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This time around, we’re comparing the Google Pixel 5 vs Vivo X60 Pro+. These two devices are the best the two companies have to offer at this point in time. These two phones are immensely different, though. The Pixel 5 is more of a mid-range smartphone that focuses on software, while the Vivo X60 Pro+ is a high-end handset. The two phones are different in a number of ways, which will make for an interesting comparison.
The Pixel 5 is considerably smaller than the Vivo X60 Pro+, though Vivo’s flagship isn’t exactly huge either. Both phones can be useful comfortably, and the Pixel 5 is even great for one-handed usage. The first thing we’ll list down below are the spec sheets of these two phones. Following that, we’ll move to a number of other categories, including design, display, performance, and so on. Let’s start the Google Pixel 5 vs Vivo X60 Pro+ comparison.
Specs
| Google Pixel 5 | Vivo X60 Pro+ | |
| Screen size | 6-inch fullHD+ OLED display (90Hz) | 6.56-inch fullHD+ Super AMOLED curved display (120Hz refresh rate) |
| Screen resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2376 x 1080 |
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| RAM | 8GB (LPDDR4X) | 8GB/12GB (LPDDR5) |
| Storage | 128GB, non-expandable | 128GB/256GB (UFS 3.1); Non-Expandable |
| Rear cameras | 12.2MP (f/1.7 aperture, 27mm lens, 1.4um pixel size, dual pixel PDAF, OIS) 16MP (ultra-wide, f/2.2 aperture, 1.0um pixel size, 107-degree FoV) |
50MP (f/1.6 aperture, 1.2um pixel size, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS, Laser AF) 48MP (ultra-wide, 0.8um pixel size, 114-degree FoV, gimbal stabilization) 8MP (f/3.4 aperture, 125 periscope telephoto lens, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom) 32MP (f/2.1 aperture, 50mm telephoto, 0.8um pixel size, PDAF, 2x optical zoom) |
| Front cameras | 8MP (f/2.0 aperture, 24mm lens, 1.12um pixel size) | 32MP (f/2.5 aperture, 26mm lens, 0.8um pixel size) |
| Battery | 4,080mAh, non-removable, 18W fast battery charging, 18W wireless charging, reverse wireless charging | 4,200mAh, non-removable, 55W wired charging |
| Dimensions | 144.7 x 70.4 x 8.0 mm | 158.6 x 73.4 x 9.1mm |
| Weight | 151 grams | 191 grams |
| Connectivity | 5G, LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C | 5G, LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C |
| Security | Rear-facing fingerprint scanner | In-display fingerprint scanner (optical) |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 Funtouch |
| Price | $699 | $830 / $930 |
| Buy | Vivo (not yet available outside Asia) |
Google Pixel 5 vs Vivo X60 Pro+: Design
Both of these phones are amongst the least slippery flagship handset out there. We all know how companies like to make phones out of glass these days, and that especially goes for flagships. Well, these two phones do not have glass on the back. Google used resin for the Pixel 5’s backplate, while Vivo used Vegan Leather. Both of those materials definitely help with grip, and we never felt like either of them will slip out of our hands. They were extremely comfortable to use, especially the Pixel 5 due to its size and flat display.
The Vivo X60 Pro+ does have a curved display, so it offers a bit different usage experience. The Pixel 5 is considerably smaller than the Vivo X60 Pro+. It’s shorter, narrower, and thinner, not to mention lighter as well. Both phones have display camera holes, but in different spots. The Pixel 5 has uniform bezels, while the Vivo X60 Pro+ is not far in that regard either. Their rear-facing camera setups are in the same spot, but are considerably different hardware-wise.
Both smartphones are predominantly flat on the back, but they do curve towards the edges. The Pixel 5 has a rear-facing fingerprint scanner, while the Vivo X60 Pro+ utilizes an in-display one, of an optical variety. Both of these smartphones are very comfortable to use, even with one hand. Google and Vivo did an excellent job differentiating them from the rest. The vast majority of high-end devices require cases in order to use them, as they’re simply too slippery, but that’s not the case here.
Google Pixel 5 vs Vivo X60 Pro+: Display
Both of these phones have fullHD+ displays. The Google Pixel 5 comes with a 6-inch fullHD+ (2340 x 1080) OLED panel. This is a 90Hz display, and it does support HDR10+ content. It is protected by the Gorilla Glass 6 from Corning, and it is flat. A display camera hole sits in the top-left corner of it, and it’s a fairly good display. More on that later on, as we’ll compare the two of them.
The Vivo X60 Pro+, on the other hand, includes a 6.56-inch fullHD+ (2376 x 1080) Super AMOLED display. This panel offers a 120Hz refresh rate, and it does support HDR10+ content just like the Pixel 5. The Vivo X60 Pro+ panel gets quite bright at 1,300 nits of max brightness. We’re still not sure what version of Gorilla Glass Vivo used here, but it’s more than good enough in our experience. This is a curved display.
