The vivo U20 and Realme 5 Pro represent a fascinating intersection in the mid-range smartphone market. Both devices, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon chips, aimed to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank. This comparison dissects their key differences, focusing on performance, battery life, and display quality to determine which phone offers the most value in today's market.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall performance and faster charging, the Realme 5 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 712 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the U20’s Snapdragon 675, and the 20W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the U20 remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.
| 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, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November. Released 2019, November | 2019, August 20. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 157 x 74.2 x 8.9 mm (6.18 x 2.92 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| | - | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Adreno 616 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.2 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 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 | 20W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | 4035 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Black, Blaze Blue | Crystal Green, Crystal Blue, Chroma White |
| Models | - | RMX1971, RMX1973 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 430 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -92.0dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 100h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1875:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 85dB |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 215820 (v8)
GeekBench: 5857 (v4.4), 1614 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 182765 (v7)
GeekBench: 6106 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo U20
- Potentially lower price point
- Reliable Snapdragon 675 performance for basic tasks
- Decent battery life (100h endurance)
- Slower Snapdragon 675 chipset compared to the 712
- Slower 18W charging
- Likely less refined camera system
Realme 5 Pro
- Faster Snapdragon 712 chipset for smoother performance
- Faster 20W charging with 50% in 30 minutes
- Brighter display (512 nits)
- Potentially higher price
- Similar battery endurance to the U20 despite faster charging
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
Both the vivo U20 and Realme 5 Pro feature displays with a 1875:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Realme 5 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 512 nits, exceeding the nominal 1875:1 contrast ratio, indicating a brighter and more visible screen in outdoor conditions. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Realme 5 Pro’s higher brightness provides a superior viewing experience, especially under direct sunlight. Details regarding refresh rates are missing, but both are likely standard 60Hz panels for this price segment.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Realme 5 Pro’s positioning as a slightly more premium device suggests a potentially more refined camera system. The absence of details regarding features like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) or advanced image processing algorithms makes it challenging to definitively declare a winner. It's likely both rely on software processing to enhance image quality, but the 712’s ISP may offer more sophisticated capabilities.
Performance
The Realme 5 Pro’s Snapdragon 712 (10nm) represents a clear advantage over the vivo U20’s Snapdragon 675 (11nm). The 712’s Kryo 360 Gold cores clock higher at 2.3 GHz versus the 675’s 2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold cores, translating to faster application loading and smoother multitasking. While both chips utilize a 6x1.7 GHz cluster for efficiency, the 712’s more advanced architecture and smaller node size contribute to better overall performance and potentially improved thermal management. This difference is particularly noticeable in graphically intensive games.
Battery Life
Both the vivo U20 and Realme 5 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 100 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Realme 5 Pro’s 20W wired charging, capable of delivering 50% charge in 30 minutes, provides a significant convenience advantage over the U20’s 18W charging. While both offer all-day battery life for moderate users, the Realme 5 Pro’s faster charging minimizes downtime and allows for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo U20 if you need a functional, reliable smartphone for everyday tasks and light gaming, and your budget is extremely limited. It’s a solid option for first-time smartphone users or those needing a secondary device. Buy the Realme 5 Pro if you prioritize smoother multitasking, a more responsive gaming experience, and quicker charging times. It’s ideal for users who frequently use demanding apps or enjoy mobile gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 712 in the Realme 5 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 712 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. Its higher clock speeds and improved architecture compared to the Snapdragon 675 in the vivo U20 provide a noticeably smoother gaming experience.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the vivo U20 with the 18W charger?
While the exact 0-100% charging time isn't specified, with 18W charging, expect a full charge to take approximately 2-2.5 hours. The Realme 5 Pro’s 20W charging offers a significant advantage in this regard.
❓ Is the camera on the Realme 5 Pro significantly better than the vivo U20?
Without detailed camera specifications, it's difficult to say definitively. However, the Realme 5 Pro’s positioning as a slightly more premium device suggests a potentially more refined camera system with better image processing capabilities. Expect better dynamic range and low-light performance.
❓ Does either phone support fast storage standards like UFS 2.1?
The context data doesn't specify storage standards. However, given the price point, it's likely both phones utilize eMMC 5.1 storage. UFS 2.1 would have provided faster app loading and file transfer speeds, but is unlikely in these models.
