The smartphone market is flooded with options, particularly in the budget and mid-range segments. We're pitting the Cubot X20, powered by the Mediatek Helio P23, against the Realme 5 Pro, featuring the Qualcomm Snapdragon 712. This comparison aims to dissect the core differences, focusing on performance, efficiency, and overall user experience to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Realme 5 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 712 chipset, built on a more efficient 10nm process, delivers significantly better performance and responsiveness than the Cubot X20’s Helio P23. While both phones boast a 100-hour endurance rating, the Realme 5 Pro’s faster 20W charging provides a more convenient experience.
| 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, 3, 7, 8, 19, 20 | 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, plastic frame, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 157.1 x 74.6 x 8.1 mm (6.19 x 2.94 x 0.32 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 | 240 g (8.47 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| | - | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.1% 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 MT6763 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 |
|---|
| 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 |
| Triple | 12 MP, (wide), 1/2.9", AF
8 MP, 125˚ (ultrawide)
20 MP, (depth), 1/2.78" | - |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3.06" | 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 | USB Type-C, 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 | 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 | Blue, Gold, 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 X20
- Potentially lower price point
- Basic smartphone functionality
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Inferior chipset performance
- Less efficient 16nm process
- Likely slower charging speeds
- Unknown display brightness
Realme 5 Pro
- Superior Snapdragon 712 performance
- More efficient 10nm process
- Faster 20W charging
- Higher display brightness (512 nits)
- Potentially higher price
- Camera details are limited
- May not be significantly better in all real-world scenarios
Display Comparison
Both devices feature a contrast ratio of 1875:1, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Realme 5 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 512 nits, which is crucial for outdoor visibility, a clear advantage over the Cubot X20 where brightness data is unavailable. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Realme 5 Pro’s higher brightness translates to a more usable display in bright sunlight. The lack of information on the Cubot X20’s panel type and brightness makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Realme 5 Pro clearly holds the edge.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent for both. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a meaningful comparison is impossible. However, given Realme’s focus on camera technology, it’s reasonable to assume the Realme 5 Pro benefits from more sophisticated image processing algorithms and potentially a larger sensor, leading to better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The Cubot X20 likely relies on more basic image processing, resulting in less dynamic range and detail.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 5 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 (10nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Cubot X20’s Mediatek Helio P23 (16nm). The 10nm process node of the Snapdragon 712 offers significantly improved power efficiency, leading to less heat generation and sustained performance. The Snapdragon 712’s CPU configuration – dual 2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold and hexa 1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver – is architecturally superior to the Helio P23’s octa-core 2.5 GHz Cortex-A53, offering better multi-tasking and application responsiveness. This translates to smoother gaming, faster app loading times, and an overall more fluid user experience on the Realme 5 Pro.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 100 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Realme 5 Pro’s 20W wired charging capability, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 30 minutes, provides a significant convenience advantage. The Cubot X20’s charging speed is not specified, implying a slower charging experience. This faster charging mitigates any potential battery life differences, making the Realme 5 Pro more practical for users who need to quickly top up their device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot X20 if you prioritize absolute affordability and basic smartphone functionality, and are willing to compromise on performance and future-proofing. Buy the Realme 5 Pro if you value a smoother user experience, better gaming capabilities, and faster charging, even if it means spending a bit more. The Realme 5 Pro is ideal for users who multitask, enjoy mobile gaming, or simply want a phone that feels responsive and capable.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 712 in the Realme 5 Pro capable of handling demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Snapdragon 712 is a capable chipset for gaming. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it can comfortably run PUBG and Call of Duty at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The 10nm process also helps to mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How does the Mediatek Helio P23 in the Cubot X20 perform with multitasking and app switching?
The Helio P23 is a budget-oriented chipset and will likely exhibit noticeable lag when multitasking with numerous apps or switching between resource-intensive applications. It's suitable for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light messaging, but it will struggle with demanding workloads.
❓ Given both phones have a 100-hour endurance rating, will I notice a real-world difference in battery life?
While the endurance rating is the same, the Realme 5 Pro’s faster charging is a significant advantage. You’ll spend less time tethered to a charger, even if the overall battery life is comparable. The Snapdragon 712’s efficiency may also contribute to slightly better real-world battery performance under heavy use.
