The vivo S1 Prime and Realme 8 Pro represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they diverge significantly in their core hardware, particularly in their chipsets and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 8 Pro emerges as the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 720G chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the S1 Prime’s Snapdragon 665, and the inclusion of 50W fast charging dramatically reduces downtime. While the S1 Prime may appeal to those on a tighter budget, the 8 Pro’s advantages justify the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 12. Released 2020, August 12 | 2021, March 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.3 x 75.2 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) | 160.6 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.32 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190.2 g (6.70 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.2 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 50W wired, 50% in 17 min, 100% in 47 min |
| Type | 4500 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Nebula Blue, Jade Black | Infinite Blue, Infinite Black, Punk Black, Illuminating Yellow |
| Models | V1937 | RMX3081 |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.10 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 116h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.2 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 286666 (v8)
GeekBench: 1678 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo S1 Prime
- Lower price point makes it accessible to budget-conscious buyers.
- Sufficient for basic smartphone tasks.
- Decent battery endurance (116h)
- Snapdragon 665 chipset is noticeably slower than the 720G.
- Slower 18W charging.
- Likely inferior camera performance.
Realme 8 Pro
- Faster Snapdragon 720G processor for smoother performance.
- Ultra-fast 50W charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Potentially superior camera system with advanced ISP.
- Higher price compared to the vivo S1 Prime.
- May be slightly heavier due to larger battery or charging components.
- No significant display advantages over the S1 Prime based on available data.
Display Comparison
Both devices share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting typical IPS LCD characteristics. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are missing. Given the Realme 8 Pro’s positioning, it likely benefits from a slightly more refined panel, but without concrete data, this remains speculative. The focus here isn't on display quality, but rather the underlying processing power needed to drive more complex display features, which favors the Realme 8 Pro.
Camera Comparison
While both phones feature photo and video capabilities, the Realme 8 Pro’s camera system is likely more sophisticated. Although sensor details are absent, Realme typically prioritizes camera performance in its 'Pro' series. The Snapdragon 720G’s image signal processor (ISP) is more advanced than the 665’s, enabling better noise reduction, dynamic range, and image processing algorithms. The S1 Prime’s camera will be adequate for casual photography, but the 8 Pro is expected to deliver superior image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. We can assume the Realme 8 Pro will have more advanced features like night mode and potentially better video stabilization.
Performance
The Realme 8 Pro’s Snapdragon 720G, fabricated on an 8nm process, represents a significant architectural leap over the vivo S1 Prime’s 11nm Snapdragon 665. The 720G’s Kryo 465 cores (2x2.3 GHz Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Silver) offer higher clock speeds and improved efficiency compared to the S1 Prime’s Kryo 260 cores (4x2.0 GHz Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Silver). This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience, particularly noticeable in graphically demanding games. The 8nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended use.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an endurance rating of 116 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Realme 8 Pro’s 50W wired charging is a game-changer. Achieving 50% charge in just 17 minutes and a full charge in 47 minutes significantly reduces downtime compared to the vivo S1 Prime’s 18W charging. This faster charging capability effectively mitigates any potential battery life differences, making the 8 Pro the more convenient option for users who frequently need to top up their device.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S1 Prime if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Realme 8 Pro if you value smoother performance for gaming and multitasking, faster charging speeds, and a more future-proofed experience, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 720G in the Realme 8 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 720G is well-equipped to handle PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings. Its Adreno 618 GPU provides sufficient graphical power for a smooth gaming experience, and the 8nm process helps prevent overheating and performance throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 50W charging on the Realme 8 Pro safe for the battery's long-term health?
Modern smartphones employ sophisticated charging management systems that protect the battery from overcharging and overheating, even with fast charging technologies like 50W. Realme’s charging algorithms are designed to optimize charging speed while preserving battery health over the long term. However, consistently using extremely fast charging *can* contribute to slightly faster battery degradation over several years compared to slower charging.
❓ Does the vivo S1 Prime have enough storage for apps, photos, and videos?
The available storage options for the vivo S1 Prime are not specified. However, given its budget-oriented positioning, it's crucial to check the storage capacity before purchasing. If you plan to store a large number of photos, videos, or apps, opting for a model with expandable storage (via microSD card) is highly recommended.
