Back in the day, budget smartphones were a compromise. The Huawei Ascend Y220 and Vodafone Smart Mini represent that era, offering affordable access to mobile technology. But which of these older devices holds up better today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Vodafone Smart Mini edges out the Huawei Y220 thanks to its Cortex-A9 CPU, offering noticeably better performance. While both are dated, the Smart Mini's slightly more modern chipset provides a smoother experience, despite both having limitations.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 2100 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, December. Released 2014, March | 2013, June. Released 2013, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 116.5 x 60.6 x 12.3 mm (4.59 x 2.39 x 0.48 in) | 115 x 62.3 x 12.2 mm (4.53 x 2.45 x 0.48 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 130 g (4.59 oz) | 118 g (4.16 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~165 ppi density) | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~165 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.5 inches, 36.5 cm2 (~51.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.5 inches, 36.5 cm2 (~50.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 | 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6572M (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6575 (40 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 | PowerVR SGX531 |
| OS | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) | Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256MB RAM, 512MB | 4GB 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | 2 MP |
| Video | Yes | 480p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0, A2DP, EDR | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | - | Up to 500 h (2G) / Up to 300 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1350 mAh, removable | Li-Ion, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black |
| Models | Y220-U10, Y220-U00 | - |
| Price | About 60 EUR | About 50 EUR |
Huawei Ascend Y220
- Affordable
- Compact size
- Decent call quality
- Very slow performance
- Low-resolution display
- Poor camera
- Outdated software
Vodafone Smart Mini
- Slightly better performance than Y220
- Compact size
- Potentially slightly better battery life
- More modern chipset (though still dated)
- Still slow performance
- Low-resolution display
- Poor camera
- Outdated software
Display Comparison
Both phones feature small, low-resolution displays (likely around 3.5-4 inches). Expect limited viewing angles and pixelation. The Vodafone Smart Mini might have a slightly brighter screen, but overall, display quality is a weak point on both.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on both devices is expected to be basic, likely with 2-5MP sensors. Image quality will be poor in low light, and don't expect impressive detail. The Vodafone Smart Mini *might* have slightly better image processing, but the difference will be minimal.
Performance
This is where the Vodafone Smart Mini has a clear advantage. The Cortex-A9 CPU in the MT6575 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Cortex-A7 in the MT6572M. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading on the Smart Mini, though both will struggle with modern games.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is likely similar (around 1500-2000mAh). Battery life will depend heavily on usage, but expect a full day of light use on either device. The Vodafone Smart Mini's more efficient Cortex-A9 architecture *could* offer slightly better battery life under similar usage.
Buying Guide
The Huawei Ascend Y220 is best suited for users needing a basic phone for calls and texts, with minimal app usage. The Vodafone Smart Mini is a slightly better choice for those wanting to occasionally browse the web or use simple apps, though performance will still be limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying?
Generally no. These phones are very outdated and struggle with modern apps. They might be suitable for very basic use cases or as a backup phone, but there are far better options available even at a similar price point.
❓ What operating system did these phones run?
Both phones likely ran Android 4.x (Jelly Bean or KitKat). Updates were unlikely, so they are running very old software.
