Realme 8s 5G Review: Assessing the 5G Value Proposition

Realme 8s 5G Review: Assessing the 5G Value Proposition

The Realme 8s 5G enters the budget smartphone market with 5G connectivity as its primary selling point. However, this feature comes at the cost of several key specifications that are present in its non-5G counterpart, the Realme 8. This review explores whether the 5G benefit justifies the compromises in other areas.

Design and Build

Measuring 74.8 x 162.5 x 8.8mm and weighing 191 grams, the Realme 8s 5G sports a modern gradient design, available in Universe Blue and Universe Purple variants. The matte finish helps reduce fingerprint smudges, and Realme includes a protective case in the box. While the phone feels solid and premium, it is slightly heavier and thicker than the Realme 8, which impacts daily handling comfort.

Display

The phone features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD panel with FullHD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate, marking an improvement over the Realme 8's 60Hz screen. However, the IPS LCD lacks the deep blacks and contrast of the Realme 8's Super AMOLED display. With a peak brightness of 600 nits, visibility outdoors can be challenging, despite adequate indoor performance.

Camera Performance

The Realme 8s 5G utilizes a triple rear camera setup, led by a 64MP primary sensor, accompanied by a 2MP portrait lens and a 2MP macro lens. Notably, it omits the ultrawide lens found in the Realme 8. Daytime images from both phones are similar in detail, but the Realme 8 exhibits a warmer tone compared to the cooler shades of the 8s 5G. In low-light conditions, the 8s 5G performs better, delivering superior exposure and detail retention. Video recording is limited to 1080p at 30fps, though stability and white balance are improved over the Realme 8.

Performance

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 810 5G chipset, built on a 6nm process, the Realme 8s 5G offers competent performance for everyday tasks. It is paired with 6 or 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.1 storage, with support for expandable virtual RAM. While gaming titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile run smoothly at moderate settings, graphics-intensive games such as Genshin Impact still face performance limitations. Thermal management remains acceptable, with the device reaching approximately 47 degrees Celsius after extended gaming sessions.

Software and User Interface

The phone runs Android 11 with Realme UI 2.0, which, while not resource-intensive, comes preloaded with numerous bloatware applications. Although these can be uninstalled, their presence detracts from the overall user experience.

Audio and Connectivity

Audio output comes from a single downward-firing speaker, offering decent loudness but average quality. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a welcome feature. The phone supports dual 5G SIMs, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, and GPS, though it only supports five 5G bands, fewer than higher-end models.

Battery Life

A sizable 5000mAh battery fuels the device, providing a full day of use under typical conditions, including gaming and multimedia consumption. With a 90Hz display, screen-on time averages 7-8 hours. The phone supports 33W fast charging, reaching a full charge in approximately 1 hour and 12 minutes.

Verdict

The Realme 8s 5G delivers a respectable performance for its price range but falls short in critical areas such as display quality and camera capabilities. Its value proposition is further complicated by the limited availability of 5G networks in many regions, leaving potential buyers to weigh the benefits of future readiness against immediate performance and display drawbacks.