vivo X51 5G vs OnePlus 8T: A Deep Dive into Performance, Camera, and Value

The vivo X51 5G and OnePlus 8T represent compelling options in the mid-to-high range 5G smartphone market. While both devices aim to deliver a premium experience, they diverge significantly in their core hardware choices, particularly in their chipsets. This comparison will dissect these differences, focusing on how they impact real-world performance, camera quality, and overall value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and fast charging, the OnePlus 8T is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the vivo X51 5G’s Snapdragon 765G, and its 65W charging is significantly faster. However, the X51 5G remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X51 5G OnePlus 8T
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - EU
5G bands1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - EU
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5G 7.5 Gbps DL
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - CN
Launch
Announced2020, October 21. Released 2020, October 232020, October 14
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, October 16
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions158.5 x 72.8 x 8 mm (6.24 x 2.87 x 0.31 in)160.7 x 74.1 x 8.4 mm (6.33 x 2.92 x 0.33 in)
KeyboardQWERTY-
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight181.5 g (6.42 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2376 pixels (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.56 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~90.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+Fluid AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 620Adreno 650
OSAndroid 10, Funtouch 10.0Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1 UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF, gimbal OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 135mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.5, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm 5 MP (macro) 2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome)
Single3.15 MP-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
BrowserHTML-
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (market dependant)
Battery
Charging33W wired, 57% in 30 min65W wired, 100% in 39 min
Music playUp to 5 h-
Stand-byUp to 312 h-
Talk timeUp to 3 h-
Type4315 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsGrayAquamarine Green, Lunar Silver, Cyberpunk 2077 Edition
ModelsXE710KB2001, KB2000, KB2003, KB2005
PriceAbout 760 EUR€ 130.75
SAR0.35 W/kg (head)     0.95 W/kg (body)     -
SAR EU0.20 W/kg (head)     -
Pricing
256GB 8GB RAM$ 885.00-
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 104h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.0 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 586000 (v8) GeekBench: 3126 (v5.1) GFXBench: 46fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo X51 5G

  • More affordable price point
  • Respectable 5G connectivity
  • Decent battery endurance

  • Less powerful Snapdragon 765G chipset
  • Slower 33W charging
  • Limited display brightness information

OnePlus 8T

  • Significantly faster Snapdragon 865 chipset
  • Ultra-fast 65W charging (0-100% in 39 mins)
  • Brighter display (802 nits)

  • Higher price tag
  • Potentially more heat generation under heavy load
  • Similar battery endurance to X51 5G despite more powerful processor

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 8T boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 802 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the X51 5G. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels for vibrant colors, the 8T’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. The OnePlus 8T also features an 'infinite' contrast ratio, typical of AMOLED technology, providing deep blacks and excellent image clarity. Details regarding the X51 5G’s display technology are limited, but it’s reasonable to assume it also leverages AMOLED for a similar visual experience, albeit potentially less bright.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but specifics are limited. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the OnePlus 8T’s higher processing power allows for more sophisticated image processing algorithms, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. The X51 5G may focus on software optimizations to compensate for its less powerful chipset, but it’s unlikely to match the 8T’s raw processing capabilities. The absence of details regarding OIS or sensor size on either device makes a precise comparison impossible.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus 8T is powered by the Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7nm+), featuring a Cortex-A77 prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz. This is a significant step up from the vivo X51 5G’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm), which utilizes a Kryo 475 Prime core at 2.4 GHz. The 865’s more advanced architecture and higher clock speeds deliver substantially better CPU and GPU performance. The 865 also benefits from a more refined 7nm+ process, potentially offering better thermal efficiency under sustained load. While both phones feature 8GB of RAM, the 865’s superior processing power will allow the OnePlus 8T to handle multitasking and demanding applications with greater ease.

Battery Life

Both phones have an endurance rating of 104 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite the OnePlus 8T’s more powerful processor. This indicates efficient power management on both sides. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The OnePlus 8T’s 65W wired charging can fully charge the device in just 39 minutes, while the vivo X51 5G’s 33W charging takes 30 minutes to reach 57%. This makes the OnePlus 8T significantly more convenient for users who need a quick power boost.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X51 5G if you need a capable 5G phone with a respectable camera and are prioritizing value and a more affordable price point. Buy the OnePlus 8T if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and if rapid charging is a must-have feature. The 8T is geared towards power users, while the X51 5G caters to mainstream consumers.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 765G in the vivo X51 5G struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 765G is a capable mid-range chipset, but it will likely require reduced graphics settings and frame rates to achieve a smooth experience in demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact. The OnePlus 8T’s Snapdragon 865 offers a significantly better gaming experience with the ability to run these games at higher settings without significant frame drops.
❓ How much faster is the 65W charging on the OnePlus 8T compared to the 33W charging on the vivo X51 5G in real-world usage?
The OnePlus 8T’s 65W charging is substantially faster. While the X51 5G reaches 57% charge in 30 minutes, the 8T can fully charge in 39 minutes. This means you can get a significant top-up in a shorter amount of time with the OnePlus 8T, making it ideal for users who frequently need to recharge quickly.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Snapdragon 765G and 865 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks like browsing and social media, the difference may not be immediately apparent. However, the Snapdragon 865 in the OnePlus 8T will provide a smoother and more responsive experience when switching between apps, opening large files, or performing multitasking. The 865’s extra processing power ensures a more fluid user experience overall.