vivo iQOO Pro 5G vs Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G: A Head-to-Head Flagship Battle

Launched within months of each other, the vivo iQOO Pro 5G and Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G represent distinct approaches to the 5G flagship. The iQOO Pro prioritizes raw performance and value, leveraging Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855+, while the Mate 30 Pro 5G focuses on a holistic experience with Huawei’s Kirin 990 5G, emphasizing camera capabilities and innovative features like reverse wireless charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device reigns supreme.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing gaming and raw speed, the vivo iQOO Pro 5G offers a compelling package. Its Snapdragon 855+ delivers strong performance, and the 44W charging is competitive. However, the Mate 30 Pro 5G’s Kirin 990 5G and advanced camera system, alongside wireless and reverse wireless charging, make it the better all-rounder for those valuing a premium, feature-rich experience.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Pro 5G Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Global
5G bands41, 78 NSA1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
Launch
Announced2019, August. Released 2019, September2019, September 19. Released 2019, October 23
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions158.8 x 75.7 x 9.3 mm (6.25 x 2.98 x 0.37 in)158.1 x 73.1 x 8.8 mm (6.22 x 2.88 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight217 g (7.65 oz)198 g (6.98 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 30 mins)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1176 x 2400 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.41 inches, 100.9 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.53 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~94.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLEDOLED, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)Kirin 990 5G (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 640 (700 MHz)Mali-G76 MP16
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.1Android 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLeica optics, color spectrum sensor, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens40 MP, f/1.6, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 40 MP, f/1.8, 18mm (ultrawide), 1/1.54", PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@1920fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@960fps, 720p@7680fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single12 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.28µm32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
 32-bit/192kHz audio 32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX5.1, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, 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, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFace ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging44W wired40W wired 27W wireless Reverse wireless
Type4500 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, BlueBlack, Space Silver, Cosmic Purple, Emerald Green, Orange, Forest Green
ModelsV1916A, V1916TLIO-N29, LIO-AL10, LIO-TL10
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 1440 EUR

vivo iQOO Pro 5G

  • Faster 44W wired charging
  • Potentially higher gaming performance due to Snapdragon 855+
  • Likely more aggressive pricing

  • Lacks wireless charging
  • Camera system likely less versatile than Mate 30 Pro 5G

Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G

  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging
  • Superior camera system with advanced image processing
  • Potentially better thermal management with Kirin 990 5G

  • Slower wired charging (40W)
  • Potentially higher price point

Display Comparison

While specific display specs aren't provided, both devices likely feature OLED panels given their flagship status. The iQOO Pro’s focus on gaming suggests a high refresh rate (likely 90Hz or 120Hz), potentially offering a smoother visual experience than the Mate 30 Pro 5G. The Mate 30 Pro 5G, known for its curved waterfall display, prioritizes aesthetics and immersion. Color accuracy and peak brightness will be key differentiators, but without specific data, it's difficult to declare a clear winner. Bezels are likely minimal on both, reflecting current design trends.

Camera Comparison

The Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G is widely recognized for its camera prowess. While specific sensor details are missing, it’s reasonable to assume a larger main sensor with advanced image processing algorithms. The Mate 30 Pro 5G’s strength lies in its computational photography capabilities, delivering excellent dynamic range and low-light performance. The iQOO Pro 5G, while capable, likely prioritizes speed and efficiency in its camera system. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to assess the iQOO Pro’s camera quality, but it likely won’t match the Mate 30 Pro 5G’s overall versatility and image quality.

Performance

The core battle lies between the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ and the Huawei Kirin 990 5G. The Snapdragon 855+ (7nm) in the iQOO Pro boasts a slightly higher peak CPU clock speed (2.84 GHz vs 2.86 GHz) but utilizes Kryo cores, optimized for sustained performance. The Kirin 990 5G (7nm+) benefits from Huawei’s architectural optimizations and a more efficient process node, potentially leading to better thermal management under prolonged load. The Kirin’s dual Cortex-A76 cores offer strong multi-core performance, while the Snapdragon’s Kryo cores excel in single-core tasks. Both devices likely utilize LPDDR4X RAM, but the iQOO Pro’s gaming focus might translate to more aggressive RAM management for smoother gameplay.

Battery Life

The iQOO Pro 5G’s 44W wired charging is faster than the Mate 30 Pro 5G’s 40W wired charging, promising quicker top-ups. However, the Mate 30 Pro 5G introduces the convenience of 27W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, allowing it to charge other devices. Battery capacity isn’t specified, but the Mate 30 Pro 5G likely has a slightly larger battery to accommodate its wireless charging features. The Kirin 990 5G’s efficiency could offset the iQOO Pro’s faster charging, resulting in comparable real-world battery life.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Pro 5G if you need uncompromising gaming performance and fast charging at a competitive price. It’s ideal for users who prioritize speed and don’t heavily rely on wireless charging or advanced camera features. Buy the Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G if you prefer a more polished, feature-complete experience with a versatile camera system, wireless charging, and the convenience of reverse wireless charging. It caters to users who value a premium design and a broader range of functionalities.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 990 5G in the Mate 30 Pro 5G experience significant throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 990 5G is a powerful chip, early reports indicated some thermal throttling under sustained load. However, Huawei implemented optimizations to mitigate this issue. The 7nm+ process and efficient architecture help manage heat, but prolonged, graphically intensive gaming may still result in some performance reduction. The iQOO Pro 5G, with its Snapdragon 855+, may offer slightly more consistent performance in these scenarios.
❓ Is the 40W charging on the Mate 30 Pro 5G significantly slower than the 44W charging on the iQOO Pro 5G in real-world use?
The difference between 40W and 44W charging isn't as dramatic as the numbers suggest. Both phones offer fast charging capabilities, and the actual time to charge from 0-100% will depend on factors like battery temperature and charging conditions. The Mate 30 Pro 5G’s wireless charging capabilities provide an added convenience that the iQOO Pro 5G lacks, potentially making up for the slightly slower wired charging speed for some users.
❓ How does the image processing differ between the iQOO Pro 5G and the Mate 30 Pro 5G?
Huawei’s Mate 30 Pro 5G is known for its aggressive, yet effective, image processing. It prioritizes vibrant colors, high dynamic range, and detail enhancement, sometimes at the expense of naturalism. The iQOO Pro 5G likely adopts a more balanced approach, aiming for accurate color reproduction and natural-looking images. The Mate 30 Pro 5G excels in challenging lighting conditions, while the iQOO Pro 5G may perform better in well-lit environments.