The vivo U3 and Oppo K3 represent a fascinating intersection in the mid-range smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they achieve this through different approaches, primarily centered around their respective Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. This comparison dissects the nuances of the Snapdragon 675 in the U3 versus the Snapdragon 710 in the K3, revealing which phone offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Oppo K3 is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 710, built on a smaller 10nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the vivo U3’s Snapdragon 675. While the U3 offers reverse wired charging, the K3’s faster 20W charging mitigates any battery concerns.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October. Released 2019, October | 2019, May. Released 2019, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 161.2 x 76 x 9.4 mm (6.35 x 2.99 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SDM710 Snapdragon 710 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Adreno 616 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.0 | Android 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/1.7, 1/2.5", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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@30/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (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, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, 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 а/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
5W reverse wired | 20W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3765 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green | Black, Nebula Purple, Morning White |
| Models | V1941A, V1941T | CPH1955, PCGM00 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 210 EUR |
vivo U3
- Includes 5W reverse wired charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Snapdragon 675 is still a capable chipset
- Slower Snapdragon 675 processor
- 18W charging is slower than the K3
- 11nm process is less efficient
Oppo K3
- Faster Snapdragon 710 processor
- 20W fast charging
- More efficient 10nm process
- Lacks reverse wired charging
- May be slightly more expensive
- No significant camera advantages without further specs
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given their market positioning, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The absence of information regarding refresh rates suggests both are standard 60Hz displays. The real difference will likely come down to color calibration and peak brightness, areas where Oppo historically performs well. Without specific data, it’s reasonable to assume similar viewing experiences.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the Snapdragon 710 generally offers a more capable image signal processor (ISP) than the 675, potentially leading to better image processing, especially in low-light conditions. The ISP’s capabilities impact noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image quality. It’s likely both phones feature similar primary camera setups targeting the mid-range segment, but the K3’s ISP could provide a slight advantage in image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo K3’s Snapdragon 710 (10nm) boasts a 2.2 GHz clock speed on its Kryo 360 Gold cores, compared to the vivo U3’s Snapdragon 675 (11nm) with 2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold cores. The 10nm process of the 710 is more efficient, translating to better thermal management and sustained performance under load. While both are octa-core CPUs with a similar core configuration (2 performance + 6 efficiency), the 710’s higher clock speed and process node give it an edge in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The GPU within the 710 will also deliver a more fluid gaming experience.
Battery Life
The vivo U3 features 18W wired charging, while the Oppo K3 steps it up to 20W. This 2W difference, while seemingly small, can translate to a noticeably faster 0-100% charge time. The U3 also includes 5W reverse wired charging, a unique feature allowing it to charge other devices. However, the K3’s faster charging speed largely offsets the benefit of reverse charging for most users, as topping up the K3 itself will be quicker than slowly charging another device with the U3.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo U3 if you prioritize reverse wired charging functionality and are on a very tight budget. This feature allows you to top up accessories like earbuds or smartwatches on the go. Buy the Oppo K3 if you value smoother multitasking, slightly better gaming performance, and faster charging speeds, even if it means sacrificing the reverse charging capability. The K3 is ideal for users who frequently switch between apps or enjoy mobile gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 710 in the Oppo K3 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 710 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won’t match the performance of flagship chipsets, it provides a significantly better gaming experience than the Snapdragon 675, thanks to its more powerful GPU and efficient thermal management.
❓ How much faster is the 20W charging on the Oppo K3 compared to the 18W charging on the vivo U3?
While the difference is 2W, the 20W charging on the K3 can shave off approximately 15-20 minutes from a full 0-100% charge compared to the U3. This is due to the increased power delivery, allowing for a quicker replenishment of the battery.
❓ Is the reverse wired charging on the vivo U3 useful for everyday use?
The reverse wired charging is a niche feature. It's convenient for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches in a pinch, but it's a slow process and will drain the U3's battery considerably. It's not a replacement for a dedicated charger.
