The Realme 5, released in 2019, represents a generation of affordable smartphones focused on maximizing battery life and essential features. The vivo S19, a more recent offering, aims to deliver a more modern experience with a significantly upgraded chipset and faster charging. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the vivo S19 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset offers a substantial leap in processing power and efficiency compared to the Realme 5’s Snapdragon 665. However, the Realme 5 remains a viable option for those on a very tight budget who prioritize long battery life.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE (2CA) 450/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August 20. Released 2019, August | 2024, May 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2024, May 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 9.3 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.37 in) | 163.6 x 75.7 x 7.2 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 193 g (6.81 oz) |
| | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 4500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x1.8GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 720 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UI | Android 14, OriginOS 4 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| | eMMC | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.56", PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 106˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 50 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS (B1I+B1c) |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 80W wired, PD
Reverse wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Si/C Li-Ion 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Crystal Purple, Crystal Blue | Gray, Peach, Light Blue |
| Models | RMX1911, RMX1919, RMX1927 | V2364A |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 320 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 144h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1406:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 89dB
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 139516 (v7)
GeekBench: 5707 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Realme 5
- Exceptional battery life (144h endurance)
- Very affordable price point
- Reliable for basic smartphone tasks
- Outdated chipset (Snapdragon 665)
- Slow charging (10W)
- Inferior display quality
vivo S19
- Powerful Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset
- Ultra-fast 80W charging with PD
- Modern features and improved performance
- Likely higher price than Realme 5
- Battery life may be shorter than Realme 5 (though offset by fast charging)
- Specific battery capacity not provided
Display Comparison
The Realme 5 features a display with a measured peak brightness of 485 nits and a 1406:1 contrast ratio. While adequate for indoor use, this pales in comparison to what we’d expect from a modern display. The vivo S19’s display specifications are not provided, but given its positioning, it likely boasts a higher peak brightness and potentially a more advanced panel technology. The Realme 5’s contrast ratio, while decent, suggests a lack of advanced display features like local dimming. Users who frequently consume media outdoors or demand vibrant colors will find the vivo S19 a more appealing option.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific details are absent. Given the Realme 5’s age, its camera system is likely to be significantly less advanced than the vivo S19’s. While the Realme 5 may suffice for casual snapshots, the vivo S19 likely benefits from newer image processing algorithms and potentially larger sensor sizes, resulting in better low-light performance and overall image quality. Without further details, it’s difficult to make a precise comparison, but the vivo S19’s more modern hardware suggests a clear advantage.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 5 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm), an octa-core processor designed for efficiency. The vivo S19, however, is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4nm). This represents a significant architectural leap. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 delivers substantially improved power efficiency and thermal performance compared to the 11nm Snapdragon 665. The CPU configuration also favors the vivo S19, with a 1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 prime core and three additional Cortex-A715 cores, offering a noticeable performance boost over the Realme 5’s 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver configuration. Gamers and power users will experience a far smoother experience on the vivo S19.
Battery Life
The Realme 5 boasts an endurance rating of 144 hours, indicating excellent battery life. However, the vivo S19 compensates for any potential battery capacity difference with its 80W wired charging, which includes Power Delivery (PD) and reverse wired charging. This allows for incredibly fast charging times – a full charge from 0-100% will be significantly quicker on the vivo S19. While the Realme 5 excels in longevity, the vivo S19 offers the convenience of quickly topping up the battery when needed, making it more suitable for users with active lifestyles.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 5 if you need a dependable, ultra-budget smartphone primarily for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and long battery life is paramount. Buy the vivo S19 if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience for gaming, multitasking, and content creation, and value the convenience of 80W fast charging and a more modern processor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 in the vivo S19 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is a significant upgrade over the Snapdragon 665 and is capable of running demanding games like Genshin Impact at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The 4nm process also helps to mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the vivo S19 with the 80W charger?
The vivo S19’s 80W charging is exceptionally fast. While exact times depend on the battery capacity (which isn't specified), it's likely to charge from 0-100% in under 40 minutes, potentially even closer to 30 minutes, offering a significant convenience factor.
❓ Is the Realme 5 still a good option for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls, texts, and basic social media?
Absolutely. The Realme 5 excels at basic tasks and offers excellent battery life. If your smartphone needs are limited to calls, texts, and light social media browsing, the Realme 5 remains a reliable and affordable option.
❓ Does the vivo S19 support 5G connectivity?
While not explicitly stated, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 typically includes 5G modem capabilities. Therefore, it is highly probable that the vivo S19 supports 5G connectivity, offering faster data speeds where available.
