vivo NEX 3 vs Realme X2 Pro: A Deep Dive into Performance and Power

Both the vivo NEX 3 and Realme X2 Pro arrived as contenders in the late 2019 flagship space, powered by the Snapdragon 855+ chipset. However, they approached the high-end market with different philosophies. The NEX 3 prioritized a nearly bezel-less waterfall display, while the X2 Pro focused on delivering a robust feature set at a more aggressive price point. This comparison dissects their key differences, particularly around battery and charging capabilities.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing rapid charging and all-day battery life, the Realme X2 Pro emerges as the winner. Its 50W SuperVOOC charging, achieving 100% in just 35 minutes, significantly outperforms the NEX 3’s 44W charging. While both offer comparable performance, the X2 Pro’s charging speed and endurance rating provide a tangible advantage.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo NEX 3 Realme X2 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - China
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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - EMEA
Launch
Announced2019, September. Released 2019, September2019, October 15. Released 2019, October
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
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)161 x 75.7 x 8.7 mm (6.34 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight217.3 g (7.65 oz)199 g (7.02 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2256 pixels (~363 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.89 inches, 119.3 cm2 (~93.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 103.5 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, HDR10Super AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 640 (700 MHz)Adreno 640 (700 MHz)
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.1Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.064GB UFS 2.1, 128/256GB UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.5, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.5, (telephoto), PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), PDAF-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDRHDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with Dolby Atmos stereo speakers (2 dedicated amplifiers)
 32-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio (incl. speakers)
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
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
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging44W wired50W wired, 100% in 35 min
Type4500 mAh, non-removable4000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, BlueLunar White, Neptune Blue, Red Master Edition, Gray Master Edition
ModelsV1923A, V1923T, 1908_19, 1912RMX1931
PriceAbout 640 EURAbout 440 EUR
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -91.3dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 94h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- Voice 82dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 91dB
Performance- AnTuTu: 396827 (v7), 467653 (v8) GeekBench: 10373 (v4.4) GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo NEX 3

  • Unique waterfall display design
  • Snapdragon 855+ performance
  • Fast 44W charging

  • Waterfall display prone to accidental touches
  • Slower charging compared to X2 Pro
  • Limited camera details

Realme X2 Pro

  • 50W SuperVOOC charging (35 min to 100%)
  • Excellent 94h endurance rating
  • Aggressive price point

  • Less visually striking display design
  • Limited camera details
  • Potential for software bloat (typical of Realme)

Display Comparison

Both devices boast displays with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting excellent black levels. However, the NEX 3’s defining feature is its waterfall display, curving dramatically over the sides, minimizing bezels. While visually striking, this design can introduce accidental touches. The X2 Pro, while lacking the extreme curvature, likely offers a more practical viewing experience. Detailed specifications like peak brightness and color accuracy are missing, but given the era, both likely employed AMOLED panels with vibrant colors. The NEX 3's waterfall design is a key differentiator, but its usability is a potential concern.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is limited. The context data only mentions 'Photo / Video' capabilities. Given the market positioning, the X2 Pro likely focused on delivering a versatile camera experience with a strong emphasis on image quality. The NEX 3 may have prioritized innovative features or a unique aesthetic. Without knowing sensor sizes, apertures, or OIS implementation, a direct comparison is challenging. The absence of details regarding the 2MP macro cameras suggests they were likely included for marketing purposes rather than significant photographic utility.

Performance

Both the vivo NEX 3 and Realme X2 Pro are equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ (7nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration: 1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485, and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485. This means CPU performance will be virtually identical in most tasks. The GPU performance will also be similar. Thermal management, however, could differ based on chassis design and cooling solutions. Without specific thermal testing data, it’s difficult to definitively say which phone sustains peak performance for longer periods. RAM configurations are not specified, but both likely offered ample RAM for smooth multitasking.

Battery Life

The Realme X2 Pro boasts a significant advantage in charging speed with its 50W wired charging, capable of reaching 100% in just 35 minutes. The vivo NEX 3’s 44W charging is respectable, but noticeably slower. Both phones share an endurance rating of 94 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage scenarios. However, the X2 Pro’s faster charging mitigates any potential concerns about battery drain, allowing for quicker top-ups throughout the day. The difference in charging speed is a key factor for users who prioritize convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo NEX 3 if you prioritize a truly immersive, almost entirely bezel-less display experience and are willing to trade some charging speed for that visual impact. Buy the Realme X2 Pro if you value fast charging, solid battery life, and a comprehensive feature set without the premium price tag. The X2 Pro is the more practical choice for power users and those constantly on the go.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Realme X2 Pro's 50W charging generate excessive heat during charging?
While 50W charging is fast, Realme's SuperVOOC technology incorporates multiple safety features and optimized charging algorithms to minimize heat generation. Users generally report only moderate warmth during charging, not uncomfortable heat. The phone's thermal management system is designed to dissipate heat effectively.
❓ Is the waterfall display on the vivo NEX 3 prone to false touches in everyday use?
Yes, the curved edges of the NEX 3's waterfall display can occasionally register accidental touches, particularly when holding the phone or using gestures near the edges. While software optimizations attempt to mitigate this, it remains a potential usability concern for some users. A case can help reduce accidental touches.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 855+ in these phones handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Both the NEX 3 and X2 Pro, powered by the Snapdragon 855+, can comfortably run PUBG Mobile at high settings. However, sustained gaming performance will depend on the phone's thermal management. The X2 Pro's potentially more robust cooling system might allow for slightly longer periods of peak performance before throttling occurs.