Realme 8 5G test: 5G more, the rest less

After having had the opportunity to test the Realme 8 Pro, then the Realme 8, the brand is already back with a 5G version of its Realme 8, logically called Realme 8 5G. This new version does not just bring 5G, but also offers some crisp new features as well as a slightly different design. Here is our review of the Realme 8 5G!

Realme 8 5G Features

Design, Screen and Audio

On the screen side, there is already a major change between this Realme 8 5G and the Realme 8 and 8 Pro, and it is not to the advantage of the smartphone that we are testing. Here, no AMOLED, but back to a 6.5-inch IPS LCD panel, a technology that obviously offers a much less qualitative display, but if this screen is very good, with accurate colors, good brightness, and excellent contrast. In addition, what we lose in contrast compared to OLED, we gain in fluidity with a refresh rate of 90 Hz which improves everyday navigation. At the top left of this slab, there is a small punch accommodating the front camera, and a large chin on the bottom edge slightly taints the borderless experience.

Now let's come to the back, where the Realme 8 5G stands out from its predecessors with a much more sober look. Exit the huge slogan "DARE TO LEAP" engraved in large letters on the back of the Realme 8 and 8 Pro. The Realme 8 5G has a smooth, shiny back — made of plastic — that's fairly insensitive to fingerprints. The photo block perfectly integrated into the set confirms the sobriety of the design.

Finally, there are rather qualitative matte plastic slices. The unlock button incorporating a fingerprint sensor is located on the right edge, the volume buttons and the SIM card drawer on the left, and there is the speaker, the microphone, the USB-C port and a 3.5 mm jack on the bottom edge. Overall the grip is good. The smartphone is neither too big nor too small, and is rather handy with its contained weight of 185 grams.

5G, Performance and Autonomy

Unlike the Realme 8 and Realme 8 Pro which only offer 4G, the Realme 8 5G brings, as its name suggests, 5G connectivity! This is due to the SoC integrated into the smartphone, which comes from the side of MediaTek. It is a Dimensity 700, an octa-core processor engraved in 7 nm. In use, this SoC – accompanied by 6 or 8 GB of RAM depending on the configuration chosen – is perfect. We benefit from a perfectly fluid navigation experience (thanks to the 90 Hz), without any lag, and the multi-tasking is perfectly usable. Small flat on the other hand on the side of the video game, where it shows some weaknesses. You will need to lower your settings, and, although it is not clear why, a very popular title like Fortnite is not supported. This is to be taken into account if this is part of your uses.

In terms of autonomy, the Realme 8 5G has an impressive 5,000 mAh battery. This allows it to easily last the full day of use, or even more if you are not using 5G. You can without hesitation activate the 90 Hz refresh rate of the screen to take advantage of it, as we did during this test of the Realme 8 5G, since we finally note little impact on the autonomy of the smartphones. In addition, it is good to know that you can always deactivate this option to glean a few minutes of additional autonomy when you run out of battery and there is no power outlet nearby.

Finally, on the side of the OS, nothing to say. The Realme 8 5G features Android 12 and the manufacturer's in-house overlay, Realme UI 2. In fact, the overall experience is very similar to Android Stock, and you will rarely get lost in it since the settings are rather accessible and practical, and the clear and sober interface. The only downside: pre-installed applications. Upon unboxing, there are a ton of apps all over the place, and even fake folders that take us back to third-party app stores. Fortunately, all of this can be uninstalled, but it may surprise you on the first start.

Photo and Video

On the photo and video side, the Realme 8 5G displays a configuration below compared to the Realme 8 and the Realme 8 Pro. There are three sensors, a main wide-angle of 48 MP, a macro and a black and white sensor. Unfortunately, Realme ignores the ultra wide-angle, yet present on the Realme 8 and 8 Pro. In addition, the main sensor loses megapixels, compared to the 64 MP of the Realme 8 and the excellent 108 MP of the Realme 8 Pro.

We will focus mainly on the main sensor, since the other two sensors – the macro and the black & white – are ultimately rather anecdotal and will only be used for certain very specific uses. Regarding the main sensor, the drop in megapixels is felt. Thus, the digital zoom, which was one of the strengths of the Realme 8 Pro, in particular, becomes completely unusable here. Otherwise, the shots are correct, nothing more. The sharpness is decent, but the photos often seem poorly exposed, and the colors are especially very dull. This can be an advantage if you are used to retouching your images afterwards, but we found the rendering rather average. At night, on the other hand, this sensor holds the shock and the night mode is rather convincing.