Xiaomi Civi 5 Pro vs vivo S18 Pro: Which Mid-Range Flagship Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the Xiaomi Civi 5 Pro emerges as the winner. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, despite being a 'sub-flagship', offers a compelling performance profile and benefits from Qualcomm's optimization. However, the vivo S18 Pro's faster 80W charging is a significant advantage for those constantly on the go.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Civi 5 Pro | vivo S18 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, May 22 | 2023, December 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, May 22 | Available. Released 2023, January 13 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 157.1 x 73.2 x 7.5 or 7.7 g | 164.4 x 75.1 x 7.5 mm (6.47 x 2.96 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 181 g or 184 g (6.38 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1236 x 2750 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) | 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 103.5 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, 2560Hz PWM, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR Vivid, 3200 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2800 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.21 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720) | Octa-core (1x3.35 GHz Cortex-X3 & 3x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8735 Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 9200+ (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 825 | Immortalis-G715 MC11 |
| OS | Android 15, HyperOS 2 | Android 14, OriginOS 4 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama, Leica lenses | Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.6, 25mm (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, 60mm (telephoto), PDAF (10cm - ∞), 2.5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.49", PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.0, (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, (ultrawide), 1/2.76" |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, HDR, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF | 50 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), AF |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LHDC 5 | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS (B1I+B1c) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3+ | 80W wired, PD Reverse wired |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Gray, Rose Gold, Violet, White, Brown | Black, Blue, Silver |
| Models | - | V2344A |
| Price | About 370 EUR | About 410 EUR |
Xiaomi Civi 5 Pro
- Newer Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset offers strong performance.
- Potentially better thermal management for sustained performance.
- Qualcomm’s ISP may deliver superior image processing.
- Slower 67W charging compared to the vivo S18 Pro.
- Software experience may be less refined than vivo’s FunTouch OS (subjective).
vivo S18 Pro
- 80W fast charging for incredibly quick top-ups.
- Reverse wired charging for accessory power.
- Dimensity 9200+ is a proven performer with a solid track record.
- Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 may offer better sustained performance.
- Potentially more susceptible to thermal throttling under heavy load.
Display Comparison
While both phones likely feature high-quality AMOLED panels (specs not provided), the core difference lies in the processing power driving them. The focus here is on the chipsets' ability to efficiently render graphics and maintain smooth animations. Without specific display specs, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4's newer architecture suggests potential advantages in display processing efficiency.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the chipset plays a crucial role in image signal processing (ISP). Both the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 and Dimensity 9200+ feature capable ISPs, but Qualcomm’s ISP is often lauded for its computational photography prowess. The real-world difference will depend on software tuning and sensor choices, which are currently unknown. We can assume both phones will offer competitive camera performance, but the Xiaomi may have an edge in complex scenes and low-light conditions due to Qualcomm’s ISP capabilities.
Performance
The chipset battle is central to this comparison. The Xiaomi Civi 5 Pro’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4nm) features a Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.21 GHz, while the vivo S18 Pro utilizes the Dimensity 9200+ (4nm) with a Cortex-X3 at 3.35 GHz. While the Dimensity 9200+ boasts a slightly higher peak clock speed, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4’s newer architecture – specifically the A720 cores – offers improved efficiency and sustained performance. The Snapdragon’s core configuration (1+3+2+2) is also more balanced than the Dimensity’s (1+3+4), potentially leading to better multi-tasking. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is likely to exhibit better thermal management, reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The vivo S18 Pro’s 80W wired charging significantly surpasses the Xiaomi Civi 5 Pro’s 67W charging. This translates to a faster 0-100% charge time, a critical advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed of the vivo S18 Pro effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. The inclusion of reverse wired charging on the vivo S18 Pro is also a useful feature for charging accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Civi 5 Pro if you need a phone that excels in demanding applications, enjoys consistent performance under load, and benefits from Qualcomm’s software ecosystem. Buy the vivo S18 Pro if you prioritize incredibly fast charging speeds, appreciate a potentially more refined software experience (depending on personal preference for vivo’s FunTouch OS), and value a slightly more mature chipset with a proven track record.