Choosing a new Android phone can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the vivo X20 Plus UD, known for its in-display fingerprint sensor, and the rugged Samsung Galaxy S8 Active, a durable powerhouse. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which device reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S8 Active takes the crown due to its superior chipset (Snapdragon 835 vs. 660), exceptional battery life, and rugged build. While the vivo X20 Plus UD offers a unique in-display fingerprint sensor, the S8 Active's overall performance and durability make it the better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - AT&T |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - AT&T |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 41 - Sprint |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, January. Released 2018, January | 2017, August. Released 2017, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 155.3 x 80.1 x 7.5 mm (6.11 x 3.15 x 0.30 in) | 151.9 x 74.9 x 9.9 mm (5.98 x 2.95 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 181.5 g (6.42 oz) | 208.1 g (7.34 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
MIL-STD-810G compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~376 ppi density) | 1440 x 2960 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~568 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 106.7 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.8 inches, 85.4 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED, HDR10 |
| | - | 3D Touch (home button only)
Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 512 | Adreno 540 |
| OS | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), Funtouch 3.2 | Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), One UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/1.8, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 8 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.22µm, AF
2 MP (dedicated iris scanner camera) |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.28µm | - |
| Video | - | 1440p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 32-bit/192kHz audio
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C |
| 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, proximity, compass | Iris scanner, fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate |
| | - | Samsung DeX (desktop experience support)
ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 15W wired, QC2
Wireless |
| Music play | - | Up to 113 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 120 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 32 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3900 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Matte Black, Gold, Rose gold | Meteor Gray, Tungsten Gold |
| Models | - | SM-G892A, SM-G892U |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise - 92.4 / Crosstalk - 91.4 |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 111h
|
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 70dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 78dB
|
| Performance | - |
GeekBench: 6314 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise - 92.4 / Crosstalk - 91.4 |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 111h |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 70dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 78dB |
| Performance | - | GeekBench: 6314 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo X20 Plus UD
- In-display fingerprint sensor
- Modern design
- Potentially better display quality
- Fast charging (22.5W)
- Weaker chipset (SDM660)
- Less durable build
- Potentially less optimized software
Samsung Galaxy S8 Active
- Rugged and durable design
- Powerful Snapdragon 835 chipset
- Exceptional battery life
- Wireless charging (QC2)
- Older design
- Less vibrant display compared to modern phones
- Slower charging (15W)
Display Comparison
The vivo X20 Plus UD likely boasts a more modern display with potentially better color accuracy and resolution, though specifics are needed. The S8 Active's display is durable but older technology. Expect a brighter, more vibrant experience on the vivo.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer capable cameras, the S8 Active's Snapdragon 835 often paired with better image processing algorithms, potentially results in slightly better image quality, especially in low light. The vivo X20 Plus UD may have a more advanced camera setup with more features.
Performance
The Snapdragon 835 in the S8 Active significantly outperforms the Snapdragon 660 in the vivo X20 Plus UD. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the S8 Active. The S8 Active's 10nm process also offers better power efficiency.
Battery Life
Both phones boast impressive endurance ratings (111h). However, the S8 Active's efficient Snapdragon 835 and optimized software likely contribute to slightly better real-world battery life, especially under heavy usage.
Buying Guide
The vivo X20 Plus UD is ideal for users prioritizing a modern design and in-display fingerprint technology, and who don't need extreme durability. The Samsung Galaxy S8 Active is perfect for those needing a rugged, long-lasting phone for outdoor adventures or demanding work environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the vivo X20 Plus UD worth buying in 2024?
It depends on your priorities. If you value a modern design and in-display fingerprint sensor above all else, it might be. However, its performance is dated compared to newer phones.
❓ How durable is the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active?
The S8 Active is exceptionally durable, featuring a rugged design, reinforced corners, and water/dust resistance (IP68).
