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.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Alex Walker-Todd, Tech AdvisorWhile 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
- Siddu Munjal, MobileTechTalkRealme 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...
- Karlo Lovenia, GadgetMatchThe 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...
- Jason England, Laptop MagThe 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.
- GSMArenaWe 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.
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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Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- Realme 8 5G Manual (PDF)
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