The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo U10 and Nokia 5.3 leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 to deliver a functional Android experience. However, subtle differences in charging speed and overall design philosophy separate these two devices, making one a better fit for specific users.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the vivo U10 emerges as the stronger choice. Its 18W fast charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Nokia 5.3’s 10W charging, a crucial advantage for those constantly on the go. While both phones share the same core processor, the faster charging and potentially more aggressive pricing give the U10 the edge.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global |
| 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, 8, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, September | 2020, March 19. Released 2020, April 02 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.4 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.28 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 164.3 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190.5 g (6.70 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1544 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.35 inches, 99.6 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.1 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8 | 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, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Thunder Black, Electric Blue, Black, Blue, Red | Cyan, Sand, Charcoal |
| Models | 1916, V1928A | TA-1234, TA-1223, TA-1227, TA-1229 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR | 1.05 W/kg (head) 0.45 W/kg (body) | 1.03 W/kg (head) 0.95 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
vivo U10
- Faster 18W charging for quicker top-ups.
- Potentially more aggressive pricing.
- Identical Snapdragon 665 performance to Nokia 5.3
- Software experience may be less clean than Nokia's.
- Long-term software update support is uncertain.
Nokia 5.3
- Cleaner Android One software experience.
- Guaranteed software updates from Nokia.
- Potentially more durable build quality (Nokia reputation).
- Slower 10W charging.
- Identical Snapdragon 665 performance to vivo U10.
Display Comparison
Both the vivo U10 and Nokia 5.3 likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Specifics like resolution and peak brightness are not provided, but the focus here isn't display quality. The real difference lies in the charging experience, not visual fidelity. Expect similar viewing angles and color reproduction across both devices.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality will heavily depend on sensor size and image processing algorithms. It's safe to assume both will struggle in low-light conditions. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing gimmick, offering minimal practical benefit over the main sensor.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) with an identical CPU configuration: Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver). This means performance will be nearly indistinguishable in everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. The 11nm process node offers a reasonable balance between power efficiency and performance. However, sustained workloads might reveal minor thermal differences, though neither phone is designed for intensive gaming.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn't specified, the key differentiator is charging speed. The vivo U10’s 18W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Nokia 5.3’s 10W charging. This translates to a substantially faster 0-100% charge time, reducing downtime. Even with a similar battery capacity, the U10’s faster charging makes it more convenient for users who need to quickly replenish their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo U10 if you prioritize minimizing charging times and need a phone that can quickly top up between uses. This phone is ideal for students, delivery drivers, or anyone with an unpredictable schedule. Buy the Nokia 5.3 if you value a cleaner Android experience with guaranteed updates (a Nokia hallmark) and prefer a more understated design. It’s a solid choice for users who prioritize software longevity over raw speed or charging convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 665 in the vivo U10 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 665 can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The chipset isn't designed for high-end gaming, and prolonged sessions may lead to some thermal throttling. Both phones will offer a similar gaming experience.
❓ How does Nokia's Android One software differ from vivo's Funtouch OS?
Nokia utilizes Android One, offering a near-stock Android experience with minimal bloatware and guaranteed software updates. vivo's Funtouch OS is more heavily customized, with a different user interface and additional features. Some users prefer the cleaner Android One experience, while others appreciate the added functionality of Funtouch OS.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Nokia 5.3 noticeably slow in 2024?
Yes, 10W charging is relatively slow by today's standards. Expect a full charge to take over 2.5-3 hours. This is a significant drawback compared to the vivo U10's 18W charging, which can significantly reduce charging time.
