Recently VIVO launched its full-screen flagship named the X20. This device has been praised too much, and it’s going to take the company to the next level. But this is not the next smartphone powered with the latest creation of Qualcomm, Snapdragon 835. It comes with a Snapdragon 660 SoC, which is considered as the best option for a super-mid-range phone. In this sense, the VIVO X20 should be compared with a Xiaomi phone sporting the same chip. Thus it has been made to compete with the Xiaomi Mi Note 3 and not the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2, as many think.
Looking at the comparison table we can see there are not many differences between these models. But we should put them next to each other and make some tests to understand which of them deserves your money. They are not overpriced, but the Xiaomi Mi Note 3 costs less. You may think it’s due to weaker camera, memory or battery. But we are dealing with the larger variant of the most powerful Mi phone, the Mi 6. Plus, its camera comes with an improved algorithm.
The main difference of these phones is the screen ratio. The Xiaomi Mi Note 3 comes with a 5.5-inch display with a ratio of 16:9, while its rival sports a 6.01-inch screen with a ratio of 18:9. But the latter has nothing common with the Mi MIX 2 in terms of screen-to-body ratio, because it occupies only 79.5% of the front panel, while the Mi Note 3 does 73.8%. Although the official information concerning the VIVO X20 says the phone comes with an 85.3% of the ultra-high screen ratio. The Xiaomi phone provides Full HD resolution. So the VIVO X20 is a winner with a 2K OLED Samsung screen.
The back sides of both models look amazing. But VIVO X20 uses a 3D arc metal design style. The back panel passes through a zirconia spray coating process for better comfortable grip. Apart of this, there are two U-shaped antenna ribbons with nano-injection molding process. The dual-camera modules are placed on the left upper side, and the lenses are protected with a high-light metal package. The only thing we didn’t like in its design, is the old-looking fingerprint sensor placed on the back.
As for the Xiaomi Mi Note 3, it continues the same four-sided curved glass body design. As it uses this material for the housing, there is no need for antenna ribbons. Finally, when it comes to the camera, Xiaomi designs this part like Huawei. And we have to state, they look more attractive than the iPhone-like appearance.
We know Qualcomm has launched the Snapdragon 660 chip for the super-mid-range category smartphones that should be the second echelon after the top-notch models. This chip provides 30% improved performance in comparison to the Snapdragon 653. It’s possible mainly due to the new Kryo independent architecture as well as 14nm process node.
This means the benchmark results of these handsets should be identical. But the VIVO X20 comes with a smaller memory, which should affect the overall performance in real life.
AnTuTu
GeekBench
3DMark
Androbench
Gaming
Though both models support high frame mode, the Mi Note 3’s frame experience is not stable. Its rival provided up to 55fps experience in most time.
The Xiaomi Mi Note 3 sports a 3500mAh battery, while its competitor comes with a 3245mAh battery. The gap is actually very small, but we should test them for actual tasks.
When testing them for 12 hours the Mi Note 3 showed 55% of remaining power, while the VIVO Z20 did 50%. But it’s been expected, as the latter features a 2K resolution screen, which is larger in addition. This phone also supports Smart Engine 4.0, which manages the apps open on the background and optimizes power consumption. So the 5% difference is excusable.
As for charging, the Xiaomi Mi Note 3 supports Quick Charge 3.0. The VIVO X20 supports 5V / 2A, 9V / 2A (up to 18W) output, under the high-speed fast charge program. So the Mi Note 3 fully charges in 98 minutes, and the VIVO X20 does in 92 minutes. Moreover, the latter charges up to 57% in 30 minutes, while the Xiaomi Mi Note 3 reaches only 45% for the same time period.
Though both models come with a dual-camera, we don’t think there is a smartphone capable of competing with the Mi Note 3 in this sense. On one hand, Xiaomi’s Mi line devices have been always known for great camera experience (say the Mi 5S), but on the other hand, VIVO bets on this feature when making flagships as well (say VIVO X9).
The Xiaomi Mi Note 3 comes with two 12MP sensors (wide-angle lens with a focal length of 27mm + telephoto lens with focal length of 52mm). The wide-angle lens comes with an aperture of f/1.8, while the aperture of the telephoto lens is f/2.6. We have already talked about this camera earlier in a special article. So it’s better to learn about the Mi Note 3 camera there.
As for the VIVO X20, it uses a 12MP sensor (f/2.0) paired with a 5MP camera (f/1.8). The photosensitive area of the larger lens is 1.28?m. It supports full-pixel dual-core focus with a speed of 0.03 seconds
Daytime Photos
When capturing photos outdoor and at a required lightning, no smartphone can be compared with the Mi Note 3. Its software lowers the brightness and provides better color reproduction.
The VIVO X20 is capable of shooting outstanding photos as well. But it works on another software.
Nighttime Photos
Taking photos when there is no sufficient lightning is a real experiment for any smartphone. In this sense, the Xiaomi Mi Note 3 meets no difficulties.
Surprisingly, the VIVO X20 showcased respectable performance as well. The noise is too little. The photos are pure and transparent.
Both phones are packed with the same chip. Therefore, they provide identical performance. No one can complain about this feature. But the rest of key features differ from each other. The Xiaomi Mi Note 3 uses a glass material for the body. That’s why it is capable of providing a more pleasant feel of use. On contrary, the VIVO X20 comes with a metal housing, but it passes too many processes making the fuselage mold with the front panel. So we should say, this is a matter of taste. The Mi Note 3 is one of the best cameraphones in the globe. So only a few manufacturers can come in with devices ready to compete with it. The Huawei P10 is one of them. But the selling point of all X-line models of VIVO is the camera. Especially, this refers to the front shooter. So it’s been expected the relatively weaker VIVO X20’s camera has many common things with the Mi Note 3’s prof camera. Finally, the X20 is a full-screen phone, which means it bets on the bezel-less trend as well as 2K resolution. This is the only feature that makes the X20 get an advantage in comparison to the Mi Note 3. As you can see, both models belong to the super-mid-range category, fairly. But the Xiaomi Mi Note 3 costs 2499 yuan ($376), while the X20 is priced at 2998 ($451). 500 yuan ($75) can be decisive when buying a new phone, can’t it?
