REALME 8

SMARTPHONE

- REN ALCANTARA

Competition in the smartphone race hasn't slowed despite everything that's going on, and it seems like every month, there's a new device that's vying for our attention. Amidst the stiff competition though, one brand continues to stand out, and that's realme. I realize I've said it before, but the brand continues to deliver superb value for money, in a market that continues to push the boundaries of each price point. We take a look at the realme 8, a solid mid-ranger that upholds the values of the brand.

DESIGN

The design of the device is standard fare for a modern smartphone. The front is home to a large 6.4-inch 1080 x 2400 display with slender bezels, a slight chin, and a pinhole camera on the top left corner. The fingerprint sensor is located under the screen, minimizing visual clutter elsewhere on the device, and giving a slightly more premium feel to the overall package.

There are only three buttons on the phone, and they're all on the right edge with the phone facing the user: a volume rocker, and the power button just below that.

The opposite edge is where you'll find the SIM tray, and on the bottom is a USB-C connector, along with the speaker grille and a 3.5mm headphone jack (yay).

The back is a little busier, with a quad-camera and flash module in a raised, rounded square on the top left corner, the realme branding on the left, and “DARE TO LEAP” written in an iridescent font in the middle of a visually striking colored strip. It's not particularly subtle, but at least there won't be any doubt as to the brand you have in your hands.

HARDWARE