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REALME 8i - 120 Hz, 50 MP and super autonomy for only 199 euros: but is it worth it?

A few days ago the last device of the Realme 8 series has landed on the Italian market, a smartphone that on paper boasts first-class features in comparison to the price range, such as a 50 MP camera, a display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and much more. So let's discover the new Realme 8i in this complete review.

On offer on Amazon

Last updated on March 28, 2024 9:56

We can only start from the sales package of the Realme 8i, a yellow box, in the full style of the brand, inside which we find the following equipment:

  • Realm 8i;
  • wall power supply with European socket and max 18W output;
  • USB Type-C charging / data transfer cable;
  • silicone protective cover;
  • SIM tray removal tool;
  • plastic film pre-applied on the screen;
  • fast guide.

Certainly the new device of the Asian brand does not stand out for its originality and uniqueness, but still offers a design that is made up of rather modern and pleasant lines both to the eye and to the ergonomics. Let's start with the dimensions: 75,5 x 164,1 x 8,5 mm and a weight of 194 grams, make the Realme 8i not a featherweight or compact smartphone, but overall the handling of the device even with a single hand was discreet. , relying on a flat front design and a curved back.

The materials used are polycarbonate both for the profiles and for the rear body, the latter painted in a shaded way with beautiful light effects when hit by direct light, but unfortunately there is no anti-fingerprint or dirt treatment. Overall, the construction is so well done that it almost seems that the back cover is glass rather than plastic, while you immediately notice the "poor" material used for the profiles, where no space has been given to any element on the top, while in that lower we have the 3,5 mm jack, main microphone, USB Type-C input with OTG support but no video output and finally the mono-type system speaker.

The presence of the jack to take advantage of wired earphones is always a welcome thing, while the absence of stereo audio is a real shame, which would have distinguished the Realme 8i more from the competition. We must therefore be satisfied with a mono type sound, with a predominance of medium-high tones, although I must admit that the listening volume is quite generous but above all it never crackles at the highest levels.

On offer on Amazon

Last updated on March 28, 2024 9:56

Returning to the back of the device, we find only a bump camera with 3 optics and LED flash supplied, with a style reminiscent of a camping "stove", and nothing else as the fingerprint sensor has been inserted into the power button , which we find on the right side of the smartphone, slightly recessed with respect to the profile. I must admit that the position is perfect for use with both hands and that the release takes place quickly but above all with the reliability typical of this technology.

Instead, I found the position of the volume buttons uncomfortable, which we find on the left side of the terminal, accompanied by the presence of the SIM card tray, able to accommodate 2 SIM cards in nano format as well as 1 micro SD card with support up to 256 GB for expand the integrated memory, without giving up the Dual SIM Dual Standby function. I found the volume buttons "uncomfortable" for the simple fact that often when holding the smartphone to turn off the display with the power button, the volume buttons are also pressed, generating unwanted screenshots, something that can be solved by activating the double tap to wake up or turn off the display.

realm 8i

Realme 8i enjoys 4G LTE connectivity even if in my case I have never been able to hook the 4G +, but in any case the navigation speed obtained with the speed tests was more than dignified as well as I never saw hesitation in receiving the signal .  

Coming to the front, the company has inserted a generous grille for the ear capsule, but as mentioned no stereo sound comes out, while the quality in conversation is very appreciable. We also find the proximity and brightness sensors that do their job very well, all enclosed in frames that do not disfigure the large display, net of not exactly contained dimensions.

realm 8i

The display is then one of the strengths of this Realme 8i, or a 6,6-inch panel with IPS technology and Full HD + resolution (2412 x 1080 pixels) with form factor in 20: 1 and screen to body ratio of 90,8, 16%. In the upper left part a punch hole is then inserted that uses a XNUMX MP selfie camera, which can also be used for unlocking via the face, with not exactly lightning-fast results but able to work even in very low light conditions.

Returning to the screen of the Realme 8i this boasts a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz, able to self-adapt according to the content on frequencies that vary between the following values: 30Hz, 48Hz, 50Hz, 60Hz, 90Hz and 120Hz or s it can select the standard at 60 Hz or the fixed 120 Hz. The sampling frequency at the touch is 180 Hz, a value that does not stand out, but whose presence stands out in this price range.

The company claims a peak brightness of 600 nits, which I personally haven't been to measure, but I can say that in direct light conditions the screen display is guaranteed. The panel used supports the DCI-P3 color space, but we do not find HDR although in the software settings there is the possibility to activate an item that simulates its function. Good native support for Widevine L1 DRMs on all streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime Video. In short, a display that allows you to enjoy wide-ranging multimedia, with good reproduction and color fidelity.

Some might turn up their noses for the hardware chosen to animate the Realme 8i, which relies on the new MediaTek Helio G96 processor, an octa-core solution at 2.05 GHz with a 12 nm production process which is accompanied by the new Mali-G57 GPU. MC2 able to support 120 Hz refresh rate even in games, but unfortunately in my tests I have never seen this benefit, which in fact remains only on paper.

