The vivo Z5 and Huawei P Smart Z represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aimed to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they took different approaches under the hood. This comparison dissects the key differences between the Qualcomm Snapdragon 712-powered vivo Z5 and the Huawei P Smart Z, featuring the Kirin 710F, to determine which device offers the most for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and slightly faster charging, the vivo Z5 emerges as the better choice. The Snapdragon 712’s more efficient 10nm process and Kryo architecture provide a noticeable edge in sustained tasks, despite the Huawei P Smart Z’s slightly newer CPU core design.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, July. Released 2019, August | 2019, May. Released 2019, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.5 x 75.2 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.96 x 0.32 in) | 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 187 g (6.60 oz) | 196.8 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) | Kirin 710F (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@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, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | - |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora illusion, Bamboo Forest Night, Holographic illusion | Emerald Green, Midnight Black, Sapphire Blue |
| Models | V1921A, V1921T, 1921 | STK-LX1 |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 280 EUR |
vivo Z5
- Faster Snapdragon 712 processor
- More efficient 10nm manufacturing process
- 22.5W fast charging
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Software experience may vary depending on region
- Camera performance details unknown
Huawei P Smart Z
- Potentially refined EMUI software (depending on version)
- Slightly higher clocked CPU cores
- Huawei’s established brand recognition
- May be available at a lower price point
- Less efficient 12nm Kirin 710F chipset
- Slower charging speeds
- Potentially more throttling under load
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Specifications are not provided, so we must infer. Both likely feature LCD panels common in this price bracket. The key difference lies in the underlying chipset’s ability to efficiently drive the display. The Snapdragon 712’s Adreno 616 GPU is generally more capable than the Kirin 710F’s GPU, potentially leading to smoother scrolling and animations, even if the resolution and refresh rate are identical. Bezels are likely comparable, reflecting the design trends of their release periods.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market positioning, both phones likely feature a primary camera around 12-16MP. The Snapdragon 712’s image signal processor (ISP) is generally considered more advanced, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction in photos and videos. The P Smart Z may benefit from Huawei’s established image processing algorithms, but the underlying hardware advantage leans towards the vivo Z5. The inclusion of any OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) would be a significant differentiator, but is unlikely on either device.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Z5’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 (10nm) utilizes a dual-cluster architecture with 2x 2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold cores for performance and 6x 1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver cores for efficiency. This contrasts with the Huawei P Smart Z’s Kirin 710F (12nm), which employs a more traditional quad-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 and quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 configuration. While the Kirin 710F’s Cortex-A73 cores have a slightly higher clock speed, the Snapdragon 712’s architecture and smaller manufacturing process (10nm vs 12nm) generally translate to better sustained performance and thermal management. This means the Z5 is less likely to throttle under prolonged load, benefiting gamers and power users.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified, but both phones likely feature batteries in the 3500-4000 mAh range. The vivo Z5’s 22.5W wired charging is a clear advantage over the P Smart Z’s likely slower charging speed (typically 10-15W in this segment). This translates to significantly faster top-up times, reducing downtime and improving usability. The Snapdragon 712’s efficiency also contributes to potentially longer battery life during typical usage, offsetting any potential capacity difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Z5 if you need a phone that can handle multitasking and moderate gaming without significant slowdowns, and if fast charging is a priority. Buy the Huawei P Smart Z if you prefer a potentially more refined software experience (depending on region and EMUI version) and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. The P Smart Z may also appeal to those who prefer Huawei’s aesthetic.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kirin 710F struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Kirin 710F can run PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 712 in the vivo Z5 offers a more comfortable gaming experience with higher settings and less frame rate fluctuation due to its more powerful GPU and better thermal management.
❓ How much faster is the 22.5W charging on the vivo Z5 compared to the Huawei P Smart Z?
The Huawei P Smart Z likely supports standard 10W or 15W charging. The vivo Z5’s 22.5W charging can reduce a full charge time by 30-50%, meaning you’ll spend less time tethered to a wall outlet. This is a significant convenience factor for users who are frequently on the go.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 712 offer any advantages for video recording?
Yes, the Snapdragon 712’s ISP supports more advanced video encoding and stabilization features, potentially resulting in smoother and more detailed video recordings compared to the Kirin 710F. It also supports higher frame rate recording options.
