The vivo Z1x and Samsung Galaxy A50s represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. Both aimed to deliver a balanced experience, but they took different approaches to achieving it. The Z1x prioritized processing power with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 712, while the A50s opted for Samsung’s in-house Exynos 9611. This comparison dissects these choices, revealing which phone offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the vivo Z1x emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 712 chipset, coupled with 22.5W charging, provides a smoother experience for gaming and demanding tasks. However, the A50s remains a viable option for those deeply embedded in the Samsung ecosystem.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, September | 2019, August 22. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.5 x 75.2 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.96 x 0.32 in) | 158.5 x 74.5 x 7.7 mm (6.24 x 2.93 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189.6 g (6.70 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Funtouch 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired
5W reverse wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Fusion Blue, Phantom Purple | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Green, Prism Crush Violet2 |
| Models | 1917, PD1921F_EX | SM-A507F, SM-A507FN, SM-A5070 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR | 1.03 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.43 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 154761 (v7)
GeekBench: 5295 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 9.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Z1x
- Faster 22.5W charging for quicker top-ups.
- Snapdragon 712 offers better sustained performance.
- Potentially better gaming experience due to the Adreno 616 GPU.
- Brand recognition isn't as strong as Samsung.
- Camera software may not be as refined as Samsung's.
Samsung Galaxy A50s
- Samsung’s One UI provides a familiar and feature-rich experience.
- Strong brand recognition and ecosystem integration.
- Potentially better color accuracy in the display.
- Slower 15W charging.
- Exynos 9611 prone to thermal throttling.
- Performance lags behind the Snapdragon 712.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on cutting-edge tech, but on usability. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are missing, the A50s likely benefits from Samsung’s display expertise, potentially offering slightly better color accuracy. However, this is speculative. The lack of high refresh rates on either device means the visual experience will be standard for the segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the market positioning suggests both phones prioritize versatility over flagship-level image quality. The A50s likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more vibrant and shareable photos. The Z1x, while potentially lacking the same software polish, could offer a more natural image profile. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Z1x’s Snapdragon 712 (10nm) features a Kryo CPU architecture designed for efficiency and performance. Its octa-core configuration (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) is paired with an Adreno 616 GPU. The Samsung Galaxy A50s, conversely, uses the Exynos 9611 (10nm) with a Cortex-A73/A53 CPU arrangement (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53). While both are 10nm chips, the Snapdragon 712 generally demonstrates superior sustained performance and GPU capabilities, translating to smoother gaming and faster app loading times. The Exynos 9611 is known to exhibit more thermal throttling under prolonged load, potentially impacting performance during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The vivo Z1x’s 22.5W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Samsung Galaxy A50s’ 15W charging. This translates to considerably faster top-up times, reducing downtime. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the Z1x effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. Users who frequently find themselves needing to quickly recharge will greatly benefit from the Z1x’s charging speed.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Z1x if you need a phone that can handle demanding apps and games without significant throttling, and if fast charging is a priority. It’s ideal for mobile gamers and power users on a budget. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A50s if you prefer Samsung’s One UI, value brand recognition, and prioritize a generally balanced experience over raw performance. It’s a good choice for everyday users who aren’t pushing their phone to its limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy A50s overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
Yes, the Exynos 9611 is known to exhibit thermal throttling under sustained load. This means that during extended gaming or demanding tasks, the processor will reduce its clock speed to prevent overheating, resulting in a noticeable drop in performance. The Snapdragon 712 in the vivo Z1x manages heat more efficiently.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro cameras on both the vivo Z1x and Samsung Galaxy A50s are largely a marketing gimmick. The low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization result in images that are often soft, noisy, and lack detail. They are unlikely to provide a significant improvement over using the main camera in standard photo mode.
❓ Can the vivo Z1x reliably maintain 60fps in popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 712 in the vivo Z1x is capable of running PUBG Mobile at 60fps with medium to high graphics settings. However, sustained performance may vary depending on the device's temperature and background processes. The Z1x's superior thermal management compared to the A50s makes it more likely to maintain stable frame rates over longer gaming sessions.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A50s with the included 15W charger?
With the included 15W charger, the Samsung Galaxy A50s typically takes around 2 to 2.5 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%. This is significantly slower than the vivo Z1x, which can fully charge in approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes with its 22.5W charger.
