RealMe 8i Review with Pros and Cons – Bit Pricey?
After the launch of the RealMe 8s 5G, we have another phone from RealMe and this one is more affordable. The RealMe 8i is priced at Rs 13,999 for 4GB of Ram and 64GB storage.
Now, at the 15k price range, we have tons of smartphones to choose from, so is it worth spending 15k on RealMe 8i? We’ll find out but before that let me share with you the India price of RealMe 8i.
RealMe 8i Price in India
RealMe 8i is priced at Rs 13,999 for 4GB of Ram and 64GB storage while 6GB + 128GB storage variant is priced at Rs 15,999. The phone is available in Space Purple, and Space Black color options and it’s sold via Flipkart.
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Related: Better phones than RealMe 8i Under Rs 15,000
Contents
RealMe 8i Review
RealMe 8i does have good specifications and looking at the competition it’s a well-priced smartphone but still, it would have been better if it was launched at Rs 12,999. The MediaTek Helio G96 is a new and powerful processor that will provide the best performance while it has a decent camera.
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RealMe has provided a 120Hz LCD that is bright enough to use under sunlight. Also, the 5,000 mAh battery will last for a day.
Overall, if you can spend extra Rs 500 then you can take look at Motorola G40. Also if you want an AMOLED display then we also have Redmi Note 10 (review) or take look at Redmi 10 Prime (review) which is priced at Rs 12,499.
RealMe 8i Pros and Cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| 120Hz Smooth Display | Decent Cameras |
| Powerful MediaTek Helio G96 SoC | Plastic Build |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | LCD Display |
| 5,000 mAh battery | Only 18W Charging Support |
| Dedicated Micro-SD Card Slot | Bit Pricey |
| Unspecified Display Protection | |
| No Ultra-Wide Lens |
Those were the Pros and Cons of RealMe 8i, now let’s go point by point and see, whether you should spend Rs 13,999 or not?
RealMe 8i Display Quality
The RealMe 8i comes with a 120Hz 6.60-inches LCD along with a pick brightness of 600 nits. It also has a 180Hz touch sampling rate.
Now, the display quality is good, here I feel, RealMe has done a good job. Still, if RealMe has provided a 60hz AMOLED display then it would have been great but the 120Hz LCD panel is also good.
Still, if you want to use AMOLED then do take look at Redmi Note 10.
Just like RealMe 8s 5G, RealMe didn’t mention which glass protection they have used on the front side of RealMe 8i. Also, the phone has a plastic back and the frame is also made of plastic.
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For those who are wondering, the RealMe 8s does have Wide-Vine L1 support that means, you will be able to watch FHD+ content on OTT apps like Netflix and Prime Video.
Overall, RealMe has used good quality LCD panel and it works fine. So yes, there won’t be any kind of problem while watching movies or playing games.
RealMe 8i Cameras
RealMe 8i comes with a 50MP primary sensor, 2MP macro and 2MP depth sensor while there 16MP selfie shooter. Both the camera can shoot video up to 1080p@30fps.
Now, don’t expect the video footage to come out very good as the cameras don’t have support for OIS. So the video will come out shaky.
Also, RealMe didn’t mention which 50MP sensor they have used, they didn’t mention Sony or even Samsung.
By the way, don’t look at those 2MP + 2MP sensors, it won’t make a huge difference. So let’s talk about the 50MP primary shooter.
Just like any other affordable smartphone, the image will come out a bit saturated and at night, don’t expect the details.
RealMe needs to work on the camera department a lot, this can’t be happening in 2021 smartphones. Also, the 16MP selfie camera is the same, it doesn’t look like a 14k front camera.
Also, RealMe has provided night mode in the stock camera app but that also doesn’t do much.
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In short, if you like saturated colours then you will love the RealMe 8i camera but if you want to want the better camera at 14k then you will be disappointed.
The camera can be improved via an OTA update but we all know how it will turn out.
Overall, if you want a powerful processor at a 14k price tag and if you can go above that price tag then the RealMe 8i is a good option. Otherwise, you’re paying 14k for only the chipset and of course, a 120Hz LCD.
RealMe 8i Performance
The RealMe 8i is powered by all-new MediaTek Helio G96 which is built on 12nm architecture and is running on RealMe UI 2.0 based on Android 11.
The MediaTek Helio G96 is a new SoC but it doesn’t come with a huge performance booth compared to the last-gen Helio G95.
So whether you want to play games like BGMI or even COD Mobile, the SoC will give its best performance. Also, there won’t be any problem while using the smartphone in daily life.
