realme 8 5G review
The Realme 8 5G is a budget-friendly smartphone that stands out in the market with its affordable price tag and 5G connectivity feature. As a successor to the Realme 7 5G, this device cuts back on some specs in exchange for a lower price, making it an attractive option for those who want a reliable 5G phone without breaking the bank. The phone's design is quite similar to other recent Realme models, with a glossy curved rear panel that looks like glass and a thin plastic frame. However, one notable omission is the lack of water sealing on the device's ports, although this was also absent in its predecessor. Under the hood, the Realme 8 5G packs a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a 1080p resolution and a fast 90Hz refresh rate. While the screen performs decently, it lags behind its predecessor's 120Hz refresh rate and lacks Gorilla Glass protection. The phone also features a headphone jack, single speaker, and side-mounted fingerprint reader. Performance-wise, the Realme 8 5G holds its own against competitors like the OnePlus Nord N10, although it does fall behind last year's model in graphics tests. Battery life is impressive, with a great endurance rating of 118 hours, but charging speed is relatively slow at 18W. The camera setup includes three lenses: a 48MP quad Bayer main cam, 2MP macro camera, and 2MP monochrome sensor for depth sensing. Image quality is decent, with accurate colors and good dynamic range, although the detail level could be better. The front-facing camera takes great selfies with rich detail and good sharpness. Overall, the Realme 8 5G offers a compelling package of 5G connectivity, decent performance, and good battery life at an affordable price. While it may not be the best option in its class, it's a solid choice for those who prioritize 5G capabilities without breaking the bank.
Build Quality and Design
The Realme 8 5G boasts a design that is quite similar to its predecessors, with a glossy curved rear panel made from plastic. While it may appear to be glass at first glance, the material is actually plastic. The absence of a Dare to Leap logo on the backside might not be a bad thing, as it adds a touch of minimalism. The device's frame is also made from plastic, and the matte finish provides a bit of grippiness that some users may appreciate. Unfortunately, one notable omission compared to last year's model is water sealing on the device's ports. This means that while the Realme 8 5G might not be officially waterproof, it still has a more rugged feel to it. The overall build quality feels decent, but there are some compromises made in order to achieve an affordable price point. The use of plastic instead of glass or metal may raise some eyebrows among fans of premium devices. Despite these compromises, the Realme 8 5G's design is still visually appealing and attractive. The curved rear panel catches light in a way that gives it a premium feel, even if it's not actually made from high-end materials. In terms of build quality, the device feels sturdy and well-constructed. However, it's worth noting that some users may be put off by the absence of certain features, such as water sealing or Gorilla Glass protection. Ultimately, the Realme 8 5G's design is a compromise between form and function. While it may not look as premium as some other devices on the market, it still has a certain charm to it that will appeal to fans of affordable smartphones.
Battery Life
In the midst of affordable mid-rangers, Realme has managed to stand out with their latest offering, the Realme 8 5G. One of the standout features of this device is its battery life, which has left us impressed. The Realme 8 5G packs a large 5000mAh battery, making it one of the most power-packed devices in its class. Our proprietary battery life tests revealed an incredible endurance rating of 118 hours, even accounting for the device's high-resolution display and processor demands. This translates to days of usage without needing to recharge, making it perfect for users who need a device that can last. What's even more impressive is that Realme has managed to achieve this feat while maintaining a slim design profile. The battery life is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the Realme 8 5G, and we're glad to see that the company hasn't compromised on performance despite the large battery capacity. While charging speed might not be the strongest aspect of the device (taking around half an hour to reach 29% charge), it's a minor trade-off considering the exceptional battery life. Overall, the Realme 8 5G's battery performance is a significant plus point that makes it stand out in its class.
Display
The Realme 8 5G boasts a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a 1080p resolution and a punch-hole design for the selfie camera. One of its standout features is a fast 90Hz refresh rate, which provides smooth scrolling and navigation. However, it's worth noting that this screen doesn't quite live up to the standards set by last year's Realme 7 5G, which had a 120Hz refresh rate. The display itself is decent, with fairly accurate colors, although whites have a noticeable bluish tinge. The contrast is excellent, with deep blacks and good brightness levels, peaking at around 470 nits in manual mode and up to 580 nits in auto mode. In bright conditions, the screen performs well. One notable omission from the display specs is Gorilla Glass protection. This means that the Realme 8 5G's screen may be more susceptible to scratches and damage compared to other devices with this feature. In terms of display quality, the Realme 8 5G does a good job, but it doesn't necessarily stand out from the crowd. While it's not a bad display by any means, some users may find themselves missing out on features they've come to expect from higher-end devices. Overall, the display on the Realme 8 5G is serviceable, but it feels like a compromise made in order to hit an affordable price point. If you're looking for a budget-friendly device with good display quality, the Realme 8 5G may be worth considering. However, if display performance is a top priority, you may want to look elsewhere.
