The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor 500 and vivo S10 represent compelling options. The vivo S10, leveraging the Mediatek Dimensity 1100, has been available for some time, while the Honor 500 arrives with the newer Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, promising a significant leap in processing power and efficiency. This comparison will dissect the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor 500 emerges as the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, built on a 4nm process, delivers demonstrably better performance and thermal management than the vivo S10’s Dimensity 1100. The 80W charging is a substantial advantage, offsetting any potential drawbacks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 15 | 2025, November 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 22 | Available. Released 2025, November 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.2 x 73.7 x 7.3 mm (6.23 x 2.90 x 0.29 in) | 155.8 x 74.2 x 7.8 mm (6.13 x 2.92 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 173 g (6.10 oz) | 198 g (6.98 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1264 x 2736 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.55 inches, 105.4 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR Vivid, 6000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.21 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 1100 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8735 Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MC9 | Adreno 825 |
| OS | Android 11, OriginOS 1.0 | Android 16, MagicOS 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF
8 MP, f/2.3, 105˚ (ultrawide) | 200 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide), AF |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF
8 MP, f/2.3, 105˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | - | 50 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 6.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LHDC 5, Auracast, ASHA |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, 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/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass (ultrasound) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired | 80W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | 4050 mAh | Si/C Li-Ion 8000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Gradient Blue, Yellow | Black, Silver, Blue, Pink |
| Models | V2121A | MEY-AN00 |
| Price | About 370 EUR | About 330 EUR |
vivo S10
- Potentially lower price point
- Established brand reputation
- Capable all-around performance
- Older chipset (Dimensity 1100)
- Slower 44W charging
- Less efficient 6nm process
Honor 500
- Superior performance (Snapdragon 8s Gen 4)
- Faster 80W charging
- More efficient 4nm process
- Potentially higher price
- Newer brand in some markets
- May require software updates to optimize performance
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Honor 500's positioning as a more modern device, it's reasonable to expect a higher peak brightness and potentially a higher refresh rate. The vivo S10 likely utilizes an AMOLED panel, common in its price range, but the Honor 500 could incorporate features like LTPO for adaptive refresh rate control, improving battery life. Bezels and color accuracy will likely be comparable, but the Honor 500 may benefit from newer display calibration techniques.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera sensor details, analysis is limited. However, the Honor 500, being a newer device, is more likely to feature a more advanced camera system. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is also more capable than the Dimensity 1100’s, resulting in better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. Expect improved dynamic range and noise reduction on the Honor 500. The presence or absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the main sensor will be a crucial differentiator, favoring the device that includes it.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor 500’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4nm) is a clear upgrade over the vivo S10’s Dimensity 1100 (6nm). The 4nm process node inherently offers better power efficiency, translating to less heat generation and sustained performance during intensive tasks like gaming. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4’s CPU configuration – a 1x3.21 GHz Cortex-X4 prime core alongside three Cortex-A720 cores and four Cortex-A720 cores – provides a significant architectural advantage over the Dimensity 1100’s 4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 setup. This means faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience on the Honor 500. The Honor 500 will likely support faster RAM speeds (LPDDR5x) further enhancing performance.
Battery Life
The Honor 500’s 80W wired charging is a game-changer. This allows for significantly faster charging times compared to the vivo S10’s 44W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging speed of the Honor 500 effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. The Honor 500 also includes 5W reverse wired charging, a convenient feature for topping up accessories like earbuds, which the vivo S10 lacks.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S10 if you prioritize a familiar, established brand and are looking for a capable all-rounder at a potentially lower price point, especially if you find a significant discount. Buy the Honor 500 if you demand the best possible performance in this price bracket, value faster charging speeds, and want a phone that will handle demanding tasks and future software updates with greater ease.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 in the Honor 500 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is specifically designed for gaming. Its advanced CPU and GPU architecture, combined with the 4nm process, will allow for smooth gameplay at high settings in Genshin Impact and other demanding titles. The improved thermal management will also prevent significant throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Honor 500 with the 80W charger?
With 80W charging, the Honor 500 is expected to charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 35-45 minutes, depending on battery capacity. This is significantly faster than the vivo S10’s 44W charging, which would likely take over an hour.
❓ Is the Dimensity 1100 in the vivo S10 still a capable chipset for everyday tasks?
Absolutely. The Dimensity 1100 remains a capable chipset for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and streaming video. However, it will struggle more with demanding applications and multitasking compared to the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4.
❓ Does the Honor 500 support 5G connectivity?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 includes an integrated 5G modem, ensuring the Honor 500 supports 5G connectivity. The Dimensity 1100 in the vivo S10 also supports 5G, so both devices offer access to next-generation cellular networks.
