The vivo iQOO Neo 855 and Huawei nova 5T represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, both released when their respective chipsets were at their peak. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they achieve this through different approaches – Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 versus Huawei’s Kirin 980. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and sustained gaming, the iQOO Neo 855 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 855, despite being a generation older, generally offers a performance edge, coupled with faster 33W charging. However, the nova 5T remains a viable option for those seeking a balanced experience with a sleek design and a competitive price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October. Released 2019, October | 2019, August 27. Released 2019, September 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.5 x 75.2 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.96 x 0.32 in) | 154.3 x 74 x 7.8 mm (6.07 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198.5 g (7.02 oz) | 174 g (6.14 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, HDR10 | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) | Kirin 980 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Mali-G76 MP10 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | 64GB 6GB RAM (UFS 2.1), all others (UFS 3.0) | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1"
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 12 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 32-bit/192kHz audio
| 32-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 22.5W wired, 50% in 24 min |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3750 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Purple, Aurora White, Black | Black, Crush Blue, Midsummer Purple, Crush Green |
| Models | V1936A, V1936T | YAL-L21, YAL-L61, YAL-L71, YAL-L61D |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 340 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 313024 (v7), 395503 (v8)
GeekBench: 10013 (v4.4), 2504 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 29fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo iQOO Neo 855
- Faster Snapdragon 855 processor for superior gaming
- 33W fast charging for quicker power-ups
- Potentially better sustained performance due to thermal design (speculation based on iQOO branding)
- May lack the refined aesthetics of the nova 5T
- Camera performance may be less optimized for computational photography
Huawei nova 5T
- Sleek and modern design
- Strong AI capabilities of the Kirin 980
- Competitive price point
- Slower 22.5W charging
- Kirin 980 generally offers lower GPU performance than Snapdragon 855
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display by today’s standards, but both offer adequate viewing experiences. Specifics regarding panel type (IPS vs AMOLED) and resolution are missing, but the focus here is on processing power. The absence of high refresh rates on either device is notable, limiting their appeal to competitive mobile gamers. Bezels are likely comparable given the release timeframe, and color accuracy will depend on software calibration, a detail not provided.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is difficult to assess without detailed sensor information. The absence of sensor size and aperture details prevents a thorough analysis. However, the Kirin 980’s image signal processor (ISP) is known for its computational photography prowess, potentially giving the nova 5T an edge in image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The iQOO Neo 855 relies on the Snapdragon 855’s ISP, which is also capable but generally less refined in computational photography. The prevalence of 2MP macro/depth sensors on phones of this era suggests these are largely marketing features and should not heavily influence purchasing decisions.
Performance
The core of this comparison lies in the chipset battle: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 (7nm) versus Huawei’s Kirin 980 (7nm). The Snapdragon 855 utilizes a tri-cluster architecture with a peak clock speed of 2.84 GHz on its Kryo 485 core, while the Kirin 980 employs a dual-Cortex-A76 core at 2.6 GHz. While both are 7nm chips, the Snapdragon 855 generally exhibits superior GPU performance, making it more suitable for graphically demanding games. The iQOO Neo 855 benefits from this, offering a smoother gaming experience. The Kirin 980, however, is known for its strong AI capabilities, which could translate to improved image processing and power efficiency in certain scenarios. RAM configurations are not specified, but faster LPDDR5 RAM would further enhance the iQOO Neo 855’s performance.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the charging speeds are a clear differentiator. The iQOO Neo 855 supports 33W wired charging, significantly faster than the nova 5T’s 22.5W charging, which Huawei claims reaches 50% in 24 minutes. This faster charging translates to less downtime and a more convenient user experience. While a larger battery capacity on the nova 5T could offset the slower charging, the iQOO Neo 855’s charging speed is a significant advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Neo 855 if you need a phone primarily for gaming and demanding applications, and value faster charging speeds. Its Snapdragon 855 provides a noticeable performance boost for resource-intensive tasks. Buy the Huawei nova 5T if you prefer a more aesthetically refined device with a balanced feature set and are comfortable with a slightly slower charging experience. It’s a strong all-rounder for everyday use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 855 in the iQOO Neo 855 experience significant throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 855 is a powerful chip, it can be prone to thermal throttling under sustained load. However, iQOO devices often prioritize thermal management, potentially mitigating this issue with optimized cooling solutions. Real-world performance will depend on ambient temperature and game settings.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Huawei nova 5T actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on phones in this price range offer limited detail and image quality. They are often included as a marketing feature rather than a genuinely useful addition to the camera system. Expect soft images and limited dynamic range.
❓ Can the iQOO Neo 855 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates (60fps or higher)?
The Snapdragon 855 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at high frame rates, but achieving a consistent 60fps will depend on the game settings and the device's thermal management. Lowering graphics settings may be necessary to maintain a smooth experience during prolonged gaming sessions.
❓ Does the Huawei nova 5T support Huawei's SuperCharge technology, and how does it compare to the iQOO Neo 855's charging?
The nova 5T supports Huawei's 22.5W charging, which is not the same as their full SuperCharge implementation. The iQOO Neo 855's 33W charging is significantly faster, offering a more convenient charging experience. While the nova 5T's charging is respectable, it takes longer to reach a full charge.
