The Realme 5s and 5 Pro represent a pivotal moment in Realme's early strategy – delivering compelling features at aggressively low prices. While both phones target the budget-conscious consumer, they diverge in key areas like processing power and charging speed. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 5 Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 712 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the 5s’ Snapdragon 665, and the 20W fast charging significantly reduces downtime. While the 5s boasts slightly better battery endurance on paper, the Pro’s faster charging mitigates this advantage.
| 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, LTE (2CA) 450/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November 20. Released 2019, November | 2019, August 20. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 9.3 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.37 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 | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.7% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 616 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UI | 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 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | 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 | 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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 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, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | 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/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | 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 | 10W wired | 20W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | 4035 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Crystal Purple, Crystal Blue, Crystal Red | Crystal Green, Crystal Blue, Chroma White |
| Models | RMX1925 | RMX1971, RMX1973 |
| Price | About 270 EUR | About 430 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -90.1dB |
Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -92.0dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 143h
| Endurance rating 100h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1412:1 |
Contrast ratio: 1875:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 89dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 85dB |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 139103 (v7), 168635 (v8)
GeekBench: 5596 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 182765 (v7)
GeekBench: 6106 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 5s
- Slightly longer battery endurance (on paper)
- More affordable price point
- Competent camera for basic photography
- Significantly slower processor
- Slow 10W charging
- Less vibrant display
Realme 5 Pro
- Faster Snapdragon 712 processor
- 20W fast charging (50% in 30 mins)
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Slightly shorter battery endurance
- Higher price than the 5s
- May experience more heat under heavy load
Display Comparison
The Realme 5 Pro’s display is a clear upgrade. While both utilize similar LCD technology, the Pro boasts a significantly higher contrast ratio of 1875:1 compared to the 5s’ 1412:1. This translates to richer blacks and a more vibrant image. Crucially, the 5 Pro also achieves a measured peak brightness of 512 nits, making it more usable outdoors in bright sunlight. The 5s, lacking published brightness data, likely falls short in this area. Both displays share the same resolution, so the difference isn’t in sharpness, but in overall visual quality.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a similar camera setup, focusing on versatility. However, the Realme 5 Pro benefits from the more powerful ISP within the Snapdragon 712, potentially leading to better image processing and dynamic range. While both are listed as capable of Photo/Video, the 5 Pro’s chipset allows for faster image capture and potentially better video stabilization. The presence of a 48MP main sensor on both is a marketing highlight, but the real-world difference will be more noticeable in low-light performance due to the 712’s superior image signal processing capabilities. We’d caution against relying heavily on the often-present 2MP macro lenses on either device.
Performance
The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The Realme 5 Pro’s Snapdragon 712, built on a 10nm process, offers a substantial performance advantage over the 5s’ Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The 712’s Kryo 360 cores – a 2x2.3 GHz Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Silver configuration – outperform the 5s’ 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver setup in both CPU and GPU benchmarks. This means faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the 5 Pro. The 10nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The Realme 5s claims an endurance rating of 143 hours, slightly exceeding the 5 Pro’s 100 hours. However, this advantage is largely offset by the 5 Pro’s 20W fast charging, which can deliver a 50% charge in just 30 minutes. The 5s is limited to 10W charging, resulting in significantly longer charging times. In practical terms, the 5 Pro’s faster charging means less time tethered to a wall, even if its overall battery life is marginally shorter. The difference in endurance is likely to be negligible for most users, especially given the 5 Pro’s charging convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 5s if your priority is maximizing battery life and you primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. It’s a solid option for those on a very tight budget. Buy the Realme 5 Pro if you value smoother performance for gaming and multitasking, and appreciate the convenience of significantly faster charging. It’s the better choice for users who demand more from their smartphone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 712 in the Realme 5 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 712 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't match the performance of flagship chipsets, it provides a significantly smoother gaming experience compared to the Snapdragon 665 in the 5s.
❓ How much faster is the 20W charging on the Realme 5 Pro compared to the 10W charging on the 5s?
The 20W charging on the 5 Pro can charge the phone from 0% to 50% in approximately 30 minutes. The 5s, with its 10W charging, will take considerably longer – likely over an hour and a half to reach the same level. This difference is substantial for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ Is the 48MP camera on either phone a significant upgrade over older 12MP or 13MP cameras?
While the 48MP sensor allows for more detailed photos, the actual improvement depends on the image processing. The Realme 5 Pro benefits from the superior ISP of the Snapdragon 712, which can extract more detail and dynamic range from the sensor. However, in good lighting conditions, both phones will produce acceptable results.
❓ Will I notice a significant difference in app loading times between the two phones?
Yes, you will. The Snapdragon 712 in the Realme 5 Pro is noticeably faster at launching apps and switching between them compared to the Snapdragon 665 in the 5s. This is due to the 712’s more powerful CPU and GPU.
