The vivo Z3x and Realme 3 Pro represent a fascinating point in smartphone history – the transition from capable but aging mid-range chipsets to more efficient and powerful options. Both devices aimed for the budget-conscious consumer, but their internal choices reveal distinct priorities. This comparison dissects the differences between the Snapdragon 660-powered Z3x and the Snapdragon 710-equipped 3 Pro, helping you determine which offers the best experience for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 3 Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 710 chipset, built on a more efficient 10nm process, delivers noticeably better performance and thermal management. While both phones share an identical endurance rating, the 3 Pro’s 20W fast charging provides a significant convenience advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - India |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - EMEA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, April. Released 2019, May | 2019, April 22. Released 2019, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 154.8 x 75 x 7.9 mm (6.09 x 2.95 x 0.31 in) | 156.8 x 74.2 x 8.3 mm (6.17 x 2.92 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 172 g (6.07 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.26 inches, 97.8 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) | Qualcomm SDM710 Snapdragon 710 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 512 | Adreno 616 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9 | Android 9.0 (Pie), planned upgrade to Android 10, ColorOS 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 16 MP, f/1.7, 1/2.6", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 25 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 20W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Music play | - | Up to 126 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 383 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 32 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3260 mAh, non-removable | 4045 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Red, Aurora | Carbon Gray, Nitro Blue, Lightning Purple |
| Models | V1730GA | RMX1851 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 270 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.9dB / Crosstalk -91.1dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 91h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1782:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 67dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 90dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 155647 (v7)
GeekBench: 5881 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Z3x
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Decent battery endurance
- Older Snapdragon 660 chipset
- Less efficient 14nm process
- Likely slower charging speeds
Realme 3 Pro
- More powerful Snapdragon 710 chipset
- Efficient 10nm process
- 20W fast charging (50% in 30 min)
- May be slightly more expensive
- Similar battery endurance to Z3x
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
Both the vivo Z3x and Realme 3 Pro share a nominal contrast ratio of 1782:1, suggesting similar display quality in terms of black levels and color vibrancy. However, detailed specifications regarding panel type (IPS vs AMOLED), peak brightness, and color gamut coverage are missing. Given the price bracket, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The absence of high refresh rate support is expected. The real-world difference in display experience will likely be minimal, focusing more on viewing angles and color accuracy, which are currently unknown.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Realme brand historically focuses more on camera performance than vivo’s Z series. It’s reasonable to assume the Realme 3 Pro benefits from more refined image processing algorithms and potentially a larger primary sensor. The inclusion of a dedicated Night Mode on the 3 Pro (based on marketing materials) further suggests a more comprehensive camera experience. The absence of details regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 3 Pro’s Snapdragon 710 (10nm) is a clear upgrade over the vivo Z3x’s Snapdragon 660 (14nm). The 710 features a Kryo 360 CPU with a 2x2.2 GHz Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Silver configuration, compared to the 660’s 4x2.2 GHz Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Silver. This translates to better multi-core performance and improved efficiency. The 10nm process node of the 710 also contributes to lower heat generation, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. While both have 6GB of RAM (assumed based on market positioning), the 710’s superior architecture will provide a snappier experience.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both the vivo Z3x and Realme 3 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 91 hours. This suggests similar real-world battery life despite the Snapdragon 710’s increased performance. However, the Realme 3 Pro boasts 20W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 30 minutes. The Z3x’s charging speed is unknown, but likely slower. This charging speed difference is a significant convenience factor, allowing the 3 Pro to quickly top up when needed, mitigating any potential battery life discrepancies.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Z3x if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. The Snapdragon 660 is still functional for these scenarios. Buy the Realme 3 Pro if you value smoother multitasking, improved gaming performance, and faster charging speeds. The Snapdragon 710 offers a tangible upgrade in responsiveness and overall user experience, making it ideal for those who demand more from their device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 710 in the Realme 3 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 710 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The 10nm process and improved GPU architecture provide a noticeable advantage over the Snapdragon 660, reducing the likelihood of overheating and frame drops during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 660 and 710 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
While both chipsets can handle everyday tasks, the Snapdragon 710 offers a smoother and more responsive experience. App loading times will be faster, multitasking will be more fluid, and animations will appear less laggy. The difference is subtle but noticeable, especially when switching between multiple apps.
❓ Does the Realme 3 Pro support USB-C Power Delivery for faster charging with compatible chargers?
While the Realme 3 Pro supports 20W fast charging, it does not explicitly advertise support for USB-C Power Delivery (PD). It utilizes VOOC Flash Charge, Realme’s proprietary fast charging standard. Using a standard USB-C PD charger will likely result in slower charging speeds.
