The vivo Z5x and Samsung Galaxy A70s represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver a balanced experience, but they take different approaches to achieving it. The Z5x prioritizes a slightly more powerful chipset, while the A70s focuses on faster charging and Samsung’s established software ecosystem. This comparison will dissect the key differences to help you determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and a refined software experience, the Samsung Galaxy A70s is the better choice. Its 25W charging significantly reduces downtime, and Samsung’s One UI offers a smoother, more feature-rich experience. However, the vivo Z5x offers a slight performance edge for gamers on a tighter budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 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 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, June | 2019, September. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.4 x 77.3 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 164.3 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm (6.47 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204.1 g (7.20 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM710 Snapdragon 710 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Adreno 612 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| 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 |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Dark Gray, Blue | Prism Crush Red, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Black |
| Models | V1911A, V1919A, 1919 | SM-A707F, SM-A707FN, SM-A707GM, SM-A707MN, SM-A7070, SM-A707W |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 380 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) |
vivo Z5x
- Slightly more powerful CPU for gaming
- Potentially lower price point
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 offers good all-around performance
- Slower 18W charging
- Less refined software experience
- Potentially higher thermal throttling
Samsung Galaxy A70s
- Faster 25W charging
- More efficient Snapdragon 675 chipset
- Samsung’s One UI provides a smoother experience
- Slightly less CPU horsepower than the Z5x
- Potentially higher price
- Samsung’s software can include bloatware
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are unavailable, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels common in this price bracket. The focus here isn’t on display quality, but rather on the underlying performance. The absence of high refresh rates on either device suggests a focus on battery life over visual fluidity.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely employ similar sensor configurations targeting the mid-range market. The image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 675 is newer and generally offers improved image processing capabilities, potentially leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction in photos and videos. The A70s likely benefits from Samsung’s established camera software algorithms, which are known for producing vibrant and shareable images. The Z5x will rely more heavily on vivo’s image processing, which tends to favor a more natural look.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the vivo Z5x features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 (10nm), while the Samsung Galaxy A70s uses the Snapdragon 675 (11nm). The 675, built on an 11nm process, generally offers better power efficiency than the 710’s 10nm node. While the 710’s Kryo 360 Gold cores clock slightly higher at 2.2 GHz versus the 675’s 2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold cores, the architectural improvements in the 675 often translate to comparable, and sometimes superior, real-world performance. The 675’s CPU architecture is newer, offering incremental gains in instructions per clock. Both phones feature 6x1.7 GHz Silver cores, meaning multi-threaded tasks will perform similarly. The 11nm process of the 675 should also result in less thermal throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A70s’ 25W wired charging is a significant advantage over the vivo Z5x’s 18W charging. This translates to substantially faster charging times, reducing downtime and increasing convenience. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. The Snapdragon 675’s 11nm process also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially extending battery life during typical usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Z5x if you need maximum performance for the price and are comfortable with a less polished software experience. It’s ideal for users who frequently play demanding mobile games and prioritize raw processing power. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A70s if you prefer a more refined user experience, faster charging, and the reliability of Samsung’s brand. This phone is best for everyday users who value convenience and a smooth, intuitive interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 675 in the A70s struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 675 is surprisingly capable for gaming. While it won’t deliver the highest frame rates at maximum settings, it can comfortably handle PUBG and Call of Duty at medium settings with stable performance. The 11nm process also helps to mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How much faster is the 25W charging on the A70s compared to the 18W charging on the Z5x?
The 25W charging on the A70s can realistically shave off 30-60 minutes of charging time compared to the Z5x’s 18W charging. A full 0-100% charge on the A70s will likely take around 90-120 minutes, while the Z5x could take closer to 150-180 minutes.
❓ Does the vivo Z5x offer any software features that the Samsung A70s lacks?
Vivo’s Funtouch OS often includes features like dedicated gaming modes and customizable themes. However, these features are often less polished and intuitive than Samsung’s One UI. The A70s benefits from Samsung’s Knox security platform and regular software updates.
