realme 8i Review | Affordable Smartphone with 120hz Display and Helio G96
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| Photo of realme 8i Android smartphone. Released: Sep 2021. Key specs: · 4GB/6GB RAM · 64GB/128GB ROM · 6.6″ 120Hz Ultra Smooth display · 5000 mAh massive battery · MT6781 Helio G96 processor · 50MP AI Triple Camera |
Over time, the development of the semiconductor industry has allowed luxury features that were once unaffordable to now be enjoyed by more people. Including support for a 120 Hz screen refresh rate on the new cellphone, the realme 8i that we are reviewing this time.
Sold at a price of less than 3 million, the realme 8i carries the latest cellphone chipset from Mediatek which allows manufacturers to maximize the screen refresh rate to 120 Hz and support for capable game performance and cameras up to 50MP.
Having just released a number of products in early November 2021, realme is back to decorate the end of this year with two additional cellphone products, namely the realme 8i and realme C25Y.
In accordance with the spirit of realme which is named directly with numbers (number series), in addition to offering a screen with a high refresh rate, the realme 8i is also equipped with powerful performance and multitasking capabilities for daily activities, as well as support for a large capacity battery.
realme 8i Price List
Price of realme 8i in Indonesia: IDR 2,499,000 (4/64 GB) and IDR 2,999,000 (6/128 GB)
Color Options: Space Black and Space Purple
Sales Package: realme 8i smartphone, Charger adapter, USB Type C data cable, Silicon Case, manual book, ejector pin
realme 8i Full Specifications
| realme 8i Specs | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Dimmension & Weight | 164.1 x 76 x 9.1 mm/ 194 gram |
| Network & Connectivity | Dual Nano SIM, 4G LTE/HSPA+/3G/2G, WiFi |
| Operating System (OS) | realme UI v2.0 based on Android 11 |
| Supported External Storage | MicroSD (3 slot) |
| Display | 6.6 inci, ~84.6% screen-to-body ratio, 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density), IPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits peak |
| Processor / CPU | Mediatek Helio G96 (12nm); Octa-core (2×2.05 GHz Cortex A76 + 6×2.0 GHz Cortex A55), GPU: Mali-G75 MC2 |
| RAM & Internal Storage | 4 GB RAM/ 64 GB ROM 6 GB RAM/ 128 GB ROM (+5 GB Virtual) |
| Camera | Rear triple: 50 MP f/1.8 2 MP f/2.4 B&W 2 MP f/2.4 Super Macro Video: 1080p@30fps |
| Battery | 5000 mAh Li-po (non-removable), Fast Charging 18 W |
realme 8i Features
| Removable battery | No | Fingerprint | Yes |
| Multitouch | Yes | Dual Front Camera | No |
| Dual SIM | Yes | External Memory | Yes |
| 3G HSDPA | Yes | Gyroscope | Yes |
| 4G LTE | Yes | Quad Rear Camera | No |
| 5G Ready | No | 4K video recording | No |
| NFC | No | Video player | Yes |
| USB On-the-go | Yes | Music player | Yes |
| GPS | Yes | Radio FM | No |
realme 8i Advantages & Disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| 120 Hz screen, good for browsing Latest G96 chipset Attractive back cover color with unique color luminescence Capable camera 18 Watt fast charging |
Back cover is easily dirty due to fingerprints The color is too mirrored so it is difficult to photograph as beautiful as the original color No NFC |
realme 8i Reviews
Glossy Material and Layered Colors
It has become a tradition, realme smartphones often carry unique back cover coloring and are full of philosophy. As the name implies, the space black and space purple colors offered try to translate the simple coloring of a burst of light that divides two equal areas vertically, giving a reflective effect that glows in different directions, depending on which angle you look at it.
If described in simple words, maybe the words glossy, mirror and layered coloring are words that can represent. Although it cannot fully describe the uniqueness of the color of this smartphone.
Still on the surface of the back cover, we can also find a rectangular area at the top left corner, containing 4 circles, 3 of which are the main camera lenses and one circle is the flash.
The rest of the realme 8i cellphone is a smartphone that remains modest by offering a 3.5 mm audio jack, next to the USB Type C jack and grill for the speaker. Then what’s interesting is the presence of a power button that juts into the body.
As expected, the design of the power button like this, which is lower than the other parts on the edge of this smartphone, indicates that this button also functions as a fingerprint sensor.
Intentionally reducing the thickness of the smartphone and moving the fingerprint sensor from the back cover to the right side gives realme designers more space to color the back cover of the realme 8i cellphone more optimally.
Talking about design, in each series, realme always presents a sturdy and smooth body design. It can be seen from the middle frame which tends to be rounded, then glued very neatly and precisely between the screen and the back cover.
120 Hz Screen with IPS Panel Type
One of the favorite features offered by realme 8i is on the screen. But before we get into that, as usual we will explain the specifications first.
The 6.6-inch screen carried by the realme 8i carries a single punch hole design, so it relatively covers almost the entire front surface of the smartphone, except for the small hole as a place for the selfie camera.
