1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 164.2 × 76.1 × 8.1 mm | Poco X4 Pro is slightly larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 177g | 205g | Realme 8 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.67" | Poco X4 Pro offers a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer similar sharpness and clarity. |
| PPI | 411 | 395 | Practically imperceptible difference in sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Poco X4 Pro provides much smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 1200 nits | Poco X4 Pro will be more readable in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Poco X4 Pro's chipset is newer and more efficient, potentially offering better sustained performance and battery life, plus 5G connectivity. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 395,978 | Both offer similar general performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 619 | Different architectures; real-world gaming performance will depend on the specific game. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Poco X4 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52", 0.7µm | Poco X4 Pro has a much higher resolution, potentially capturing more detail, and a larger sensor for better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06", 1.0µm | Poco X4 Pro has a slightly wider aperture and a marginally larger sensor for better selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25, unknown sensor, unknown µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | Poco X4 Pro likely captures slightly better wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, unknown sensor, unknown µm | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | Poco X4 Pro's Macro sensor has a larger pixel size for potentially better close-ups. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, unknown sensor, unknown µm | N/A | Realme 8 has a dedicated black & white sensor. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@up to 120fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps with EIS | Realme 8 offers higher resolution video capture. |
| Features | 4K Video, Quad Camera, digital zoom, EIS, autofocus, HDR, etc. | Triple camera, digital zoom, EIS, autofocus, HDR, Night Mode, RAW, etc. | Poco X4 Pro has more advanced shooting options while Realme 8 has the 4k video and a dedicated black & white sensor. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both ship with the same OS. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both offer the same Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, LE, A2DP, EDR, HID | 5.2, LE, A2DP, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | Poco X4 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version with better audio codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou(B1) | Poco X4 Pro has slightly more accurate GPS. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB or 128GB | 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB | Poco X4 Pro offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB | 6GB or 8GB | Both have similar multitasking performance depending on RAM configuration. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Poco X4 Pro offers a richer audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Poco X4 Pro provides a slightly more convenient and potentially more responsive fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Poco X4 Pro offers better screen scratch and impact resistance. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Biometric, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Poco X4 Pro has Compass, but the Realme has Proximity and magnetometer |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter and more compact: Easier to handle and carry for extended periods, improving one-handed usage.
- Higher resolution video recording: 4K video at 30fps provides more detailed and higher quality recordings.
- Dedicated Black & White lens: Offers a unique photography option.
- Magnetometer Sensor: Can be used in apps like compasses or metal detectors.
- Price: The Realme 8 might be a more affordable option, while still providing good performance for most users.
Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G Advantages:
- 120Hz AMOLED Display: Much smoother visual experience, especially for gaming and scrolling.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging reduces downtime and increases convenience.
- 5G Connectivity: Access to faster mobile networks where available.
- Better Main Camera Sensor: Larger sensor size and higher resolution for more detailed photos, especially in low-light situations.
- Superior Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers for an enhanced multimedia experience.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for added durability.
- More Storage Options: Offers a 256 GB model.
- More Advanced Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.2 with advanced audio codec support.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Sacrifices a smoother display, faster charging, and more advanced features to be more lightweight, compact and have a lower price.
- Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G: Loses the 4K video, and is larger and heavier, potentially compromising ease of use for some users.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritize affordability and essential features.
- Users with smaller hands: Appreciate the lightweight and compact design for comfortable one-handed usage.
- Users who prioritize video recording quality: Value 4K recording capability.
- Users who need a lighter phone: Will enjoy the significantly lighter weight of this device.
- Users who want the Black & White camera
Use Cases:
- Everyday use, social media, basic gaming.
- Capturing high-resolution videos for personal use or content creation.
- Users who prioritize portability and comfort.
Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a smooth display: Gamers and users who appreciate a responsive and fluid experience.
- Users who need fast charging: People who want to quickly top up their phone battery.
- Users who consume a lot of multimedia: Enjoy videos, music, and games on their phone.
- Users who want a more capable camera: will appreciate the bigger sensor and higher res main camera.
- Users who want 5G: will enjoy 5G speeds where available.
- Users who want better screen protection
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming, watching videos, and listening to music on the go.
- Photography, including capturing detailed photos in low light.
- Users who prioritize performance, display quality, and quick charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display smoothness (120Hz)? If it's crucial, the Poco X4 Pro 5G is the clear choice. If not, the Realme 8 is fine.
- Is 5G necessary? If 5G is required, then the Poco X4 Pro 5G is your only option.
- How important are camera features and video recording? Do you need the black & white camera and 4K video recording? The Realme 8 is the better choice. If you need the main camera improvements the Poco X4 is better.
- How important is device size and weight? The Realme 8 is more pocketable, while the Poco X4 Pro 5G is heavier and larger.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious with Basic Needs: Choose Realme 8 for its affordability, light weight and compact size.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Multimedia Lover: Choose Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G for its 120Hz display, fast charging, and better audio.
- Scenario 3: Content Creator: If you want 4k and have smaller hands, choose the Realme 8, if you want better low light camera performance, choose the Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G
- Scenario 4: Photography Enthusiast: Choose Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G for its improved low light camera performance, or the Realme 8 if you want the black & white lens.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G.
Reasoning:
While the Realme 8 has a few advantages like the lighter weight, smaller size, and 4K recording, the Poco X4 Pro 5G offers more appealing benefits for my needs. The 120Hz display is a significant upgrade for daily usage, the faster charging is a massive convenience, the larger camera sensor captures better photos, and having 5G is also a big plus. I also appreciate the better audio, better build quality, and added features on the Poco X4. Although it is slightly bigger and heavier, the trade-off is worthwhile considering the overall experience. The differences in the camera, storage options, faster charging and display smoothness make a very compelling argument. While I appreciate 4k video recording, I think the other improvements on the Poco X4 Pro outweigh the loss of this functionality.
