Xiaomi-Redmi-Note-8-pro VS Realme-X2 full spec-and-Comperision and reviews for camera

Redmi Note 8 Pro vs. Realme X2: 

They both sport big displays with the one on the Realme X2 measuring 6.4 inches while the Redmi Note 8 Pro has a bigger panel at 6.53 inches. In terms of size, the Redmi Note 8 Pro is bigger and bulkier than the Realme X2. It also packs in a bigger 4,500mAh battery compared to the 4,000mAh battery in the Realme X2.

Introduction

Realme is a challenger brand - a sister company of Oppo and Vivo - and its main strategy is to undercut Xiaomi and its successful Redmi lineup both by price and feature set - something no one thought was possible. But Realme is rather successful in this endeavor, and throughout 2019, this resulted in some fierce competition between the two companies, trading blow after blow with each new product. Two of their most popular phones are the X2 and Redmi Note 8 Pro, and with some time to spare around this year's holidays, we couldn't help but put these two in a direct battle on the (GSM)arena.  

The RealmeX2 and Redmi Note 8 Pro have a lot in common - similarly sized screens with matching resolution, stunning designs, gaming-friendly performance, and identical camera setups.

Redmi vs. Realme

The Realme brags with a Super AMOLED panel and a high-tech under-display fingerprint reader, while the Redmi shines with a larger battery and the latest MIUI version 11 that's somewhat of a fan-favorite already.

Before we continue, let's take a quick look at their specs sheets. Or, if you prefer, you can check out the comparison of the specs of the two phones in our specs comparison tool.

Realme X2 specs

• Body: Plastic frame, Gorilla Glass 5 front and back, 182g.
• Display: 6.4" Super AMOLED, 1080 x 2340px resolution, 19.5:9 aspect ratio, 403 ppi.
• Rear camera: Primary: 64MP, f/1.8 aperture, 1/1.7" sensor size, 0.8µm pixel size, PDAF. Ultra wide: 8MP, f/2.3, 1/4", 1.12µm pixels; Macro: 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm; Depth sensor: 2MP; 2160p@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@480/960fps video recording.
• Front camera: 32MP, f/2.0, 0.8µm pixels.
• OS: Android 9 Pie; ColorOS 6.1.
• Chipset: Snapdragon 730G chipset (8 nm), octa-core CPU (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver), Adreno 618 GPU.
• Memory: 6GB/8GB of RAM; 64/128/256GB UFS 2.1 storage; dedicated microSD card slot.
• Battery: 4,000mAh; 30W SuperVOOC Flash Charge 4.0.
• Connectivity: Dual-SIM; Cat.15 LTE; USB 2.0 Type-C; Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac; GPS + GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS; Bluetooth 5.0; FM radio; NFC.
• Misc: Under-display fingerprint reader; 3.5mm audio jack.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro specs

• Body: Plastic frame, Gorilla Glass 5 front and back, 200g.
• Display: 6.53" IPS LCD, HDR support, 1080 x 2340px resolution, 19.5:9 aspect ratio, 395ppi.
• Rear camera: Primary: 64MP, f/1.89 aperture, 1/1.7" sensor size, 0.8µm pixel size, PDAF. Ultra wide: 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", 1.12µm pixels. Macro camera: 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm. Depth sensor: 2MP; 2160p@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps video recording.
• Front camera: 20MP, f/2.0 aperture, 0.9µm pixels. 1080p/30fps video recording.
• OS: Android 9 Pie; MIUI 11.
• Chipset: MediaTek Helio G90T (12nm): Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), Mali-G76 MC4 GPU.
• Memory: 6GB of RAM; 64/128/256GB UFS 2.1 storage; shared microSD slot.
• Battery: 4,500mAh; 18W MediaTek Pump Express and USB Power Delivery support.
• Connectivity: Dual-SIM; LTE-A, 4-Band carrier aggregation, LTE Cat-12/ Cat-13; USB-C; Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac; dual-band GPS; Bluetooth 5.0; FM radio; NFC; IR blaster.
• Misc: Rear-mounted fingerprint reader; 3.5mm audio jack.

The two phones are based on different hardware platforms - Realme has gone for a Snapdragon chipset, while the Redmi Note 8 Pro utilizes a Mediatek chip. You may think that this immediately puts the Redmi at a disadvantage, but this year Mediatek chipsets are on the rebound, and the Helio G90T is quite competitive.

