The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme GT Neo6 SE and vivo S18e represent compelling options for users seeking flagship-like features without the flagship price tag. This comparison focuses on the core differences – chipset architecture, charging speeds, and overall user experience – to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme GT Neo6 SE emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset delivers a noticeable performance advantage, particularly in gaming, and the 100W charging is significantly faster than the vivo S18e’s 80W. While the S18e is a solid phone, the GT Neo6 SE offers more raw power for the price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 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 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, December 14 | 2024, April 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 13 | Available. Released 2024, April 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 162.4 x 74.9 x 7.7 mm (6.39 x 2.95 x 0.30 in) | 162 x 75.1 x 8.7 mm (6.38 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~91.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1800 nits (peak) | LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR, 1600 nits (HBM), 6000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x1.9 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7200 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM7675 Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G610 MC4 | Adreno 732 |
| OS | Android 14, OriginOS 4 | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.95", 0.65µm, PDAF, OIS
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.95", PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Features | Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide), 1/2.74" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, PD
Reverse wired | 100W wired, 50% in 12 min |
| Type | 4800 mAh | 5500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Purple, Silver | Silver, Green |
| Models | V2334A | RMX3850 |
| Price | About 270 EUR | About 250 EUR |
vivo S18e
- Potentially more refined software experience (vivo's Funtouch OS)
- Efficient Dimensity 7200 chipset for good battery life
- 80W fast charging is still very respectable
- Less powerful chipset compared to Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3
- May lag behind in demanding games
- Slower charging speeds than the competition
Realme GT Neo6 SE
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3
- 100W SuperVOOC charging for incredibly fast top-ups
- Stronger GPU for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks
- Realme UI can be more feature-rich but also more bloated
- Potentially slightly lower battery life due to higher performance
- May run warmer under sustained load
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so we must infer. Both likely utilize AMOLED panels given the market segment. However, the Realme GT Neo6 SE, positioned as a performance-focused device, may feature a higher refresh rate (potentially 120Hz vs 90Hz on the S18e) and peak brightness. The Snapdragon's ISP may also offer slightly better color calibration. Bezels are likely comparable, but the GT Neo6 SE's marketing often emphasizes a more immersive visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, Realme’s GT series often prioritizes camera versatility, potentially offering a more advanced main sensor or wider aperture. The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is also more capable, offering better noise reduction and dynamic range. The vivo S18e likely focuses on a balanced camera experience, leveraging vivo’s image processing algorithms for pleasing, social media-ready photos. We can expect both phones to have capable main sensors, but the GT Neo6 SE has the potential for superior low-light performance and video recording.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme GT Neo6 SE’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (SM7675, 4nm) boasts a Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 2.8 GHz, alongside four Cortex-A720 performance cores at 2.6 GHz and three Cortex-A520 efficiency cores at 1.9 GHz. This architecture is a step up from the vivo S18e’s MediaTek Dimensity 7200 (4nm), which uses two Cortex-A715 cores at 2.8 GHz and six Cortex-A510 cores. The X4 core in the Snapdragon provides a significant single-core performance boost, crucial for responsiveness and demanding applications. The Adreno GPU in the Snapdragon also surpasses the Mali GPU in the Dimensity 7200, translating to superior gaming performance. Both utilize 4nm fabrication, offering good efficiency, but the Snapdragon’s architecture is more modern.
Battery Life
The Realme GT Neo6 SE’s 100W wired charging is a clear advantage, promising a 50% charge in just 12 minutes. The vivo S18e’s 80W charging is still fast, but noticeably slower. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the GT Neo6 SE mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3’s improved efficiency may also contribute to longer real-world battery life, despite potentially having a similar capacity to the S18e.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S18e if you prioritize a balanced experience with a focus on efficient power consumption and a potentially more refined software experience (typical of vivo). Buy the Realme GT Neo6 SE if you’re a gamer, a power user who frequently transfers large files, or simply want the fastest possible charging speeds and the latest Qualcomm chipset in this price bracket.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 in the Realme GT Neo6 SE handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 is specifically designed for gaming. It should comfortably run Genshin Impact at high settings with stable frame rates, though you may need to adjust graphics settings for extended play sessions to manage thermals.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to fully charge the Realme GT Neo6 SE with the 100W charger?
While Realme claims 50% in 12 minutes, a full 0-100% charge with the 100W SuperVOOC charger typically takes around 30-35 minutes, making it one of the fastest charging experiences available in this price range.
❓ Is the Dimensity 7200 in the vivo S18e sufficient for everyday tasks and moderate gaming?
Absolutely. The Dimensity 7200 is a capable chipset that will handle everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and video streaming with ease. It can also run most games at medium settings, but it won't deliver the same level of performance as the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3.
❓ Does the Realme GT Neo6 SE support expandable storage via microSD card?
No, the Realme GT Neo6 SE does not support microSD card expansion. Users will need to rely on the internal storage options available at the time of purchase.
