Realme 8i: a new bet for the mid-range with good features

Realme continues to squeeze the telephony market within the mid-range throughout its different strata, in this case it's time to get something out of it more juice to Realme 8 series with this renewal of hardware and functionalities at an adjusted price that represents the Really 8i. In this way, the Realme 7i takes over from its older brother.

Discover with us the new Realme 8i, a device that renews the interior with a 120 Hz screen and the Helio G96 processor. We are going to analyze it in depth to discover its characteristics and if it can really reign within the mid-range of Android.

As on every occasion, we have decided to accompany this analysis with a good video on our channel of YouTube where you will be able to take a look at the tests carried out as well as the complete unboxing of this Realme 8i. No products found. If you wish, you can take a look at our review of his older brother the Realme 8.

Design: Realme does not risk and continues with the classic

With this Realme 8i we find a terminal that invites you to think about a premium construction but that finally advocates plastic. This is how they have found the correct stability between a moderate weight and size. And it is that he has completely inherited the design and materials from "his older brother." The essential difference is that the multiple LEDs for the flash that were at the bottom of the camera module this time are integrated into one of the sensors, and therefore, we have one less camera than in Realme 8 as we will see below.

• Size: 164,1 x 75,5 x 8,5 millimeters
• Weight: 194 grams

At this point and for obvious reasons, the terminal is favored by these manufacturing materials, but it is not as light as we might imagine, it stays at 194 grams, which is 20 grams more than the Realme 8, something that does not quite fit if we consider that it is only 0,2 inches larger in terms of to the screen. In any case, the terminal has a resistant construction, despite the fact that the footprints feel a notable attraction on the back.

Technical characteristics

At the hardware level, this new Realme 8i is committed to releasing the range Helio G96 from MediaTek, a very recent processor from the manufacturer and that settles MediaTek inside the Realme, which especially in its lower ranges is betting on these processors, which nevertheless are offering excellent results. Offers slightly higher raw power than Helio G95 and it is accompanied by 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage in the unit that we have tested.

• Processor: Helio G96
• RAM: 4 / 6 GB
• Storage: 64 / 128 GB
• Connectivity: USB-C / Bluetooth 5.1 / Wi-Fi 5 / LTE 4G

All to move Realme UI 2.0, Realme's customization layer on Android 11. At the connectivity level, the Relame 8i stands out from the most cutting-edge at the telecommunications level, so bet on 4G LTE for these tasks, while also maintains a WiFi 5 network card, a movement that we do not quite understand considering how expanded the router with WiFi 6 and all its advantages are already. At the Bluetooth connection level, they also bet on Bluetooth 5.1 (which is not the most recent version either) and at the bottom we have a USB-C connection.

Multimedia experience and autonomy

Regarding autonomy, we have 5.000 mAh with a "fast" charge of just over an hour. The package includes a 18W charger and a USB-C cable, but we will not have headphones despite having the 3,5mm Jack. We also do not have NFC connectivity, small points that can make a difference if we take into account the price of the terminal and the alternatives of the competition. We do not have, for obvious reasons, any type of wireless charging for this Realme 8i, another of those aspects that take us away from the noblest ranges of telephony.

• The screen has a protective film included
• 6,6 ″ LCD at Full HD + resolution
• 120 Hz refresh rate

For its part, we have a large 6,6-inch panel with a well-adjusted Full HD + resolution that shines thanks to its 120 Hz refresh rate, with a touch response of 180 Hz as well. We have mono sound, in the lower part of the terminal, and that is powerful and sufficient, without any notable adjustment. The same happens with the brightness of the screen, without having specific information, the brightness is sufficient as is usually usual for LCD panels. This is quite well adjusted in tones.

Camera test and Realme UI 2.0

We have a 50 MP main sensor with f / 1.8 aperture that it defends itself relatively well and that it happens to suffer as much as we make contrasts and with evident deficiencies in low light situations.

It is accompanied in turn by a 2 MP sensor with f / 2.4 Macro aperture for taking excessively close photographs, a sensor that these types of manufacturers insist on including and whose usefulness I always question, which would be easily replaceable with a Wide Angle. Finally, a 2 MP sensor with monochrome f / 2.4 aperture, We imagine that in order to improve the results of the portrait.

The recording It offers a classic stabilization and none of its cameras offer good results in contrast or in dark situations. For its part, the 16 MP selfie camera with f / 2.0 aperture offers enough results to get us out of trouble with a selfie noticeably influenced by Realme's Beauty Mode.

• No products found.

Realme UI 2.0 has left a bittersweet taste in my mouth, At the time, Realme arrived in Spain with the cleaning of its Operating System by flag and that's how it was. While on a design level Realme UI 2.0 feels snappy and pretty with its pastel hues and flat layouts, the experience is completely clouded by a host of bloatware.

• The fingerprint sensor moves to the side of the frame

The terminal could have almost completely dispensed with the two accompanying sensors, I have always thought that Apple and Google do well by placing fewer, higher quality sensors, and that is something that mid-range manufacturers have yet to learn. The autonomy is correct to spend the day with its great capacity and the load will take us a little over an hour given its 18W of load power.

Editor's opinion

Pros and cons