The iQOO U5x and Samsung Galaxy A33 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, they diverge significantly in their core hardware choices. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on performance, display quality, battery life, and camera capabilities to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a smoother overall experience and faster charging, the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G is the better choice. Its Exynos 1280 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the iQOO U5x’s Snapdragon 680, and the 25W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the iQOO U5x remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 28 | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 28 | Available. Released 2022, April 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 159.7 x 74 x 8.1 mm (6.29 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android 11, OriginOS Ocean | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue, Light Blue | Black, White, Blue, Peach |
| Models | V2180GA | SM-A336E, SM-A336B, SM-A336B/DS, SM-A336B/DSN, SM-A336E/DS, SM-A336M, SM-A3360 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | £ 174.99 / € 187.50 / ₹ 21,999 |
| SAR | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 1.59 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 104h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.5 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 354420 (v8), 394918 (v9)
GeekBench: 1900 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 20fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo iQOO U5x
- Lower price point makes it very accessible.
- 5G connectivity for future-proofed data speeds.
- Functional and reliable for basic smartphone tasks.
- Slow 10W charging is a significant drawback.
- Snapdragon 680 chipset struggles with demanding apps.
- Display specifications are less impressive than the A33.
Samsung Galaxy A33 5G
- Faster Exynos 1280 chipset delivers smoother performance.
- 25W fast charging significantly reduces downtime.
- Brighter display enhances visibility in outdoor conditions.
- Higher price compared to the iQOO U5x.
- May still exhibit some throttling under sustained heavy load.
- Software updates may be slower than on some other brands.
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 728 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the iQOO U5x. This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays are likely LCD panels given the price bracket, the A33’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a more refined panel with deeper blacks. The iQOO U5x’s display specifications are less detailed, suggesting a more basic viewing experience. The A33’s larger screen size (likely 6.6 inches vs. the U5x’s 6.51 inches) also contributes to a more immersive experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for both. However, given the market positioning, it’s reasonable to assume the A33 has a more sophisticated camera system. The Exynos 1280’s image signal processor (ISP) is likely more advanced than the Snapdragon 680’s, leading to better image processing and low-light performance. While both may include a standard macro lens, the quality of these 2MP sensors is generally low and shouldn’t be a primary consideration. The A33 likely benefits from Samsung’s software optimizations for its camera, offering features like Single Take and improved scene detection.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the iQOO U5x utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm), while the Galaxy A33 5G is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1280 (5nm). The Exynos 1280, built on a smaller 5nm process, offers superior power efficiency and transistor density, resulting in better performance and thermal management. The CPU architecture also favors the A33, with 2x Cortex-A78 cores for demanding tasks alongside 6x Cortex-A55 cores, compared to the U5x’s 4x Kryo 265 Gold and 4x Kryo 265 Silver configuration. This means the A33 will handle multitasking and graphically intensive applications more smoothly. The U5x’s Snapdragon 680 is adequate for everyday tasks but will struggle with more demanding games.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 104 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the charging speeds differ dramatically. The iQOO U5x is limited to a slow 10W wired charging, meaning a full charge will take a considerable amount of time. The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G supports 25W wired charging, significantly reducing charging times. While the A33’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed provides a substantial convenience advantage, allowing users to quickly top up their battery when needed.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO U5x if you need a functional, basic smartphone with 5G connectivity and are operating on a very limited budget, prioritizing cost savings above all else. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G if you prefer a more responsive user experience, a brighter and more vibrant display, and the convenience of faster 25W charging, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A33 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 1280 is a capable chipset, it can experience some thermal throttling during extended gaming. However, the 5nm process node and Samsung’s thermal management solutions generally prevent overheating from becoming a critical issue. Expect some performance reduction after 30-60 minutes of intensive gaming, but it shouldn’t lead to complete shutdowns.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget smartphones offer limited utility. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. They are often included as a marketing feature rather than a genuinely useful camera component. Expect soft, grainy images from these macro lenses.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G reliably maintain 60fps in popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Galaxy A33 5G can generally maintain 60fps in PUBG Mobile at medium graphics settings. However, achieving consistently smooth frame rates at higher settings may require reducing the graphics quality. The Exynos 1280’s GPU is capable, but it’s not a high-end gaming chipset.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the iQOO U5x from 0% with the 10W charger?
With the iQOO U5x’s 10W charging, a full charge from 0% will likely take around 2.5 to 3.5 hours. This is a significant drawback compared to the A33’s 25W charging, which can fully charge the device in approximately 1.5 hours.