Using an IPS LCD touch screen panel that carries a 100% DCI-P3 color span standard which is a cinematic color standard and is most suitable for watching your favorite movies. The brightness can also be said to be above average, reaching a maximum of 600 nits and a minimum of 1 nit.
In other words, it is able to provide comfort, with better screen brightness and durability than other panels, although the contrast depth is still at average.
Interestingly, thanks to the specific chipset usage strategy, this smartphone is able to display a high screen refresh rate, which is 120 Hz at the highest resolution that can be supported by the chipset, namely Full HD +. With a sampling rate of 180 Hz.
If you have been following the development of smartphone screen technology, of course you know that this 120 Hz screen refresh rate technology is usually present in flagship smartphones with high prices. And initially only dared to be adopted on AMOLED panel screens.
But over time, a number of smartphones with IPS screens have been able to present this refresh rate speed well. Even now it can be present on smartphones whose prices are arguably under 3 million. Tempting of course, but we are more interested in seeing how the new chipset performs overall, not just on the screen.
Until now, the use of 120 Hz screens has not been maximized. For example, for games, not many support it, even for 60 fps it is still difficult for us to achieve, because it will be related to the smartphone’s hardware capabilities and recommendations from the game application.
But for the convenience of browsing applications, photos, social media, browsing the internet using a browser that supports it, it will provide comfort for the user’s eyes.
realme UI 2.0
realme UI version 2.0 offers an optimal experience with a menu display, as well as appropriate default applications. By default, it provides a separate home screen and app tray option. And presents icon personalization that can be used to get your own unique realme UI. According to personality.
Default applications such as SoLoop, Game Space and several optimization features will make your smartphone experience smoother and more comfortable.
New Chipset Ready to be Driven
The realme 8i smartphone is realme’s first product to use the new chipset from Mediatek Helio G96. The chipset carries a CPU with 8 cores and a relatively simple configuration.
This 8-core CPU consists of 2 BIG cores in the form of A75 cores with a speed of 2.05 GHz, and the remaining 6 A55 cores as LITTLE cores with a clock speed of 2.0 GHz. While for graphics, there is a Mali G57 MC2 GPU.
Regardless of what is optimized by realme, this chipset is made by Mediatek as a chipset that concentrates on 4G LTE network speeds, 120 Hz screens and image processing capabilities from cameras that can reach 108MP.
But that doesn’t mean this chipset ignores optimal graphics and gaming capabilities. Because the Helio G96 has brought HyperEngine 2.0 Lite Gaming technology which ensures stable performance and smoother gameplay for a long time.
Assisted by the Network Engine which will provide a fast response and a more reliable connection when you need internet while playing games.
When benchmarking using AnTuTu version 9.2.2, the results can reach 261185 with an attractive value in the GPU section. The average is around 30,000, even reaching 50,085. This means that this chipset is capable of being used to play games with even complex graphics.
We will discuss the gaming section in more detail in another article, which we will upload in the next few days.
It should be noted that the smartphone sold on Lazada, Akulaku and the realme website carries 4 GB of RAM and 64GB of ROM (the reviewed variant), which may be different from other variant products that carry 6GB of RAM and 128GB of ROM, because according to realme, the 6GB variant is equipped with Virtual RAM or Dynamic RAM Expansion technology.
Large Capacity Battery
The presence of features that drain excess power such as high refresh rates and game space settings at the highest performance, is anticipated by realme by embedding a large capacity 5000 mAh battery and power saving technology that makes it last a long time in one go charging.
In standby mode, aka not in use, the realme 8i smartphone can survive up to 28 days. While for continuous music listening, it can last up to 40 hours. It can be used as a music player in a cafe or in your study room, without fear of running out of battery in the middle of the road.
The fast charging technology it carries only supports up to 18 Watts (9V, 2A). It’s pretty fast, because it can still charge up to 50% in 36 minutes.
Triple 50MP Main Cameras
It has been explained previously that in terms of the chipset, the ISP it carries is actually ready to support up to 108 MP. But realme carries a 50 MP main camera sensor. Considering the price offered, the memory provided and the user’s tendencies, this is very understandable.
There are three lenses on the back, namely 50MP with f/1.8, 2MP macro f/2.4 and 2MP B&W f/2.4. All three can be used to produce attractive, detailed images with a smooth bokeh effect.
For selfie needs, there is a 16MP camera on the front with supporting features, namely AI beauty, HDR, Panorama view and Timelapse.
Speaking of Timelapse, both the front and rear cameras can be used to record videos with FHD 1080p quality at a frame rate of 30fps.
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Conclusion
The realme 8i smartphone is an affordable product that offers a 120 Hz screen refresh, possibly the cheapest at the moment. If you are curious about the screen refresh rate capability like this, but have a limited budget of 2-3 million, then this smartphone will be the most fitting choice.
The benefits, you will get a neat design and build quality, a capable camera, and good gaming performance. At least it can be compared with products in the same class and sold at a higher price than this smartphone.