The vivo Z5 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro represent a fascinating crossroads in the mid-range smartphone market. Both devices aimed to deliver impressive features at competitive price points, but they took different approaches to achieve this. The Z5 leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 712, while the Redmi Note 8 Pro opted for MediaTek’s Helio G90T. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing gaming and display quality, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Helio G90T chipset provides a noticeable performance edge in demanding tasks, and the 640-nit display offers a brighter, more vibrant viewing experience. However, the vivo Z5 remains a viable option for those seeking a slightly more efficient processor.
| 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, 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, August 29. Released 2019, September 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.5 x 75.2 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.96 x 0.32 in) | 161.4 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.35 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 187 g (6.60 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD, HDR, 500 nits (typ) |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CC Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| 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, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| 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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| 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 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, 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 | 18W wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora illusion, Bamboo Forest Night, Holographic illusion | Black, Red, Blue, White, Deep Sea Blue, Midnight Blue, Electric Blue, Twilight Orange |
| Models | V1921A, V1921T, 1921 | 2015105, M1906G7I, M1906G7G |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.47 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -91.9dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 114h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1326:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 64dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 82dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 224759 (v7), 279355 (v8)
GeekBench: 6999 (v4.4), 1622 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Z5
- Faster 22.5W charging
- Potentially more power-efficient processor
- Clean software experience (typically)
- Less powerful chipset for gaming
- Likely dimmer display
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
- Superior gaming performance with Helio G90T
- Brighter 640-nit display
- More customizable software (typically)
- Slower 18W charging
- Potentially lower power efficiency
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 640 nits compared to the vivo Z5’s unspecified brightness. Both share a 1326:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar dynamic range. This higher peak brightness on the Redmi Note 8 Pro translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s superior brightness makes it the clear winner for media consumption and gaming in bright environments.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, given Xiaomi’s historical focus on camera innovation in the Redmi Note series, it’s reasonable to assume the Redmi Note 8 Pro likely incorporates more advanced image processing algorithms and potentially a larger primary sensor. The absence of details on OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) for either device suggests reliance on software stabilization. The Redmi Note 8 Pro’s marketing often highlighted its camera capabilities, suggesting a stronger emphasis in this area.
Performance
The chipset choice is the defining factor here. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G90T (12nm) features two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz, offering a significant architectural advantage over the vivo Z5’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 (10nm) with its two Kryo 360 Gold cores at 2.3 GHz. While the Snapdragon 712’s clock speed is higher, the G90T’s newer core design provides superior per-clock performance. This translates to smoother gameplay and faster app loading times on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, particularly in graphically intensive titles. The 12nm process of the G90T, while slightly less efficient than the 10nm Snapdragon, is offset by the architectural improvements.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Z5 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the vivo Z5 supports 22.5W wired charging, significantly faster than the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s 18W charging. This means the Z5 can replenish its battery more quickly, reducing downtime. While both offer all-day battery life, the Z5’s faster charging provides a convenience advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Z5 if you prioritize a slightly more power-efficient processor and a clean software experience. It’s a solid all-rounder for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro if you’re a mobile gamer or frequently consume multimedia content. The Helio G90T delivers superior gaming performance, and the brighter display enhances the viewing experience. The Redmi Note 8 Pro is also a better choice for users who prefer a more customizable software experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G90T in the Redmi Note 8 Pro experience significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G90T is known to generate more heat than some other mid-range chipsets. While the Redmi Note 8 Pro incorporates thermal management solutions, prolonged, demanding gaming can lead to some throttling. However, the performance remains generally consistent for most gaming scenarios, and the throttling isn't typically severe enough to render games unplayable.
❓ Is the 22.5W charging on the vivo Z5 compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
While the vivo Z5 supports 22.5W charging, it likely uses vivo’s proprietary charging protocol rather than the industry-standard Power Delivery (PD). Therefore, using a PD charger may not achieve the full 22.5W charging speed. It’s best to use the charger included with the device or a compatible vivo charger.
❓ Which phone is better suited for running multiple apps simultaneously?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, with its more powerful Helio G90T chipset and likely more efficient RAM management, is better equipped to handle multitasking and running multiple apps simultaneously without significant performance slowdowns. The Snapdragon 712 in the vivo Z5 is capable, but the G90T offers a noticeable advantage in this area.
