The smartphone market is brimming with options, making it tough to choose. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the vivo S15, known for its stylish design and powerful processor, and the Honor 20 Pro, a long-standing favorite with impressive battery life. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which phone emerges victorious.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The vivo S15 takes the lead with its significantly faster Snapdragon 870 chipset and blazing-fast 66W charging. However, the Honor 20 Pro still holds its own with exceptional battery endurance and a competitive camera system, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious users prioritizing longevity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 19 | 2019, May. Released 2019, July |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 27 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 161.1 x 74.3 x 8 mm (6.34 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) | 154.6 x 74 x 8.4 mm (6.09 x 2.91 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 197 g (6.95 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~88.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Kirin 980 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G76 MP10 |
| OS | Android 12, OriginOS Ocean | Android 9.0 (Pie), Magic 2.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.4, 28mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.4", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1"
2 MP (macro) |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.72", PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 32-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 50% in 18 min | 22.5W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black, Yellow | Phantom Blue, Phantom Black, Icelandic Illusion |
| Models | V2203A | YAL-AL10, YAL-L41 |
| Price | About 380 EUR | About 470 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.9dB / Crosstalk -46.8dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 104h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 87dB |
vivo S15
- Faster Processor (Snapdragon 870)
- Blazing-Fast 66W Charging
- Modern Design
- Likely better display (AMOLED)
- Battery life may not be as long as Honor 20 Pro
- Potentially higher price
Honor 20 Pro
- Exceptional Battery Life (104h endurance)
- High Contrast Ratio Display
- Affordable Price
- Reliable Camera System
- Slower Processor (Kirin 980)
- Slower Charging (22.5W)
- Older Model
Display Comparison
Both phones feature vibrant displays, but the Honor 20 Pro boasts a remarkable 1222:1 contrast ratio, suggesting deeper blacks and better image quality. The vivo S15 likely has a more modern panel (AMOLED vs LCD), offering better color accuracy and potentially HDR support. Brightness is measured at 507 nits for the Honor 20 Pro, vivo S15 likely has a higher brightness.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable camera systems. The Honor 20 Pro's camera is known for its consistent image quality and versatile lens setup. The vivo S15 likely features improved image processing and potentially better low-light performance due to its newer chipset and potentially updated camera sensors. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) would be needed for a more precise comparison.
Performance
The vivo S15's Snapdragon 870 is a clear winner here. It offers significantly faster processing speeds and better graphics performance compared to the Honor 20 Pro's Kirin 980. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a better gaming experience on the vivo S15.
Battery Life
The Honor 20 Pro shines in this category. Its endurance rating of 104 hours is exceptional, indicating outstanding battery life. The vivo S15, while having faster charging (66W vs 22.5W), likely won't match the Honor 20 Pro's overall battery longevity.
Buying Guide
The vivo S15 is ideal for users who prioritize performance, fast charging, and a modern design. It's great for gaming and demanding apps. The Honor 20 Pro is a better fit for those who value long battery life, a reliable camera, and a more affordable price point, especially if they don't need the absolute latest processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the vivo S15 worth the extra cost compared to the Honor 20 Pro?
If performance and fast charging are your priorities, the vivo S15 is worth the investment. However, if you're on a budget and need exceptional battery life, the Honor 20 Pro remains a compelling option.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The vivo S15's Snapdragon 870 chipset provides a significantly better gaming experience due to its superior processing power and graphics capabilities.
