The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo iQOO U3x and Honor Play 5T Pro both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and respectable performance at an accessible price point. However, they take different approaches – the iQOO U3x leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 480 5G, while the Honor Play 5T Pro opts for MediaTek’s Helio G80. This comparison dissects these key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing 5G connectivity and a more efficient processor, the vivo iQOO U3x emerges as the better choice. While the Honor Play 5T Pro boasts faster charging, the Snapdragon 480’s superior architecture and 8nm process provide a smoother overall experience and better long-term performance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 19 | 2021, August 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 22 | Available. Released 2021, August 05 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 75.4 x 8.4 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) | 160.7 x 73.3 x 8.4 mm (6.33 x 2.89 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185.5 g (6.56 oz) | 179 g (6.31 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, OriginOS 1.0 for iQOO | Android 11, Magic UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 22.5W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Aurora | Magic Black, Titanium Silver |
| Models | V2106A | - |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 200 EUR |
vivo iQOO U3x
- More efficient Snapdragon 480 5G chipset
- Better 5G modem integration
- Potentially better thermal management
- Slower 18W charging
- Likely less impressive camera processing
Honor Play 5T Pro
- Faster 22.5W wired charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Less efficient Helio G80 chipset
- 12nm process prone to throttling
- Inferior 5G modem
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but functionality. Without specific display specs, we can infer that both will offer adequate viewing angles and color reproduction for everyday tasks. The absence of high refresh rates is expected, prioritizing battery life over visual smoothness.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market segment suggests both phones will rely on primary sensors for most image capture. The iQOO U3x’s Snapdragon ISP likely offers slightly better image processing capabilities, particularly in low-light conditions. The presence of a 5G modem often correlates with a more advanced ISP. We can expect both phones to include auxiliary lenses (depth, macro) of limited utility, and should focus on the quality of the main sensor when evaluating camera performance.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The iQOO U3x’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G, built on an 8nm process, offers a more modern architecture than the Honor Play 5T Pro’s MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm). The 8nm node translates to better thermal efficiency, meaning the iQOO U3x is less likely to throttle under sustained load. While both CPUs feature a 2x2.0 GHz core configuration, the Snapdragon 480’s Kryo 460 cores are architecturally superior to the Cortex-A75 cores in the Helio G80, resulting in better single-core performance. This impacts app launch times and general responsiveness. The Snapdragon also integrates a more capable 5G modem.
Battery Life
The Honor Play 5T Pro’s 22.5W wired charging is a clear advantage over the iQOO U3x’s 18W charging. This means significantly faster top-up times. However, battery life isn’t solely determined by charging speed. The Snapdragon 480’s superior power efficiency means the iQOO U3x will likely extract more usage from a similarly sized battery. The 8nm process reduces power consumption, offsetting the charging speed difference for moderate users.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO U3x if you need reliable 5G performance, a more power-efficient chipset for extended battery life during moderate use, and a generally smoother user experience. Buy the Honor Play 5T Pro if you prioritize the fastest possible charging speeds and are willing to trade some processing efficiency for quicker top-ups, particularly if your usage is heavily focused on less demanding tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G80 in the Honor Play 5T Pro struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G80 can run PUBG Mobile, but likely at lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The 12nm process and less powerful GPU compared to the Snapdragon 480 mean it's more prone to thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, leading to performance drops. The iQOO U3x will offer a smoother, more consistent gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Honor Play 5T Pro in real-world use?
The 22.5W charging on the Honor Play 5T Pro can realistically shave off 30-45 minutes of charging time compared to the iQOO U3x for a full 0-100% charge. However, the iQOO U3x’s more efficient processor means you may not need to charge as frequently, mitigating the charging speed difference for many users.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 480 5G in the iQOO U3x support more 5G bands than the Helio G80?
Yes, Qualcomm’s 5G modems generally offer broader 5G band support than MediaTek’s. This means the iQOO U3x is more likely to connect to 5G networks in a wider range of locations and with better signal strength, depending on your carrier and region.
