The Realme 8 Pro: A Bold Move in the Mid-Range Smartphone Market
Realme’s aggressive strategy in the smartphone market continues with the launch of the Realme 8 series, successors to their popular Realme 7 series. The two new models, the Realme 8 Pro and the Realme 8, are vying for attention in the highly competitive mid-range segment, with starting prices of Rs. 17,999 and Rs. 14,999, respectively. We got our hands on the Realme 8 Pro and here are our initial impressions.
A Familiar Design with a Touch of Flair
The Realme 8 Pro arrives in a vibrant yellow box, echoing the design language of previous Realme smartphones. The phone itself boasts a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with full-HD+ resolution, and a stylish in-display fingerprint scanner. A 16-megapixel selfie camera sits neatly in the top left corner, framed by thin bezels. The device feels remarkably light for its size, weighing just 176g, and its slim 8.1mm profile makes it comfortably ergonomic.
Button placement is intuitive, with the power and volume buttons conveniently located on the right side. The left side houses a SIM tray with two Nano-SIM slots and a dedicated microSD card slot. The bottom edge features the 3.5mm audio jack, primary microphone, USB Type-C port, and speaker, while the top edge sports the secondary microphone.
The curved edges of the Realme 8 Pro’s back panel enhance its grip, making the phone comfortable to hold. The Realme logo, printed in landscape orientation, shares space with the company’s tagline, “Dare to Leap,” which may be a matter of personal preference. The back panel features a textured finish that effectively resists fingerprints, while the glossy text adds a striking contrast. Realme thoughtfully includes a case in the box for added protection.
Power Under the Hood and a Generous Charger
The Realme 8 Pro is powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G processor found in its predecessor, the Realme 7 Pro. This is coupled with 6GB and 8GB RAM options, along with 128GB of storage, mirroring the storage capacities of its predecessor. Given the similarity in core hardware, we anticipate a performance level comparable to the Realme 7 Pro.
A surprising inclusion is the 65W SuperDart charger bundled with the phone, even though the Realme 8 Pro can only charge at 50W. The inclusion of an over-powered charger is a welcome surprise, especially for users who share chargers between multiple devices. Fueling the device is a 4,500mAh battery, which might appear smaller compared to some other smartphones in the same price range.
A Camera Setup That Aims for the Stars
The Realme 8 Pro boasts a camera system that stands out as a significant upgrade over its predecessor. It features a 108-megapixel primary camera, supported by an 8-megapixel ultra-wide angle camera, a 2-megapixel B&W camera, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. This setup promises exceptional image quality and versatility, offering users a wide range of options for capturing stunning photographs and videos.
A Familiar Software Experience with Enhancements
The Realme 8 Pro runs on Realme UI 2.0, based on Android 11, and comes pre-installed with the February Android security patch. Realme’s customized UI offers a clean and easy to use experience while maintaining a sense of familiarity. While a few pre-installed apps such as Facebook, Snapchat, and Flipkart are present, users have the option to uninstall them if they choose.
A Competitive Challenger in the Mid-Range Arena
The Realme 8 Pro seems to have a focused emphasis on camera enhancements while maintaining price competitiveness. The pricing is more aggressive than the Realme 7 Pro, making it a highly intriguing proposition for budget-conscious buyers. The phone will face stiff competition from the recently launched Redmi Note 10 Pro and Redmi Note 10 Pro Max, both of which also sport 108-megapixel rear cameras.
The question remains: is the Realme 8 Pro worth the upgrade? The full review of the device will reveal the answer, providing a comprehensive analysis of its performance, camera capabilities, and overall user experience. Stay tuned to see if the Realme 8 Pro can truly "Dare to Leap" to the top of the mid-range smartphone market.
