The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. We pit the Cubot X19, powered by MediaTek’s Helio P23, against the Realme 5 Pro, featuring Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 712, to determine which device delivers the best balance of performance, features, and value. This comparison focuses on the core differences impacting everyday use, from processing power to display quality.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Realme 5 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 712 chipset provides a substantial performance advantage over the Cubot X19’s Helio P23, translating to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a better gaming experience. While both phones offer similar battery endurance, the Realme 5 Pro’s 20W charging is a significant convenience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020. Released 2020 | 2019, August 20. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 155 x 74.7 x 9.6 mm (6.10 x 2.94 x 0.38 in) | 157 x 74.2 x 8.9 mm (6.18 x 2.92 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| | - | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~407 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.93 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~78.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6763T Helio P23 (16 nm) | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 | Adreno 616 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF
2 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 20W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | 4000 mAh | 4035 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gradient, Black | Crystal Green, Crystal Blue, Chroma White |
| Models | - | RMX1971, RMX1973 |
| Price | - | About 430 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -92.0dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 100h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1875:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 85dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 182765 (v7)
GeekBench: 6106 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Cubot X19
- Lower price point
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Functional for basic tasks
- Significantly weaker performance
- Likely inferior display quality
- Slower charging speeds (assumed)
Realme 5 Pro
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 712
- Faster 20W charging
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Higher price than Cubot X19
- May not be significantly better for extremely basic use cases
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
The Realme 5 Pro boasts a display with a measured peak brightness of 512 nits and a 1875:1 contrast ratio, offering a noticeably more vibrant and readable experience, especially outdoors. While the Cubot X19’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume it falls short of the Realme 5 Pro in both brightness and contrast, given the price difference and Realme’s focus on display quality. The 1875:1 contrast ratio on the Realme 5 Pro indicates a good level of black depth, enhancing visual clarity.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent for both. However, given the Realme 5 Pro’s positioning, it likely features a more advanced camera system with a larger sensor and potentially optical image stabilization (OIS). The Realme brand historically emphasizes camera performance, suggesting a more refined image processing pipeline. The Cubot X19, targeting a lower price point, likely compromises on camera quality, potentially relying on smaller sensors and less sophisticated software.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 5 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 (10nm) is significantly more powerful and efficient than the Cubot X19’s MediaTek Helio P23 (16nm). The Snapdragon 712 utilizes a dual-cluster CPU configuration – 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver – offering a more intelligent approach to task allocation. The Helio P23’s octa-core 2.5 GHz Cortex-A53 is less sophisticated and less efficient. The 10nm process node of the Snapdragon 712 also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to a smoother experience in demanding apps and games.
Battery Life
Both the Cubot X19 and Realme 5 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 100 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Realme 5 Pro’s 20W wired charging capability provides a significant advantage, allowing it to reach 50% charge in just 30 minutes. This rapid charging is a crucial convenience feature, minimizing downtime and ensuring the phone is quickly ready for use. The Cubot X19’s charging speed is not specified, but it’s likely considerably slower.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot X19 if your primary need is a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and you prioritize minimizing upfront cost. Buy the Realme 5 Pro if you value performance for gaming and multitasking, appreciate faster charging speeds, and want a more responsive user experience, even if it means a slightly higher initial investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 712 in the Realme 5 Pro powerful enough for modern mobile games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Snapdragon 712 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't match the performance of flagship chipsets, it provides a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience for the price point.
❓ Given the similar battery endurance ratings, does the faster charging of the Realme 5 Pro make a real-world difference?
Absolutely. While both phones last roughly the same on a single charge, the Realme 5 Pro’s 20W charging significantly reduces downtime. Being able to add 50% charge in just 30 minutes is a major convenience, especially for users who frequently use their phones throughout the day.
❓ The Cubot X19 is significantly cheaper. Is it a good option for someone on a very tight budget who only needs basic phone functionality?
If your needs are limited to calls, texts, and light social media, and budget is the absolute primary concern, the Cubot X19 is a functional option. However, be prepared for slower performance and a less refined user experience compared to the Realme 5 Pro.
