The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme GT Neo5 SE and vivo Y78 (China) represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. The GT Neo5 SE aims for performance dominance with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2, while the Y78 focuses on a balanced experience with MediaTek’s Dimensity 7020. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme GT Neo5 SE is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset provides a significant performance uplift over the Dimensity 7020, and the 100W charging is a game-changer. However, the vivo Y78 remains a viable option for those prioritizing value and a more conservative power profile.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 10 | 2023, April 03 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May 13 | Available. Released 2023, April 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 163.9 x 75.8 x 9 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 193.1 g (6.81 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1240 x 2772 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~451 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.64 inches, 106.8 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.74 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10 | OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 1400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.91 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.49 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7020 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7475-AB Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | IMG BXM-8-256 | Adreno 725 |
| OS | Android 13, OriginOS 3 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/3.3, (microscope) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired | 100W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Gold | Black, Gradient |
| Models | V2278A | RMX3700, RMX3701 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 270 EUR |
vivo Y78 (China)
- Faster processor for gaming and multitasking
- Significantly faster 100W charging
- Potentially better display quality (higher refresh rate, brightness)
- May be slightly more expensive
- Potentially less battery life due to higher power draw
Realme GT Neo5 SE
- More affordable price point
- Potentially better battery efficiency
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Slower processor compared to Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2
- Slower 44W charging
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the GT Neo5 SE’s positioning, it likely features a higher refresh rate panel (potentially 120Hz or 144Hz) compared to the Y78. Realme typically prioritizes display quality in its Neo series. The Y78, being a more budget-focused device, may utilize a standard 60Hz or 90Hz panel. Color accuracy and peak brightness will likely be superior on the GT Neo5 SE, assuming it employs a more advanced panel technology.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera sensor details, analysis is limited. However, Realme’s GT series generally emphasizes camera capabilities. It’s reasonable to assume the GT Neo5 SE features a larger primary sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms than the Y78. The Y78 likely focuses on providing adequate camera performance for social media and casual photography. The aperture sizes and presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) will be key differentiators, favoring the GT Neo5 SE if equipped.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme GT Neo5 SE’s Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4nm) is a clear winner over the vivo Y78’s Dimensity 7020 (6nm). The Snapdragon utilizes a 1x Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 2.91 GHz, alongside 3x Cortex-A710 performance cores, offering significantly higher peak performance than the Y78’s 2x Cortex-A78 and 6x Cortex-A55 configuration. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon also translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling during sustained workloads. Gamers and power users will see a substantial benefit from the GT Neo5 SE.
Battery Life
The Realme GT Neo5 SE’s 100W wired charging is a massive advantage. This allows for a full charge in under 30 minutes, a significant time saver compared to the Y78’s 44W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2’s efficiency could offset a potentially smaller battery in the GT Neo5 SE, providing comparable real-world battery life despite the faster charging. The Y78 will likely require more frequent charging due to the less efficient Dimensity 7020 and slower charging speed.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y78 (China) if you need a reliable daily driver with decent performance for everyday tasks and prioritize a slightly more efficient chipset for potentially longer battery life. Buy the Realme GT Neo5 SE if you prefer a noticeably faster and more responsive experience, especially for gaming and demanding applications, and value the convenience of incredibly fast 100W charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 in the Realme GT Neo5 SE handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 is a capable chipset for gaming. It should comfortably run Genshin Impact at high settings with stable frame rates, though you may need to adjust graphics settings for extended play sessions to manage thermals. The improved GPU performance compared to the Dimensity 7020 makes a significant difference.
❓ How long does it realistically take to charge the Realme GT Neo5 SE from 0% to 100% with the 100W charger?
Realistically, the Realme GT Neo5 SE can charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 25-30 minutes with the included 100W charger. This is a substantial time saving compared to standard charging speeds and makes topping up the battery incredibly convenient.
❓ Is the Dimensity 7020 in the vivo Y78 sufficient for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and video streaming?
Absolutely. The Dimensity 7020 is more than capable of handling everyday tasks smoothly. It provides a responsive experience for browsing, social media, video streaming, and most common applications. It’s a solid choice for users who don’t require extreme performance.
❓ Does the Realme GT Neo5 SE support 5G connectivity?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 includes an integrated 5G modem, meaning the Realme GT Neo5 SE fully supports 5G connectivity, allowing you to take advantage of faster mobile data speeds where available.