Another difference in the equipment of the two phones is that the Realme offers a dedicated microSD slot and faster charging, while the Redmi has an IR blaster for remote controlling appliances. And with that, we've covered the most serious differences.

Bundle and design

Retail packages

People say the first impression is most important and if this is true, then the retail boxes phones come in is a point worth discussing. In this case, both the Realme and Redmi come in similar bundles.

The Realme X2 box contains a 30W charger, a USB-C cable, and a transparent silicone case.

The Redmi Note 8 Pro package has an 18W charger, a USB-C cable and a transparent soft case.

Unfortunately, we can't provide you with a picture of Note 8's box contents as our unit arrived barebones.

Winner: Tie. While the Realme X2 has a faster charger in its box, both bundles contain the fastest plug the phone can utilize.

Design and build 

In regards to build and material quality, it appears the comparison is a tie. Both phones have Gorilla Glass 5 panels and plastic frames.

Of course, things are not always as simple as they seem, so let's take those two for some closer inspection.

Redmi vs. Realme

It's easy to tell the Realme from the Redmi if you are looking at their back panels. The Realme has its camera hump at the top left corner, while Xiaomi chose to put it in the middle of the Redmi. This, and the respective logos, of course, is the first and probably the easiest telltale sign.

Both Realme and Redmi are sold in some captivating paint jobs, and there are a lot to choose from. That's a win for diversity, but we are also happy that both phones are also available in white or black, which are less flashy and easier on the eyes.

But let's take a step back and start from the beginning. The screen is the window to the mobile world and the Realme and the Redmi are so alike in this respect. Both handsets have large screens with rounded corners and cutouts of the same size and (droplet) shape.

Redmi vs. Realme

Looks are a bit deceiving though, as there are some important differences. The Redmi Note 8 Pro has a larger 6.53" IPS LCD screen, while the Realme X2 uses a bit smaller 6.4" display but of the Super AMOLED kind.

Realme X2 and its under-display fingerprint reader

Then, having a thinner OLED panel, made it possible for the Realme X2 to have an under-screen fingerprint reader. It is not as blazing-fast as the Redmi's rear-mounted sensor, but it is a more trendy or modern solution if you will.

Redmi vs. Realme

Let's talk about them notches now. The Realme has a high-res 32MP selfie shooter in there, while the Redmi has fitted "only" a 20MP one. But the Redmi Note 8 Pro also packs a tiny (white) notification LED in there, while the Realme does not have such feature at all.

The Realme and Redmi both have plastic frames, but Realme's has a matte finish and provides for a better grip. And Realme X2 is the one with a dedicated microSD slot, while the Redmi Note 8 Pro uses the hybrid solution where you choose either a second SIM card or extra storage.

Then again, the Redmi Note 8 Pro has an IR blaster on its top, and we know there are people who consider this convenience highly.

The X2 and Note 8 Pro also boast similar rear panels - curved Gorilla Glass 5 pieces. Naturally, the paint jobs are different, but there are other differences too. While both phones have identical camera setups, the arrangements are different.

The Realme X2 has a massive bump on its top left corner, which contains all four cameras and the LED flash is the only thing left on the outside.

The Redmi Note 8 Pro has its camera bump in the center, it contains only three of the four snappers and the conventional fingerprint sensor. The 2MP macro camera and the LED flash are placed outside of the camera bump.

The Realme X2 measures 158.7 x 75.2 x 8.6 mm and weighs 182g, while the Redmi Note 8 Pro is 61.4 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm and weighs 200g. The Redmi Note 8 Pro has a larger display, so the extra 3mm in height are expected. It's also got a larger battery, so we'd say the extra weight is forgiven.

Handling both devices is a pleasure, similar at that, but the Realme X2 somehow feels more secure when handled, despite the similar shapes, materials, build, and size. But this is largely subjective, so we'd say those two are pretty much a tie when it comes to design and handling.

Winner: Tie. The Redmi has a larger screen, an IR blaster, and notification LED, while the Realme shines with an AMOLED panel, a standalone microSD slot and subjectively better grip courtesy of its frame shape and finish. 

Image quality |

Daylightphoto quality

We'll start out image quality analysis with the main 64MP cameras on both phones. Both phones have the same sensor and similar optics, so it all comes down to how the software processes the raw data coming off the sensor. First, let's look at some daylight samples.

