The vivo V17 (Russia) and Realme XT represent a fascinating crossroads in the mid-range smartphone market. Both devices aimed to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but they took different approaches to achieving that goal. The V17 prioritized a streamlined experience with the Snapdragon 665, while the XT opted for the more powerful Snapdragon 712. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone offers the best value in today's market.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing everyday tasks and decent battery life, the Realme XT emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 712 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the V17’s Snapdragon 665, and the 20W charging offers faster top-ups, despite both phones achieving a 100-hour endurance rating.
| 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, 28, 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, November. Released 2019, December | 2019, September 13. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.3 x 75.2 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.34 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 | 186.7 g (6.60 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 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 616 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.2 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB 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), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
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 | USB Type-C 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 | Cloud Blue, Blue Fog | Pearl White, Pearl Blue |
| Models | V1945A, V1945T | RMX1921 |
| Price | About 330 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 (Russia)
- Potentially more refined software experience (depending on ROM)
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Decent battery life
- Less powerful Snapdragon 665 chipset
- Slower 18W charging
- Display brightness likely lower than XT
Realme XT
- More powerful Snapdragon 712 chipset
- Faster 20W charging
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Software experience may be less polished
- Potentially slightly lower battery life under heavy load
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The Realme XT boasts a measured peak brightness of 447 nits, a significant advantage over the unlisted brightness of the vivo V17. While both displays feature an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for LCD/OLED panels), the XT’s higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. The V17’s display specifications are less clear, suggesting a potentially lower quality panel. This difference in brightness impacts the overall viewing experience, particularly for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. However, the Realme XT’s market positioning suggests a stronger emphasis on camera performance. While sensor sizes and apertures are unknown, the Snapdragon 712’s image signal processor (ISP) is more capable than the 665’s, resulting in better image processing, dynamic range, and low-light performance. The inclusion of a dedicated night mode on the XT (based on typical Realme implementations) further enhances its photographic capabilities. The V17’s camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots, but the XT offers a more versatile and capable camera system.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the vivo V17 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm) while the Realme XT features the Snapdragon 712 (10nm). The 712, with its Kryo 360 cores clocked up to 2.3 GHz, offers a substantial performance uplift over the 665’s 2.0 GHz Kryo 260 cores. This is particularly noticeable in multitasking and gaming. The 10nm process node of the 712 also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially mitigating the performance gap under sustained load. While both phones likely feature similar RAM configurations, the 712’s superior processing power makes the XT the clear winner for performance-sensitive users.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both the vivo V17 and Realme XT achieve an endurance rating of 100 hours. However, this doesn't tell the whole story. The Realme XT’s 20W wired charging is significantly faster than the V17’s 18W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups. While both phones offer all-day battery life for moderate usage, the XT’s faster charging provides greater convenience and reduces downtime. The 10nm process of the Snapdragon 712 also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially extending battery life during demanding tasks.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo V17 (Russia) if you need a reliable device for basic communication, social media, and light web browsing, and value a potentially more refined software experience (depending on the specific Russian ROM). Buy the Realme XT if you prefer a smoother experience with more demanding apps, enjoy occasional gaming, and appreciate faster charging speeds. The XT is the better option for users who want a phone that can handle more than just the basics.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 712 in the Realme XT handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 712 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. While it won't match the performance of flagship chipsets, it provides a significantly smoother gaming experience compared to the Snapdragon 665 in the vivo V17.
❓ Does the Realme XT support fast charging protocols beyond the standard 20W? (e.g., Quick Charge)
The Realme XT supports 18W Quick Charge, despite shipping with a 20W charger. While it can utilize the full 20W with the included adapter, it will fall back to 18W when connected to a Quick Charge compatible charger. The vivo V17 supports standard 18W charging, lacking Quick Charge support.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the vivo V17 (Russia) and the Realme XT?
The software experience is a key differentiator. The vivo V17 likely runs a customized version of Funtouch OS tailored for the Russian market, which may prioritize stability and localization. The Realme XT runs Realme UI, known for its near-stock Android experience with added features. Realme UI generally receives faster updates and offers a more customizable interface.
