The Realme XT and vivo V17 Neo represent a fascinating intersection in the mid-range smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches to achieving this goal. The XT leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 712, while the V17 Neo opts for MediaTek’s Helio P65. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme XT emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 712 chipset, built on a more efficient 10nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Helio P65 in the vivo V17 Neo. While both offer comparable battery endurance, the XT’s faster 20W charging is a significant convenience.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August. Released 2019, August | 2019, September 13. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.5 x 75.2 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.96 x 0.32 in) | 158.7 x 75.2 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6768 Helio P65 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 616 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | 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 |
| 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 20W wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black brilliant, Blue Pearl | Pearl White, Pearl Blue |
| Models | - | RMX1921 |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.2dB / Crosstalk -91.4dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 100h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 89dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 185193 (v7)
GeekBench: 6102 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo V17 Neo
- Faster Snapdragon 712 processor
- More efficient 10nm process
- Faster 20W charging
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Display brightness is not exceptional
- Software experience may be less streamlined than vivo
Realme XT
- Comparable battery endurance
- Potentially more refined software experience (vivo's Funtouch OS)
- Competitive price point
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Less powerful Helio P65 processor
- Slower 18W charging
- Potentially inferior camera performance
- Less efficient 12nm process
Display Comparison
The Realme XT boasts a measured peak brightness of 447 nits, a respectable figure for outdoor visibility, though not class-leading. While the V17 Neo’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to be in a similar range. Both displays feature an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal), meaning they are likely IPS LCD panels. The lack of information on the V17 Neo’s panel type prevents a deeper analysis of color accuracy and viewing angles, but the XT’s brightness gives it a slight edge for users who frequently use their phones outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are advertised with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specifics are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture data, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Snapdragon 712’s image signal processor (ISP) is generally more advanced than the Helio P65’s, potentially leading to better image processing, dynamic range, and low-light performance on the Realme XT. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are largely marketing features and unlikely to deliver significant photographic value. The XT’s ISP is the key differentiator here.
Performance
This is where the Realme XT truly shines. The Snapdragon 712 (10nm) is architecturally superior to the Helio P65 (12nm). The 712’s Kryo 360 Gold cores, clocked at 2.3 GHz, offer a performance boost over the P65’s Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz. The 10nm process also translates to better thermal efficiency, meaning the XT is less likely to throttle under sustained load. While both CPUs feature a 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55/Kryo 360 Silver cluster for efficiency, the Qualcomm chipset’s overall architecture provides a more responsive and fluid user experience, particularly in demanding applications and games.
Battery Life
Both the Realme XT and vivo V17 Neo achieve an endurance rating of 100 hours, indicating similar real-world battery life. However, the XT gains a significant advantage with its 20W wired charging, compared to the V17 Neo’s 18W charging. This translates to faster 0-100% charge times, reducing downtime and increasing convenience. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed on the XT effectively mitigates any potential capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo V17 Neo if you prioritize a slightly more streamlined software experience and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and social media. Buy the Realme XT if you value performance for gaming, multitasking, and camera capabilities, and appreciate faster charging speeds. The XT is the better option for users who demand more from their device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme XT’s Snapdragon 712 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 712 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at 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 Helio P65 in the vivo V17 Neo, thanks to its more powerful CPU and GPU.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Realme XT with the 20W charger?
The Realme XT can be fully charged from 0% to 100% in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes using the included 20W charger. This is considerably faster than the vivo V17 Neo’s 18W charging, which will likely take closer to 2 hours.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Snapdragon 712 and Helio P65 noticeable in everyday tasks?
While both phones can handle basic tasks like browsing and social media, the Snapdragon 712 in the Realme XT provides a smoother and more responsive experience, especially when multitasking or opening multiple apps. The difference is most noticeable when switching between apps or performing more demanding operations.
❓ Does the Realme XT support VoLTE and VoWiFi on all carriers?
Support for VoLTE and VoWiFi varies by carrier and region. It's crucial to check with your specific carrier to confirm compatibility before purchasing the Realme XT. Generally, Realme devices offer broad carrier support, but it's always best to verify.