Realme V15 5G vs vivo V20 Pro: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range 5G Performance

The Realme V15 5G and vivo V20 Pro represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at accessible price points, they diverge in their core hardware choices – specifically, their chipsets and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Realme V15 5G emerges as the stronger contender. Its Mediatek Dimensity 800U chipset, coupled with 50W charging, provides a noticeable edge in responsiveness and convenience, making it ideal for gamers and power users. However, the vivo V20 Pro remains a viable option for those valuing a potentially more refined software experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme V15 5G vivo V20 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G 2.3 Gbps DLHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2021, January 072020, September 22. Released 2020, September 30
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, January 15Discontinued
Body
Dimensions160.9 x 74.4 x 8.1 mm / 8.3 mm158.8 x 74.2 x 7.4 mm (6.25 x 2.92 x 0.29 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight176 g / 179 g (6.21 oz)170 g (6.00 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak)AMOLED, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC3Adreno 620
OSAndroid 10, Realme UIAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 11, Funtouch 11
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual-44 MP, f/2.0, (wide) 8 MP, f/2.3 (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
FeaturesPanoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm-
Video1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging50W wired, 50% in 18 min, 100% in 47 min33W wired
Type4310 mAh4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSpace Silver, Nebula, BlueSunset Melody, Midnight Jazz, Moonlight Sonata
Models-2018
PriceAbout 190 EURAbout 410 EUR

Realme V15 5G

  • Faster 50W charging significantly reduces downtime.
  • Mediatek Dimensity 800U offers superior CPU and GPU performance.
  • Potentially better value for money given the performance advantage.

  • Realme’s UI can be more cluttered compared to vivo’s Funtouch OS.
  • Camera image processing may not appeal to all users.

vivo V20 Pro

  • vivo’s Funtouch OS is often praised for its smoothness and features.
  • Potentially better camera software and image processing.
  • Qualcomm’s modem offers reliable 5G connectivity.

  • Slower 33W charging is a significant drawback.
  • Snapdragon 765G offers less raw performance than the Dimensity 800U.
  • May be priced higher than the Realme V15 5G for comparable storage.

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market positioning, both likely feature FHD+ resolution panels. The Realme V15, historically, leans towards higher refresh rates, potentially offering a smoother visual experience. The vivo V20 Pro, typical of the brand, may prioritize color accuracy and viewing angles. Without specific data on panel technology (AMOLED vs. LCD) or peak brightness, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a comprehensive comparison is challenging. However, the market segment suggests both phones will feature multi-camera setups. The focus should be on the main sensor resolution and aperture. A larger sensor with a wider aperture (lower f-number) will capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance. Image processing algorithms also play a crucial role; vivo is known for its beautification features, while Realme often aims for a more natural look. The absence of information regarding Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is a significant omission – its presence would be a major advantage for video recording and low-light photography.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Realme V15 5G utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7nm) with its octa-core configuration (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), while the vivo V20 Pro features the Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7nm) with its own octa-core arrangement (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver). While both are 7nm chips, the Dimensity 800U generally benchmarks slightly higher in CPU and GPU performance, particularly in sustained workloads. The Cortex-A76 cores in the Realme offer a performance advantage over the Kryo 475 cores in the Snapdragon. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The Snapdragon 765G, however, benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized modem and potentially better software support for gaming.

Battery Life

The Realme V15 5G boasts a significant advantage in charging speed with its 50W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% in 18 minutes and 100% in 47 minutes. The vivo V20 Pro’s 33W charging is considerably slower. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the Realme V15 5G mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. Users who prioritize minimizing downtime will strongly favor the Realme’s charging capabilities.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme V15 5G if you need a phone that prioritizes gaming performance and quick top-ups thanks to its 50W charging. It’s the better choice for users who frequently play demanding mobile games or find themselves constantly needing to recharge. Buy the vivo V20 Pro if you prefer a potentially more polished user interface and a focus on camera features, even if it means sacrificing some raw processing power and charging speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 765G in the vivo V20 Pro struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 765G is capable, it will likely require lower graphics settings and may experience occasional frame drops in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact. The Dimensity 800U in the Realme V15 5G offers a more comfortable gaming experience at higher settings.
❓ How much faster is the 50W charging on the Realme V15 5G compared to the 33W charging on the vivo V20 Pro in real-world use?
The 50W charging on the Realme V15 5G can add a substantial amount of battery life in a short period. The difference translates to roughly 20-30 minutes less time plugged into the wall for a full charge, making it ideal for users who need a quick boost.
❓ Does the Realme V15 5G support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
The Dimensity 800U chipset supports carrier aggregation, which allows the phone to combine multiple 5G channels for faster and more stable connections. This is a significant advantage in areas with strong 5G coverage.
❓ Is the software experience on the vivo V20 Pro significantly different from Realme UI?
Yes, vivo’s Funtouch OS generally offers a more polished and refined user experience compared to Realme UI, which can sometimes feel cluttered with pre-installed apps and features. However, software preference is subjective.