Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Xiaomi Poco M5s
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Realme 8 | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | Very similar size; M5s is slightly thicker (0.3mm) and a tiny bit wider; Negligible difference in hand. |
| Weight | 177g | 178.8g | Virtually identical, will feel the same in hand and pocket. |
| Build Quality | Unknown Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | M5s has better screen protection, more resistant to scratches and minor impacts. |
Display
| Feature | Realme 8 | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.43" | Nearly identical screen size, negligible difference for daily usage. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical clarity and sharpness; both offer Full HD+ visuals. |
| PPI | 411 | 409 | Virtually the same pixel density; Both displays appear equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast; Similar viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Standard smoothness; Neither offers a more fluid scrolling experience. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 1100 nits | M5s has slightly better outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Realme 8 | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Identical processing power; Similar performance for daily tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 418,627 | Similar performance; Only a negligible 2% difference, won't impact daily use. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G76 MC4 | Identical graphics performance; Will handle games and graphic-intensive apps similarly. |
Camera
| Feature | Realme 8 | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 64MP, f/1.9, 1/2", 0.7µm | Realme 8’s slightly wider aperture (f/1.79) may capture slightly more light in low light situations; Both have the same main sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.0µm, Sony IMX471 | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06", 1.12µm, Omnivision OV13B10 | Realme 8 has higher resolution; M5s has larger pixels which can capture more light for better selfies in low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25, unknown sensor | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm, Sony IMX355 | M5s has a wider aperture and larger sensor, likely capturing more detail in wide angle shots. |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm, GalaxyCore GC02M1 | M5s can take depth-sensing portraits; Realme 8 lacks a dedicated depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, unknown sensor | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm, Omnivision OV02B10 | Both offer similar low-resolution macro capabilities. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, unknown sensor | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated Black & White camera; M5s does not have. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS; 1080p@30/60/120fps with EIS; Slow-mo 240fps | Up to 4K@30fps; 1080p@30/60/120fps; Slow-mo 960fps | Similar video capabilities, M5s has higher slow-motion frame rate. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, EIS, Quad, Zoom, AF, Touch Focus, Geo, HDR, Face Detection, WB, ISO, Exposure, Scene, Self Timer, Ultra stable video | 4K Video, EIS, Quad, Zoom, AF, Touch Focus, Geo, HDR, Face Detection, WB, ISO, Exposure, Scene, Self Timer, Night Mode | Realme 8 has Ultra stable video. M5s offers a Night mode. |
Battery
| Feature | Realme 8 | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life; Both should last a full day with moderate use. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging | 33W fast charging | M5s will charge slightly faster than the Realme 8, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | M5s can be used to charge other devices; Both have non-removable batteries. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Slightly wider aperture main camera: (f/1.79 vs f/1.9) may result in better low-light performance, although this might not be very noticeable for most users.
- Higher resolution selfie camera: (16MP vs 13MP) may result in slightly more detailed selfies.
- Dedicated Black and White lens: Offers creative photography options, though this is a niche feature for most.
- Ultra Stable Video: More stable video recording for action shots.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.1 for potentially improved connectivity and power efficiency compared to the M5s' 5.0.
Xiaomi Poco M5s Advantages:
- Slightly brighter display: (1100 nits vs 1000 nits) may be noticeably better for outdoor visibility.
- Wider aperture and larger sensor on the Wide-Angle Camera: Better low-light and detail in wide-angle photos.
- Dedicated depth sensor: Offers a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode photos.
- Faster charging: (33W vs 30W) leads to a slightly faster charging experience.
- Reverse Charging: Can act as a power bank to charge other devices, useful in a pinch.
- Stereo Speakers: Provides a more immersive audio experience when listening to music or watching videos without headphones.
- Night Mode: Better performance in low-light photos.
- Better screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 is more resistant to scratches and impacts than the unknown screen protection on the Realme 8.
- Larger Storage Option: Comes with an option for 256GB of internal storage compared to Realme 8's 128GB max.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with Android 12 out of the box compared to Realme 8's Android 11.
Trade-offs:
- The Realme 8’s slightly higher resolution selfie camera vs the larger sensor and wider aperture on the M5s.
- Realme 8 offers a Black & White lens and Ultra Stable Video; M5s offers a dedicated depth sensor and Night Mode.
- The Realme 8 uses the newer Bluetooth 5.1 standard, while M5s has Bluetooth 5.0.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Realme 8:
- Selfie Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize higher resolution selfies and have creative use for a B&W camera.
- Users who want Ultra Stable Video: Those who frequently shoot videos with shaky hands.
- Users on a Budget: Potentially a more budget-friendly option.
Use Cases:
- Social media posting with frequent selfies and videos.
- Basic photography and video recording for personal use.
- Everyday smartphone user looking for a balanced device.
Ideal User for Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who prioritize better audio (stereo speakers), brighter screen, and faster charging.
- Amateur Photographers: Those who want an extra depth sensor for better portraits.
- Power Users: Who occasionally need to reverse charge other devices.
- Users Seeking Better Screen Protection: Those who are prone to scratches and damage.
Use Cases:
- Streaming videos and playing games.
- Taking photos in diverse lighting conditions.
- General use with moderate resource needs.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Do you prioritize selfie quality or low-light photography versatility? (Realme 8 for higher resolution selfies; M5s for better wide angle and depth sensing).
- Is stereo audio and a brighter display important? (M5s offers stereo speakers and a slightly brighter display).
- Do you need a dedicated depth sensor and night mode or do you prefer a more stable video recording? (M5s for the depth sensor and night mode; Realme 8 for stable video).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the casual user: If you don't need a superior camera or better display, the Realme 8 should be a good and probably cheaper option.
- For the multimedia enthusiast: The Xiaomi Poco M5s, with its brighter display, stereo speakers, faster charging and better wide-angle camera would be a superior choice.
- For the active photographer: The Xiaomi Poco M5s might be more versatile thanks to its dedicated depth sensor and night mode.
- For the budget conscious: It's worth comparing prices, but generally the Realme 8 is older and likely cheaper.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I had to choose between the Realme 8 and the Xiaomi Poco M5s, I would personally choose the Xiaomi Poco M5s. Here's why:
- Multimedia Experience: I value a good multimedia experience, and the M5s' brighter display, stereo speakers, and faster charging are significant advantages for watching videos, listening to music, and playing games.
- Camera Versatility: While the Realme 8’s selfie camera is of higher resolution, I find the M5s' slightly larger sensor selfie camera better in low light conditions. I also value the dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode photos. The inclusion of Night Mode and a better wide angle camera also makes it more versatile for diverse shooting conditions.
- Practicality: The M5s' reverse charging feature is useful in a pinch, and the Corning Gorilla Glass 3 screen protection provides peace of mind. The faster charging also reduces downtime, which is a big plus in my book.
- Software: The newer Android version on the M5s provides an advantage and peace of mind regarding system updates and security patches.
- Storage: Having the 256GB storage option is a considerable plus for my media and apps.
While the Realme 8 has its strengths, particularly in the selfie camera and its Black & White camera, the Xiaomi Poco M5s offers a more well-rounded experience that aligns better with my priorities. The improvements in the display, audio, charging, and camera features of the M5s outweigh the minor advantages of the Realme 8 for my particular usage scenario.
