Xiaomi and Realme both now have competent options priced under 20K that offer 108MP cameras, AMOLED displays, and competent hardware. Yes, we are talking about the recently launched Realme 8 Pro (review) and Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Max. But which one of the two is a better buy?
Now that we have had some experience with both of these phones, let’s stack them against each other and try to understand which one is a better buy.
Realme 8 Pro vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Max: Specs and Price
| Product | Realme 8 Pro | Redmi Note 10 Pro Max |
| Display | 6.4-inch, 2400 x 1800, HDR10, 60Hz refresh rate, Dragontrail glass protection | 6.67-inch, 1080 x 2400, HDR10, 120Hz refresh rate, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Thickness and weight | 8.1 mm; 176 grams | 8.1 mm; 192 grams |
| Chipset | 8 nm octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G | 8 nm octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB LPDDR4x | 6GB/8GB LPDDR4x |
| Storage | 128 UFS 2.1 | 64GB/ 128 UFS 2.1 |
| Camera | 108MP Primary f/1.888MP ultra-wide2MP macro2MP B&W 16MP selfie | 108MP Primary f/1.888MP ultra-wide5MP macro2MP B&W 16MP selfie |
| Software | Android 11-based Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11 |
| Battery | 4500mAh, 50W SuperDart Charge | 5020mAh, 33W fast charging |
| Fingerprint | In-display fingerprint reader | Side-mounted |
| Stereo speakers | No | Yes |
| Price | 6 + 128GB – INR 17,999 8 + 128GB – INR 19,999 | 6 + 64GB – INR 18,999 6 + 128GB – INR 19,999 8 + 128GB – INR 21,999 |
Design and Display
Both the Realme 8 Pro and Redmi Note 10 Pro Max are surprisingly slim and very comfortable to hold. The 8 pro weighs 176 grams and measures 8.1 mm in thickness. The Note 10 Pro Max, on the other hand, houses a bigger battery but yet restrains to 8.1 mm thickness and 192 grams of heft.
The Realme 8 Pro has an optical in-display fingerprint reader which we personally find to be more reliable and consistent than side-mounted fingerprint readers, the kind that Xiaomi employs on the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max.
The Note also has an actual glass back, IP53 splash resistance, and more assuring Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the front. In comparison, the Realme 8 Pro has a textured, smudge-resistant polycarbonate back and Asahi Dragontrail glass protection for the screen.
Both of these phones offer HDR10 compliant AMOLED displays in the affordable price segment. The Note 10 Pro Max additionally supports 120Hz refresh rate – which makes it the only affordable phone to include both AMOLED tech and HRR!
Performance and Software
The Redmi Note 10 Pro Max is powered by Snapdragon 732 octa-core chipset while the Realme 8 Pro is driven by Snapdragon 720G. Both of these are 4G chipsets and are quite close in real-life performance. The Redmi Note 10 Pro Max is still at an advantage with higher binned Adreno 618 GPU.
The Realme 8 Pro offers more RAM and storage per Rupee spent, and that perhaps kind of put things on an even keel? Anyways, these are both excellent options for performance oriented consumers.
The software on both phones is based on Android 11, but we find Realme UI 2.0 overlay to be a lot more appealing and intuitive as compared to the MIUI 12. Your taste and preferences may of course differ.
Camera and Battery
Once again these phones are quite evenly matched when it comes to camera hardware. The primary camera is Samsung HN2 108MP and there are additional wide-angle, macro, and portrait shooters completing the quartet.
Camera performance on both of these phones is impressive in the price segment and you can’t go wrong with either of the two.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Max has the advantage of a bigger 5020mAh battery and the Realme Pro offers the convenience of faster charging. Both phones should comfortably last for more than a day for most users.
Verdict
It’ll be a really really tough pick between the two. It all boils down to what software you prefer and how much you actually want a high refresh rate display.
Points in favour of Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Max
- Both AMOLED display and high refresh rate support
- Better chipset
- Bigger battery
- Real glass on the back
- Stereo speakers
Points in favour of Realme 8 Pro
- Optical in-display fingerprint reader
- More appealing Interface (subjective)
- Faster charging
- Cheaper
- More engaging camera app