      
Realme X2 16MP daylight photos

      
Redmi Note 8 Pro 16MP daylight photos

The photos we took in broad daylight with both phones have a very good amount of resolved detail. The contrast is good, too. The Realme X2 demonstrates spot-on sharpness, while the Redmi suffers from over-sharpening.

The white balance is off on both phones - the Realme X2 favors warmer colors than reality, while the Note 8 Pro goes for cooler hues.

Some further pixel-peeping shows the Realme X2 resolves more detail than the Redmi, and not over-sharpening everything surely helps, too. The Realme images look more natural, though the Redmi is the one handling the foliage better.

Finally, the dynamic range is commendable on the Realme photos, while the Redmi, even when Auto HDR is available, present low dynamic photos with quite a few blown spots.

Overall, the image quality is not perfect on either phone, but the Realme X2 saves better-looking photos despite the so-so foliage.

Now, it's time to look at some ultrawide shots. Both phones have 8MP snappers, with fixed focus and 13mm wide lens.

      
Realme X2 8MP ultrawide daylight photos

      
Redmi Note 8 Pro 8MP ultrawide daylight photos

Here the Realme X2 presents a bit more detailed photos, still warmer than they should be. The dynamic range, probably boosted by some Auto HDR, is quite good, and the sharpness is just right.

Meanwhile, the Redmi Note 8 Pro once again resolves better trees and grass, and this time it gets the colors right.

Unfortunately, it still suffers from low dynamic range and excessive sharpening.

The third snapper is for depth information when shooting portraits, so here are a few.

   
Realme X2 • Redmi Note 8 Pro • Realme X2 • Redmi Note 8 Pro

The Realme X2 is just a little bit more proficient in detecting and separating the subject, and its blur looks a bit more convincing. The portrait colors are also a bit warmer than they should be on the Realme X2, while the Note 8 Pro got them right.

Finally, it's time to see some macro samples taken with the fourth cameras.

   
Realme X2 • Redmi Note 8 Pro • Realme X2 • Redmi Note 8 Pro

The Redmi Note 8 Pro's 2MP macro cam has autofocus, and it is much easier to use as you don't need to be exactly at 4cm away from your subject. Even better, you can be closer! And this is why its macro snapper is superior to Realme's - it's just easier to use.

Winner: Realme X2. While the Redmi Note 8 Pro has a superior macro shooter, it loses where it matters - the image quality of the Realme X2 photos from both the main and ultrawide camera is higher, even if not by much.

Lowlight photo quality

We also took the Realme X2 and Redmi Note 8 Pro for a spin at night. Both phones aren't excellent shooters at nighttime, and the images from their main snappers are far from great.

   
Realme X2 16MP lowlight photos

   
Redmi Note 8 Pro 16MP lowlight photos

The Realme X2 snaps less noisy pictures, and while they also suffer from yellow-redish tint, they still look better than the Redmi Note 8 Pro's.

The Redmi Note 8 Pro sometimes snaps brighter images and gets the colors right, even if a bit washed out, but we still find the Realme's images better.

The Redmi Note 8 Pro rarely uses HDR when left on Auto, but it should. The HDR photos are mostly noise-free. Unfortunately, even with HDR on, the Redmi Note 8 Pro is still the less-capable low-light shooter.

   
No HDR • HDR • No HDR • HDR

The Night Mode has become a huge thing this year and naturally, both the Realme and Redmi have it. Realme X2's noise reduction is more aggressive than the Note 8's, and thus it smears some of the fine detail. That's why the Redmi Note 8 Pro saves more detailed photos even if noisy.

But a Night Mode should remove noise, not leave it in buckets. And this is why Realme X2's Nightscape samples look better than the Note 8 Pro's.

   
Realme X2 16MP Night Mode photos

   
Redmi Note 8 Pro 16MP Night Mode photos

The 8MP images from the ultrawide snappers at night are horrible, but that's to be expected. The ones from the Redmi Note 8 Pro though retained much better colors, and sometimes - detail as well.

   
Realme X2 16MP lowlight ultrawide photos

   
Redmi Note 8 Pro X2 16MP lowlight ultrawide photos

Then again, the Realme X2 offers Nightscape mode for the ultrawide camera as well, and those are very good. Meanwhile, the Redmi Note 8 Pro can't do Night Mode with the ultrawide camera.

   
Realme X2 8MP Night Mode ultrawide photos

Winner: Realme X2. The Realme X2 consistently bested the Redmi Note 8 Pro in each scenario, even if not by much.