realme 8 5G Smartphone Review - Fast mobile internet for little money
Possible competitors in comparison
Rating | Rating Version | Date | Model | Weight | Drive | Size | Resolution | Price from |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
80.2 % | 7 | 05/2021 | Realme 8 5G Dimensity 700, Mali-G57 MP2 | 185 g | 128 GB UFS 2.1 Flash | 6.50" | 2400x1080 | |
78.9 % | 7 | 05/2021 | Xiaomi Redmi 9T SD 662, Adreno 610 | 198 g | 128 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | 6.53" | 2340x1080 | |
77.6 % | 7 | 04/2021 | Motorola Moto G30 SD 662, Adreno 610 | 197 g | 128 GB eMMC Flash | 6.50" | 1600x720 | |
78 % | 7 | 01/2021 | Xiaomi Poco M3 SD 662, Adreno 610 | 198 g | 128 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | 6.53" | 2340x1080 |
Case, equipment and operation - WLAN speed on a high level
The realme 8 5G is an inexpensive mid-range smartphone that is available starting at 199 Euros. The equipment variants only differ in terms of working memory: The smartphone costs 199 Euros with 4 GB, and it will probably be a few Euros more expensive with 8 GB, but we do not have prices for Europe yet. 128 GB of mass storage is always on board.
The chassis is made of plastic at the back and is somewhat susceptible to fingerprints. Light is refracted from the camera module and casts reflections across the back, which looks chic and unlike the realme 8 Pro the smartphone also manages without a striking slogan on the back.
With 185 grams, the smartphone is a bit lighter than comparable devices. The chassis is okay for the price range, but has a rather cheap flair overall.
In our WLAN test with the reference router Netgear Nighthawk AX12, the smartphone achieves good transfer rates for its class with WiFi 5 and places itself at the top of the comparison devices.
In terms of software, realme relies on its own UI, which is based on Android 11. The security patches are from March 2021 and need an update at the time of testing. Some third-party apps are preinstalled, but they can be easily uninstalled for the most part.
Cross Platform Disk Test (CPDT) | |
SDCard Sequential Write 0.5 GB | |
Average of class Smartphone (11.4 - 49.7, n=96, last 2 years) | |
Realme 8 5G (Angelbird V60) | |
SDCard Sequential Read 0.5 GB | |
Average of class Smartphone (42.6 - 1269, n=96, last 2 years) | |
Realme 8 5G (Angelbird V60) |
Cross Platform Disk Test (CPDT)
Networking | |
iperf3 transmit AX12 | |
Realme 8 5G | |
Xiaomi Redmi 9T | |
Xiaomi Poco M3 | |
Motorola Moto G30 | |
iperf3 receive AX12 | |
Realme 8 5G | |
Xiaomi Poco M3 | |
Motorola Moto G30 | |
Xiaomi Redmi 9T |
Cameras - No wide-angle optics
The 48-megapixel main camera normally only takes 12-megapixel photos, but four pixels are combined into one, resulting in a higher light yield. If you want to use the full resolution, you have to switch to a special photo mode. We like the photos in normal light conditions, the sharpness is decent, but the exposure could be better on cloudy days. In low light and high contrasts, the autofocus has problems finding the right focus, but the image brightness is quite decent.
In the lab, the main camera proves to be quite sharp and with good detail representation in good lighting conditions. Bright spots in the subject are still recognizable at 1 lux. Videos can be recorded with a maximum of 1080p and 30 fps, which is typical for this price range.
The realme 8 5G does not have a wide-angle camera, but only a 2-megapixel macro camera and a lens for support.
The front camera resolves with 16 megapixels. It takes passable selfies in good light.
Image Comparison
Choose a scene and navigate within the first image. One click changes the position on touchscreens. One click on the zoomed-in image opens the original in a new window. The first image shows the scaled photograph of the test device.
Hauptkamera BlumeHauptkamera UmgebungHauptkamera Low LightDisplay - Bright, but with little contrast
The IPS screen of the realme 8 5G does without PWM, shines quite brightly and shows a quite even illumination. At the same time, the black value is very high, so the contrast values are rather low. The color reproduction is also not really accurate, so those who have to judge colors accurately should look elsewhere.
