The vivo U10 and Realme 5i represent a fascinating intersection in the budget smartphone market. Both devices leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665, aiming to deliver a smooth experience without breaking the bank. However, a key difference in charging capabilities – 18W on the U10 versus 10W on the 5i – makes this a compelling comparison for users prioritizing convenience and speed.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the vivo U10 emerges as the slightly better choice. While both phones offer identical processing power thanks to the Snapdragon 665, the U10’s 18W fast charging significantly reduces downtime, making it ideal for those constantly on the go. The Realme 5i remains a viable option, but the slower charging is a noticeable compromise.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 400/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE (2CA) 450/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, September | 2020, January 06. Released 2020, January |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.4 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.28 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 164.4 x 75 x 9.3 mm (6.47 x 2.95 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190.5 g (6.70 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1544 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.35 inches, 99.6 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| 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 | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Thunder Black, Electric Blue, Black, Blue, Red | Blue, Green |
| Models | 1916, V1928A | RMX2030, RMX2032 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| SAR | 1.05 W/kg (head) 0.45 W/kg (body) | - |
vivo U10
- Faster 18W charging for quicker power-ups
- Identical Snapdragon 665 performance to the Realme 5i
- Potentially better value if priced competitively
- May be slightly more expensive than the Realme 5i
- No specific display advantages over the Realme 5i
Realme 5i
- Likely more affordable than the vivo U10
- Identical Snapdragon 665 performance to the vivo U10
- Acceptable battery life for basic usage
- Significantly slower 10W charging
- Less convenient for users who need quick top-ups
- May lack features found on the U10 at a slightly higher price
Display Comparison
Both the vivo U10 and Realme 5i likely feature similar LCD panels, typical for this price segment. Without specific display specs like resolution or peak brightness, it’s safe to assume both offer adequate, but not exceptional, viewing experiences. The focus here isn’t on display quality, but rather on the overall user experience, where the faster charging of the U10 will be more impactful than minor display differences.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality will heavily depend on the primary sensor and image processing algorithms. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality; these are often included for marketing purposes rather than practical benefit. The Snapdragon 665’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) will handle image processing, and differences in software tuning will likely be the primary differentiator in camera performance.
Performance
The heart of both devices is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores. This means identical CPU performance in everyday tasks and gaming. The Snapdragon 665 is a capable performer for casual gaming and multitasking, but demanding titles will require reduced graphics settings. RAM configurations, not provided, will influence multitasking smoothness; more RAM is always preferable. Thermal management will likely be similar on both, relying on passive cooling due to the budget nature of the devices.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn’t specified, the key differentiator is charging speed. The vivo U10’s 18W wired charging offers a substantial advantage over the Realme 5i’s 10W charging. This translates to significantly faster 0-100% charge times, reducing downtime. Even with a similar battery capacity, the U10’s faster charging allows for quicker top-ups throughout the day, making it more convenient for users who don’t have extended periods to charge their phones.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo U10 if you need faster charging and prioritize minimizing downtime. Its 18W support is a significant advantage for users who frequently top up their phones throughout the day. Buy the Realme 5i if you are on an extremely tight budget and can tolerate slower charging speeds. The 5i offers a similar core experience at potentially a lower price point, making it suitable for users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks and aren't concerned about quick power-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 665 in either phone struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 665 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a smooth frame rate. Expect some occasional stuttering during intense firefights. Both phones will offer a similar gaming experience in this regard.
❓ How much faster is the 18W charging on the vivo U10 compared to the 10W charging on the Realme 5i?
The 18W charging on the vivo U10 can reduce charging times by approximately 40-50% compared to the 10W charging on the Realme 5i. This means a full charge could take around 2 hours on the Realme 5i, while the vivo U10 could achieve a full charge in approximately 1.2 - 1.5 hours.
❓ Are both phones likely to receive software updates and security patches?
Software update support varies by manufacturer. Realme generally provides more consistent updates than vivo, but both brands have improved in recent years. Expect at least a few major Android updates and regular security patches, but don't anticipate the same level of long-term support as flagship devices.