There are several major differences between these two panels. For once, the Pixel 5’s is flat, while the Vivo X60 Pro+’s is curved. Vivo’s smartphone also offers a higher refresh rate, but the difference is not that huge in regards to content smoothness while scrolling, if we’re being quite honest. You’ll notice it, yes, but the difference is not big. The Vivo X60 Pro+’s display does get considerably brighter in direct sunlight, but both offer good viewing angles. The display on the Vivo X60 Pro+ is a bit bluish from the get-go, but you can fix that via display settings, with ease. Both displays are fairly good, in general, but the panel on the Vivo X60 Pro+ does have an edge here.
Google Pixel 5 vs Vivo X60 Pro+: Performance
When it comes to performance, both of these phones deliver. The Google Pixel 5 is the inferior one in the spec department, though. The phone is fueled by the Snapdragon 765G SoC, it comes with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, and UFS 2.1 flash storage. The Vivo X60 Pro+ is fueled by the Snapdragon 888 processor, while it includes 8GB / 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 flash storage.
So, Vivo’s offering is more powerful across the board. Is it faster because of it, though? Well, yes, yes it is. If you use the two phones side-by-side, you will definitely notice that the Vivo X60 Pro+ opens apps faster, multitasks faster, and so on. The Pixel 5 does that a bit slower, but not slow. The phone is extremely fluid, and even though it opens apps a split second slower, it’s a great performer. It does everything almost as far as the Vivo X60 Pro+, which is great considering its hardware. Google did a good job with the software here.
When it comes to gaming, well, the Vivo X60 Pro+ is the better choice. You just can’t beat all that spec power that the phone offers, and games definitely benefit from it. On top of that, the larger display helps with gaming as well. The Pixel 5 can run pretty much anything as well, though, and chances are you’ll be happy with both in the gaming department.
Google Pixel 5 vs Vivo X60 Pro+: Battery
The Google Pixel 5 includes a 4,080mAh battery. The Vivo X60 Pro+, on the other hand, comes with a 4,200mAh battery. The Pixel 5 does have a smaller display, which also has a lower refresh rate. The Pixel 5 actually has quite a large battery considering its specifications, as its processor is also less demanding. As a result, the Pixel 5 does offer a better battery life of the two, though the Vivo X60 Pro+ is nothing to scoff at.
The Pixel 5 can deliver over 7 hours of screen-on-time, and is one of the best smartphones in regards to battery life that we’ve tested in a while. That Snapdragon 765G SoC is definitely not demanding in the battery department. Do note that gaming will affect battery life in a negative way, though, so you can expect lower numbers. The Vivo X60 Pro+, on the other hand, will get you to around 5.5-6 hours of screen-on-time. On occasion, maybe a bit over that, but it’s definitely inferior in regards to battery life.
The Pixel 5 supports 18W fast wired charging, and 12W wireless charging. Reverse wireless charging is also supported. The Vivo X60 Pro+ comes with 55W charging support. It does not offer wireless charging, though, nor reverse (wireless) charging. So, Vivo’s device does offer considerably faster charging overall, but it doesn’t have wireless charging, which is a shame.
Google Pixel 5 vs Vivo X60 Pro+: Cameras
Spoiler alert, both of these phones can take great photos, to say the least. The main camera sensor inside the Google Pixel 5 is quite old at this point. Google has been using it since the Pixel 2 series, but it’s still great in combination with Google’s software. The Vivo X60 Pro+, on the other hand, uses the same main camera sensor as its predecessor, and yet it manages to deliver a lot better photos.
The Pixel 5 has wide and ultrawide cameras on the back. Images taken with the main camera are very detailed, sharp, and offer great dynamic range. In low light, the phone also shines, as Google’s Night Sight mode does a great job in such conditions. It does take a while to capture the shot, sometimes, so you have to hold the phone in the same position. The ultrawide camera is also quite good, but the colors are not as good as on the main one.
The Vivo X60 Pro+ includes four cameras on the back, wide, ultrawide, telephoto, and periscope cameras. The phone does a great job with dynamic range, though photos from the device tend to have a slightly bluish huge, many people will prefer that, actually. Photos are extremely detailed, and the phone does an exceptionally good job with foliage. It’s a night and day difference compared to its predecessor. It does great in low light too, with plenty of details, it does a great job bringing details out of shadows. It can take moon shots as well thanks to its periscope camera, which is well-executed.
Audio
When it comes to audio, well, both have their shortcomings. Neither phone offers a 3.5mm headphone jack, and neither offers true stereo speakers. The Pixel 5 has two speakers, but the secondary one is placed under the display. It does sound muffled, and it’s nowhere close to a true stereo setup. The Vivo X60 Pro+ only has one speaker at the bottom, so it has a mono setup, basically.
Luckily, the main speaker on both smartphones is great. So, as a result, the sound is not that bad at all. Do note that you’ll need to be careful not to cover that speaker with your hand, otherwise you’ll affect the outcoming audio considerably. The output is good. Those speakers are loud enough, and sharp enough, while the audio is well-balanced across the spectrum on both smartphones. That goes for audio when you plug in / connect a pair of headphones, as long as they’re good.