Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. ZTE nubia Z50S Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-25 | 2023-07-27 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is significantly newer, benefiting from newer technology. |
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 163.9 × 76.3 × 8.3 mm | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is larger and might feel less comfortable in smaller hands. |
| Weight | 177g | 228g | Realme 8 is much lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.8" | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro has a noticeably larger display for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2800 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro offers sharper visuals with more detail. |
| Pixel Density | 411 PPI | 452 PPI | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro has slightly crisper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 1500 nits | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is much easier to view in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4nm) | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro offers significantly faster performance for demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,579,720 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro has superior performance for gaming and multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 740 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro handles graphics-intensive apps much better. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 54MP | Realme 8 has a higher MP count, but sensor size and quality are also important. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.6 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro allows more light, potentially improving low light performance |
| Main Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.49" | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro has a larger sensor, likely improving low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Camera | None | 8MP | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro offers more versatile shooting options with a dedicated telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 8MP | 50MP | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro captures much higher resolution ultrawide shots. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP | None | Realme 8 has a macro lens, for close up photography. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP | 16MP | Both offer similar selfie camera resolution |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro can capture much higher resolution videos. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera | Triple Camera, OIS, Gimbal | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro has more advanced features, including optical stabilization. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5100mAh | Both have similar battery capacity for all day use. |
| Charging | 30W | 80W | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro has a newer Android version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 7 (802.11be) | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro supports the latest WiFi standard for faster connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro has a newer Bluetooth version with potentially better audio features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro has more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 256GB/1024GB | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro offers much more storage space for media and apps. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 12GB/16GB | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is much better at multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro has more feature rich sound including stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer standard fingerprint security. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor | Both have comprehensive suite of sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter & More Compact: Significantly lighter at 177g, making it more comfortable for extended one handed use.
- Macro Lens: Offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- More affordable: Likely to be significantly cheaper due to age and lower specifications.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 chipset provides much faster processing, better for demanding games and multitasking.
- Larger, Sharper Display: Larger screen with higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness for a better visual experience.
- Significantly Better Camera: Larger sensors, telephoto lens, higher resolution ultrawide, and OIS offer superior imaging capabilities.
- Much Faster Charging: 80W charging drastically reduces charging times.
- More Modern Features: Includes 8K video recording, latest WiFi, and a newer version of Bluetooth.
- More Storage and RAM: Comes with significantly more storage and RAM, allowing for more apps, media, and smoother performance.
- Better audio experience: Comes with stereo speakers.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Offers a less impressive display, significantly weaker performance, and a less capable camera system but is much lighter.
- ZTE nubia Z50S Pro: Significantly heavier, larger, and likely more expensive compared to the Realme 8.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Those who prioritize affordability over top-tier performance and features.
- Light smartphone users: Those who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging.
- Users who prioritize comfortable one handed use
Use Cases:
- Basic daily tasks, such as social media, calling, and web browsing.
- Casual gaming on less graphically demanding games.
- Users who prefer a lighter device.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who want the best possible performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value a high-quality camera system for versatile shooting.
- Media Consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos and playing games on a large, high-quality display.
- Users that want future proofed tech
Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming.
- Professional-grade photography and videography.
- Heavy multitasking with multiple apps.
- Extensive media consumption.
- Users wanting faster charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is your budget? The Realme 8 is significantly more affordable.
- How important is performance? The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is far superior in speed and multitasking capabilities.
- What are your camera needs? The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro offers a more versatile and better performing camera.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-focused user wanting basic functionality: The Realme 8 is a sufficient choice.
- User seeking excellent performance and features regardless of cost: The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is the clear winner.
- User who needs a light and more compact device: The Realme 8 is better in this aspect.
- User seeking superior display and audio: The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro has an upper hand.
What I Would Choose and Why
Given the significant performance, camera, and display advantages, I would choose the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro. While the Realme 8 is more affordable, the ZTE offers a dramatically better overall user experience. For me, the key factors are:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 will offer a far smoother and more responsive experience, especially with demanding apps and games, ensuring the phone remains capable for longer.
- Camera Quality: The larger camera sensors, telephoto lens, and 8K video recording capabilities of the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro are crucial for me as a user who appreciates mobile photography.
- Display: The larger, sharper, brighter display with a 120Hz refresh rate is significantly better for content consumption and everyday use.
- Future-Proofing: With newer Bluetooth and WiFi standards, and the latest Android OS, the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro offers more future proofed tech compared to the Realme 8.
- Storage and RAM: The extra storage and RAM mean I don't have to compromise on storage or worry about background apps slowing the phone.
Although the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is heavier and more expensive, the substantial gains in performance, camera capabilities, display quality, and the features listed justify the extra cost. It aligns much more closely with my needs for a high-performance, versatile, and enjoyable smartphone experience.