Camera
The camera system on the Realme 8 5G is one aspect where this device shines, despite being an affordable mid-ranger. The smartphone boasts a triple-camera setup, consisting of a 48-megapixel quad-bayer main sensor, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a 2-megapixel monochrome sensor for depth sensing. The primary camera, with its quad-bayer design, captures impressive 12-megapixel photos by default. While not spectacular, the detail resolution is sufficient for an entry-level device. The colors are accurate, and the dynamic range is wide but not over-the-top. The main camera excels at capturing portraits with commendable dynamic range, even if the separation isn't stellar. In low-light conditions, the primary camera performs admirably, offering a decent amount of detail, good contrast, and well-preserved colors. Night mode, when enabled, adds more detail, restores clipped highlights, and improves color saturation slightly. The 2-megapixel macro camera takes sharp, colorful photos if the distance is correctly set (fixed at around 4-5 centimeters). However, the detail level isn't impressive in these shots. One notable aspect of the camera system is its ability to capture good low-light photos. The main camera manages to preserve a decent amount of detail, and the dynamic range is maintained well. Turning on night mode enhances the image quality even further. The 16-megapixel front-facing camera delivers outstanding selfie picture quality, with rich detail, good sharpness, accurate colors, and impressive dynamic range. Videos can be recorded with the main camera at up to 1080p resolution at 30fps, but there's no support for 4K or 60fps recording. Overall, the camera system on the Realme 8 5G is a pleasant surprise, offering respectable performance in various conditions. While not exceptional, it's solid enough for an entry-level device and provides a good value proposition considering the affordable price point of this smartphone.
Price and Value
The Realme 8 5G is an intriguing device that attempts to challenge the conventional notion that affordable mid-rangers can't offer premium features. Priced at a fraction of its predecessor, the Realme 75G, this new offering from Realme boasts 5G connectivity on a budget. At first glance, it's hard not to feel like the Realme 8 5G is a step down from the Realme 75G in terms of specs. The device ditches some features, such as water sealing and Gorilla Glass protection, in exchange for a significantly lower price tag. However, this compromise doesn't necessarily translate to a compromised user experience. One of the standout aspects of the Realme 8 5G is its value proposition. With a price that's often half that of other 5G-enabled devices on the market, it's hard not to be impressed by what you get for your money. The device's performance is decent, with the Mediatek Dimensity D700 chipset holding its own against competitors in benchmarks. While some may view the Realme 8 5G as a compromise, I see it as a calculated move by Realme to offer a viable alternative to those on a budget who still want access to 5G connectivity. The device's battery life is also commendable, with an endurance rating of 118 hours in our tests. Ultimately, the Realme 8 5G is a good deal for those prioritizing 5G connectivity and affordability above all else. However, if you're not set on having a 5G phone, there are some excellent 4G-capable options available at similar price points that may offer better specs. Nonetheless, the Realme 8 5G is an intriguing offering that deserves consideration from those looking for a budget-friendly 5G experience.
Performance
The Realme 8 5G is one of the most affordable 5G smartphones available in the market today, and as such, it's expected to make some compromises on performance. However, our review suggests that these compromises are not too severe. Under the hood, the phone is powered by a Mediatek Dimensity D700 chipset, which is comparable to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 695G in terms of performance. In benchmarks, the Realme 8 5G holds its own against competitors like the OnePlus Nord N10, although it does fall behind last year's Realme 7 5G in graphics tests. In everyday use, the phone performs decently well, running most games at lower settings without any hiccups. The thermals are also good, with no throttling to speak of. However, the charging speed is not impressive, taking around half an hour to charge from zero to 50%. The Realme UI 2.0 based on Android 11 is smooth and responsive, and the phone's interface is easy to use. The large 5000mAh battery also provides great endurance, lasting up to 118 hours in our proprietary battery life tests. While the Realme 8 5G may not be a powerhouse in terms of performance, it's still a decent option for those who want a 5G smartphone without breaking the bank. Its affordability and decent performance make it a good choice for casual users who don't need top-of-the-line specs.
Pros
1. The Realme 8 5G offers 5G connectivity at an affordable price.
2. The phone has a decent high refresh rate screen with a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display and a 90Hz refresh rate.
3. The Realme 8 5G has good battery life, with a large 5000mAh battery.
4. The phone's camera performance is also impressive.
Cons
1. The Realme 8 5G cuts back on some specs compared to its predecessor.
2. The phone's performance can feel slow at times.
3. The camera app has some limitations, such as no ultra-wide-angle lens.
4. The charging speed is not impressive.