vivo NEX 3S 5G vs Huawei P40 Pro+: A Flagship Face-Off
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing gaming and sustained performance, the vivo NEX 3S 5G emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset, while sharing the 7nm+ process with the Kirin 990, generally offers more consistent performance under load. However, the P40 Pro+ excels in camera versatility and wireless charging convenience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | vivo NEX 3S 5G | Huawei P40 Pro+ |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 20, 25, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 10. Released 2020, March 14 | 2020, March 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, June 06 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, ceramic back, ceramic frame |
| Dimensions | 167.4 x 76.1 x 9.4 mm (6.59 x 3.00 x 0.37 in) | 158.2 x 72.6 x 9 mm (6.23 x 2.86 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 219.5 g (7.76 oz) | 226 g (7.97 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2256 pixels (~363 ppi density) | 1200 x 2640 pixels (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.89 inches, 119.3 cm2 (~93.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.58 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~91.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, HDR10+ | OLED, 90Hz, HDR10 |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Kirin 990 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G76 MP16 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 10.0 | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.0 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Leica optics, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/4.4, 240mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 40 MP, f/1.8, 18mm (ultrawide), 1/1.54", PDAF TOF 3D, (depth) |
| Triple | 64 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 | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720@7680fps, 1080p@960fps, HDR; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF IR TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| 32-bit/192kHz audio | 32-bit/384kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Infrared Face ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 44W wired | 40W wired 40W wireless 27W reverse wireless |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4200 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Orange | White Ceramic, Black Ceramic |
| Models | V1950A | ELS-N39, ELS-AN10 |
| Price | About 630 EUR | About 1000 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 95h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -27.4 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 529687 (v8) GeekBench: 3203 (v5.1) GFXBench: 31fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo NEX 3S 5G
- Stronger CPU and GPU performance for gaming
- Faster 5G modem integration
- Potentially better thermal management under sustained load
- Camera system likely inferior to the P40 Pro+
- Limited charging options (no wireless charging)
Huawei P40 Pro+
- Exceptional camera system with versatile features
- 40W wireless and reverse wireless charging
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Kirin 990 may exhibit thermal throttling
- CPU architecture potentially less efficient than Snapdragon 865
Display Comparison
The Huawei P40 Pro+ boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 760 nits, which translates to better visibility under direct sunlight compared to the NEX 3S. While both utilize OLED technology, the P40 Pro+’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. However, the NEX 3S’s display specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison of color accuracy and refresh rate impossible. The P40 Pro+'s brightness advantage is a tangible benefit for outdoor users.
Camera Comparison
The Huawei P40 Pro+ is clearly the camera champion. While both phones are described as having capable photo/video systems, the P40 Pro+’s camera system is renowned for its versatility and image quality. Details on the NEX 3S camera are absent, but Huawei’s flagship consistently delivers exceptional dynamic range and low-light performance. The P40 Pro+'s advanced image processing algorithms and potentially larger sensor size (details not provided) give it a significant advantage. The NEX 3S likely offers a competent camera experience, but it’s unlikely to match the P40 Pro+'s capabilities.
Performance
Both the vivo NEX 3S 5G and Huawei P40 Pro+ employ 7nm+ fabrication processes, but the chipsets differ significantly. The NEX 3S utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G, featuring an octa-core CPU with a prime Cortex-A77 core clocked at 2.84 GHz. The P40 Pro+ uses the Kirin 990 5G, with a different core configuration – two Cortex-A76 cores at 2.86 GHz and two more at 2.36 GHz. While clock speeds are comparable, the Snapdragon 865 generally demonstrates superior GPU performance, crucial for gaming. The Kirin 990’s CPU architecture, while capable, may exhibit more thermal throttling under sustained load, impacting long-term performance. The NEX 3S benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized 5G modem integration.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an impressive endurance rating of 95 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite differing charging capabilities. The P40 Pro+ offers a more versatile charging ecosystem with 40W wired, 40W wireless, and 27W reverse wireless charging. The NEX 3S is limited to 44W wired charging. While the NEX 3S’s slightly higher wired charging wattage might offer marginally faster top-ups, the P40 Pro+’s wireless charging options provide greater convenience and flexibility. The similar endurance ratings suggest efficient power management on both devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo NEX 3S 5G if you need a phone primarily for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or running resource-intensive applications. Its Snapdragon 865 provides a performance edge. Buy the Huawei P40 Pro+ if you prioritize camera versatility, especially if you frequently shoot photos and videos, and value the convenience of 40W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.