Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Xiaomi Poco X3 GT
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 163.3 × 75.9 × 8.9 mm | Poco X3 GT is larger and slightly thicker, potentially less comfortable in small hands or pockets. |
| Weight | 177g | 193g | Realme 8 is lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use and single-handed operation. |
| Build Quality | Unknown screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Poco X3 GT has significantly better screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.6" | Poco X3 GT has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both provide similar sharpness. |
| PPI | 411 | 399 | Both have very similar pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Realme 8 has better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, plus better power efficiency with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Poco X3 GT offers smoother scrolling, animations, and a more responsive feel, especially in gaming. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 is much better for outdoor visibility and in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1100 (6 nm) | Poco X3 GT's newer chipset offers significantly higher performance, faster app loading, and smoother gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 745,283 | Poco X3 GT is much faster in benchmark performance, which translates to better overall snappiness. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G77 MC9 | Poco X3 GT has better graphics processing power, leading to better gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor, 0.70 µm pixel size | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor, 0.70 µm pixel size | Similar main camera specs, so expect comparable daytime picture quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13" sensor, 1.00 µm pixel size | 16MP, f/2.45, unknown sensor size | Similar selfie camera resolution; actual performance may vary based on sensor and processing. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | None | Realme 8 has a wide-angle camera for landscape and group photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated black and white lens. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, EIS, 240fps slow-mo | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, EIS, 960fps slow-mo | Both have similar video capabilities, but Poco X3 GT supports a higher slow motion frame rate. |
| Camera Features | Quad camera, Digital zoom, EIS, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection | Triple camera, Digital zoom, EIS, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, RAW, Night mode | Poco X3 GT offers more camera features, including manual mode and RAW capture, while the Realme 8 provides a dedicated Macro and Black & White lens. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same capacity; expect similar battery life. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging | 67W fast charging | Poco X3 GT charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Other | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both run Android 11 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Poco X3 GT has better Wi-Fi capabilities, offering faster speeds on compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Poco X3 GT supports more advanced audio codecs and has a newer version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Poco X3 GT supports more satellite systems for potentially better location accuracy. |
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 64 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Poco X3 GT offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 4 GB, 6 GB, or 8 GB | 8 GB | Poco X3 GT offers 8 GB of RAM for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Poco X3 GT has superior audio features, including stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support. |
| Security | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Poco X3 GT uses a more accessible side-mounted fingerprint sensor |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity | Both phones offer a comprehensive sensor suite suitable for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display Technology: AMOLED screen offers better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors and better power efficiency.
- Lighter and Slimmer: More comfortable to hold for extended periods and easier to carry.
- Dedicated Additional Camera Lenses: Offers a wide-angle, macro and black and white lens for additional photography versatility.
- Higher Brightness: Better visibility in direct sunlight.
Practical Implications: The Realme 8 is better for users who prioritize display quality and comfortable handling. It's well-suited for media consumption in indoor low light settings and photography in varied lighting scenarios. The additional camera lenses provide more creative options.
Xiaomi Poco X3 GT Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Dimensity 1100 chipset provides a notably better user experience, with faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: 120Hz display makes scrolling and animations very fluid, enhancing the user experience.
- Much Faster Charging: 67W fast charging greatly reduces downtime.
- Advanced Camera Features: Manual mode, RAW capture, and night mode offer more control over photography.
- Superior Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides significantly better screen protection.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos provide enhanced audio experience.
- Newer Connectivity Standards: Supports Wifi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
- More Storage Capacity: Available with up to 256GB storage.
- More RAM: 8GB of RAM will offer a smoother multitasking experience.
Practical Implications: The Poco X3 GT is a better choice for users who prioritize performance, gaming, faster charging, and build quality. The higher refresh rate display and superior audio make it a great option for media consumption and gaming.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Trades overall performance and charging speeds for a better display panel and comfort in hand.
- Xiaomi Poco X3 GT: Trades display technology for much better performance and charging speeds.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Realme 8:
- Casual Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos and movies indoors and appreciate a vivid display.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who like exploring different creative options and want additional camera lenses for varied photography.
- Users Prioritizing Comfort and Portability: Those who value a light and easy-to-handle device for daily use.
- Budget Conscious Users: A good phone for users who don't want to break the bank, and can get great value.
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Watching movies and shows on streaming services.
- Taking photos in well-lit environments and indoor settings.
- Daily use for browsing, social media and communications.
Ideal User for Xiaomi Poco X3 GT:
- Gamers: Users who play mobile games frequently and need smooth performance and a high refresh rate display.
- Power Users: Those who multitask heavily and need a responsive device.
- Users Who Value Charging Speed: Those who need their phones charged quickly and are always on the go.
- Photography Enthusiasts Users who like to have more control over their photography with manual modes and RAW capture.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Users who appreciate stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos.
Use Cases for Xiaomi Poco X3 GT:
- Playing graphics-intensive mobile games.
- Multitasking between various apps.
- Taking photos in varying light conditions.
- Watching videos and listening to music on the go.
- Capture high quality RAW photos.
- Users that prioritize protection.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Realme 8 is likely more affordable, offering a balance of features for the cost.
- The Poco X3 GT provides significantly better performance, charging, and build quality which justifies its slightly higher price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize display quality or overall performance and charging speeds?
- How important is the comfort and portability of the device?
- What kind of photography features do you need (additional lenses vs manual controls)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User with Media Focus: If you primarily watch videos indoors, browse social media, and prioritize a vibrant screen, the Realme 8 is a suitable option.
- Scenario 2: Gamer or Power User: If you play games frequently and need smooth performance, fast charging, and good build quality, the Xiaomi Poco X3 GT is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious Photography Enthusiast: If you're on a budget and want a versatile camera system, the Realme 8 has additional lenses for different creative situations.
- Scenario 4: User Seeking Best Overall Performance and Features: If you need the best performance, build quality, charging speed, better audio features and don't mind sacrificing AMOLED display technology the Xiaomi Poco X3 GT is the best option.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco X3 GT. While the AMOLED display of the Realme 8 is appealing, the significant performance boost, superior build quality, much faster charging, better audio, and the higher refresh rate of the Poco X3 GT outweigh the benefits of the Realme 8’s display technology for my personal use. I prioritize performance and responsiveness in my daily usage, and the Poco X3 GT delivers a much smoother and more enjoyable overall experience. The faster charging would also be a huge time saver. Although the AMOLED screen of the Realme 8 is better, the LCD on the Poco X3 GT is still quite good, and having higher refresh rate and a much better overall performance and features for the price, in my opinion, makes it the clear winner in this comparison.