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Also, the MediaTek Helio G96 is not a 5G ready SoC which means, RealMe 8i is a 4G smartphone.
By the way, the chipset is built on 12nm architecture which will affect the battery life.
Overall, if you’re looking for a gaming smartphone at 14k and if you don’t want to spend more money then it’s better to go with RealMe 8i.
RealMe 8i Audio Quality
Yes, the phone doesn’t have Stereo Speakers but it does have a secondary noise cancellation microphone for better call quality.
Also, this is a 14k smartphone, what more RealMe can give. I mean, could have but they didn’t.
The single speaker is decent but the call quality is good.
RealMe 8i Battery Life
RealMe 8i comes with a 5,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging support.
The battery life will last for a day for the casual user but if you’re a gamer then get ready to charge the RealMe 8i twice a day.
Also, MediaTek Helio G96 hates batteries, In a technical word, this is not a battery efficient processor.
In the end, it depends on you, what kind of apps you use which games you play and of course, the screen on time.
So yes, no one can tell you how will be the battery life for you but like I said, for the casual user it will last for a day but if you’re a gamer then get ready to charge the RealMe 8i twice as day.
RealMe 8i FAQs
Q: Does RealMe 8i has a 3.5mm Audio jack?
A: Yes.
Q: Does RealMe 8i has NFC Support?
A: No.
Q: How many OS updates will RealMe 8i will get?
A: RealMe didn’t say anything about OS updates but it should get at least Android 13.
Q: What is the screen refresh rate of RealMe 8i?
A: It has a 120Hz refresh rate.
Q: Does RealMe 8i has stereo speakers?
A: No.
Q: Does RealMe 8i Wdevine L1 support??
A: Yes.
Q: Does RealMe 8i has a camera2api enabled?
A: Yes.
Q: Does RealMe 8i Prime has 5G Support?
A: No.
Q: Does RealMe 8i has fast charging support?
A: Yes, it has 18W wired fast charging support.
Q: Does RealMe 8i has carrier aggregation support?
A: No.
RealMe 8i Vardict
RealMe 8i is a good smartphone if you keep the camera aside. Overall, if you’re looking for a smartphone with powerful SoC and you don’t care about camera&5G then RealMe 8i could be a good option for you.
RealMe 8i Advanatges
The RealMe 8i has powerful MediaTek Helio G96 SoC, 3.5mm audio jack, dedicated micro-SD card slot, 5000 mAH battery and smooth 120Hz LCD.
RealMe 8i Disadvantages
The RealMe 8i does have powerful SoC but when it comes to the camera, things change. It has a decent camera, not to mention display protection, plastic build, only 18W charging, no Ultra-wide lens, and the phone is a bit pricey compared to its competition.
RealMe 8i Full Specifications
| Launch Date | 9 September 2021 |
| First Sale | 14 September 2021, at noon via Flipkart |
| Display | 6.60 inches FHD+ IPS LCD 600 nits pick Brightness 180Hz Touch sampling rate: |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels resolution |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm |
| Display Protection | Unspecified |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 120Hz Screen Refresh Rate |
| Build | Front Glass Back Plastic Frame Plastic |
| OS | Android 11, RealMe UI 2.0 |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| CPU | Octa-core (2×2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6xX.X GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Storage | 4GB Ram + 64GB Storage 6GB Ram + 128GB Storage |
| Card Slot | Dedicated Micro-SD Card Slot (nanoSIM + nanoSIM +microSD) |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP Primary Sensor 2 MP Macro 2 MP Depth |
| Video | 1080p@30fps |
| Front Camera | 16 MP Selfie Shooter |
| Video | 1080p@30fps |
| 3.5mm Jack | Yes |
| Stereo Speakers | No |
| NFC | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| 5G Support | No |
| IR Blaster | No |
| Sensors | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor Light sensor Proximity sensor Magnetic induction sensor Acceleration sensor Gyro-meter sensor |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-Mounted |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh (non-removable) |
| Charging Speed | 18W wired fast Charging |
| Charging Time | – |
| Colours | Space Purple, and Space Black |
| Model Number | RMX3151 |
| Weight | 194 grams |
| India Price | 4GB Ram + 64GB storage: Rs 13,999 6GB Ram + 128GB storage: Rs 15,999 |
| In the box | realme 8i USB Type-C Cable 18W Charge Adapter SIM Card Needle Screen Protect Film Protect Case Quick Start Guide Important Product Information |
| Available at | Flipkart |
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A stunning device with a gem of a processor by mediatek.
The phone is a baller when it comes to performance. Thanks to the large RAM and the Helio G96.