The vivo Z5i and Realme X2 Pro represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Z5i, powered by the Snapdragon 675, aims for affordability, while the X2 Pro, with its Snapdragon 855+, targets a more performance-focused user. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best experience for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and fast charging, the Realme X2 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 855+ offers a significant leap in processing power and gaming capabilities, complemented by 50W SuperVOOC charging. However, the vivo Z5i remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers who don't demand flagship-level speed.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - China |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - EMEA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November. Released 2019, November | 2019, October 15. Released 2019, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 161 x 75.7 x 8.7 mm (6.34 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.5 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.2 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | 64GB UFS 2.1, 128/256GB UFS 3.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.5, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with Dolby Atmos stereo speakers (2 dedicated amplifiers) |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio (incl. speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 50W wired, 100% in 35 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glazed Black, Jade Blue | Lunar White, Neptune Blue, Red Master Edition, Gray Master Edition |
| Models | - | RMX1931 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 440 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.3dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 94h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 82dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 91dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 396827 (v7), 467653 (v8)
GeekBench: 10373 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Z5i
- More affordable price point
- Decent battery life (94h endurance)
- Sufficient for everyday tasks
- Significantly slower processor
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Likely inferior camera performance
Realme X2 Pro
- Powerful Snapdragon 855+ processor
- Ultra-fast 50W charging (35 min to 100%)
- Likely superior camera system
- Excellent battery life (94h endurance)
- Higher price tag
- Potential for more heat generation under heavy load
Display Comparison
Both devices share a nominal 'infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting they utilize AMOLED panels, but specific details like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are missing. The Realme X2 Pro, being a higher-tier device, likely benefits from a more refined display calibration. Without further data, it's reasonable to assume the X2 Pro offers a slightly superior viewing experience, though both will likely provide vibrant colors and deep blacks characteristic of AMOLED technology.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific details are absent. Given the X2 Pro’s positioning, it likely features a more sophisticated camera system with a larger sensor and potentially optical image stabilization (OIS). While the Z5i may offer acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions, the X2 Pro is expected to excel in low-light scenarios and provide more detailed photos and videos. The absence of sensor size information makes a precise comparison impossible, but the X2 Pro’s higher price point suggests a more capable camera setup.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme X2 Pro’s Snapdragon 855+ (7nm) is a significant upgrade over the vivo Z5i’s Snapdragon 675 (11nm). The 855+ features a Kryo 485 core clocked at 2.96 GHz, compared to the Z5i’s 2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold core. This translates to a substantial performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The 7nm process node of the 855+ also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during prolonged gaming sessions. The Z5i’s 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver cores are efficient for background tasks, but cannot match the sustained performance of the X2 Pro’s chipset.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 94 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Realme X2 Pro’s 50W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving 100% charge in just 35 minutes. The vivo Z5i’s 18W charging is significantly slower. This means the X2 Pro offers greater convenience, allowing users to quickly top up their battery when needed, even if the overall battery capacity is similar. The faster charging effectively mitigates any potential battery life differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Z5i if you need a reliable daily driver for basic tasks, social media, and light gaming, and prioritize affordability above all else. Its Snapdragon 675 is sufficient for everyday use. Buy the Realme X2 Pro if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience, especially for demanding games and multitasking, and value incredibly fast charging speeds. The 855+ provides a substantial performance boost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 675 in the vivo Z5i struggle with graphically demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 675 can run PUBG, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. Genshin Impact may be playable at the lowest settings, but expect noticeable performance limitations. The X2 Pro’s Snapdragon 855+ will handle these games at maximum settings with ease.
❓ How much faster is the 50W charging on the Realme X2 Pro compared to the 18W charging on the vivo Z5i in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The X2 Pro can go from 0% to 100% in approximately 35 minutes, while the Z5i will take well over an hour, potentially closer to two hours, to achieve a full charge. This means you can quickly top up the X2 Pro during short breaks, whereas the Z5i requires a longer charging period.
❓ Does the Realme X2 Pro get noticeably hotter than the vivo Z5i during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 855+ is a more powerful chip and will generate more heat than the Snapdragon 675. While the X2 Pro likely has thermal management features to mitigate this, it may still get warmer during prolonged gaming. The Z5i will remain cooler, but at the cost of performance.
