Compared: realme 8 5G, Redmi Note 10 5G, POCO M3 Pro 5G

The deployment of 5G in the Philippines is now in full swing, thanks in part to the concerted efforts of local telcos Smart and Globe. With speeds up to 10 times faster than 4G LTE, 5G sets the stage for better mobile internet and AIoT experience in the country.

However, to enjoy 5G and the speed it offers, you will need a compatible 5G phone. Thankfully, we have seen quite a number of devices enter the Philippines. For the budget-conscious crowd, three midrange phones show promise — the realme 8 5G, Redmi Note 10 5G, and POCO M3 Pro 5G.

In this article, we are going to compare the three phones. They have similar specs and the same price range, but which one offers the most bang-for-your-buck? Let’s find out.

realme 8 5G vs Redmi Note 10 5G vs POCO M3 Pro 5G

Looking at the comparison table above, you can hardly tell them apart by just their spec sheets.

The realme 8 5G, Redmi Note 10 5G, and POCO M3 Pro 5G are all powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset with up to 8GB RAM and up to 128GB storage.

They have 6.5-inch FHD+ IPS displays with 90Hz refresh rates and 5000mAh batteries with 18W fast charging. Even the camera systems are the same with a 48MP main, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth sensors.

As such, the performances of the phones are not far from each other. RAM/storage configurations do affect how they perform, but its still close.

Speaking of configurations, all three phones come in two variants each. The realme 8 5G has 4GB + 128GB and 8GB + 128GB variants, the Redmi Note 10 5G in 4GB + 128GB and 8GB + 128GB, and the POCO M3 Pro 5G in 4GB + 64GB and 6GB + 128GB.

Now that we know the similarities, what about their differences? Well, if you look closely, you’ll see that the realme 8 5G has a leg up in selfies. The phone packs a 16MP front camera, compared to the other two’s 8MP.

This next one may be a small difference, but it matters to some. The realme 8 5G has a triple SIM slot. That means you can fit two nano SIM cards and a micro SD card at the same time.

The phones also run on different operating systems. The Redmi Note 10 5G and POCO M3 Pro 5G both run on MIUI, while the realme 8 5G runs on realme UI. Both OS’s are based on Android 11 with colorful UI’s and a host of useful features.

And finally, we have the design. Each took a different approach. The POCO M3 Pro 5G has a bold look with a black strip around the camera module with the POCO branding in large letters. It also has a larger punch hole at the top center of the display.

The realme 8 5G and the Redmi Note 10 5G have a more subdued look with a cleaner and overall appealing aesthetic. Both also have smaller punch holes, with the former’s on the left corner of the display and the latter’s on the top center.

Final Remarks

The realme 8 5G, Redmi Note 10 5G, and POCO M3 Pro 5G are three of the most promising midrange 5G phones in the market right now. They offer a good balance between cost, performance, and features.

Though they have similar specs, my money is on the realme 8 5G with a slight lead because of the higher MP selfie camera and a cleaner design. I also like that the punch hole is smaller and located on the left corner, which I find less distracting when watching media. The Redmi Note 10 5G is a close second because of its pleasing design and smaller punch hole.

In the end, you can’t go wrong with any of the three devices. The best, of course, will depend on how you use your device and what you prioritize on your smartphones.

All three devices are now available in the Philippines.