The vivo Z3x and Samsung Galaxy A50s represent compelling options in the budget to mid-range smartphone space. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches to achieving this. The Z3x relies on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 660, a well-established chipset, while the A50s utilizes Samsung's in-house Exynos 9611. This comparison dives deep into the nuances of each device to determine which offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a proven track record, the vivo Z3x emerges as the slightly better choice. While the Samsung Galaxy A50s boasts 15W charging, the Snapdragon 660's efficiency and established optimization give it an edge in sustained tasks and gaming, despite the Exynos 9611's higher clock speeds.
| 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, April. Released 2019, May | 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 | 154.8 x 75 x 7.9 mm (6.09 x 2.95 x 0.31 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 | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.26 inches, 97.8 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 512 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | - | 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 | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | - | 4K@30fps, 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 | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3260 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Red, Aurora | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Green, Prism Crush Violet2 |
| Models | V1730GA | SM-A507F, SM-A507FN, SM-A5070 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| 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 Z3x
- Proven Snapdragon 660 performance
- Potentially better thermal management
- Established software optimization
- Likely slower charging speeds
- Older chipset architecture
Samsung Galaxy A50s
- Faster 15W wired charging
- Samsung ecosystem integration
- Potentially improved color calibration
- Exynos 9611 may throttle under sustained load
- Potentially more aggressive image processing
Display Comparison
Neither device is known for a standout display. Given the context data lacks display specifics, we can infer both likely utilize IPS LCD panels common in this price bracket. The A50s, being a slightly newer device, *may* benefit from improved color calibration, but this is speculative. The real difference lies elsewhere. Bezels are likely comparable, reflecting the design trends of their respective release periods.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature multi-camera setups geared towards versatility. The A50s, being a Samsung, likely employs more aggressive image processing, potentially resulting in more vibrant, but less natural-looking photos. The Z3x, with its Snapdragon ISP, may prioritize accuracy. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and shouldn't heavily influence purchasing decisions. Sensor size and aperture would be the critical factors, but are unknown.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A50s’ Exynos 9611, built on a 10nm process, features a CPU with higher clock speeds (2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 vs 2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold). However, the Snapdragon 660’s Kryo cores, while clocked slightly lower, are architecturally more efficient. The 14nm process of the SDM660 is older, but Qualcomm’s optimization is key. This translates to potentially better sustained performance under load, as the Snapdragon 660 is less prone to thermal throttling. The Exynos 9611’s higher clock speeds may offer a slight advantage in burst performance, but the Z3x will likely maintain performance longer during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A50s has a clear advantage with its 15W wired charging. This will significantly reduce charging times compared to the Z3x, which likely supports a slower charging standard. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging of the A50s is a tangible benefit for users who frequently need to top up their phones. The Snapdragon 660’s efficiency *could* partially offset a smaller battery capacity in the Z3x, but the A50s’ charging speed is a significant convenience factor.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Z3x if you need a phone that prioritizes consistent performance for everyday tasks and light gaming, and value a chipset with a strong history of software optimization. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A50s if you prefer faster charging speeds and are heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem, potentially benefiting from software features and integration.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy A50s overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611, while boasting higher clock speeds, is built on a 10nm process which can lead to thermal throttling during extended gaming. While it won't necessarily 'overheat' to a dangerous degree, expect performance to decrease over time as the chip gets warmer. The Snapdragon 660 in the Z3x, with its efficient architecture, is likely to maintain more consistent performance.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget and mid-range phones offer limited utility. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. While they can be fun to experiment with, don't base your purchasing decision on this feature. Focus on the quality of the main camera sensor.
❓ Will the Samsung Galaxy A50s support 90fps gameplay in demanding titles like PUBG?
Achieving a stable 90fps in PUBG on the Galaxy A50s is unlikely, even with graphics settings reduced. The Exynos 9611 is capable, but the game's optimization and the phone's thermal limitations will likely cap frame rates around 60fps. The Z3x will likely offer similar performance.
