Xiaomi raged a price war by launching Redmi Note 8 at under Rs 10,000 recently. But soon Realme slashed the price of Realme 3 Pro to Rs 9,999 to take on Redmi Note 8 hands-on. So, which is the best smartphone under 10000 now, Realme 3 Pro or Redmi Note 8?
Both the smartphones are backed by top features packed with exclusive functions.
Let’s compare both these budget smartphones to know which is the best smartphone under 10000 currently. We are pitching Realme 3 Pro and Redmi Note 8 against each other head to head to know who offers the best value for money proposition under 10000.
Contents
Design & Build: Glass vs Plastic
Realme 3 Pro comes with a polycarbonate body on the out, made to look like glass. It offers a gradient finish on the out with some highlighting colour combinations, made out of high quality plastic. Redmi Note 8 features a full glass body in comparison protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
Different from Note 8 Pro, Redmi Note 8 has a vertical camera strip and the module isn’t at the middle.
Both the devices are fingerprint magnets, and they come with good quality plastic cases in the box.
The colour scheme and gradient style is different in the two.
Both Redmi Note 8 and Realme 3 Pro have a notched display with the rear camera module placed on top left. Both the budget smartphones come with a rear-mounted physical fingerprint sensor supporting face unlock.
Realme 3 Pro misses out on a glass body, but the plastic makes it a more durable.
Most importantly, both the smartphones feel premium in hand, but Redmi Note 8 here’s a winner with the glass built. The overall ergonomics are perfect on both the Redmi and Realme smartphones, they are sturdy, stylish and feels premium to be held.
Display: Full HD+ Notched Displays
Realme 3 Pro comes with a 6.3-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display with a water drop notch on top. In comparison, Redmi Note 8 comes with a 6.3-inch Full HD+ IPS screen with a silver Redmi logo at the bottom featuring a water drop notch at the top.
The notch has got smaller on Note 8, and it’s turned into a V-shape, an upgrade over the U-shaped notch on Redmi Note 7 Pro.
The chins on both the devices are fairly thick, though Note 8 has a thinner one. The displays are vibrant with minimal bezels on the sides with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection on top.
The displays on both the smartphones have very thin bezels. Realme and Redmi have done a great job in terms of the overall screen experience.
Both Redmi Note 8 and Realme 3 Pro are apt choices for content consumption. Both displays are quite vibrant with minimal bezels on the sides with a little chin down under and tie with each other.
Hardware: Snapdragon 710 vs Snapdragon 665
Realme 3 Pro runs on mid-range Snapdragon 710 chip with upto 8GB of RAM. Based on an 10nm architecture, the Snapdragon SoC offers top level performance on a budget. In comparison, Redmi Note 8 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 665.
The chip stands between Snapdragon 660 and Snapdragon 675. While it does have a bit more to offer than its predecessor, the new chip comes with added artificial intelligence capabilities.
Both the smartphones can run top-end games with extensive multitasking performance.
In terms of daily performance, there won’t be any issue. Realme 3 Pro also offers a dedicated HyperBoost and GameBoost to offer an enhanced experience. Snapdragon 710 is a better chip if compared hands-on, and does have an edge here.
Software
Realme 3 Pro runs on the same new ColorOS 6 UI. The improved UI does offer some refreshing features with an easy-to-use structure. It’s a big upgrade over the last generation ColorOS. The device will also get the upcoming ColorOS 7 update soon.
Based on the latest Android 9 Pie, it new UI packs in a bunch of user-friendly features and tweaks.
Redmi Note 8 comes with the MIUI 10 based on the same Android 9 Pie (MIUI 11 update soon).
Reamle is also working on its own UI, RealmeOS. It’s supposed to launch by the end of the year, and will be pushed to all the existing Realme smartphones via OTA updates.
Coming to MIUI 11, it has a new minimalistic design with features as Dark Mode, Always On Display, Dynamic Clock and more. MIUI 11 also includes lock screen personalisations, a redesigned notification light, a wallpaper carousel and new dynamic wallpapers.
MIUI 11 has different new features including thumbnails of files in the file manager for easy searching, previews of documents directly within the file manager, all new document viewer, upgraded To-Do functionality, Tasks Integration, floating calculator and more.
Mi Life has also been introduced with MIUI 11 including a step tracker, women’s health tracking and quick replies.
