Realme 8i Review: A Solid Budget Option With Some Trade-offs

Realme 8i Review: A Solid Budget Option With Some Trade-offs

The Realme 8i positions itself as a compelling budget smartphone, bringing notable upgrades over its predecessor in display smoothness and software optimization. However, it faces stiff competition from more affordable rivals that offer comparable or better features.

Design and Build

Measuring 164.1 x 75.5 x 8.5mm and weighing 194 grams, the Realme 8i sports a plastic body with a reflective finish that can show fingerprints easily. Despite this, it feels comfortable in hand, with curved edges and a functional side-mounted fingerprint sensor. The phone includes a transparent silicone case in the box, which helps manage the glossy surface.

Display

The 6.6-inch IPS LCD panel offers a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, adaptable between 30Hz and 120Hz depending on usage, which contributes to improved scrolling and overall responsiveness. The display boasts 600 nits peak brightness, adequate for indoor use and acceptable outdoors, although colors can appear slightly dull in direct sunlight. The screen features FHD+ resolution and Widevine L1 certification, supporting Full HD streaming on platforms like Netflix.

Performance

Powered by the MediaTek Helio G96 processor, coupled with up to 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, the Realme 8i handles everyday tasks efficiently. The phone supports virtual RAM expansion up to 5GB, though this feature is unavailable on the base 4GB variant. While the G96 delivers solid performance for daily use and gaming, it falls short of the G95 found in the Realme 8 in graphical intensive tasks. The phone runs Android 11 with Realme UI 2.0, but comes pre-loaded with several bloatware apps.

Camera

The camera department is where the Realme 8i struggles the most. It features a triple rear camera setup headed by a 50MP primary lens, accompanied by a B&W portrait sensor and a 4cm macro camera. Notably missing is an ultrawide lens, a feature present even on the more affordable Redmi 10 Prime. Photo quality from the main camera is decent in daylight with balanced colors but lacks depth in shadows and has exposure issues. Portrait modes suffer from oversaturated greens and poor edge detection. Night photography is unimpressive without night mode, though the mode significantly improves image brightness and exposure. The 16MP selfie camera produces oversharpened images with a slight reddish tint.

Battery and Charging

A sizable 5000mAh battery provides decent endurance, offering roughly 7 hours of screen time with typical use. However, charging remains a weak point, with 18W fast charging taking around 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach a full charge. Given its price point, many users might expect faster 30W charging, which is available on competitors like the Narzo 30.

Audio

Audio output comes from a single bottom-firing speaker, which delivers adequate volume for media consumption but lacks depth, especially in the bass range. The phone includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, and call quality is generally decent with clear audio from the earpiece. For those seeking a richer stereo sound experience, the Redmi 10 Prime remains a stronger contender despite its lower price tag.

Verdict

Overall, the Realme 8i is a respectable budget smartphone that delivers a smooth 120Hz display, reliable performance, and solid battery life. However, its camera capabilities lag behind, missing key features like an ultrawide lens, and the charging speed could be improved. While the base variant offers good value for money, those considering the higher 6GB RAM model might find better value by upgrading to the Realme 8, which provides superior performance, cameras, and display quality at a comparable price point. Realme has room to refine future 'i' series models to better compete in this crowded segment.