We noticed a visible blue cast in the display's grayscale.
|
Brightness Distribution: 91 %
Center on Battery: 576 cd/m²
Contrast: 823:1 (Black: 0.7 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 3.58 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5
ΔE Greyscale 5.7 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
98.3% sRGB (Calman 2D)
Gamma: 2.141
Realme 8 5G IPS, 2400x1080, 6.50 | Xiaomi Redmi 9T IPS LCD, 2340x1080, 6.53 | Motorola Moto G30 LCD IPS, 1600x720, 6.50 | Xiaomi Poco M3 IPS, 2340x1080, 6.53 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Response Times | -42% | -110% | -37% | |
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% * | 33 ? | 44 ? -33% | 76 ? -130% | 44 ? -33% |
Response Time Black / White * | 20 ? | 30 ? -50% | 38 ? -90% | 28 ? -40% |
PWM Frequency | 880 ? | 176.7 ? | 893 ? | |
Screen | 43% | 3% | 45% | |
Brightness middle | 576 | 467 -19% | 284 -51% | 465 -19% |
Brightness | 550 | 425 -23% | 263 -52% | 428 -22% |
Brightness Distribution | 91 | 83 -9% | 83 -9% | 89 -2% |
Black Level * | 0.7 | 0.25 64% | 0.34 51% | 0.21 70% |
Contrast | 823 | 1868 127% | 835 1% | 2214 169% |
Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 3.58 | 1.35 62% | 2.92 18% | 1.7 53% |
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. * | 6.95 | 2.3 67% | 5.06 27% | 3.5 50% |
Greyscale dE 2000 * | 5.7 | 1.4 75% | 3.6 37% | 2.4 58% |
Gamma | 2.141 103% | 2.113 104% | 2.307 95% | 2.16 102% |
CCT | 7922 82% | 6403 102% | 6780 96% | 6664 98% |
Total Average (Program / Settings) | 1% /
26% | -54% /
-20% | 4% /
28% |
* ... smaller is better
Display Response Times
↔ Response Time Black to White | ||
---|---|---|
20 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 9 ms rise | |
↘ 11 ms fall | ||
The screen shows good response rates in our tests, but may be too slow for competitive gamers. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 37 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is similar to the average of all tested devices (21.6 ms). | ||
↔ Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey | ||
33 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 17 ms rise | |
↘ 16 ms fall | ||
The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.2 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 38 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is similar to the average of all tested devices (33.9 ms). |
Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)
Screen flickering / PWM not detected | |||
In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 18110 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 3846000) Hz was measured. |
Performance, emissions and battery life - High performance, long runtimes
The realme 8 5G relies on a MediaTek Dimensity 700 as SoC. It is a mid-range processor with 8 cores that offers significantly more power compared with other devices in the price range. Our test device is also usually on the first place among the contenders in terms of graphics performance.
The fast UFS 2.1 memory also does its job well and the realme 8 5G shows very fast memory accesses.
The casing's heat development under longer load is basically noticeable with a maximum of 42.7 °C, but harmless. However, it could also become unpleasant in hot environments
The mono speaker at the bottom edge of the realme 8 5G does a decent job, even offers a few audible low mids and does not overdrive the trebles too much. Bass is not perceptible, but listening to a song is more fun than on many other inexpensive smartphones.
There is a 3.5 mm jack for audio output, and Bluetooth 5.1 can also be used.
The 5,000 mAhbattery is usually large for the price range, and the smartphone also offers good runtimes of 18:24 hours, which should be enough for several days without a power outlet if you do not gamble continuously.
The bulky charger manages up to 18 watts and charges the smartphone completely in just under 1:30 to 2 hours.
