The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Realme 8 Pro, a veteran known for its solid endurance, now faces a challenge from the newer vivo S20, boasting a more modern chipset and significantly faster charging. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the vivo S20 emerges as the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset delivers a noticeable performance uplift over the Realme 8 Pro’s Snapdragon 720G, and the 90W charging is a game-changer. While the Realme 8 Pro offers comparable battery endurance, the S20’s overall package is more compelling.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, November 28 | 2021, March 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, December 06 | Available. Released 2021, March 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160.4 x 74.2 x 7.2 mm (6.31 x 2.92 x 0.28 in) | 160.6 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.32 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch/drop-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 nits (HBM), 5000 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 720 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 15, OriginOS 5 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.55", PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 106˚ (ultrawide), AF | - |
| Features | Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), AF | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K, 1080p | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LHDC 5 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS (B1I+B1c) | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 90W wired, PD
Reverse wired | 50W wired, 50% in 17 min, 100% in 47 min |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 6500 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Gold, White | Infinite Blue, Infinite Black, Punk Black, Illuminating Yellow |
| Models | V2429A | RMX3081 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.10 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 116h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.2 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 286666 (v8)
GeekBench: 1678 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo S20
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset
- 90W wired charging for incredibly fast top-ups
- Likely improved camera performance due to newer ISP
- Battery capacity not specified, potentially smaller than Realme 8 Pro
- Display specifications are limited
Realme 8 Pro
- Excellent battery endurance (116h rating)
- More affordable price point
- Proven reliability and established user base
- Older Snapdragon 720G chipset offers lower performance
- Slower 50W charging takes nearly an hour for a full charge
- Potentially inferior camera performance compared to S20
Display Comparison
Both the vivo S20 and Realme 8 Pro feature displays with an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting both utilize AMOLED panels. However, detailed specifications like peak brightness, color gamut coverage, and refresh rate are missing for both. Given the S20 is a newer device, it's reasonable to expect a brighter panel and potentially a higher refresh rate, though this remains unconfirmed. The Realme 8 Pro’s display is adequate for everyday use, but the S20 likely offers a more vibrant and responsive visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are advertised as having photo and video capabilities, but specific details are scarce. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the S20’s newer chipset likely includes a more advanced image signal processor (ISP), enabling better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance. The Realme 8 Pro’s camera is capable, but the S20’s modern hardware gives it an edge in image quality and features. We can assume both phones will have a variety of shooting modes, but the S20 is likely to offer more sophisticated computational photography features.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo S20’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4nm) represents a significant leap over the Realme 8 Pro’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm). The 4nm process node of the 7 Gen 3 translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling, crucial for sustained performance. The S20’s CPU configuration – a mix of Cortex-A715 cores – offers a substantial performance advantage over the 720G’s Kryo 465 Gold and Silver cores. This will be most noticeable in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. While RAM specifications are not provided, the S20 is likely to benefit from faster LPDDR5x RAM, further enhancing performance.
Battery Life
The Realme 8 Pro boasts an endurance rating of 116 hours, a respectable figure indicating good battery life. The vivo S20’s battery capacity is not specified, but its 90W wired charging is a standout feature. The Realme 8 Pro takes 47 minutes for a full charge with its 50W charging, while the S20 can likely achieve a full charge in under 40 minutes. This faster charging significantly reduces downtime and offers greater convenience. While the S20’s battery life may not surpass the Realme 8 Pro’s, the rapid charging compensates for any potential difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S20 if you prioritize performance for demanding apps and games, and value the convenience of incredibly fast charging. It’s ideal for users who frequently multitask or enjoy mobile gaming. Buy the Realme 8 Pro if you are on a tighter budget and prioritize long battery life above all else, and don't mind a slower charging experience. It's a solid option for everyday tasks and casual use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 in the vivo S20 handle graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is a significant upgrade over the 720G and is capable of running Genshin Impact and other demanding games at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The 4nm process also helps mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How much faster is the 90W charging on the vivo S20 compared to the 50W charging on the Realme 8 Pro in real-world use?
The 90W charging on the vivo S20 can potentially shave off 20-30 minutes from a full charge compared to the Realme 8 Pro’s 50W charging. This means you can get a significant charge boost in a very short amount of time, making it ideal for users who are always on the go.
❓ Is the camera on the vivo S20 noticeably better for low-light photography?
While specific camera specs are limited, the newer image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 of the vivo S20 should provide improved noise reduction and detail capture in low-light conditions compared to the Realme 8 Pro.
❓ Will I notice a significant difference in app loading times and multitasking between the two phones?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 in the vivo S20 will result in noticeably faster app loading times and smoother multitasking compared to the Snapdragon 720G in the Realme 8 Pro, especially when running multiple apps simultaneously.
