1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme GT 5G | Asus Zenfone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.5 × 73.3 × 8.4 mm | 148 × 68.5 × 8.9 mm | Realme GT 5G is taller and wider, making it less pocketable but offering a larger screen. Asus Zenfone 8 is more compact and easier to handle one-handed. |
| Weight | 186g | 169g | Asus Zenfone 8 is significantly lighter, leading to better comfort during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 5.9" | Realme GT 5G offers a larger screen for more immersive media consumption and gaming. Asus Zenfone 8 is more compact and easier to manage with one hand. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same sharp image quality. |
| Pixel Density | 409 ppi | 446 ppi | Asus Zenfone 8 has slightly sharper text and image details due to the higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations for a fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1100 nits | Asus Zenfone 8 is dramatically brighter, providing excellent outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. Note: Realme GT 5G brightness is missing in the data. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G | Snapdragon 888 5G | Both phones offer flagship-level performance, capable of handling demanding tasks. |
| Antutu Score | 912,342 | 891,700 | Both have nearly identical performance, only 2% difference. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 | Both offer same high-end graphics capabilities. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4000mAh | Realme GT 5G has a larger battery, likely offering longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Realme GT 5G charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" sensor (Sony IMX682) | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" sensor (Sony IMX686) | Both offer comparable main camera performance. Sensor difference may result in slightly different color reproduction or low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.5 | 12MP, f/2.45, 1/2.93" sensor (Sony IMX663) | Realme GT 5G offers higher resolution while Asus Zenfone 8 has a slightly wider aperture and larger pixel size, potentially better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.3 | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor (Sony IMX363) (combined with Macro) | Realme GT 5G has a dedicated wide angle lens, while Asus Zenfone 8 combines it with a macro lens. Note: the practical application might differ. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor (Sony IMX363) (combined with Wide Angle) | Realme GT 5G has dedicated macro, while Asus Zenfone 8 combines it with a wide angle lens. Note: the practical application might differ. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps, EIS | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps, HDR, EIS | Asus Zenfone 8 offers superior video recording capabilities with 8K and 4K@120fps with HDR and EIS while Realme GT 5G records 4K@60 with EIS. |
| DxOMark Score | Not available | 116 (Mobile), 120 (Photo), 118 (Video) | Only Asus Zenfone 8 is tested by DxOMark, showing good camera performance. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, Ultra stable video, Manual focus, Laser AF, Night Mode | Dual camera, OIS, Exposure compensation | Each phone offers different features catering to different photography needs. OIS on the Zenfone helps with stabilization. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 14) | Android 11 (up to 13) | Realme GT 5G offers a longer future OS support compared to the Asus Zenfone 8. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Asus Zenfone 8 supports the latest Wi-Fi standard, offering faster speeds and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.2 LE | Both provide the same standard and similar profiles. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Asus Zenfone 8 supports more satellite systems, providing more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage & Audio | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256GB | Both phones provide similar internal storage options. |
| RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 6 GB, 8 GB, 12 GB, or 16 GB | Asus Zenfone 8 offers more RAM options, including 16GB for heavy users. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Asus Zenfone 8 offers better voice capture and noise cancellation with its additional microphone. Both feature Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer similar fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Asus Zenfone 8 has superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Asus Zenfone 8 has an additional gyroscope sensor useful for gaming and VR experiences. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme GT 5G Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.43" screen provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming.
- Larger Battery: 4500mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Additional Camera Lens: Dedicated Wide Angle and Macro lenses.
- Longer OS support: Android upgrade up to 14.
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- More Compact & Lighter: Smaller size and lighter weight make it more pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use.
- Higher Brightness Display: 1100 nits brightness provides much better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Superior Video Recording: Offers 8K video recording and 4K at 120fps and HDR.
- More RAM Options: up to 16 GB for smoother multitasking.
- Advanced Wi-Fi: Supports Wi-Fi 6 for faster speeds and better network performance.
- Better GPS: More satellite systems are supported, thus enabling more accurate navigation.
- Better Audio: Enhanced microphone for better audio recording and noise cancellation.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers better scratch and drop protection.
- Additional sensors: Including gyroscope, makes it suitable for gaming and VR
Trade-offs:
- Realme GT 5G: Sacrifices screen brightness, compact design, higher quality video recording, and better navigation for a bigger screen, potentially longer battery life, faster charging, and dedicated wide angle and macro lenses.
- Asus Zenfone 8: Sacrifices battery capacity, a larger display, and charging speed for compactness, better visibility in sunlight, video recording quality, better audio quality, and more RAM.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme GT 5G is Ideal For:
- Media Consumers: Users who frequently watch videos or movies on their phones will appreciate the larger display.
- Gamers: The larger screen enhances gaming experience.
- Power Users: People who need a device that can last a full day with heavy use.
- Users who need dedicated Wide Angle and Macro lens: Photographers who utilize wide angle or macro photography.
Asus Zenfone 8 is Ideal For:
- One-Handed Users: Those who prefer a compact, lightweight phone that is easy to use one-handed.
- Outdoor Users: People who frequently use their phone in bright sunlight will benefit from the high brightness display.
- Video Enthusiasts: Users who record videos, particularly those who require higher resolution or frame rate.
- Multitaskers: People who need to switch frequently between apps and need the additional RAM.
- Gamers who need Gyroscope: Those who require gyroscope for advanced gaming features.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Those who prefer a higher quality audio and microphone
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Do you prioritize a large screen and long battery life, or a compact and easy to use device?
- Do you need the best possible screen brightness and video recording quality, or is faster charging more important to you?
- Are you a heavy gamer and need a gyroscope, or do you value dedicated macro and wide angle lenses?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "I watch a lot of videos on my phone, and I need a long-lasting battery." - Recommendation: Realme GT 5G due to its larger screen and larger battery capacity.
- Scenario 2: "I often use my phone outdoors in bright sunlight, and I need something pocketable." - Recommendation: Asus Zenfone 8 because of its high brightness display and compact design.
- Scenario 3: "I frequently record videos, especially in 4K or higher resolution, and need great audio." - Recommendation: Asus Zenfone 8 due to its advanced video recording capabilities, microphone, and quality.
- Scenario 4: "I need a phone that charges quickly and can last all day." - Recommendation: Realme GT 5G due to the combination of larger battery capacity and 65W fast charging.
- Scenario 5: "I need a phone with gyro and better performance on games" - Recommendation: Asus Zenfone 8 because it has a gyroscope and also more ram option than the Realme GT 5G.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would lean towards the Asus Zenfone 8. While the Realme GT 5G offers a larger screen and faster charging, the Zenfone 8's compact form factor, much brighter display, significantly superior video recording capabilities (8K and 4K@120fps), additional sensors such as gyroscope, more RAM options, and robust screen protection (Corning Gorilla Glass Victus) align better with my needs. I often find myself using a phone in varying lighting conditions, and the higher brightness display is crucial. Additionally, I'm more interested in higher quality video recording, which is a standout feature of the Zenfone 8. While the Realme GT 5G is a very good phone, the practical advantages of the Zenfone 8 outweigh those of the Realme GT 5G for my specific usage patterns.
