vivo NEX 3 5G vs. Google Pixel 4 XL: A Battery Life and Performance Showdown

The Google Pixel 4 XL, now available at significantly reduced prices, presents a compelling alternative to newer flagships. But can it compete with the vivo NEX 3 5G, a phone that prioritized endurance and fast charging when it launched? This comparison dissects the key differences between these two Snapdragon 855-series devices, focusing on where each excels and who benefits most.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing battery life and fast charging, the vivo NEX 3 5G is the clear winner. Its 110-hour endurance rating and 44W charging significantly outperform the Pixel 4 XL’s 73-hour rating and 18W charging. However, the Pixel 4 XL’s lower price point makes it a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo NEX 3 5G Google Pixel 4 XL
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - Global
5G bands41, 78 NSA-
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - USA
Launch
Announced2019, September. Released 2019, September2019, October 15
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2019, October 22
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions167.4 x 76.1 x 9.4 mm (6.59 x 3.00 x 0.37 in)160.4 x 75.1 x 8.2 mm (6.31 x 2.96 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight218.5 g (7.72 oz)193 g (6.81 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2256 pixels (~363 ppi density)1440 x 3040 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~537 ppi density)
Size6.89 inches, 119.3 cm2 (~93.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 98.0 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, HDR10P-OLED, 90Hz, HDR
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 640 (700 MHz)Adreno 640
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Funtouch 10Android 10, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual-12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.5, 52mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), PDAF-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)
Selfie camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDRHDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm8 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1.22µm, no AF TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging44W wired18W wired, PD2.0 Wireless
Type4500 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 3700 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, BlueClearly White, Just Black, Oh So Orange
ModelsV1924A, V1924T, 1913G020P, G020, GA01181-US, GA01182-US, GA01180-US
PriceAbout 730 EURAbout 180 EUR
Pricing
128GB 6GB RAM-$ 364.52
64GB 6GB RAM-$ 274.99
RENEWED-$ 149.00
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -93.1dB Noise -93.9 / Crosstalk -94.1
Battery lifeEndurance rating 110h Endurance rating 73h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker Voice 70dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 72dB Voice 80dB / Noise 78dB / Ring 88dB
Performance AnTuTu: 388878 (v7), 497858 (v8) GeekBench: 11060 (v4.4) GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 323305 (v7), 403267 (v8) GeekBench: 10171 (v4.4), 2267 (v5.1) GFXBench: 21fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo NEX 3 5G

  • Significantly longer battery life (110h endurance)
  • Faster 44W wired charging
  • Slightly faster processor (Snapdragon 855+)
  • Higher display brightness (610 nits)

  • No wireless charging
  • Limited information on camera specifications

Google Pixel 4 XL

  • Excellent camera image processing
  • Clean and streamlined Android experience
  • Wireless charging support
  • Lower price point (especially 64GB model)

  • Significantly shorter battery life (73h endurance)
  • Slower 18W charging
  • Less powerful processor (Snapdragon 855)

Display Comparison

The vivo NEX 3 5G boasts a larger display, though specific details beyond its 'infinite' contrast ratio are limited. The Pixel 4 XL’s display, while excellent, is overshadowed by the NEX 3 5G’s measured 610 nits of peak brightness. This higher brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. While both likely utilize OLED panels, the NEX 3 5G’s larger size and higher peak brightness give it an edge for media consumption and outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature capable photo and video cameras, but detailed sensor specifications are lacking. The Pixel 4 XL is renowned for its computational photography prowess, leveraging Google’s image processing algorithms to produce consistently excellent results. The NEX 3 5G, while capable, likely relies more on hardware specifications. Without knowing sensor sizes or lens apertures, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, the Pixel 4 XL’s software optimization gives it a likely advantage in challenging lighting conditions.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 series, but with a key difference: the NEX 3 5G features the Snapdragon 855+, offering a slightly higher peak CPU clock speed (2.96 GHz vs 2.84 GHz). While the real-world performance difference is often minimal, the 855+ provides a small advantage in sustained workloads. Both devices share 6GB of RAM, but the Pixel 4 XL is available in both 64GB and 128GB storage options, while the NEX 3 5G’s storage configuration is unspecified. The slightly faster CPU in the NEX 3 5G, combined with potentially better thermal management due to its larger chassis, could result in less throttling during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life

This is where the NEX 3 5G truly shines. Its endurance rating of 110 hours is a substantial improvement over the Pixel 4 XL’s 73 hours. This difference is further amplified by the NEX 3 5G’s 44W wired charging, which significantly reduces charging times compared to the Pixel 4 XL’s 18W charging with PD2.0. The NEX 3 5G can likely achieve a full charge in under an hour, while the Pixel 4 XL will take considerably longer. The Pixel 4 XL also offers wireless charging, a feature absent on the NEX 3 5G, but the faster wired charging of the NEX 3 5G is a more significant benefit for most users.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo NEX 3 5G if you need all-day battery life and rapid recharging, and value a larger display. It’s ideal for power users, travelers, or anyone who frequently uses demanding applications. Buy the Google Pixel 4 XL if you prioritize a clean software experience, excellent camera image processing, and are looking for a flagship experience at a significantly reduced price. It’s best suited for photography enthusiasts and those who prefer a more streamlined Android experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 855 in the Pixel 4 XL throttle under heavy load, and how does it compare to the 855+ in the NEX 3 5G?
Both chips can experience throttling, but the Snapdragon 855+ in the NEX 3 5G is slightly more efficient and has a higher thermal design power, potentially leading to less aggressive throttling during prolonged gaming or video recording. However, the Pixel 4 XL’s smaller form factor may limit its cooling capacity.
❓ Given the price difference, is the NEX 3 5G’s battery life and charging speed worth the extra cost over the Pixel 4 XL?
If battery life is a top priority, absolutely. The NEX 3 5G’s 110-hour endurance rating and 44W charging are significant advantages. However, if you’re on a tight budget and can live with shorter battery life and slower charging, the Pixel 4 XL offers excellent value for its price.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the vivo NEX 3 5G and the Google Pixel 4 XL?
The Pixel 4 XL offers a clean, stock Android experience with guaranteed timely updates directly from Google. The NEX 3 5G runs vivo’s Funtouch OS, which is more heavily customized and may include pre-installed apps. User preference plays a large role here; some prefer the simplicity of stock Android, while others appreciate the additional features of Funtouch OS.