The vivo Z5x (2020) and Realme X2 Pro represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Z5x aims for affordability with a capable Snapdragon 712, while the X2 Pro, even with some age, packs a flagship Snapdragon 855+ and blazing-fast 50W charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best experience for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme X2 Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 855+ provides significantly more processing power, translating to smoother multitasking and a better gaming experience. The 50W SuperVOOC charging is a game-changer, fully charging the device in just 35 minutes, a feature the Z5x’s 18W charging simply can’t match.
| 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, 4, 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 / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - EMEA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 09. Released 2020, June 09 | 2019, October 15. Released 2019, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 162.4 x 77.3 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.04 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 | 204.1 g (7.20 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 (~83.4% 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 (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Funtouch 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | 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), 1/2.8", 1.12µm, AF
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 50W wired, 100% in 35 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White, Dark Blue | Lunar White, Neptune Blue, Red Master Edition, Gray Master Edition |
| Models | - | RMX1931 |
| Price | About 160 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 Z5x (2020)
- More affordable price point
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Acceptable battery life
- Significantly slower charging speed
- Less powerful processor compared to the X2 Pro
- Limited future-proofing
Realme X2 Pro
- Flagship-level Snapdragon 855+ performance
- Blazing-fast 50W SuperVOOC charging
- Superior gaming experience
- Higher price tag
- May be harder to find new
- Potentially larger physical size
Display Comparison
Both devices share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting both utilize AMOLED panels. However, detailed display specs like resolution and peak brightness are missing for the Z5x. The X2 Pro’s AMOLED panel benefits from the powerful image processing of the Snapdragon 855+, likely delivering vibrant colors and deep blacks. Without specific data on the Z5x’s panel, it’s difficult to assess its color accuracy or outdoor visibility compared to the X2 Pro.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific details are lacking. The X2 Pro likely benefits from the Snapdragon 855+'s superior image signal processor (ISP), enabling faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. While the Z5x’s camera is likely adequate for casual photography, the X2 Pro’s hardware and software combination likely delivers a more refined and versatile camera experience. Without sensor size or aperture information, a detailed comparison is impossible, but the X2 Pro’s flagship chipset gives it a clear advantage.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme X2 Pro’s Snapdragon 855+ (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the vivo Z5x’s Snapdragon 712 (10nm). The 855+ features a 1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 core, alongside three 2.42 GHz cores and four 1.8 GHz cores, compared to the Z5x’s 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver. This translates to a significant performance advantage for the X2 Pro in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The 7nm process node of the 855+ also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both phones achieve an endurance rating of 94 hours. However, this doesn't tell the whole story. The Realme X2 Pro’s 50W SuperVOOC charging is a standout feature, capable of charging the battery to 100% in just 35 minutes. The vivo Z5x’s 18W charging is considerably slower. While both may last a similar amount of time on a single charge, the X2 Pro’s rapid charging capability significantly reduces downtime and offers greater convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Z5x (2020) if you prioritize a lower price point and are content with everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. Buy the Realme X2 Pro if you demand flagship-level performance, faster charging speeds, and a more future-proof experience, even if it comes at a higher cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 712 in the vivo Z5x sufficient for playing demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 712 can handle PUBG and Call of Duty, but you'll likely need to lower graphics settings for a smooth experience. The X2 Pro’s Snapdragon 855+ offers a significantly more comfortable gaming experience with higher frame rates and graphical fidelity.
❓ How much faster is the 50W charging on the Realme X2 Pro compared to the 18W charging on the vivo Z5x?
The Realme X2 Pro’s 50W charging can fully charge the battery in approximately 35 minutes, while the vivo Z5x’s 18W charging will take considerably longer – likely over 2 hours. This difference is substantial and offers a significant convenience advantage to the X2 Pro.
❓ Does the Realme X2 Pro experience overheating issues during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 855+ is known to generate heat, but the X2 Pro’s thermal management system is generally effective at preventing significant throttling. While some warmth is expected during extended gaming, it shouldn’t lead to a drastic performance drop.
❓ Is the camera on the vivo Z5x good enough for casual social media photography?
The vivo Z5x’s camera is likely adequate for casual social media photography in good lighting conditions. However, the X2 Pro’s superior image processing and potentially larger sensor will deliver better image quality, especially in low-light scenarios.
