The vivo U20 and Samsung Galaxy A50s represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they take different approaches to achieving it. The U20 leverages Qualcomm's Snapdragon 675, while the A50s opts for Samsung's in-house Exynos 9611. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and efficient power usage, the vivo U20 emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 675, built on an 11nm process, provides a noticeable edge in gaming and multitasking compared to the 10nm Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy A50s, despite the A50s' slightly higher CPU clock speeds.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November. Released 2019, November | 2019, August 22. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 158.5 x 74.5 x 7.7 mm (6.24 x 2.93 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.2 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Black, Blaze Blue | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Green, Prism Crush Violet2 |
| Models | - | SM-A507F, SM-A507FN, SM-A5070 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.43 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 215820 (v8)
GeekBench: 5857 (v4.4), 1614 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 154761 (v7)
GeekBench: 5295 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 9.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo U20
- More efficient Snapdragon 675 chipset
- Faster 18W wired charging
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Brand recognition may be lower than Samsung
- Software updates may be less frequent
Samsung Galaxy A50s
- Samsung’s established brand and ecosystem
- Potentially more refined software experience
- Higher CPU clock speeds (on paper)
- Less efficient Exynos 9611 chipset
- Slower 15W wired charging
- Potential for thermal throttling under load
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are unavailable, the focus here is on the underlying processors. Display quality is likely similar, with both targeting a standard FHD+ resolution for the price point. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of phones in this segment. The absence of high refresh rate panels on both devices means the display experience will be standard for the time.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of a 2MP macro lens (which is largely irrelevant), a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Snapdragon 675’s image signal processor (ISP) is known for its strong image processing capabilities. The A50s’ Exynos 9611 also has a capable ISP, but the Snapdragon’s optimization for camera features is often praised. The larger sensor size (if present in the U20) would be a significant advantage, but this information is unavailable. Both phones likely offer acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions, but the U20 may have a slight edge in dynamic range and low-light performance due to the Snapdragon's ISP.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo U20’s Snapdragon 675, fabricated on an 11nm process, features a Kryo 460 CPU configuration with a focus on efficiency. The Samsung Galaxy A50s utilizes the Exynos 9611, built on a 10nm process. While the A50s boasts higher peak CPU clock speeds (2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 vs 2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold), the Snapdragon 675’s architecture and process node generally translate to better sustained performance and thermal management. The Snapdragon's Adreno 615 GPU is also likely to outperform the Mali-G72 MP3 in the Exynos, benefiting gamers. The U20 will likely exhibit less throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The battery capacity is not provided, but the Snapdragon 675’s 11nm process contributes to better power efficiency. The vivo U20’s 18W wired charging is faster than the Galaxy A50s’ 15W charging. This means the U20 will reach a full charge more quickly. Even with a similar battery capacity, the U20’s more efficient chipset should translate to longer real-world battery life, especially during demanding tasks.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo U20 if you need a phone that can handle demanding applications and gaming sessions without significant throttling, and if you value efficient power management for all-day battery life. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A50s if you prefer the Samsung ecosystem, a potentially more refined software experience, and are less concerned with pushing the phone to its absolute performance limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy A50s overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained load, particularly during graphically intensive games. While it won't necessarily shut down, you may experience frame rate drops and reduced performance after extended gaming. The Snapdragon 675 in the vivo U20 is generally better at managing heat, offering more consistent performance.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on phones in this price range are of limited utility. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. They are often included as a marketing feature rather than a genuinely useful camera component. Don't base your purchasing decision on the presence of this lens.
❓ Can the vivo U20 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high settings?
The Snapdragon 675 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at high settings, but you may need to adjust graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. The Adreno 615 GPU provides sufficient power, and the efficient chipset minimizes throttling, allowing for longer gaming sessions without significant performance degradation.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates and security patches?
Samsung generally provides more consistent and long-term software support for its devices compared to vivo. While vivo has improved its update schedule, Samsung typically offers a more reliable and extended update lifecycle for its Galaxy A-series phones.
