The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Infinix S5 and Realme 5 Pro both aimed to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but they took drastically different approaches. The Infinix S5 focused on affordability, while the Realme 5 Pro prioritized performance with a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 5 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 712 chipset provides a significantly smoother and more responsive experience, especially for gaming and multitasking. While the Infinix S5 offers a lower entry price, the performance trade-offs are substantial.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October 15. Released 2019, October | 2019, August 20. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.31 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 | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| | - | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 102.1 cm2 (~81.9% 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 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 616 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | 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 | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, 14mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, 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, non-removable | 4035 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Quetzal Cyan, Violet | Crystal Green, Crystal Blue, Chroma White |
| Models | X652 | RMX1971, RMX1973 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | 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) |
Infinix S5
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- Decent battery life for basic usage.
- Functional for everyday tasks.
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the Realme 5 Pro.
- Likely inferior camera quality.
- Slower charging speeds.
Realme 5 Pro
- Superior performance thanks to the Snapdragon 712.
- Faster 20W charging.
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- Higher price compared to the Infinix S5.
- May be slightly heavier due to larger battery or components.
- Similar battery endurance to the Infinix S5 despite faster charging.
Display Comparison
Both the Infinix S5 and Realme 5 Pro feature displays with a 1875:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Realme 5 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 512 nits, a tangible advantage over the Infinix S5, which lacks published brightness data. This higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Realme 5 Pro’s superior brightness makes it the more comfortable option in various lighting conditions.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but details are sparse. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Realme 5 Pro’s chipset includes a more powerful image signal processor (ISP), enabling faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The Infinix S5, relying on the Helio P22, will likely struggle to match the Realme 5 Pro’s image quality, especially in challenging conditions. It's reasonable to assume the Realme 5 Pro offers a more refined camera experience overall.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Realme 5 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 (10nm) is a far more capable chipset than the Infinix S5’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm). The Snapdragon 712 utilizes a dual-cluster CPU configuration – 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver – offering a significant performance boost over the Infinix S5’s Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53. The 10nm process node of the Snapdragon 712 also contributes to better power efficiency and thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended use. This difference is particularly noticeable in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.
Battery Life
Both the Infinix S5 and Realme 5 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 100 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. 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 Infinix S5’s charging speed is not specified, implying a slower charging experience. While both phones offer all-day battery life for moderate users, the Realme 5 Pro’s faster charging mitigates the inconvenience of needing to top up.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix S5 if your primary needs are basic smartphone functionality – calls, texts, social media – and you're on an extremely tight budget. It's a functional device for minimal usage. Buy the Realme 5 Pro if you value performance, enjoy mobile gaming, or frequently multitask. The Snapdragon 712 offers a noticeable upgrade in speed and responsiveness, making it a more future-proof investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 712 in the Realme 5 Pro capable of handling demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 712 is well-equipped to handle PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't deliver the absolute highest performance, it provides a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience, a significant advantage over the Helio P22 in the Infinix S5.
❓ Does the Realme 5 Pro support fast charging protocols beyond the standard 20W?
The Realme 5 Pro supports standard USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) and Quick Charge protocols. While it's optimized for 20W charging, it can potentially draw more power from compatible chargers, though the gains may be marginal.
❓ How does the camera performance of the Infinix S5 compare to other phones in its price range?
The Infinix S5's camera performance is generally considered average for its price point. It's capable of taking decent photos in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light due to the limitations of the Helio P22's ISP and likely smaller sensor size. Expect softer details and more noise compared to the Realme 5 Pro.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio P22 and Snapdragon 712 noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. While both phones can handle basic tasks, the Snapdragon 712 in the Realme 5 Pro provides a smoother and more responsive experience. Apps launch faster, multitasking is more fluid, and animations are less likely to stutter.
