TCL 205 vs vivo Y22s: Which Budget Phone Reigns Supreme?

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the TCL 205 and the vivo Y22s. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the best overall experience?

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The vivo Y22s is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset offers significantly better performance and efficiency than the TCL 205's Unisoc processor. While the TCL 205 might be slightly cheaper, the Y22s' superior speed, camera, and charging make it the smarter choice.

PHONES
Phone Names	TCL 205	vivo Y22s

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
Speed	HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE

Launch
Announced	2021, October 08	2022, August 23
Status	Available. Released 2021, October	Available. Released 2022, August 23

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	159.2 x 75.2 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.34 in)	164.3 x 76.1 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	170.3 g (6.00 oz)	192 g (6.77 oz)
	-	IP5X (dust), IPX4 (water) resistance

Display
Resolution	720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)	720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size	6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio)	6.55 inches, 103.1 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	IPS LCD, 90Hz

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver)
Chipset	Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm)	Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
GPU	IMG8322	Adreno 610
OS	Android 11 (Go edition), TCL UI	Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Funtouch 13

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	32GB 2GB RAM	128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
	eMMC 5.1	-

Main Camera
Dual	13 MP, f/2.2, (wide) 1/3.06", 1.12µm, AF Auxiliary lens	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro)
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	Dual LED flash
Single	5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Triple	-	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	-
Single	5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP	5.0, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	No	FM radio
USB	microUSB 2.0	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band

Features
Sensors	Accelerometer, proximity	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	-	18W wired, 70% in 70 min Reverse wired
Type	Li-Po 4000 mAh	5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Power Gray, Atlantic Blue	Dark Blue, Yellow Green
Models	4187D	V2206
Price	About 110 EUR	About 250 EUR

TCL 205

Very affordable
Large display
Basic functionality

Slow performance
Mediocre camera
Slow charging
Outdated chipset

vivo Y22s

Good performance (Snapdragon 680)
Better camera
Fast charging (18W)
Reverse wired charging
Modern chipset

Slightly more expensive than TCL 205
Design may be less distinctive

Display Comparison

Both phones feature large displays, likely around 6.5 inches, but the vivo Y22s likely has a slightly better panel with improved color accuracy and brightness. The TCL 205's display is expected to be adequate but less vibrant. Resolution is likely to be HD+ on both.

Camera Comparison

The vivo Y22s is expected to have a more capable camera system. While both likely feature a primary sensor around 13-48MP, the Y22s' image processing and potentially additional lenses (like a macro or depth sensor) should result in better photos, especially in low light. The TCL 205's camera is likely to be adequate for basic snapshots.

Performance

This is where the vivo Y22s truly shines. The Snapdragon 680 is a much more powerful and efficient chipset than the Unisoc SC9863A. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Y22s. The TCL 205 will feel sluggish by comparison.

Battery Life

Both phones likely have batteries in the 5000mAh range. However, the vivo Y22s' more efficient Snapdragon chipset and 18W fast charging (with reverse wired charging) give it an edge. The TCL 205 will likely have slower charging speeds.

Buying Guide

The TCL 205 is best suited for users who prioritize absolute affordability and basic functionality – calling, texting, and light web browsing. The vivo Y22s is ideal for those who want a smoother experience, better camera quality, and faster charging without breaking the bank.