The Honor 30S and vivo S1 Pro represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The vivo S1 Pro, powered by the Snapdragon 675, aims for a balance of features and affordability. The Honor 30S, equipped with the Kirin 820 5G, prioritizes performance and connectivity, positioning itself as a more capable all-rounder. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Honor 30S is the clear winner. Its Kirin 820 chipset offers a substantial leap in processing power and 5G connectivity, complemented by significantly faster 40W charging. However, the vivo S1 Pro remains a viable option for budget-conscious users who don't demand top-tier performance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, May | 2020, March 30. Released 2020, April 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Aluminosilicate glass), glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 157.3 x 74.7 x 8.2 mm (6.19 x 2.94 x 0.32 in) | 162.3 x 75 x 8.6 mm (6.39 x 2.95 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.22 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) | Kirin 820 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Mali-G57 6 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9 | Android 10, Magic UI 3, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), AF, 3x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.4, 17mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 32-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 40W wired, 70% in 30 min |
| Type | 3700 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Red, Midsummer dream | Black, Blue, Green, Gradient, Butterfly Feather Red |
| Models | V1832A, V1832T | CDY-AN90, CDY-AN95, CDY-TN90 |
| Price | About 310 EUR | About 310 EUR |
vivo S1 Pro (China)
- More affordable price point
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Functional and reliable
- Significantly slower charging
- Less powerful processor
- Lacks 5G connectivity
Honor 30S
- Much faster 40W charging
- Powerful Kirin 820 5G chipset
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Likely superior camera performance
- Higher price tag
- Potentially less battery life (depending on capacity)
- May not be available in all markets
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Honor 30S's positioning as a more premium device, it likely features a higher-quality panel with potentially better color accuracy and brightness. The vivo S1 Pro, targeting a lower price point, may utilize a more cost-effective display solution. Bezels are likely comparable, typical of devices in this segment. Without specific data, it's reasonable to assume the Honor 30S offers a more visually refined experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the Honor 30S, as a more premium offering, likely features a more capable camera system. The Kirin 820’s image signal processor (ISP) is more advanced than the Snapdragon 675’s, potentially resulting in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Sensor size and lens apertures are critical factors, but absent that data, we can infer that Honor prioritized camera performance. The vivo S1 Pro likely offers a competent camera for everyday use, but will likely fall short of the Honor 30S in terms of detail, dynamic range, and low-light performance.
Performance
The performance gap between the Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 and the Kirin 820 5G is substantial. The Kirin 820, built on a 7nm process, boasts a more modern CPU architecture – a Cortex-A76 prime core alongside additional A76 cores – compared to the Snapdragon 675’s Kryo 460 cores fabricated on an 11nm node. This translates to significantly faster processing speeds and improved efficiency. The Honor 30S will handle demanding applications and games with greater ease, while the Snapdragon 675 in the vivo S1 Pro may struggle with sustained heavy workloads. The Kirin 820’s integrated 5G modem is another key advantage, offering faster download and upload speeds where available.
Battery Life
The Honor 30S’s 40W wired charging is a major advantage over the vivo S1 Pro’s 18W charging. The Honor 30S can reportedly reach 70% charge in just 30 minutes, significantly reducing downtime. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging speed of the Honor 30S effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a smaller battery size. The vivo S1 Pro will require considerably longer to fully charge, making it less convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S1 Pro (China) if you need a functional smartphone for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light photography, and your budget is a primary concern. Buy the Honor 30S if you prioritize smooth multitasking, demanding mobile gaming, 5G connectivity, and significantly faster charging speeds, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Kirin 820 in the Honor 30S prone to overheating during extended gaming sessions?
The Kirin 820, built on a 7nm process, is generally efficient and well-managed. While some heat generation is inevitable during demanding tasks, the Honor 30S incorporates cooling solutions to mitigate throttling. Reports suggest it maintains stable performance for extended periods, though sustained peak performance may eventually lead to some thermal throttling.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 675 in the vivo S1 Pro support VoLTE and VoWiFi for improved call quality?
The Snapdragon 675 does support VoLTE (Voice over LTE) and VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi), but carrier compatibility is crucial. Whether these features are enabled depends on your mobile carrier and their network infrastructure. Check with your carrier to confirm compatibility before relying on these features.
❓ How does the 5G performance of the Honor 30S compare to other 5G phones?
The Kirin 820’s integrated 5G modem supports both Sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G frequencies (depending on the specific variant). While it may not be the absolute fastest 5G modem available, it provides a solid 5G experience, offering significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G LTE where 5G infrastructure is available. Actual speeds will vary based on network conditions and carrier support.
