1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Realme 8 and Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G, highlighting the practical implications of their specifications:
Design
| Feature | Realme 8 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 163.6 × 75.8 × 8.8 mm | Poco M4 Pro 5G is slightly larger and may feel less comfortable in smaller hands. |
| Weight | 177g | 195g | Realme 8 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and one-handed operation. |
Display
| Feature | Realme 8 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.6" | Poco M4 Pro 5G offers slightly more screen real estate, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both provide sharp images, suitable for most viewing needs. |
| Pixel Density | 411 PPI | 399 PPI | Both are very similar and provide a detailed display, with the Realme 8 being slightly sharper. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Realme 8 offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, and better color vibrancy, ideal for media consumption and dark mode usage. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Poco M4 Pro 5G offers smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 has superior outdoor visibility and is much more usable in bright sunlight. Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G brightness data is unavailable, making its performance in bright conditions unclear. |
Performance
| Feature | Realme 8 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Poco M4 Pro 5G's newer chipset is more power-efficient and offers better performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 438,700 | Poco M4 Pro 5G has slightly better overall performance for gaming and multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Realme 8 has a more powerful GPU, which may result in slightly better graphics performance in some games. |
Camera
| Feature | Realme 8 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor | Realme 8 has a higher resolution main camera with a larger sensor for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13" sensor | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06" sensor | Both have similar selfie capabilities. Poco M4 Pro 5G has a slightly larger sensor |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor | Poco M4 Pro 5G offers a slightly wider aperture which may slightly improve low light performance, but has better low light performance due to the sensor size. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Realme 8 includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Realme 8 includes a dedicated black and white lens for creative shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps | 1080p@60fps | Realme 8 allows for higher resolution video recording with 4k, ideal for high quality video, and offers higher frame rate options for slow-motion recording |
Battery
| Feature | Realme 8 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery life, generally lasting a full day for most users. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging | 33W fast charging | Poco M4 Pro 5G charges slightly faster, saving time for users. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a breakdown of the major advantages of each phone:
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel offers significantly better contrast, colors, and outdoor visibility.
- Better Main Camera: Higher resolution, larger sensor camera for better low-light photos.
- Dedicated Macro & Black & White Lenses: Provides more creative flexibility with macro and black and white photography.
- 4K Video Recording: Allows for high-quality video capture at a higher resolution than the Poco M4 Pro 5G.
- Lighter Build: More comfortable for prolonged use.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G Advantages:
- Faster Refresh Rate: 90Hz display for smoother animations.
- Better Performance: More efficient chipset for faster operation and better gaming performance.
- Faster Charging: Slightly faster charging times with 33W.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers and 2 microphones offering a more immersive audio experience.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 is a more robust protection than what the Realme 8 has.
- Better GPS: Provides more satellite support, making the location capabilities more accurate.
- More Storage Options: Offers up to 256 GB of internal storage.
- More Advanced Fingerprint Sensor: Side mounted sensor is more convenient to use.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8 sacrifices smoother scrolling and some performance for better display technology and camera capabilities.
- Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G offers better performance and features, but may have a display that is less vibrant than the Realme 8 in most viewing conditions.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal Users:
- Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos and enjoy vibrant displays.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who want high-quality photos and creative camera options.
- Comfort-Conscious Users: Users who prefer a lighter phone for extended use.
- Outdoor Users: Users who frequently use their phones in bright sunlight.
Use Cases:
- Binge-watching movies and TV shows with excellent contrast and color accuracy.
- Taking detailed photos in various conditions, including macro and creative black and white shots.
- Extended phone usage, such as browsing social media or reading, without discomfort.
- Capturing high quality 4k videos
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G Ideal Users:
- Gamers: Users who need smooth performance and a fast refresh rate.
- Multitaskers: Users who need efficient performance for everyday tasks.
- Users on the Go: Those who need fast charging to minimize downtime.
- Users that require higher audio quality: Users that want the best audio experience using headphones or phone speakers.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphic-intensive games with smooth framerates.
- Switching between multiple apps seamlessly.
- Quickly topping up the battery between meetings or travel.
- Taking high quality photos on the go.
4. Decision Framework
Here are 3 key questions for buyers to consider:
- Display Preference: Do you prioritize a vibrant AMOLED display with better contrast and brightness (Realme 8) or a smoother 90Hz IPS display (Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G)?
- Performance or Camera: Do you need the slightly better performance, audio and storage capacity of the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G or the better camera quality and 4k video recording offered by the Realme 8?
- Ergonomics and Convenience: Do you value a lighter phone (Realme 8) or a slightly larger screen with faster charging (Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Casual User: If you are a casual user who prioritizes display quality for media consumption, the Realme 8 is a better choice.
- For Gamers and Power Users: If you primarily use your phone for gaming and multitasking and prefer a more responsive experience, the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G is recommended.
- For Photographers: If you frequently take photos and require more versatile camera options including the possibility of shooting 4K videos, the Realme 8 is a more suitable choice.
- For users that require better audio and GPS: The Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G offers enhanced audio features such as Dolby Atmos and better GPS capabilities with more satellite support.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would lean towards the Realme 8. My primary use case is media consumption, and the vibrant AMOLED display with its superior contrast, color accuracy and higher brightness is a significant advantage. The better camera quality also appeals to me. While the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G offers better performance and audio, the display and camera on the Realme 8 better suit my priorities.