We then find 4 GB of RAM of the LPDDR4X type while the internal memory relies on two cuts, such as 64 GB and 128 GB, of the expandable UFS 2.1 type. A gem at the software level is the possibility of virtually expanding the RAM by an additional 5 GB, transforming the entry level of the Realme house into a small firecracker… but with blanks. In fact, in some situations, especially in rapid application changes, the system seems to slow down without ever getting stuck, but for unrestrained users like me the feeling is annoying.

realm 8i

Performance therefore that does not scream a miracle but that does not even curse, since with Realme 8i we can do everything, even the most demanding gaming, however, giving up graphic details to the maximum. Overall the experience was fluid and satisfying and the thing is not from poco.

On offer on Amazon

Last updated on March 28, 2024 9:56

Let's immediately investigate the aspect related to the cameras of the Realme8i, which in the rear are three, although in all honesty I would say that we could reduce the number to 1. Specifically we find a primary sensor from 50 MP, Samsung S5KJN1, f / 1.8 to which are added two further 2 MP, f / 2.4 lenses that perform macro photography function with 4 cm focus and monochrome depth of field data collection. So no zoom or ultrawide and this is a real shame, because the Realme 8i could have stood out from the mass that populates the reference price range.

Without getting lost in too much talk, the yield in conditions of good brightness is not to be underestimated, on the contrary, but at the first dimming of the light, the limits of the sensors used come out, returning photos with considerable digital noise not to mention the digital zoom. that "gives" mixed colors and profiles of the subjects that blend with the background. At the software level we then find the presence of the AI ​​mode, not too invasive, as well as the automatic HDR which unfortunately does not seem to intervene in most of the situations which require the function.

Also present is the night mode, which however cannot eliminate the artifacts and noise that is obtained without this mode. In short, Realme 8i is certainly not a camera phone, which I would not have expected, but compared to direct rivals it does not stand out at all. Also for the selfie camera from 16 MP, f / 2.05, we can make the same considerations and I add that the shots in macro mode are decidedly painful while the shots in portrait mode are definitely appreciable, with an excellent contouring of the photographed subject and with a result quite enjoyable and cinematic.

Videos can be shot at a maximum of 1080p at 30 fps, aided by digital stabilization, which on the whole does its job more than decent, allowing you to take home pleasant results.

On offer on Amazon

Last updated on March 28, 2024 9:56

At the Realme 8i there is also a decent connectivity, relying on a Bluetooth 5.1, dual WiFi, GPS with connection of Galileo and NFC satellites for mobile payments. Absent instead FM radio, IR transmitter and any sort of waterproofing. The software is instead based on the latest release of the green robot, or rather the penultimate, or Android 11 with security patches updated in September 2021 with a customized interface from Realme UI 2.0, which we have already had the opportunity to know in the past. Unfortunately at startup we find many pre-installed applications, bloatware, which can be removed except one: a sort of phantom app that refers to a Russian store, but perhaps it is only an isolated case, as I received the sample in preview and with non-definitive software.

realm 8i

However, there are many customizations and goodies made available by Realme UI 2.0, such as a bar with quick shortcuts, screen gestures, graphic customization of fonts, icons, game mode and much more. One of the strengths of Realme 8i is undoubtedly the autonomy that the 5000 mAh battery gives us, with support for fast charging at 18W. Of course the autonomy depends on your use and in my case, without skimping on consumption, I took home about 6 and a half hours of active screen, without using the WiFi and with an energy residue of about 20%. Perhaps a little more could be offered in terms of charging speed, but with about 40 minutes you will still get more or less 45% of the charge.

PROJECTED IMPACT

We have come to conclusions that cannot be justified without analyzing the price, which at the moment is 199 euros for the 4/64 GB variant while we go up to 219 euros for the 4/128 GB variant. Prices that refer to an introductory offer and which should increase by about 20 euros for both variants. In any case, even if I think about the offer price, I personally consider it inadequate as I would have placed the device at a maximum of 169/179 euros without considering that at 199 euros we can find the Redmi 10 or often on offer at 169 euros yes find the Realme Narzo 30 5G.

On offer on Amazon

Last updated on March 28, 2024 9:56

It is true these last two smartphones offer a 90 Hz compared to 120 Hz, but the specifications and performances are very similar without considering that the Narzo 30 enjoys 5G connectivity. There are many compromises to be made, as indeed for many smartphones in the same price range, but precisely for this reason why should I recommend Realme 8i over another model? To date I don't know how to give you an answer other than to say that if you buy Realme 8i you will not be wrong but you will not have made the deal of the century either.

Emanuele Iafulla
Emanuele Iafulla

Nerd, Geek, Netizen, terms that do not belong to me. Simply myself, technology lover and provocative as Xiaomi does with his products. High quality at fair prices, a real provocation for the other most famous brands.

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