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro offers better audio and refresh rates.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally lean towards the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro. While I appreciate the camera prowess of the Realme 8, my typical usage revolves around everyday tasks, consuming media, and the occasional casual game. The 90Hz display, combined with the enhanced audio experience due to Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers, would make daily usage more enjoyable for me. The better bluetooth audio codec support and the improved security through the side-mounted fingerprint sensor are also points that I would take into consideration. Furthermore, I do not often film content and therefore wouldn't take advantage of the 4k video and creative lenses of the Realme 8 and I rarely use my phone outdoors, which is the strength of the Realme 8's display.
