vivo Xplay5 Elite vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: A Generational Clash

The vivo Xplay5 Elite, a 2016 flagship, boasted impressive specs for its time. Now, it faces off against the modern powerhouse, the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max. Can a phone from a bygone era compete with today's technology? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 14 Pro Max decisively wins this comparison. While the Xplay5 Elite was a strong contender in 2016, the iPhone's superior performance, camera, display, and modern features make it the clear choice for most users. The Xplay5 Elite's legacy is in its innovative design, not its current capabilities.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Xplay5 Elite Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Network
2G bandsGSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2894, A2896
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2894, A2896
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
  TD-SCDMA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2895
Launch
Announced2016, March. Released 2016, March2022, September 07
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2022, September 16
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back, stainless steel frame
Dimensions153.5 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm (6.04 x 3.00 x 0.30 in)160.7 x 77.6 x 7.9 mm (6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)· eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)
Weight167.8 g (5.93 oz)240 g (8.47 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
Display
Protection-Ceramic Shield glass
Resolution1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~541 ppi density)1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size5.43 inches, 81.3 cm2 (~69.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~88.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLEDLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)
 -Always-On display
Platform
CPUQuad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo)Hexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth)
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm)Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 530Apple GPU (5-core graphics)
OSAndroid 6.0 (Marshmallow), Funtouch 2.6iOS 16, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM
 -NVMe
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.8", 1.12µm, PDAF12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", PDAF, OIS (unconfirmed) SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Triple-48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 77mm (telephoto), 1/3.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, stereo sound rec.
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.412 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video-4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/192kHz audio -
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioFM radioNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGLightning, USB 2.0
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, hotspot
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ultra Wideband (UWB) support Emergency SOS via satellite (SMS sending/receiving)
Battery
Charging18W wiredWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update
TypeLi-Ion 3600 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 4323 mAh (16.68 Wh)
Misc
ColorsSilver, Gold, Rose GoldSpace Black, Silver, Gold, Deep Purple
Models-A2894, A2651, A2893, A2895, A2896, iphone15,3
PriceAbout 610 EUR€ 530.79 / $ 489.81 / £ 446.75
SAR-1.15 W/kg (head)     1.07 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.99 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality Noise -92.9dB / Crosstalk -85.5dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 85h Endurance rating 121h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 7160 (nominal), 3.983 (sunlight) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker Voice 62dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 66dB -24.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance Basemark OS II 2.0: 2175Basemark X: 35180 AnTuTu: 955884 (v9) GeekBench: 5423 (v5.1) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo Xplay5 Elite

  • Unique design
  • Good value on the used market (if found)
  • Decent performance for its age

  • Outdated hardware
  • Limited software support
  • Poor camera compared to modern phones
  • Slow charging

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

  • Exceptional performance
  • Stunning camera system
  • Bright and vibrant display
  • Long battery life
  • Fast charging (wired & wireless)
  • Excellent software support

  • Expensive
  • Limited customization options compared to Android
  • Repair costs can be high

Display Comparison

The iPhone 14 Pro Max's display is a significant upgrade. Its 1760 nits peak brightness blows the Xplay5 Elite's contrast ratio (7160 nominal, 3.983 sunlight) out of the water, offering incredible visibility even in direct sunlight. The iPhone's display technology is also far more advanced, with ProMotion (adaptive refresh rate) for smoother scrolling and animations.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the iPhone 14 Pro Max's camera system is vastly superior. It features a larger sensor, advanced image processing, and features like Cinematic mode and ProRes video recording. The Xplay5 Elite's camera was good for its time, but it simply can't compete with the iPhone's capabilities.

Performance

The A16 Bionic chip in the iPhone 14 Pro Max is in a different league than the Snapdragon 820 in the Xplay5 Elite. The iPhone offers significantly faster processing speeds, smoother multitasking, and better graphics performance. The A16's efficiency also contributes to better battery life.

Battery Life

Both phones have an endurance rating of 85h, but this is a very old metric. The iPhone 14 Pro Max's battery life is significantly better in real-world usage due to the efficiency of the A16 chip and iOS optimization. The iPhone also offers faster charging with PD2.0 and MagSafe wireless charging.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the vivo Xplay5 Elite? Likely only collectors or those seeking a nostalgic experience with a unique design. Who should buy the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max? Anyone seeking a top-tier smartphone with exceptional performance, a stunning camera, and a long-lasting battery.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the vivo Xplay5 Elite still usable in 2024?
Yes, but with significant limitations. Software updates are long gone, and app compatibility may be an issue. It's best suited for basic tasks and nostalgia.
❓ Why is the iPhone 14 Pro Max so expensive?
The iPhone 14 Pro Max's high price reflects its premium components, advanced technology, and Apple's brand reputation. It represents a top-tier smartphone experience.