vivo S5 vs Realme X2 Pro: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Powerhouses

The vivo S5 and Realme X2 Pro represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The S5 prioritizes a sleek design and balanced features, while the X2 Pro aims for near-flagship performance with its Snapdragon 855+ chipset and blazing-fast charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Realme X2 Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 855+ processor delivers significantly faster performance, and the 50W SuperVOOC charging is a game-changer, reaching 100% in just 35 minutes. While the vivo S5 offers a respectable experience, it can't match the X2 Pro's raw power and convenience.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo S5 Realme X2 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - China
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - EMEA
Launch
Announced2019, November. Released 2019, November2019, October 15. Released 2019, October
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions157.9 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm (6.22 x 2.91 x 0.34 in)161 x 75.7 x 8.7 mm (6.34 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight188 g (6.63 oz)199 g (7.02 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 103.5 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLEDSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 616Adreno 640 (700 MHz)
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.2Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 -64GB UFS 2.1, 128/256GB UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.5, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with Dolby Atmos stereo speakers (2 dedicated amplifiers)
 -24-bit/192kHz audio (incl. speakers)
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging22.5W wired50W wired, 100% in 35 min
Type4100 mAh, non-removable4000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsIcelandic Blue, Phantom Blue, Star BlackLunar White, Neptune Blue, Red Master Edition, Gray Master Edition
ModelsV1932ARMX1931
PriceAbout 350 EURAbout 440 EUR
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -91.3dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 94h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- Voice 82dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 91dB
Performance- AnTuTu: 396827 (v7), 467653 (v8) GeekBench: 10373 (v4.4) GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo S5

  • More affordable price point
  • Sleek and stylish design
  • Balanced feature set for everyday use

  • Significantly slower processor
  • Slower charging speed
  • Likely inferior camera performance

Realme X2 Pro

  • Powerful Snapdragon 855+ processor
  • Blazing-fast 50W SuperVOOC charging
  • Likely superior camera system

  • Higher price tag
  • Potentially larger size and weight
  • May run slightly warmer under heavy load

Display Comparison

Both devices share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting both utilize AMOLED panels, but specific details like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are missing. The Realme X2 Pro likely benefits from the more powerful chipset to drive a potentially higher resolution or refresh rate display, though this isn't explicitly stated. The S5's display is adequate for general use, but the X2 Pro likely offers a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific sensor details. However, given the X2 Pro’s positioning and the era of its release, it likely features a more advanced camera system with a larger main sensor and potentially optical image stabilization (OIS). The S5’s camera is likely competent for everyday snapshots, but the X2 Pro will excel in low-light conditions and offer more detailed images and videos. Ignoring the likely inclusion of 2MP macro/depth sensors on both, the X2 Pro’s image signal processor (ISP) within the 855+ will also contribute to superior image processing.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the vivo S5 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 (10nm), while the Realme X2 Pro boasts the Snapdragon 855+ (7nm). This is a substantial leap in performance. The 855+’s Kryo 485 cores, with a prime core clocked at 2.96 GHz, significantly outperform the S5’s 2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold cores. The 7nm process node of the 855+ also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. Gamers and power users will overwhelmingly benefit from the X2 Pro’s superior processing power.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 94 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the S5’s unspecified battery capacity. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The vivo S5 supports 22.5W wired charging, while the Realme X2 Pro utilizes 50W SuperVOOC charging, reaching 100% in just 35 minutes. This difference is massive; the X2 Pro’s charging speed significantly reduces downtime and offers a far more convenient user experience. The X2 Pro’s faster charging effectively mitigates any potential battery capacity disadvantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo S5 if you prioritize a more affordable price point and a balanced feature set for everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and casual photography. Buy the Realme X2 Pro if you demand high performance for gaming, video editing, or multitasking, and value the convenience of incredibly fast charging. The X2 Pro is for power users, while the S5 is for everyday users.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Realme X2 Pro's Snapdragon 855+ get hot during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 855+ is a powerful chip, the Realme X2 Pro incorporates thermal management solutions to mitigate overheating. The 7nm process node is more efficient than the 10nm node in the vivo S5, and the phone's cooling system should prevent significant throttling during typical gaming sessions. However, prolonged, demanding gameplay may still result in some heat buildup.
❓ Is the 50W SuperVOOC charging on the Realme X2 Pro safe for the battery's long-term health?
Realme's SuperVOOC charging technology incorporates multiple safety mechanisms to protect the battery. It utilizes a custom charging protocol and voltage regulation to minimize heat generation and prevent overcharging, ensuring the battery's longevity isn't significantly impacted by the faster charging speeds.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 712 in the vivo S5 handle multitasking compared to the Snapdragon 855+?
The Snapdragon 855+ in the Realme X2 Pro is significantly better at multitasking due to its more powerful CPU and larger memory bandwidth. While the S5 can handle basic multitasking, the X2 Pro will provide a smoother and more responsive experience when running multiple demanding apps simultaneously.