Added features include natural sounds for alarms, wireless print, dual clock, new Game Turbo, Mi Share, Gallery monthly view, new Panchang, casting, Mint Keyboard with support for 25 Indic languages and real-time emoji suggestions for Hinglish.
Camera: Quad vs Dual Cameras
Realme 3 Pro features a dual camera setup at the back comprising of a 16-megapixel Sony IMX519 primary sensory with an f/1.7 aperture, coupled with a secondary 5-megapixel depth sensor offering an f/2.4 aperture.
The primary sensor was used in last OnePlus flagship, OnePlus 6T.
Up front Realme 3 Pro smartphone comes with the same 25MP Sony IMX 576 sensor with an f/2.4 aperture.
Redmi Note 8 features a primary 48MP Samsung GM1 sensor with f/1.7 aperture, 2MP depth sensor, 8MP Ultra Wide lens and 2CM Macro lens. Upfront, Note 8 has a 13MP shooter.
Both the smartphones do a fair job offering great dynamic range with almost accurate colours irrespective of lighting conditions.
The rear four camera setup has multiple sensors for multiple purposes, and Redmi Note 8 have some advantage here.
Both can take good detailed and sharp pictures in bright light with accurate colours. In poorly lit conditions, Redmi Note 8 manages to click decent photos with almost accurate details and colours. We are yet to test the camera in-depth, but the initial results are very impressive.
The dynamic range on Realme 3 Pro is better and it captures quite accurate details and produce good colours. The HDR works fine, and the ultra-wide lens work fine. While Note 8 have the additional macro lens and useful ultra wide angle sensor.
Battery: 18W QuickCharge 3.0 vs 20W VOOC 3.0 Fast Charging
Realme 3 Pro comes with a 4,045 mAh battery powered by VOOC 3.0 fast charging technology. It’s a Micro USB powered charging technology, while the Note 8 has a Type C powered port.
The Micro USB powered fast charging technology on Realme3 Pro offers 20W charging. It can charge up the device to 100 percent under 80 minutes.
In comparison, Redmi Note 8 houses a similar 4,000 mAh battery backed by AI smart optimization to extend the phone’s battery to last longer supporting 18W fast charging technology. The charge time varies from 100 to 110 minutes.
With continuous video playback, gaming and performing multi-tasking processes, both the Redmi and Realme smartphones can easily shoot up for a whole day without being charged. The respective 20W and 18W fast chargers with the box.
Pricing: The Ultimate Battle
Realme 3 Pro prices have been slashed in India after Note 8 launch. The smartphone now starts at Rs 9,999 under 10000 for the base model with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. The the mid-tier model with 6GB RAM and 64GB storage costs Rs 11,999.
Finally, the top-end Realme 3 Pro is available at Rs 12,999 for the 6GB RAM model with 128GB storage.
In comparison, Redmi Note 8 is available in two models. The base model comes with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage at Rs 9,999. The other model and top model with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage is priced at Rs 12,999. Both the storage variants are price similarly as Realme 3 Pro.
Redmi Note 8 vs Realme 3 Pro: Who Wins The Under 10000 Battle?
The pricing brings each under the same hat and throws them against each other. While Redmi Note 8 is new, the older Realme 3 Pro with the price cut makes for a good value for money buy given the specs.
Let’s do a comparison short comparison to see who’s better in which department.
| .. | Redmi Note 8 | Realme 3 Pro |
| Build | Glass Body | Plastic Body |
| Display | Full HD+ | Full HD+ |
| Processor | Snapdragon 665 | Snapdragon 710 |
| Software | MIUI | ColorOS |
| Battery | 4,000mAh | 4,045mAh |
| Fast Charging | 18W | 20W |
| Camera | Quad Camera | Dual Camera |
| Port | Type C | Micro USB |
Both Realme 3 Pro and Redmi Note 8 do offer some excellent features on-board, and the pricing is very affordable as well.
Both Redmi Note 8 and Realme 3 Pro pack in a solid performance backed by good processors, bigger displays, the quality cameras, large batteries, fast charging technologies and in-box fast chargers.
Note 8 have some additional edge with a glass body, quad cameras and updated technology. While Realme 3 Pro has a better processor.
The biggest differentiator should have been the price, but it’s a tie.
Both the smartphones are aptly priced, but with the latest features and specifications, Redmi Note 8 does end up a notch higher. But if you are solely buying a smartphone for top hardware performance, then pick up Realme 3 Pro.
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