The vivo U3 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro represent compelling options in the competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a feature-rich experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches to achieving this goal. The U3 leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 675, prioritizing efficiency, while the Redmi Note 8 Pro opts for MediaTek’s Helio G90T, focusing on raw gaming power. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing balanced performance and efficiency, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Helio G90T chipset offers a noticeable performance edge in gaming, and the 640 nits peak brightness provides a superior viewing experience, despite both phones sharing the same 18W charging.
| 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, 5, 7, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October. Released 2019, October | 2019, August 29. Released 2019, September 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 161.4 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.35 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 200 g (7.05 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 (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CC Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.0 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
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 | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| 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 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | microUSB 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
5W reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green | Black, Red, Blue, White, Deep Sea Blue, Midnight Blue, Electric Blue, Twilight Orange |
| Models | V1941A, V1941T | 2015105, M1906G7I, M1906G7G |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.47 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -91.9dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 114h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1326:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 64dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 82dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 224759 (v7), 279355 (v8)
GeekBench: 6999 (v4.4), 1622 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo U3
- Efficient Snapdragon 675 chipset
- Potentially better sustained performance due to 11nm process
- 5W Reverse Wired Charging
- Less powerful GPU for gaming
- Likely lower peak display brightness
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
- More powerful Helio G90T chipset for gaming
- Higher peak display brightness (640 nits)
- Potentially better camera system
- Helio G90T may be prone to thermal throttling
- 12nm process less efficient than Snapdragon 675’s 11nm
Display Comparison
Both the vivo U3 and Redmi Note 8 Pro feature displays with a 1326:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 640 nits, significantly outshining the U3’s unspecified brightness. This difference translates to better outdoor visibility and a more vibrant viewing experience in bright conditions. While both lack high refresh rate panels, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s higher brightness is a clear advantage for multimedia consumption.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s market positioning, it likely features a more sophisticated camera system, potentially with a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms. The U3, while capable, likely prioritizes cost-effectiveness in its camera module. Without detailed sensor specifications, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s brand reputation suggests a stronger camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G90T (12nm) utilizes Cortex-A76 performance cores clocked at 2.05 GHz, offering a substantial uplift in CPU and GPU performance compared to the vivo U3’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 (11nm) with its 2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold cores. The G90T’s Mali-G76 MC4 GPU provides a more capable gaming experience, though the 12nm process may lead to increased thermal throttling under sustained load. The Snapdragon 675, while less powerful, benefits from a more efficient 11nm process, potentially resulting in better sustained performance and lower temperatures during prolonged use.
Battery Life
Both the vivo U3 and Redmi Note 8 Pro share an endurance rating of 114 hours and 18W wired charging. This suggests comparable battery life and charging speeds. However, the Snapdragon 675’s efficiency could translate to slightly longer real-world usage on the U3, despite the identical battery endurance rating. Both phones also offer 5W reverse wired charging, a convenient feature for topping up accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo U3 if you prioritize all-day battery life and a smooth, responsive experience for everyday tasks. Its Snapdragon 675 is efficient and capable. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro if you’re a mobile gamer or frequently consume media, as the Helio G90T delivers superior graphics performance and the brighter display enhances visual clarity. The Redmi Note 8 Pro is also the better choice for those who value a brighter screen for outdoor visibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G90T in the Redmi Note 8 Pro suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G90T is known to generate more heat than some competing chipsets. While Xiaomi implemented cooling solutions, prolonged gaming at maximum settings can lead to noticeable thermal throttling, reducing sustained performance. However, the performance uplift before throttling is substantial compared to the Snapdragon 675.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 675's efficiency impact real-world battery life on the vivo U3 compared to the Redmi Note 8 Pro?
While both phones have the same endurance rating, the Snapdragon 675's 11nm process is more efficient. This means the vivo U3 may offer slightly longer battery life during typical usage scenarios, such as browsing, social media, and light video consumption, even with similar battery capacity.
❓ Is the camera on the Redmi Note 8 Pro significantly better than the vivo U3, and is it worth considering for photography enthusiasts?
While specific camera specs are limited, the Redmi Note 8 Pro is likely to offer a more versatile and capable camera system. Xiaomi typically invests more in camera technology, and the G90T's image signal processor can handle more complex image processing. If photography is a priority, the Redmi Note 8 Pro is the better choice.
