vivo V20 vs Oppo Reno 5G: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Performance and Value

The vivo V20 and Oppo Reno 5G represent compelling options in the mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this. The V20 prioritizes efficiency with the Snapdragon 720G, while the Reno 5G opts for the older, but more powerful, Snapdragon 855. This comparison dissects these choices and determines which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing battery life and consistent performance, the vivo V20 emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 720G, coupled with a measured 621 nits display brightness, offers a smoother, more efficient experience than the Oppo Reno 5G's Snapdragon 855, which may exhibit throttling under sustained load despite its raw power.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo V20 Oppo Reno 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global
5G bands-78 NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2020, September 30. Released 2020, October 192019, April. Released 2019, May
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions161.3 x 74.2 x 7.4 mm (6.35 x 2.92 x 0.29 in)162 x 77.2 x 9.3 mm (6.38 x 3.04 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight171 g (6.03 oz)215 g (7.58 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)
Size6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLEDAMOLED
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 618Adreno 640
OSAndroid 11, Funtouch 11Android 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF Auxiliary lens48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/3.0, 130mm (periscope telephoto), 5x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS; video rec. only with main camera
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRLED flash, HDR
Single44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AFMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX HD
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired20W wired
Type4000 mAhLi-Po 4065 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsSunset Melody, Midnight Jazz, Moonlight SonataOcean Green, Jet Black
ModelsV2025, V2024CPH1921
PriceAbout 290 EURAbout 880 EUR
Tests
Battery lifeEndurance rating 111h-
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -28.3 LUFS (Average)-
Performance AnTuTu: 276006(v8) GeekBench: 1686 (v5.1) GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

vivo V20

  • Excellent 111h battery life
  • Faster 33W charging
  • Brighter 621 nits display

  • Less powerful chipset than the Reno 5G
  • Camera details are lacking

Oppo Reno 5G

  • More powerful Snapdragon 855 processor
  • Potentially better camera image processing
  • 5G connectivity

  • Slower 20W charging
  • Potential for thermal throttling

Display Comparison

The vivo V20 boasts a measured peak brightness of 621 nits, providing good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. While the Oppo Reno 5G’s display specifications are not provided, the V20’s brightness advantage is notable. Both displays are advertised with an 'infinite' contrast ratio, a common marketing term that doesn't provide specific technical insight. The V20’s brightness is a key differentiator, suggesting a more usable experience in direct sunlight.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the Reno series’ historical focus on camera technology, it’s reasonable to assume Oppo invested more in image processing and potentially a higher-quality main sensor. The V20 likely focuses on a balanced camera experience, while the Reno 5G may offer more advanced features and potentially better low-light performance. The absence of detail makes a definitive judgement impossible.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo Reno 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm), a flagship-class processor from 2019. This offers significantly higher peak performance compared to the vivo V20’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm). However, the 855’s 7nm process, while advanced for its time, is less efficient than the 8nm process of the 720G. The Reno 5G’s CPU configuration – 1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485, and 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 – provides a performance edge, but the V20’s 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver configuration is optimized for efficiency. This translates to potentially longer sustained performance from the V20, avoiding the throttling that the 855 is known to experience under heavy load.

Battery Life

The vivo V20 achieves an impressive endurance rating of 111 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the Oppo Reno 5G’s battery life isn’t specified, its 20W charging is slower than the V20’s 33W wired charging. This means the V20 will not only last longer on a single charge but also recharge faster. The Snapdragon 720G’s efficiency contributes significantly to the V20’s superior endurance, offsetting any potential capacity differences.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo V20 if you need a phone that consistently delivers all-day battery life and excels in everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and casual gaming. Its brighter display is also beneficial for outdoor use. Buy the Oppo Reno 5G if you prioritize raw processing power for demanding applications or gaming, and are willing to accept potentially shorter battery life and the risk of thermal throttling during extended use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 855 in the Oppo Reno 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 855 is known to generate significant heat under sustained load. While the Oppo Reno 5G may offer higher peak performance, it's likely to experience thermal throttling, reducing performance over time during extended gaming. The vivo V20’s Snapdragon 720G is more efficient and less prone to overheating.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge each phone?
The vivo V20 supports 33W wired charging, allowing for a significantly faster charge time compared to the Oppo Reno 5G’s 20W charging. While exact 0-100% times aren't available, the V20 will likely charge from empty to full in under an hour, while the Reno 5G will take considerably longer.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance noticeable for everyday tasks?
For typical daily use – browsing, social media, video streaming – the difference between the Snapdragon 720G and 855 will be minimal. Both processors are capable of handling these tasks smoothly. The 855’s advantage becomes more apparent in demanding applications like video editing or graphically intensive games.