iQOO Neo5 vs Asus ROG Phone 5s: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The iQOO Neo5 and Asus ROG Phone 5s represent distinct approaches to the gaming smartphone market. The Neo5, powered by the Snapdragon 870, aims for a compelling price-to-performance ratio, while the ROG Phone 5s, with the Snapdragon 888+, targets enthusiast gamers willing to pay a premium for top-tier power. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing value and sustained performance, the iQOO Neo5 emerges as the winner. While the ROG Phone 5s boasts a more powerful chipset, its thermal management and higher price point make it less appealing than the Neo5's efficient Snapdragon 870 and aggressive charging.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Neo5 Asus ROG Phone 5s
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - Version 1
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - Version 1
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 1
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 1400/150 Mbps, 5G 4 Gbps DL
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 4
Launch
Announced2021, March 162021, August 16
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, March 22Available. Released 2021, August 26
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.3 x 76.4 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 3.01 x 0.33 in)172.8 x 77.3 x 9.9 mm (6.80 x 3.04 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight196 g (6.91 oz)238 g (8.40 oz)
 -RGB light panel (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, OriginOS 1.0 for iQOOAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, ROG UI
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)-
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm, 125˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama, HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired, 100% in 30 min65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 70% in 30 min, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wired
Type4400 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, OrangePhantom Black, Storm White
ModelsV2055AZS676KS
PriceAbout 320 EURAbout 1030 EUR

vivo iQOO Neo5

  • Faster charging (30 mins to 100%)
  • Potentially better thermal management due to 7nm process
  • Likely better value for money

  • Less powerful chipset than the ROG Phone 5s
  • May lack advanced gaming features found on the ROG Phone 5s

Asus ROG Phone 5s

  • More powerful Snapdragon 888+ chipset
  • Potential for higher refresh rate display
  • Reverse wireless charging capability

  • Slower charging speed (52 mins to 100%)
  • Higher price point
  • More prone to thermal throttling

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, but based on market positioning, the ROG Phone 5s likely features a higher refresh rate panel (144Hz vs 120Hz) and potentially higher peak brightness. The ROG Phone line historically prioritizes display quality for gaming, with features like HDR10+ support being common. The iQOO Neo5, while still offering a quality display, likely focuses on cost optimization. Bezels are expected to be minimal on both, but the ROG Phone 5s may have a slightly more refined design.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are absent, but the ROG Phone series historically prioritizes gaming features over camera prowess. The iQOO Neo5, as a more mainstream device, likely offers a more balanced camera system. Expect the ROG Phone 5s to have a competent camera, but the iQOO Neo5 may deliver better image quality in everyday scenarios. Without sensor size or aperture information, a definitive comparison is impossible, but the iQOO Neo5 is likely to offer a more versatile camera experience.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Asus ROG Phone 5s utilizes the Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5nm), a significant upgrade over the iQOO Neo5’s Snapdragon 870 (7nm). The 888+’s Cortex-X1 prime core, clocked at 2.99 GHz, offers a performance advantage in single-core tasks and burst workloads. However, the 7nm process of the Snapdragon 870 generally translates to better thermal efficiency. The ROG Phone 5s, despite its more powerful chip, is more prone to thermal throttling under sustained load. Both devices feature octa-core CPUs, but the architectural differences – Cortex-A78 in the 888+ vs Kryo 585 in the 870 – impact performance characteristics. The ROG Phone 5s likely benefits from faster LPDDR5 RAM, further enhancing its performance, but the iQOO Neo5's RAM speed is not specified.

Battery Life

Both phones offer fast wired charging, with the iQOO Neo5 achieving 100% charge in 30 minutes with its 66W system. The ROG Phone 5s, with 65W charging, takes 52 minutes to reach 100%, and only 70% in 30 minutes. The ROG Phone 5s also includes 10W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the iQOO Neo5. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging speed of the iQOO Neo5 provides a more convenient user experience, offsetting any potential capacity difference.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Neo5 if you need a powerful gaming experience without breaking the bank, and prioritize consistent performance over absolute peak power. It's ideal for users who want fast charging and a balanced feature set. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 5s if you demand the absolute highest Android processing power, are willing to invest in gaming accessories, and don't mind potentially managing thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 888+ in the ROG Phone 5s overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888+ is known to generate significant heat under sustained load. While Asus implements cooling solutions, thermal throttling is a likely occurrence during extended gaming, potentially impacting performance. The iQOO Neo5's Snapdragon 870, with its more efficient 7nm process, is less susceptible to overheating.
❓ Does the iQOO Neo5's 66W charging significantly outperform the ROG Phone 5s's 65W charging in real-world use?
Yes, the iQOO Neo5's 66W charging achieves a full charge in 30 minutes, while the ROG Phone 5s takes 52 minutes. This 22-minute difference is substantial and provides a more convenient charging experience for users who prioritize speed.
❓ Is the ROG Phone 5s's reverse wired charging useful for accessories like earbuds?
The 10W reverse wired charging on the ROG Phone 5s can be used to top up accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches, but it's a relatively slow charging method. It's a convenient feature to have, but not a primary reason to choose the ROG Phone 5s.