Geekbench 5.5 | |
Single-Core (sort by value) | |
Realme 8 5G | |
Motorola Moto G30 | |
Xiaomi Poco M3 | |
Average MediaTek Dimensity 700 (445 - 574, n=9) | |
Average of class Smartphone (119 - 2138, n=211, last 2 years) | |
Multi-Core (sort by value) | |
Realme 8 5G | |
Motorola Moto G30 | |
Xiaomi Poco M3 | |
Average MediaTek Dimensity 700 (1071 - 1775, n=9) | |
Average of class Smartphone (473 - 6681, n=211, last 2 years) |
PCMark for Android - Work 2.0 performance score (sort by value) | |
Realme 8 5G | |
Xiaomi Redmi 9T | |
Motorola Moto G30 | |
Xiaomi Poco M3 | |
Average MediaTek Dimensity 700 (6368 - 10981, n=4) | |
Average of class Smartphone (9101 - 12871, n=4, last 2 years) |
GFXBench | |
on screen Aztec Ruins Normal Tier Onscreen (sort by value) | |
Realme 8 5G | |
Motorola Moto G30 | |
Xiaomi Poco M3 | |
Average MediaTek Dimensity 700 (12 - 28, n=11) | |
Average of class Smartphone (3.6 - 123, n=218, last 2 years) | |
1920x1080 Aztec Ruins Normal Tier Offscreen (sort by value) | |
Realme 8 5G | |
Motorola Moto G30 | |
Xiaomi Poco M3 | |
Average MediaTek Dimensity 700 (13 - 16, n=11) | |
Average of class Smartphone (2.3 - 229, n=218, last 2 years) | |
on screen Aztec Ruins High Tier Onscreen (sort by value) | |
Realme 8 5G | |
Motorola Moto G30 | |
Xiaomi Poco M3 | |
Average MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7.9 - 17, n=11) | |
Average of class Smartphone (2.8 - 105, n=218, last 2 years) | |
2560x1440 Aztec Ruins High Tier Offscreen (sort by value) | |
Realme 8 5G | |
Motorola Moto G30 | |
Xiaomi Poco M3 | |
Average MediaTek Dimensity 700 (5.2 - 6, n=11) | |
Average of class Smartphone (0.85 - 94, n=218, last 2 years) |
Realme 8 5G | Xiaomi Redmi 9T | Motorola Moto G30 | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Average 128 GB UFS 2.1 Flash | Average of class Smartphone | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AndroBench 3-5 | -22% | -37% | -12% | -5% | 141% | |
Sequential Read 256KB | 969 | 503 -48% | 214.5 -78% | 509 -47% | 763 ? -21% | 1468 ? 51% |
Sequential Write 256KB | 201 | 252.2 25% | 190.2 -5% | 269.2 34% | 295 ? 47% | 1078 ? 436% |
Random Read 4KB | 192 | 104.5 -46% | 247.4 29% | 147 -23% | 152.4 ? -21% | 242 ? 26% |
Random Write 4KB | 175 | 145.9 -17% | 12.2 -93% | 154.1 -12% | 130.6 ? -25% | 266 ? 52% |
Temperature
(±) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 42.7 °C / 109 F, compared to the average of 35 °C / 95 F, ranging from 21.9 to 56 °C for the class Smartphone.
(±) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 41.9 °C / 107 F, compared to the average of 33.8 °C / 93 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 26.9 °C / 80 F, compared to the device average of 32.7 °C / 91 F.
Loudspeaker
Realme 8 5G audio analysis
(±) | speaker loudness is average but good (81.7 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 33% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (11.3% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 4.6% away from median
(+) | mids are linear (5.5% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 3.7% away from median
(±) | linearity of highs is average (8.2% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (24.4% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 52% of all tested devices in this class were better, 7% similar, 41% worse
» The best had a delta of 12%, average was 38%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 70% of all tested devices were better, 6% similar, 24% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%
Motorola Moto G30 audio analysis
(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (82.2 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 66.6% lower than median
(+) | bass is linear (0% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(-) | nearly no mids - on average 66.6% lower than median
(+) | mids are linear (0% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(-) | nearly no highs - on average 66.6% lower than median
(+) | highs are linear (0% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(-) | overall sound is not linear (119.4% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 86% of all tested devices in this class were better, 10% similar, 4% worse
» The best had a delta of 12%, average was 38%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 96% of all tested devices were better, 3% similar, 1% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%
Battery life
Realme 8 5G 5000 mAh | Motorola Moto G30 5000 mAh | Xiaomi Redmi 9T 6000 mAh | Xiaomi Poco M3 6000 mAh | Average of class Smartphone | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Battery Runtime | |||||
WiFi Websurfing | 1104 | 1069 -3% | 1385 25% | 1249 13% | 908 ? -18% |
Pros
Cons
Verdict - Good value for money with the realme phone
The realme 8 5G offers access to the fastest mobile network for less than 200 Euros (~$200), which is quite something. At the same time, it is quite fast, offers fast Wi-Fi, a decent camera, a bright 90 Hz display, a decent speaker and long runtimes.
Criticisms are the chassis, which does not look very high-quality, and the screen's low contrast. However, you can probably live with that for under or just over 200 Euros (depending on the RAM configuration). Other smartphones in the price range without 5G are hardly superior in any aspect, so the realme 8 5G is definitely an option in terms of future viability and if you live in the 5G network area.
The realme 8 5G is fast, inexpensive and offers a bright screen. If you want to access the fastest network for little money, you should try the device.
All in all, realme actually offers an interesting package. However, those who can currently do without 5G and would rather have an AMOLED screen might want to consider the realme 8 with 4G might be an alternative, which will probably come to Europe for the same price and also comes with a wide-angle lens.
Price and availability
The realme 8 5G costs 199 Euros in the variant with 4 GB RAM. You can get the smartphone on the website of realme or at numerous online retailers.
Realme 8 5G
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05/07/2021 v7
Florian Schmitt