The vivo U20 and Samsung Galaxy M30s represent compelling options in the crowded budget to mid-range smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver a balanced experience, but they take different approaches to achieving it. The U20 leverages Qualcomm's Snapdragon 675, while the M30s opts for Samsung's in-house Exynos 9611. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 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, offers a more refined experience than the 10nm Exynos 9611, particularly in demanding tasks. While both boast similar battery endurance ratings, the U20's faster 18W charging provides a slight 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 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November. Released 2019, November | 2019, September 18. Released 2019, October 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 159 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.26 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| 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 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) |
| 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 3.0 |
| 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, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 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 |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 6000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Black, Blaze Blue | Opal Black, Sapphire Blue, Pearl White |
| Models | - | SM-M307F, SM-M307FN, SM-M307F/DS, SM-M307FN/DS, SM-M3070 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.47 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.49 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -93.2dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 130h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 215820 (v8)
GeekBench: 5857 (v4.4), 1614 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 152075 (v7), 180321 (v8)
GeekBench: 5566 (v4.4), 1288 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo U20
- More efficient Snapdragon 675 chipset
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Display brightness likely lower than M30s
- Camera details are unknown
Samsung Galaxy M30s
- Brighter 642 nit display
- Samsung ecosystem integration
- Potentially more versatile camera system
- Exynos 9611 prone to throttling
- Slower 15W charging
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy M30s boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 642 nits, making it more usable in direct sunlight compared to the vivo U20 (brightness data unavailable). While the U20’s panel specifics are unknown, the M30s’ ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a typical AMOLED experience with deep blacks. However, without PWM dimming rate data for the U20, it’s difficult to assess potential eye strain for sensitive users. The M30s’ larger screen size (assumed, based on typical M-series sizing) may appeal to media consumers, but could impact one-handed usability.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the market positioning suggests the M30s may prioritize camera features more heavily, potentially offering a more versatile camera system. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS). Image processing styles will likely differ, with Samsung typically favoring vibrant, saturated colors, while vivo often aims for a more natural look.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo U20’s Snapdragon 675, fabricated on an 11nm process, features a Kryo 460 architecture with a dual-cluster configuration (2x2.0 GHz Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Silver). This contrasts with the Samsung Galaxy M30s’ Exynos 9611, built on a 10nm process, utilizing Cortex-A73 (4x2.3 GHz) and Cortex-A53 (4x1.7 GHz) cores. While the Exynos boasts higher clock speeds on its performance cores, the Snapdragon 675’s architecture and process node generally translate to better sustained performance and thermal efficiency. This means the U20 is less likely to throttle under prolonged gaming or heavy multitasking. The Snapdragon’s Adreno 615 GPU is also a strong performer in this segment.
Battery Life
Both the vivo U20 and Samsung Galaxy M30s achieve an endurance rating of 130 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage scenarios. However, the vivo U20 gains an advantage with its 18W wired charging, potentially reducing 0-100% charge times compared to the M30s’ 15W charging. While the mAh capacity of both devices is unknown, the faster charging speed of the U20 provides a practical benefit for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo U20 if you need a phone that can handle moderate gaming and multitasking without significant thermal throttling. Its Snapdragon 675 provides a smoother experience for resource-intensive apps. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M30s if you prioritize a brighter display for outdoor visibility and prefer the Samsung ecosystem, accepting potential performance limitations under sustained load.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Samsung Galaxy M30s overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is known to exhibit thermal throttling under sustained load, particularly during graphically intensive gaming. While it can handle casual gaming, expect performance drops and potential frame rate stutters during extended play sessions. The Snapdragon 675 in the vivo U20 is generally more efficient and less prone to overheating.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
The 2MP macro cameras on both the vivo U20 and Samsung Galaxy M30s are largely marketing features. Due to their small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization, image quality is typically poor, lacking detail and sharpness. They are best avoided in favor of the main camera.
❓ Can the vivo U20 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high settings?
The vivo U20, powered by the Snapdragon 675, can run PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with reasonably stable frame rates. However, pushing the graphics to the absolute maximum may result in occasional frame drops. The Snapdragon 675’s thermal efficiency will help maintain performance for longer periods compared to the Exynos 9611.
❓ What type of charging protocol does the vivo U20 support with its 18W charging?
The vivo U20 supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0, allowing it to leverage compatible chargers for faster charging speeds. While it ships with an 18W charger, using a higher wattage Quick Charge 3.0 compatible charger may offer slightly faster charging times, though the gains will be marginal.
