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Realme 8 5G
Realme 8 5G
Realme 8 5G
Realme 8 5G
...


7.5/10
Informr score
The Realme 8 5G currently has an Informr score of 7.5 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 8 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The "1-Minute" Review

Verdict

The Realme 8 5G may not be on the top of the phone rankings for features, but it offers affordable 5G to those on a budget.

What's good

  • Affordable
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks
  • Large, bright screen
  • 5G support
  • All-day battery

What's bad

  • Basic phone design
  • No wireless charging
  • Average camera
  • Poor gaming experience

5G networks are increasingly common, meaning that 5G is no longer a perk for just those who can afford it or those in a select handful of cities. But finding a phone that isn’t super expensive yet 5G capable can still pose a challenge. Does the Realme 8 5G help solve this problem?

Design

Thankfully, while the Realme 8 5G is a budget phone, its design doesn’t scream cheap.

It is very basic. But that’s not always a bad thing. The phone catches fingerprints easily, though. So if that bugs you, definitely budget for a case.

The one complaint that reviewers had against the design was placing the fingerprint reader in the power button. However, this is an increasingly popular design choice with other brands as well.

More importantly, it was accurate and quick to unlock the phone once reviewers found the sensor.

Display

At 6.5 inches, the Realme 8 5G screen offers plenty of real estate without making the phone too heavy. But the phone’s budget roots show slightly here as well.

The screen is a 1080p display, so you won’t get the detailed visuals and crisp text more expensive phones might offer. However, reviewers found the screen plenty bright for outdoor use, and the lower resolutions should help with performance and battery life.

Performance

The Realme 8 5G’s performance was surprisingly adequate given the phone's price.

There was little noticeable lag when doing the essentials like texting, streaming video, or browsing the web. However, it could not handle games beyond puzzles and simplified app games, and anything with action and lots of movement lags a great deal.

Software & Storage

The Realme 8 5G comes preloaded with Android 11, which is decent. You have the option of either 64GB or 128GB of storage space with this phone with a MicroSD slot for easy expansion if needed.

Cameras

It is no surprise that a budget phone would come with what reviewers say isn’t the best camera. However, when you compare reviews with other budget phone cameras, the verdict is a resounding pretty okay.

Battery Life

The Realme 8 5G even holds its own pretty well in battery life, and reviewers stated that it could pull a full day of regular use.

The only caveat mentioned was that the 18W charger takes almost three hours to recharge the battery fully.

Audio

This phone has one speaker at its command, and while it tries to be accommodating by switching audio sets depending on what you’re listening to, it just doesn’t add up to anything more than tinny sound without depth. Not to fear, though, although many phones have foregone them, the Realme 8 5G has a headphone jack.

Specs at a Glance

  • Plastic chassis
  • 6.5-inch AMOLED display
  • MediaTek MT6833 Dimensity 700 5G processor
  • 8GB of RAM
  • Android 11
  • 64/128GB of storage with MicroSD slot
  • 48+ MP camera
  • 5,000mAh battery

Bottom Line

The market for budget phones keeps growing, and there’s a fair bit of competition. It seems that the Realme 8 5G is holding its own, though. The manufacturer compromised a few things for the budget price, but it looks like the Realme 8 5G keeps the most essential parts in the long run.

Tom’s Guide says, “The Realme 8 5G is among the cheapest 5G phones yet. But it doesn’t outshine budget smartphones like the Pixel 4a, OnePlus Nord N10, or Redmi Note 10 Pro.”

Tech Radar states, “The Realme 8 5G is exactly what you would expect before you unbox it, knowing the retail price and the manufacturer: a solid, inexpensive 5G phone. If that's what you're in the market for, then this handset is going to appeal.”


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
2.2 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.2 GHz
6.5"
Screen Size
Screen Size
6.5"
48+ MP, f/1.8
Camera
Camera
48+ MP, f/1.8
5000
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Tech Advisor
Tech Advisor

While 5G at the Realme 8 5G's price point is an impressive achievement in itself, the company trimmed a little too much off this generation's budget 5G blower to render it a worthwhile buy versus the competition

- Alex Walker-Todd, Tech Advisor
MobileTechTalk
MobileTechTalk

Realme has really set the bar high for a phone of this price, well really any price. They have proved that just because a phone is built to a budget doesn’t mean it has be a bad phone, quite the opposite, they have pushed the boundaries of what a £200 phone can be. It wholeheartedly has my recommend...

- Siddu Munjal, MobileTechTalk
GadgetMatch
GadgetMatch

The realme 8 5G can be confidently called a steal. You can even go as far as to say that it deserves its lofty tag as a game-changer. It’s able to achieve this in a manner we aren’t used to seeing in this price segment. Far too often do we see midrangers that champion raw power or large battery cell...

- Karlo Lovenia, GadgetMatch
Laptop Mag
Laptop Mag

The Realme 8 5G delivers on fast data speeds, long-lasting battery life and a fluid 90Hz display — sacrificing camera quality, an in-screen fingerprint reader and the inclusion of a fast charger, alongside downgrading internal components and stuffing it full with bloatware.

- Jason England, Laptop Mag
GSMArena
GSMArena

We do like Realme's idea for an affordable 5G smartphone, and we have to say - the Realme 8 5G did turn out pretty good. Currently, it is the cheapest 5G-capable phone and yet it manages to offer other premium goodies such as a 90Hz screen, a high-res 48MP camera, and a large 5,000mAh battery. 

- GSMArena


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Realme 8 5G user manual here.


Realme backs up the 8 5G with a 2 Years parts & labour warranty.


If your 8 5G has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Realme support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Realme's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.



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Screen Size
6.5"

The Realme 8 5G's screen size is 6.5 inches with 1080 x 2400 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.2 GHz

There is a MediaTek MT6833 Dimensity 700 5G (7 nm) 2.2 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 11 operating system (OS).

Camera
48+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 48+ MP, f/1.8 camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 16+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
128 GB

Internal memory is 128 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 1000 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
5000

The phone is powered by a Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol), 5000 battery. Realme's performance ratings are 2520 minutes.

8 5G Specs

Overview
Release Date April 28, 2021
Regions Available United Kingdom
Operating System Android 11

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor MediaTek MT6833 Dimensity 700 5G (7 nm) 2.2 GHz
Internal Storage 128 GB
RAM 8 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Unknown
Manufacturer Warranty 2 Years
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE, 5G
Mobile / Cellular Data
5G, 4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Yes
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Yes
SIM card size
Nano-SIM
Dual SIM Yes
Connectivity
USB USB Type-C
USB OTG Support Yes
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 5.1
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 1000 GB)
NFC No
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
48+ Megapixels, f/1.8
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, Multi-shot, Night mode, Panorama, Self-timer, 2nd camera feature (2 MP, F2.4, Macro), 3rd camera feature (2 MP, F2.4, Depth), HDR
Video Recording Formats
MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
16+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
Aperture F2.1
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30 fps
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology Super AMOLED
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1080 x 2400 pixels
Pixel Density 405 pixels
Size 6.5 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touchscreen, 90Hz refresh rate
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)
Battery Capacity 5000
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging Yes
Video Playback Time Up to 960 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Unknown
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 2520 minutes
Standby Time Up to 27.29 days
Mixed Usage No
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Supersonic Blue, Supersonic Black
Dimensions [H x W x D] 16.25 x 7.48 x 0.85 cm (6.4 x 2.9 x 0.3 in)
Weight 185 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof No
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Yes
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Additional Information Other Names (AKA):
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Realme 8 5G Reviews
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