The vivo S5 and Samsung Galaxy A70s represent a fascinating intersection of value and performance in the mid-range smartphone market. Both devices, released around the same time, aimed to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank. However, they achieve this with different approaches, primarily centered around their respective Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. This comparison dissects the nuances of the Snapdragon 712 in the vivo S5 against the Snapdragon 675 in the A70s, revealing which phone offers the better overall package.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and slightly faster charging, the Samsung Galaxy A70s emerges as the better choice. While the vivo S5’s Snapdragon 712 offers a theoretical CPU advantage, the Snapdragon 675’s 11nm process and optimized architecture deliver a smoother, more sustained experience in demanding tasks, making it the more practical option.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November. Released 2019, November | 2019, September. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 157.9 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm (6.22 x 2.91 x 0.34 in) | 164.3 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm (6.47 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Adreno 612 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.2 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 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 lens | - |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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 |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 4100 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Icelandic Blue, Phantom Blue, Star Black | Prism Crush Red, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Black |
| Models | V1932A | SM-A707F, SM-A707FN, SM-A707GM, SM-A707MN, SM-A7070, SM-A707W |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 380 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) |
vivo S5
- Potentially higher peak CPU performance for short bursts.
- Sleek design (based on market perception of vivo S series).
- Competitive price point (likely).
- Snapdragon 712 prone to thermal throttling under sustained load.
- Slower 22.5W charging compared to the A70s.
- Potential for less optimized software experience.
Samsung Galaxy A70s
- More efficient Snapdragon 675 for sustained performance.
- Faster 25W wired charging.
- Samsung’s One UI offers a refined software experience.
- Slightly lower peak CPU clock speeds.
- Potentially less stylish design (subjective).
- Samsung’s software can be resource intensive.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. Both likely utilize AMOLED panels, common in this price bracket, but specific details like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are unavailable. The focus here is on the internal hardware. The absence of high refresh rate technology on either device means the display experience will be standard for the time.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature multi-camera setups geared towards social media sharing. The image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 675 and 712 are capable, but image quality will heavily depend on sensor size and lens quality – data not provided. It’s reasonable to assume both phones will offer acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance will be the differentiating factor, and without sensor details, it’s impossible to declare a winner.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo S5’s Snapdragon 712 (10nm) features a dual-core Kryo 360 Gold setup clocked at 2.3 GHz, paired with six Kryo 360 Silver cores at 1.7 GHz. The Galaxy A70s utilizes the Snapdragon 675 (11nm) with a similar core configuration – dual 2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold and six 1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver. The 11nm process node of the 675 is a key advantage, offering improved thermal efficiency. This translates to less throttling during extended gaming sessions or demanding applications. While the 712’s higher clock speeds *suggest* better performance, the 675’s architecture and process node often result in more sustained performance in real-world scenarios. The impact of RAM speed (likely LPDDR4X in both) is minimal in this comparison.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A70s boasts 25W wired charging, a slight advantage over the vivo S5’s 22.5W. This translates to a faster 0-100% charge time, a tangible benefit for users who frequently need to top up their devices. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the more efficient Snapdragon 675 in the A70s will likely contribute to comparable or slightly better real-world battery life, even if the S5 has a marginally larger battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S5 if you prioritize a potentially higher peak CPU performance for lighter multitasking and are comfortable with potentially more noticeable thermal throttling under sustained load. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A70s if you prefer a more consistently smooth experience, especially during gaming or prolonged app usage, and value the slightly faster 25W charging for quicker top-ups. The A70s is the better all-rounder for most users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 712 in the vivo S5 struggle with graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 712 can run PUBG Mobile, it's likely to experience more noticeable frame drops and thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions compared to the Snapdragon 675 in the A70s. The 675’s 11nm process allows it to maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods without overheating, resulting in a smoother gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 25W charging on the Galaxy A70s compared to the 22.5W charging on the vivo S5?
The difference in charging speed is approximately 10-15%. While not a massive leap, it translates to roughly 15-20 minutes saved when fully charging the device from 0%. This is a noticeable benefit for users who prioritize quick top-ups throughout the day.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 675 in the A70s have any advantages for video recording?
The Snapdragon 675’s ISP supports advanced video codecs and features, potentially leading to slightly better video stabilization and dynamic range compared to the 712. However, the actual video quality will also depend on the camera sensor and software processing.
