1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Xiaomi Poco M6 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 168.6 × 76.3 × 8.3 mm | The Poco M6 4G is noticeably larger, which might be less comfortable for one-handed use. The Realme 8 is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 177g | 205g | Realme 8 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.79" | The Poco M6 4G offers a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2460 | Both offer similar sharpness, with minimal differences in pixel density. |
| PPI | 411 | 396 | Similar sharpness levels on both screens. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Realme 8 has a superior display with deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Poco M6 4G has slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 offers dramatically better visibility in bright sunlight, making it more usable outdoors. The Poco M6 4G's brightness is unknown and this is a potential disadvantage. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G91 Ultra (12 nm) | The Realme 8 uses a different chipset from the Poco M6 4G. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 269,266 | Realme 8 provides significantly better performance, suitable for gaming and demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Realme 8 has a more powerful GPU, offering better graphics performance for gaming and graphic-intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.70 µm pixel size | 108MP, f/1.75, 1/1.67", 0.64 µm pixel size | Poco M6 4G has higher resolution, a slightly wider aperture, and a larger sensor, potentially resulting in better low-light performance and more detailed images. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.00 µm pixel size | 13MP, f/2.45, unknown pixel size | Realme 8 has a higher resolution selfie camera. The Poco M6 4G pixel size is unknown. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated wide-angle lens which allows for more versatile photography. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both have a basic macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Black & white | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated black and white camera for monochrome photography. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps w/ EIS | 1080p@30fps | Realme 8 offers higher video resolution (4K) and higher frame rate options for better quality. Poco M6 4G only offers 1080p at 30fps. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple, EIS, various modes, 4K video | Dual Camera, EIS, various modes, 4K Video | Realme 8 has more rear cameras (Quad vs Dual). Both support 4K video recording. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5030mAh | Both have very similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Poco M6 4G offers slightly faster charging. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Poco M6 4G can be used to charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | The Poco M6 4G has a newer version of Android, offering newer features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, MiMO | 802.11ac, No MiMO | Both have dual-band WiFi, the Realme 8 has the MiMO feature. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, EDR, HID, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE, APT-x, SBC, AAC | Poco M6 4G has a newer Bluetooth version with additional audio codecs for improved wireless audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both phones have the same GPS capabilities for accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64 GB / 128 GB | 128GB / 256GB | Xiaomi Poco M6 4G offers more internal storage options. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB | Both offer ample RAM for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Basic | Realme 8 offers better audio playback quality with Hi-Res Audio. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Poco M6 4G has a more convenient side-mounted sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Fingerprint, Accelerometer | Ultrasonic Proximity, Compass, Fingerprint, Accelerometer | Both phones have common sensors, but Realme 8 offers Gyroscope and Magnetometer while Poco M6 4G offers Compass and Ultrasonic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors. It also has much higher brightness (1000 nits vs unknown) making it better for outdoor use.
- Better Performance: Significantly higher AnTuTu score (409,874 vs 269,266) and a more powerful GPU mean better performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Versatile Cameras: The inclusion of a wide-angle lens and a black & white lens, along with 4k video at 60/30/120 fps, gives it more photographic flexibility and superior video capabilities.
- Higher Audio Quality: Hi-Res Audio support provides a better audio experience.
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable for one-handed use and easier to carry around.
Practical Implications: Realme 8 is better for users who prioritize display quality, gaming performance, and versatile photography, and more comfortable to handle.
Xiaomi Poco M6 4G Advantages:
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 14, offering the latest features and security updates.
- Larger Display: A bigger screen (6.79") is better for media consumption and multitasking.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 108MP main camera can take more detailed photos.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging offers a slight edge over Realme 8's 30W.
- Reverse Charging: Can be used to charge other devices.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX, SBC and AAC codec support for better audio transmission.
- More Storage: comes with 256GB storage option compared to 128GB on the Realme 8.
Practical Implications: The Poco M6 4G is better for users who value the latest software, bigger screen, slightly faster charging, and reverse charging, and a better main camera.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Display Technology: Realme 8's AMOLED is significantly better than Poco M6 4G's IPS LCD.
- Performance: The Realme 8 outshines the Poco M6 4G in overall performance.
- Camera Versatility: Realme 8 is more versatile, while Poco M6 4G excels in main camera resolution.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8:
- Ideal User: Gamers, heavy app users, multimedia consumers, users who want better visual quality, users who need higher brightness in sunny conditions
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, video editing, watching high-quality video, outdoor photography, listening to hi-res audio, and those who appreciate better visual quality
- Price-to-Value: Offers a better performance-to-price ratio if performance and display are prioritized over the newest Android version and reverse charging
Xiaomi Poco M6 4G:
- Ideal User: Casual users, social media enthusiasts, those who prefer a larger display, those who like the newest Android version, users who value the newest Bluetooth tech.
- Use Cases: Social media browsing, video watching, ebook reading, casual photography, those who like the newest features.
- Price-to-Value: A good option if a large screen, newer Android, and better main camera are more important than display quality and raw performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality? If AMOLED with higher brightness is a must, choose the Realme 8. If a large screen is more important, the Poco M6 4G is a good choice.
- Do you prioritize performance or the newest Android version? The Realme 8 excels in raw performance while the Poco M6 4G offers the latest Android 14 OS.
- What is your primary use case? If gaming and demanding apps are important, choose the Realme 8. If media consumption, social media browsing, and casual photography are priorities, then the Poco M6 4G will be better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy gamer/power user: Realme 8 is the better choice due to superior performance, better graphics, and an AMOLED display.
- Scenario 2: Casual user who watches videos and uses social media: The Xiaomi Poco M6 4G will be a good option due to its larger display, newer software and good battery life.
- Scenario 3: User who values camera flexibility and video quality: The Realme 8 will be better with its wide-angle and black & white lenses and better video resolution.
- Scenario 4: User who wants to use the phone to charge other devices: The Xiaomi Poco M6 4G will be the best choice for this feature.
My Choice
I would choose the Realme 8 for myself. My reasoning is:
- Display Quality: The AMOLED screen with higher brightness is a crucial factor. I value the deeper blacks, higher contrast, more vibrant colors, and much better sunlight visibility provided by AMOLED over the IPS LCD, especially for outdoor use.
- Performance: I need a phone that can handle gaming and other demanding applications smoothly. The significantly higher AnTuTu score and powerful GPU of the Realme 8 make it the clear winner in terms of overall performance.
- Camera Versatility: As someone who takes different types of pictures and records videos frequently, having a wide-angle lens and higher video quality makes the Realme 8 a better fit for my needs. I need a camera that can shoot more than just standard pictures, and the Realme 8's options are much better than the Poco's.
- Audio Quality: I enjoy listening to music and podcasts and Hi-Res audio is a plus for better sound quality.
While the newer Android version and larger screen of the Poco M6 4G are attractive, the superior display, performance, and camera versatility of the Realme 8 align better with my priorities and daily usage scenarios. The Realme 8, therefore, is my preferred choice.
