Redmi Note 8 Pro vs. Realme X2: Showdown

Daylight photo quality

We'll start out image quality analysis with the main 64MP cameras on both phones. Both phones have the same sensor and similar optics, so it all comes down to how the software processes the raw data coming off the sensor. First, let's look at some daylight samples.

Realme X2 16MP daylight photos

Redmi Note 8 Pro 16MP daylight photos

The photos we took in broad daylight with both phones have a very good amount of resolved detail. The contrast is good, too. The Realme X2 demonstrates spot-on sharpness, while the Redmi suffers from over-sharpening.

The white balance is off on both phones - the Realme X2 favors warmer colors than reality, while the Note 8 Pro goes for cooler hues.

Some further pixel-peeping shows the Realme X2 resolves more detail than the Redmi, and not over-sharpening everything surely helps, too. The Realme images look more natural, though the Redmi is the one handling the foliage better.

Finally, the dynamic range is commendable on the Realme photos, while the Redmi, even when Auto HDR is available, present low dynamic photos with quite a few blown spots.

Overall, the image quality is not perfect on either phone, but the Realme X2 saves better-looking photos despite the so-so foliage.

Now, it's time to look at some ultrawide shots. Both phones have 8MP snappers, with fixed focus and 13mm wide lens.

Realme X2 8MP ultrawide daylight photos

Redmi Note 8 Pro 8MP ultrawide daylight photos

Here the Realme X2 presents a bit more detailed photos, still warmer than they should be. The dynamic range, probably boosted by some Auto HDR, is quite good, and the sharpness is just right.

Meanwhile, the Redmi Note 8 Pro once again resolves better trees and grass, and this time it gets the colors right.

Unfortunately, it still suffers from low dynamic range and excessive sharpening.

The third snapper is for depth information when shooting portraits, so here are a few.

Realme X2 • Redmi Note 8 Pro • Realme X2 • Redmi Note 8 Pro

The Realme X2 is just a little bit more proficient in detecting and separating the subject, and its blur looks a bit more convincing. The portrait colors are also a bit warmer than they should be on the Realme X2, while the Note 8 Pro got them right.

Finally, it's time to see some macro samples taken with the fourth cameras.

Realme X2 • Redmi Note 8 Pro • Realme X2 • Redmi Note 8 Pro

The Redmi Note 8 Pro's 2MP macro cam has autofocus, and it is much easier to use as you don't need to be exactly at 4cm away from your subject. Even better, you can be closer! And this is why its macro snapper is superior to Realme's - it's just easier to use.

Winner: Realme X2. While the Redmi Note 8 Pro has a superior macro shooter, it loses where it matters - the image quality of the Realme X2 photos from both the main and ultrawide camera is higher, even if not by much.

Lowlight photo quality

We also took the Realme X2 and Redmi Note 8 Pro for a spin at night. Both phones aren't excellent shooters at nighttime, and the images from their main snappers are far from great.

Realme X2 16MP lowlight photos

Redmi Note 8 Pro 16MP lowlight photos

The Realme X2 snaps less noisy pictures, and while they also suffer from yellow-redish tint, they still look better than the Redmi Note 8 Pro's.

The Redmi Note 8 Pro sometimes snaps brighter images and gets the colors right, even if a bit washed out, but we still find the Realme's images better.

The Redmi Note 8 Pro rarely uses HDR when left on Auto, but it should. The HDR photos are mostly noise-free. Unfortunately, even with HDR on, the Redmi Note 8 Pro is still the less-capable low-light shooter.

No HDR • HDR • No HDR • HDR

The Night Mode has become a huge thing this year and naturally, both the Realme and Redmi have it. Realme X2's noise reduction is more aggressive than the Note 8's, and thus it smears some of the fine detail. That's why the Redmi Note 8 Pro saves more detailed photos even if noisy.

But a Night Mode should remove noise, not leave it in buckets. And this is why Realme X2's Nightscape samples look better than the Note 8 Pro's.

Realme X2 16MP Night Mode photos

Redmi Note 8 Pro 16MP Night Mode photos

The 8MP images from the ultrawide snappers at night are horrible, but that's to be expected. The ones from the Redmi Note 8 Pro though retained much better colors, and sometimes - detail as well.

Realme X2 16MP lowlight ultrawide photos

Redmi Note 8 Pro X2 16MP lowlight ultrawide photos

Then again, the Realme X2 offers Nightscape mode for the ultrawide camera as well, and those are very good. Meanwhile, the Redmi Note 8 Pro can't do Night Mode with the ultrawide camera.

Realme X2 8MP Night Mode ultrawide photos

Winner: Realme X2. The Realme X2 consistently bested the Redmi Note 8 Pro in each scenario, even if not by much.