The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo U10 and Infinix Note 7 represent compelling options, each leveraging different chipset strategies – Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 665 versus MediaTek’s Helio G70. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses, moving beyond raw specs to reveal which device delivers a superior user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a slightly more refined software experience, the Infinix Note 7 emerges as the better choice. Its Helio G70, built on a 12nm process, offers a performance edge over the Snapdragon 665, particularly in gaming, despite both phones sharing 18W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 400/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, September | 2020, April 06. Released 2020, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 159.4 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.28 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 173.4 x 79 x 8.8 mm (6.83 x 3.11 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190.5 g (6.70 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1544 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 720 x 1640 pixels (~258 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.35 inches, 99.6 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.95 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 2EEMC2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.1 | Android 10, XOS 6.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
2 MP, f/1.8, (dedicated video camera) - 128/6 model only
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8 | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Thunder Black, Electric Blue, Black, Blue, Red | Forest Green, Aether Black, Bolivia Blue |
| Models | 1916, V1928A | X690B, X690 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | - |
| SAR | 1.05 W/kg (head) 0.45 W/kg (body) | - |
vivo U10
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 offers good all-around performance.
- Established Qualcomm ecosystem and software support.
- Potentially better app compatibility with Snapdragon-optimized apps.
- Helio G70 offers a performance advantage in gaming and multitasking.
- 11nm process may not be as efficient under heavy load as expected.
Infinix Note 7
- MediaTek Helio G70 provides superior gaming performance.
- Dual-core Cortex-A75 setup for faster processing.
- 12nm process optimized for sustained performance.
- MediaTek chipsets sometimes face compatibility issues with certain apps.
- Potentially higher power consumption during intensive gaming sessions.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, a commonality in this price bracket. However, the absence of specific display specs (resolution, brightness) necessitates a focus on the chipsets driving the UI. The performance of the GPU within each chipset will directly impact the smoothness of scrolling and animations, making the chipset comparison even more critical.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature a primary camera alongside supporting lenses (depth, macro). The image signal processor (ISP) within the Helio G70 *may* offer slightly more advanced image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. However, the quality will heavily depend on the sensor used, which is currently unknown. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Infinix Note 7’s MediaTek Helio G70 (12nm) features a dual-core Cortex-A75 setup paired with six Cortex-A55 cores, offering a more potent combination for demanding tasks. The vivo U10’s Snapdragon 665 (11nm) utilizes a more balanced octa-core Kryo 260 configuration. While the 11nm process *should* offer better efficiency, the architectural advantage of the G70’s A75 cores translates to superior single-core and multi-core performance. This means faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Infinix Note 7. The 12nm process of the Helio G70, while slightly larger, allows for higher clock speeds on the performance cores, directly impacting gaming frame rates.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds. The actual 0-100% time will depend on battery capacity and software optimization. The Helio G70’s 12nm process, while not as efficient as a smaller node, is optimized for gaming, potentially drawing more power under sustained load. However, the larger core count and improved performance may allow the Infinix Note 7 to complete tasks faster, ultimately reducing overall battery drain.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo U10 if you prioritize Qualcomm’s established ecosystem and a potentially smoother experience with certain apps optimized for Snapdragon processors. Buy the Infinix Note 7 if you’re a mobile gamer or frequently engage in demanding tasks, as the Helio G70’s architecture provides a noticeable performance uplift, and you appreciate a larger core count for multitasking.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G70 in the Infinix Note 7 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Helio G70 is designed for gaming, sustained high performance can generate heat. However, MediaTek has implemented thermal management features within the G70 to mitigate throttling. Real-world performance will depend on the phone's cooling solution, but the 12nm process is generally well-managed in this class of device.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 665 in the vivo U10 sufficient for playing PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 665 can run PUBG Mobile, but likely at lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Helio G70 in the Infinix Note 7 will provide a smoother experience with higher graphics settings and more consistent performance.
❓ Does either phone support fast charging protocols beyond 18W?
Neither device is officially advertised as supporting charging protocols beyond 18W. While they *might* be compatible with some Quick Charge implementations, performance is not guaranteed and may be limited to 18W.
❓ Which phone is better for multitasking and running multiple apps simultaneously?
The Infinix Note 7, with its Helio G70 and dual-core Cortex-A75 setup, is better suited for multitasking. The more powerful cores and larger cache will handle multiple apps more efficiently than the Snapdragon 665.
