The sub-₹20,000 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 5 Pro and vivo S1 represent compelling options. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches. The Realme 5 Pro leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 712 for a performance edge, while the vivo S1 opts for MediaTek’s Helio P65. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best overall package.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 5 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 712 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Helio P65 in the vivo S1, translating to smoother multitasking and better gaming. While both offer similar battery endurance, the Realme 5 Pro’s faster 20W charging is a significant convenience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - Asia | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, July 17. Released 2019, July | 2019, August 20. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.5 x 75.2 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.96 x 0.32 in) | 157 x 74.2 x 8.9 mm (6.18 x 2.92 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| | - | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6768 Helio P65 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 616 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | 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, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 20W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | 4035 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Diamond Black, Skyline Blue, Cosmic Green | Crystal Green, Crystal Blue, Chroma White |
| Models | 1907, V1907, 1907_19, V1913A | RMX1971, RMX1973 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 430 EUR |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 4GB RAM | ₹ 17,200 | - |
| 128GB 6GB RAM | ₹ 17,200 | - |
| 64GB 6GB RAM | ₹ 17,990 | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -92.0dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 100h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1875:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 85dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 182765 (v7)
GeekBench: 6106 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo S1
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 712
- Faster 20W charging
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Design may be less premium than vivo S1
- No information on display technology beyond brightness
Realme 5 Pro
- Potentially more stylish design (subjective)
- Competitive battery endurance
- Available in multiple RAM/Storage configurations
- Inferior performance with Helio P65
- Slower 18W charging
- Limited performance headroom for demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar displays, with the Realme 5 Pro boasting a measured peak brightness of 512 nits and a 1875:1 contrast ratio. While the vivo S1’s display specifications aren’t detailed, we can assume similar characteristics given their market positioning. The Realme 5 Pro’s measured brightness provides a slightly more vibrant viewing experience, especially outdoors. Neither phone specifies advanced features like high refresh rates or LTPO technology, focusing instead on affordability.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer a multi-camera setup, but detailed sensor information is limited. The Realme 5 Pro likely features a higher resolution primary sensor, given its focus on photography. While both phones support photo and video recording, the Snapdragon 712’s image signal processor (ISP) in the Realme 5 Pro provides superior image processing capabilities, resulting in better dynamic range and detail in photos and videos. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is unknown for both, but would be a significant advantage if present on either device.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 5 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 (10nm) is architecturally superior to the vivo S1’s MediaTek Helio P65 (12nm). The Snapdragon 712 utilizes Kryo 360 Gold cores clocked at 2.3 GHz, offering a performance advantage over the Helio P65’s 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. The 10nm process node of the Snapdragon 712 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to a smoother experience in demanding games and applications. The Realme 5 Pro’s GPU will also outperform the Helio P65’s, further enhancing gaming performance.
Battery Life
Both the Realme 5 Pro and vivo S1 achieve an endurance rating of 100 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under typical usage. However, the Realme 5 Pro’s 20W wired charging significantly outperforms the vivo S1’s 18W charging. The Realme 5 Pro can reach 50% charge in just 30 minutes, offering a substantial convenience advantage. While both offer all-day battery life, the faster charging of the Realme 5 Pro minimizes downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S1 if you prioritize a sleek design and are primarily focused on everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and light photography. The 18W charging is adequate for casual users. Buy the Realme 5 Pro if you demand more from your smartphone – smoother gaming, faster app loading, and quicker charging are all benefits of the Snapdragon 712. It’s the better choice for power users and mobile gamers.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme 5 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 712 in the Realme 5 Pro is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The improved GPU and thermal management compared to the Helio P65 in the vivo S1 contribute to a smoother gaming experience.
❓ How does the charging speed difference between the two phones translate to real-world usage?
The Realme 5 Pro’s 20W charging can add approximately 10% battery life in just 10 minutes, while the vivo S1’s 18W charging will take considerably longer. This means less time tethered to a charger and more time using your phone.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
While both phones are capable of handling everyday tasks, the Snapdragon 712 in the Realme 5 Pro provides a snappier and more responsive experience. Apps will launch faster, and multitasking will be smoother, even with multiple apps open.
❓ Does the vivo S1 offer any software features not found on the Realme 5 Pro?
Both phones run on Android-based operating systems, but the specific software features and user interface differ. vivo’s Funtouch OS is known for its customization options, while Realme UI aims for a cleaner, more stock-Android-like experience. Preference here is subjective.
