vivo S16 vs Realme 11 Pro+: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power and Features

The vivo S16 and Realme 11 Pro+ represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The S16 leverages the proven Snapdragon 870, while the 11 Pro+ opts for the newer Mediatek Dimensity 7050. This comparison dissects their key differences, focusing on performance, camera capabilities, and charging speeds to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a slightly more refined software experience, the vivo S16 emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 870 offers a more consistent experience under load, despite the Realme 11 Pro+'s faster charging. However, the 11 Pro+'s brighter display and potentially more aggressive pricing make it a strong contender.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo S16 Realme 11 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 - India
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2022, December 222023, May 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, December 30Available. Released 2023, May 15
Body
Build-Glass front, leather or plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions164.1 x 74.8 x 7.4 mm (6.46 x 2.94 x 0.29 in)161.6 x 73.9 x 8.2 mm or 8.7 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight182 g (6.42 oz)183 g or 189 g (6.46 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+AMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10+, 120Hz, 950 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 13, OriginOS 3Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades, Realme UI 5.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single50 MP, f/2.5, (wide), AF-
Triple64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)200 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDRPanorama
Single50 MP, f/2.5, (wide), AF32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired, 50% in 19 min100W wired
Type4600 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Mint, GoldAstral Black, Sunrise Beige, Oasis Green
ModelsV2244ARMX3740, RMX3741
PriceAbout 340 EUR€ 399.90 / ₹ 27,990

vivo S16

  • Proven Snapdragon 870 performance
  • Excellent sustained performance
  • Potentially more refined software experience

  • Slower charging speed (66W)
  • Likely lower peak display brightness
  • Older LPDDR4X RAM

Realme 11 Pro+

  • Faster 100W wired charging
  • Brighter display (793 nits)
  • Potentially more aggressive pricing

  • Dimensity 7050 may throttle under load
  • Camera details are limited
  • Software experience may be less polished

Display Comparison

The Realme 11 Pro+ boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 793 nits. This is a clear advantage for outdoor use, where the S16’s brightness is not specified but likely falls below this figure. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the Realme’s higher peak brightness is a tangible benefit. Details regarding refresh rate and resolution are missing for both, but given the market segment, 120Hz and FHD+ are expected. The absence of LTPO technology on either device suggests less dynamic refresh rate scaling for power efficiency.

Camera Comparison

Camera details beyond 'Photo/Video' are sparse for the Realme 11 Pro+. However, Realme often emphasizes camera capabilities, suggesting a potentially more feature-rich camera system. The vivo S16’s camera specs are also missing, making a direct comparison difficult. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s hard to assess low-light performance. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses in this segment suggests both phones likely include them, but their utility is limited. Image processing style will be a key differentiator – Realme tends towards more saturated colors, while vivo often aims for a more natural look.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo S16’s Snapdragon 870 (7nm) features a Kryo 585 architecture with a 3.2 GHz prime core, offering strong single-core performance. The Realme 11 Pro+’s Dimensity 7050 (6nm) utilizes a Cortex-A78 based core configuration, clocked at 2.6 GHz. While the 6nm process *should* offer better efficiency, the Snapdragon 870’s more mature architecture and higher clock speed generally translate to superior sustained performance. The Snapdragon 870 is known for its excellent balance of power and efficiency, while the Dimensity 7050, being newer, may be more prone to thermal throttling under prolonged heavy load. The S16's LPDDR4X RAM is a potential bottleneck compared to the likely LPDDR5 RAM in the 11 Pro+, impacting multitasking.

Battery Life

The Realme 11 Pro+’s 100W wired charging is a significant advantage, promising a much faster recharge time than the vivo S16’s 66W charging (50% in 19 minutes). The Realme 11 Pro+’s reported 112-hour endurance rating suggests a larger battery capacity, though the exact mAh is unknown. While the S16’s 66W charging is still respectable, the 100W on the 11 Pro+ drastically reduces downtime. The efficiency of the Dimensity 7050 versus the Snapdragon 870 will play a role in real-world battery life, but the faster charging of the Realme is a compelling feature.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo S16 if you need a phone that can reliably handle demanding games and applications over extended periods, and value a chipset with a well-established track record for stability. Buy the Realme 11 Pro+ if you prioritize a brighter display for outdoor visibility and fast charging is paramount, and you're comfortable with a chipset that may exhibit more thermal throttling during intense tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 7050 in the Realme 11 Pro+ overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 7050, while efficient, may be more susceptible to thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 870 during extended gaming. The 6nm process helps, but the Snapdragon 870 has a proven track record for sustained performance. Expect some performance dips after 30-45 minutes of demanding games.
❓ How much faster is the 100W charging on the Realme 11 Pro+ compared to the 66W charging on the vivo S16?
The 100W charging on the Realme 11 Pro+ will significantly reduce charging times. While the S16 reaches 50% in 19 minutes, the 11 Pro+ is expected to achieve a full charge in under 30 minutes, potentially reaching 50% in around 20 minutes. This is a substantial time saving for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness between the two phones noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 793 nits peak brightness of the Realme 11 Pro+ will be noticeably brighter than the vivo S16, especially outdoors under direct sunlight. This makes the 11 Pro+ a better choice for users who spend a lot of time using their phone outside.