The vivo V17 (Russia) 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 distinctly different approaches to achieving this goal, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing gaming and sustained performance, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Helio G90T chipset, built on a 12nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Snapdragon 665 in the vivo V17, 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 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 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, 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 | 159.3 x 75.2 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.34 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 | 186.7 g (6.60 oz) | 200 g (7.05 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 (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD, HDR, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CC Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.2 | 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 | 128GB 8GB 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 | 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/1.9, 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 |
| 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 | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cloud Blue, Blue Fog | Black, Red, Blue, White, Deep Sea Blue, Midnight Blue, Electric Blue, Twilight Orange |
| Models | V1945A, V1945T | 2015105, M1906G7I, M1906G7G |
| Price | About 330 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 V17 (Russia)
- Potentially more efficient Snapdragon 665 chipset for lighter tasks.
- Streamlined software experience (typical of vivo).
- Competitive price point.
- Less powerful chipset compared to the Helio G90T.
- Likely less impressive camera system.
- Limited gaming performance.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
- Significantly more powerful Helio G90T chipset for gaming and multitasking.
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- Potentially superior camera system.
- Helio G90T may run hotter under sustained load.
- MIUI software can be resource-intensive.
- 18W charging is relatively slow.
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 640 nits compared to the vivo V17’s unspecified peak brightness. Both share a 1326:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color reproduction capabilities. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors, a significant advantage for users frequently exposed to sunlight. While neither phone specifies panel technology, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s brightness suggests a more advanced panel capable of handling demanding visual content.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is absent. Given the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s positioning, it likely features a more sophisticated camera system, potentially with a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms. The absence of details on the vivo V17 suggests a more basic camera setup focused on everyday photography. Without specific sensor sizes or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s market positioning suggests a stronger emphasis on camera performance.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi Note 8 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G90T (12nm) features a combination of two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. This contrasts with the vivo V17’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm) which utilizes an octa-core configuration of four Kryo 260 Gold cores at 2.0 GHz and four Kryo 260 Silver cores at 1.8 GHz. The Helio G90T’s Cortex-A76 cores provide a substantial architectural advantage, resulting in superior single-core and multi-core performance, particularly beneficial for gaming and demanding applications. The 12nm process node of the Helio G90T, while slightly larger than the Snapdragon 665’s 11nm, is offset by its more powerful core design. Users seeking smooth multitasking and responsive gaming will find the Redmi Note 8 Pro the more capable device.
Battery Life
Both the vivo V17 and Redmi Note 8 Pro share an endurance rating of 114 hours and 18W wired charging. This suggests comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Helio G90T’s higher power consumption may slightly reduce the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s real-world battery life during intensive tasks. The 18W charging speed is relatively slow by today’s standards, meaning a full charge will take a considerable amount of time on both devices. The similar endurance ratings indicate that battery optimization plays a crucial role in both phones’ performance.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo V17 (Russia) if you prioritize a streamlined software experience and efficient power consumption for everyday tasks. It’s a solid choice for users who primarily browse, communicate, and occasionally snap photos. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro if you’re a mobile gamer or power user who demands more processing power and a brighter display, and are willing to potentially manage slightly higher thermal output.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G90T in the Redmi Note 8 Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G90T is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 665. While Xiaomi incorporates thermal management solutions, extended gaming at high settings may lead to noticeable warming. However, performance throttling is typically managed to prevent critical overheating, though it may result in slight frame rate drops over time.
❓ Is the 18W charging speed sufficient for both phones, or should I expect long charging times?
18W charging is relatively slow compared to modern fast charging standards. Expect a full charge to take approximately 2-3 hours on both the vivo V17 and Redmi Note 8 Pro. Neither phone supports significantly faster charging technologies.
❓ How does the software experience differ between vivo's Funtouch OS and Xiaomi's MIUI on these devices?
Vivo's Funtouch OS is generally considered to be a lighter and more streamlined experience compared to Xiaomi's MIUI. MIUI is feature-rich but can be more resource-intensive and includes more pre-installed apps. User preference plays a significant role here, but those seeking a cleaner interface may prefer the vivo V17.