The vivo Z5 and Samsung Galaxy M30s represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver a balanced experience, but they take different approaches. The Z5 prioritizes processing power with a Snapdragon 712, while the M30s focuses on endurance and display quality, boasting a 130-hour endurance rating and a bright 642 nit panel. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the vivo Z5 emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 712 offers a noticeable edge in processing tasks and gaming. However, the Samsung Galaxy M30s remains a strong contender for those valuing long battery life and a brighter display.
| 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, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, July. Released 2019, August | 2019, September 18. Released 2019, October 30 |
| 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) | 159 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.26 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 187 g (6.60 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| 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 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) |
| | 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), Funtouch 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB 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, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| 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, RDS, recording |
| 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 | 15W wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 6000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora illusion, Bamboo Forest Night, Holographic illusion | Opal Black, Sapphire Blue, Pearl White |
| Models | V1921A, V1921T, 1921 | SM-M307F, SM-M307FN, SM-M307F/DS, SM-M307FN/DS, SM-M3070 |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.47 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.49 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -93.2dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 130h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 152075 (v7), 180321 (v8)
GeekBench: 5566 (v4.4), 1288 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Z5
- Faster Snapdragon 712 processor
- 22.5W fast charging for quicker top-ups
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Battery capacity and endurance rating unknown
- Display specifications are less detailed
Samsung Galaxy M30s
- Excellent 130-hour battery endurance
- Bright 642 nit display for outdoor visibility
- Potentially more affordable
- Slower 15W charging
- Exynos 9611 may exhibit more throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy M30s boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 642 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the vivo Z5. This translates to better outdoor visibility. While both displays are described as having an 'infinite' contrast ratio (likely a marketing term for high contrast), the M30s' higher peak brightness is a tangible advantage. The Z5's display specifications are less detailed, leaving questions about color accuracy and panel technology unanswered. The M30s' brightness is a clear win for users who frequently use their phones outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without information on sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization (OIS), a direct comparison is difficult. However, the prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are likely of limited utility. The image processing style will likely differ between the two, with Samsung typically favoring more saturated colors and vivo aiming for a more natural look. Without further details, it's difficult to declare a clear winner; the camera performance will likely depend on software optimization.
Performance
The vivo Z5's Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 (10nm) and the Samsung Galaxy M30s' Exynos 9611 (10nm) are both 10nm chips, but their architectures differ. The Snapdragon 712 utilizes Kryo 360 cores – 2x2.3 GHz Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Silver – while the Exynos 9611 employs a Cortex-A73 (4x2.3 GHz) and Cortex-A53 (4x1.7 GHz) configuration. The Kryo cores in the Snapdragon 712 generally offer better sustained performance and efficiency. While both CPUs have similar peak clock speeds, the Snapdragon 712's architecture is optimized for more consistent performance under load. This translates to smoother multitasking and a better gaming experience on the vivo Z5.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy M30s claims an impressive endurance rating of 130 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the vivo Z5's battery capacity is unknown, the M30s' endurance rating suggests it will last longer on a single charge. However, the Z5 compensates with significantly faster 22.5W wired charging, compared to the M30s' 15W charging. This means the Z5 can replenish its battery much quicker, mitigating the potential disadvantage of a smaller battery capacity. The M30s prioritizes longevity, while the Z5 prioritizes convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Z5 if you need a phone for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, and appreciate faster 22.5W charging. You'll benefit from the Snapdragon 712's superior CPU and GPU performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M30s if you prioritize all-day battery life and a vibrant display for media consumption, and are less concerned with peak performance. Its 130-hour endurance rating and 642 nit brightness make it ideal for heavy users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Samsung Galaxy M30s tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is known to exhibit some throttling under sustained load, meaning performance may decrease slightly during extended gaming. While it won't necessarily overheat to the point of being unusable, users may experience frame drops or reduced performance after a prolonged gaming session. The Snapdragon 712 in the vivo Z5 generally handles thermal management more efficiently.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using, or is it just a marketing gimmick?
The 2MP macro cameras on both the vivo Z5 and Samsung Galaxy M30s are likely to be of limited utility. Their low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS) result in images that often lack detail and sharpness. They are primarily included for marketing purposes and are unlikely to deliver significant improvements in macro photography.
❓ Can the vivo Z5 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates (90fps)?
While the Snapdragon 712 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, achieving a consistent 90fps experience will depend on the game settings and the phone's thermal management. Lowering graphics settings is likely necessary to maintain a stable frame rate. The Z5's faster processor gives it an advantage over the M30s in this regard, but it's not a guaranteed 90fps experience.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy M30s with its 15W charger?
With its 15W charging, the Samsung Galaxy M30s will likely take around 2.5 to 3 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%. While the battery life is excellent, the slower charging speed is a trade-off. The vivo Z5's 22.5W charging significantly reduces this time.
