The vivo S series is known for its stylish design and impressive camera capabilities, particularly for selfies. The vivo S16 and S16 Pro are the latest iterations, offering compelling features for photography enthusiasts and those seeking a premium smartphone experience. But which one is right for you?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The vivo S16 Pro offers a noticeable performance edge thanks to its Dimensity 8200 chipset and additional camera features like a telephoto lens. However, the S16 remains a strong contender with the Snapdragon 870, excellent selfie camera, and potentially a more attractive price point. The Pro is the overall winner, but the S16 is a great value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 22 | 2022, December 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 30 | Available. Released 2022, December 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 74.8 x 7.4 mm (6.46 x 2.94 x 0.29 in) | 164.1 x 74.8 x 7.4 mm (6.46 x 2.94 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x3.1 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 8200 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G610 MC6 |
| OS | Android 13, OriginOS 3 | Android 13, OriginOS 3 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Color spectrum sensor, Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Color spectrum sensor, Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/2.5, (wide), AF | 50 MP, f/2.5, (wide), AF |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/2.5, (wide), AF | 50 MP, f/2.5, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, (unconfirmed stereo speakers) |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 50% in 19 min | 66W wired, 50% in 19 min |
| Type | 4600 mAh | 4600 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Mint, Gold | Black, Mint |
| Models | V2244A | V2245A |
| Price | About 340 EUR | About 400 EUR |
vivo S16
- Excellent selfie camera
- Powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset
- Stylish design
- Fast 66W charging
- Potentially more affordable
- Less versatile rear camera system
- May lack telephoto lens
- Performance slightly behind the Pro
vivo S16 Pro
- Superior performance with Dimensity 8200
- More versatile rear camera system (likely with telephoto)
- Slightly larger display (expected)
- Fast 66W charging
- Premium build quality
- Higher price point
- Selfie camera may not be significantly better than S16
Display Comparison
Both phones feature AMOLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals. The S16 Pro is expected to have a slightly larger display (around 6.7 inches vs 6.64 inches on the S16) and potentially a higher resolution, though both offer excellent viewing experiences. Expect similar color accuracy and brightness levels.
Camera Comparison
Both phones excel in selfie photography, featuring high-resolution front-facing cameras. The S16 Pro distinguishes itself with a more versatile rear camera system, likely including a telephoto lens for optical zoom, alongside the main and ultrawide lenses. The S16 is expected to have a standard triple-camera setup. Expect excellent image quality and video recording capabilities on both, but the Pro offers more creative flexibility.
Performance
The vivo S16 Pro's Dimensity 8200 chipset provides a significant performance boost over the S16's Snapdragon 870. The Dimensity 8200 boasts a newer architecture and improved efficiency, resulting in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. While the Snapdragon 870 is still a capable chip, the Pro offers a noticeable upgrade for demanding users.
Battery Life
Both devices share the same 66W wired charging, promising a 50% charge in approximately 19 minutes. Battery capacity is likely similar (around 4700-5000mAh), suggesting comparable battery life for typical usage. Heavy users might see a slight advantage with the S16 Pro's more efficient chipset.
Buying Guide
The vivo S16 is ideal for users prioritizing a balance of performance, camera quality (especially selfies), and affordability. It's a great choice for social media enthusiasts and everyday users. The vivo S16 Pro is best suited for power users, mobile gamers, and photography lovers who want the best possible camera system and a smoother, faster experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the vivo S16 Pro worth the extra money?
If you prioritize performance and a more versatile camera system, the S16 Pro is worth the investment. However, if you're on a budget and primarily focus on selfies, the S16 offers excellent value.
❓ Which chipset is better, Snapdragon 870 or Dimensity 8200?
The Dimensity 8200 generally offers better performance and efficiency than the Snapdragon 870, particularly in demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking.
