vivo iQOO Neo5 S vs iQOO Neo5: The Ultimate Showdown

The vivo iQOO Neo series is known for delivering impressive performance at competitive prices. The iQOO Neo5 and its successor, the Neo5 S, continue this trend. But which one offers the best value for your money? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The iQOO Neo5 S boasts a Snapdragon 888, offering a noticeable performance boost over the Neo5's 870. However, the Neo5 charges faster and might be slightly more readily available. Ultimately, the Neo5 S is the better performer, but the Neo5 remains a strong contender, especially if charging speed is a priority.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Neo5 S vivo iQOO Neo5
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x CDMA 800
Launch
Announced2021, December 202021, March 16
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, December 25Available. Released 2021, March 22
Body
Dimensions163.2 x 76.4 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 3.01 x 0.33 in)163.3 x 76.4 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 3.01 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight196 g (6.91 oz)196 g (6.91 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)
Size6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 650
OSAndroid 11, OriginOS OceanAndroid 11, OriginOS 1.0 for iQOO
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)-
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Triple-48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, 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
Charging66W wired, 70% in 18 min66W wired, 100% in 30 min
Type4500 mAh4400 mAh
Misc
ColorsOrange, Blue, BlackBlack, Blue, Orange
Models-V2055A
PriceAbout 380 EURAbout 320 EUR

vivo iQOO Neo5 S

  • More powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset
  • Potentially better thermal management
  • Slightly improved camera processing

  • Slower charging speed
  • Potentially higher price

vivo iQOO Neo5

  • Faster 66W charging (100% in 30 mins)
  • Potentially more readily available
  • Mature software experience

  • Less powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset
  • Slightly older technology

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.62-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Neo5 S might have slightly improved color accuracy due to its newer chipset, but the difference is likely minimal. Resolution is generally FHD+ on both.

Camera Comparison

The iQOO Neo5 features a 64MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens. The Neo5 S retains a similar setup, but the image processing benefits from the newer chipset. Expect slightly improved dynamic range and low-light performance on the Neo5 S. Both offer decent video recording capabilities.

Performance

The iQOO Neo5 S's Snapdragon 888 is the clear winner here. While the 870 is no slouch, the 888 provides a tangible performance advantage in demanding games and multitasking. Expect smoother frame rates and faster load times on the Neo5 S. The Neo5 S also benefits from potentially better thermal management due to the 5nm process.

Battery Life

Both phones pack a 4500mAh battery. The Neo5 charges significantly faster with its 30-minute 100% charge time, while the Neo5 S takes 18 minutes to reach 70%. The Neo5 S might have slightly better power efficiency due to the 5nm process, but the charging speed difference is substantial.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the vivo iQOO Neo5 S? Gamers and power users seeking the absolute best performance within this price range. Who should buy the vivo iQOO Neo5? Those prioritizing faster charging and a slightly more mature software experience, or if the Neo5 S is significantly more expensive.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 888 better than the 870?
Yes, the Snapdragon 888 generally offers better performance, especially in demanding tasks like gaming. However, the 870 is still a very capable chipset.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
While both have the same battery capacity, the Neo5 S might have slightly better efficiency. However, the Neo5's faster charging makes it more convenient overall.