Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-25 | 2024-01-12 | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro is a significantly newer model, likely with more up-to-date features and software. |
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm, 177g | 161.1 × 75 × 8 mm, 179g | Both are very similar in size and weight, making handling comparable. Xiaomi is slightly wider. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.67" | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both displays provide similar sharpness; image quality will be similar unless other factors are considered. |
| Pixel Density | 411 PPI | 395 PPI | Both have good pixel density, with Realme having slightly more, though practically unnoticeable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast due to AMOLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro delivers noticeably smoother scrolling and animations, making the UI feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 1800 nits | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro has significantly better outdoor visibility and is much better suited for use in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 Ultra | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro offers improved performance over Realme 8, making the device more responsive for daily tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 450,000 | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro achieves higher benchmark scores, indicating slightly better overall performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Realme 8 has a better GPU on paper, but real world performance will vary depending on optimization. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacity suggesting similar battery life. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | Similar main cameras in terms of resolution and sensor, likely producing similar quality results in good lighting. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | 16MP, 1/3.06", 1.0µm | Xiaomi has a slightly smaller sensor size for its front camera. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.25 | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated wide angle lens for capturing wider landscapes. |
| Portrait mode | None | 2MP, f/2.45 1/5", 1.75µm | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro has a dedicated portrait mode camera, for better bokeh effects. |
| Macro lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated macro lens for close up shots of small objects. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro has a dual-purpose lens that can capture both wide angle and macro shots. |
| Black & white | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 offers a dedicated black and white sensor, for stylistic shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | Up to 1080p@60fps, EIS | Realme 8 can record in higher resolution 4K video while the Xiaomi has a lower resolution of 1080p. |
| Stabilization | None | Yes | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro has Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), for more steady and smooth videos. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Ultra stable video | Triple camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Panorama | Both phones have similar features, but the Xiaomi offers better stabilisation, while the Realme has more lenses. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro has a more up-to-date OS, with additional features and better optimization. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Both support the same Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro has a newer version of Bluetooth with better features, particularly for audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro has better GPS for more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro offers much higher storage options for those needing more storage for large files. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 6/8/12 GB | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro has more RAM, resulting in smoother multitasking and better gaming performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro offers superior audio output with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support, for better immersive experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint security, though placement and speed might vary. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro offers better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both offer a standard range of sensors, the Xiaomi however has a compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- More Lenses: Has a dedicated wide-angle, macro, and black and white camera lens, offering more versatility in terms of photography.
- 4K Video Recording: Offers higher resolution 4K recording for better quality videos.
Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro Advantages:
- Newer and More Advanced: Launched much later (2024 vs 2021), with more modern features and performance.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate for a visibly smoother user experience.
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher brightness for better outdoor visibility.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Better Performance: Higher AnTuTu benchmark scores for improved processing power.
- More RAM: Offers up to 12GB of RAM for heavy multitasking.
- Higher Storage: Available with up to 512GB of internal storage.
- Up-to-date Software: Ships with Android 13 out of the box.
- Better Audio: Offers Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and Stereo Speakers.
- Better Screen Protection: Has Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
- Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS): Better stabilisation for video recording.
- Better Bluetooth Codecs: Supports APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC, allowing for higher quality audio.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: While having more camera lenses, it lacks features like OIS, and doesn't have as much processing power, and lacks up to date software.
- Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro: Lacks dedicated macro and wide-angle lenses, and 4k video recording.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Realme 8:
- Budget-Conscious Photographers: Users who prioritize having multiple lenses for photography, while not needing the top specs in other areas.
- Casual Gamers: Users who play less demanding games, and care more about the camera setup than performance.
- Users who prefer multiple cameras for different styles of shooting: The triple-lens setup provides an array of modes and options.
Ideal Users for Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro:
- Performance-Oriented Users: Those who want smooth multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance.
- Frequent Media Consumers: Users who prioritize a smooth display, good audio, and large storage capacity.
- Users who need fast charging: Those that want to minimise downtime and get back to full battery quickly.
- Users who prefer better video stabilisation: Those who like recording videos but hate shaky footage.
- Power Users: Those who use their phone for more than just the basics.
- Users who want long term software updates: Those that prefer to have the latest version of Android.
Specific Use Cases:
- Realme 8:
- Capturing diverse photos using the wide-angle and macro lenses.
- Basic gaming and social media browsing.
- Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro:
- Playing demanding mobile games with smooth frame rates.
- Watching high-resolution videos with immersive audio.
- Quickly charging the phone when in a hurry.
- Better video recording thanks to OIS.
- Multitasking on many apps at once without slowing down.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize display smoothness and brightness, or having more camera lenses? (Xiaomi has a 120Hz brighter screen, while the Realme has more camera lens.)
- How much do you value fast charging, and long-term updates? (Xiaomi charges much faster and has a more up-to-date OS).
- Is storage and RAM more important to you, or having a slightly cheaper device? (Xiaomi has more storage and RAM, the Realme is cheaper)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you're on a tight budget and want diverse camera options, the Realme 8 is suitable for basic use, especially for social media photos.
- Scenario 2: If you need a modern, smooth experience for media, fast charging, gaming, and multitasking, the Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro is the better option.
- Scenario 3: If video quality is a big deal, and a dedicated wide-angle lens is preferred, the Realme 8 is a better choice, but the Xiaomi is better if stabilization is a higher priority.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro. While the Realme 8 offers a compelling camera system with more lenses, the overall package of the Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro is far more modern and practical. The 120Hz display, much faster charging, improved chipset and RAM, larger storage options and superior audio experience are all significantly more valuable to me. Although I would miss the wide-angle lens, I value the better video stabilisation more. The newer version of Android also means that it will receive software updates for longer. Ultimately, the Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro provides a more complete and future-proof experience, making it my preferred choice.
