The vivo U3 and Samsung Galaxy M30s represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver a balanced experience, but they take different approaches to achieve it. The U3 leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 675, while the M30s opts for Samsung’s in-house Exynos 9611. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the vivo U3 emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Snapdragon 675 chipset, built on an 11nm process, offers a more efficient and generally smoother experience than the 10nm Exynos 9611 in the M30s. While both boast similar battery endurance ratings, the U3’s 18W charging provides a quicker top-up.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October. Released 2019, October | 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 9.0 | 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 | 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
5W reverse wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 6000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green | Opal Black, Sapphire Blue, Pearl White |
| Models | V1941A, V1941T | 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: 152075 (v7), 180321 (v8)
GeekBench: 5566 (v4.4), 1288 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo U3
- More efficient Snapdragon 675 chipset
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially smoother gaming experience
- Display brightness likely lower than M30s
- Camera specs largely unknown
Samsung Galaxy M30s
- Brighter 642 nit display
- Samsung’s One UI software
- Potentially better image processing
- Less efficient Exynos 9611 chipset
- Slower 15W charging
- Potential for thermal throttling
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy M30s boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 642 nits, compared to an assumed lower brightness on the vivo U3 (data unavailable). This makes the M30s more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays are likely LCD panels, the M30s advertises an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting enhanced color and black levels, though this is a marketing term. The U3’s display specifications are less detailed, making a direct comparison of color accuracy and viewing angles difficult. The lack of high refresh rate support on either device is typical for this price segment.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specs are missing. The absence of information regarding sensor size and aperture makes a direct comparison challenging. It’s reasonable to assume both phones include a primary camera, ultrawide, and depth sensor, with the M30s potentially offering slightly better image processing due to Samsung’s established camera software. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit. Without further details, it’s difficult to assess low-light performance or video recording quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo U3’s Snapdragon 675 utilizes a Kryo 460 architecture with a dual-cluster configuration (2x2.0 GHz Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Silver), while the Samsung Galaxy M30s features the Exynos 9611 with a Cortex-A73/A53 setup (4x2.3 GHz & 4x1.7 GHz). The Exynos 9611’s higher clock speeds on the performance cores *suggest* a theoretical advantage in single-core tasks, but the Snapdragon 675’s more efficient 11nm process and optimized architecture often translate to better sustained performance and thermal management. The Snapdragon 675 is known for its capable Adreno 618 GPU, likely providing a smoother gaming experience than the Exynos 9611’s Mali-G72 MP3. RAM specifications are not provided, but both likely utilize LPDDR4X, limiting potential performance gains.
Battery Life
Both the vivo U3 and Samsung Galaxy M30s achieve an endurance rating of 130 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the U3’s 18W wired charging is a clear advantage over the M30s’ 15W charging. This translates to faster top-up times, reducing downtime. While both likely feature a 5000mAh battery (common in this segment), the Snapdragon 675’s efficiency could contribute to slightly longer real-world usage on the U3.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo U3 if you prioritize consistent performance for everyday tasks and light gaming, and value faster charging speeds. It’s ideal for users who frequently switch between apps and need a responsive experience. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M30s if you prioritize display brightness and are heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem, potentially benefiting from software features and integration. It’s a good fit for media consumption and users who prefer Samsung’s One UI.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Samsung Galaxy M30s tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained load, particularly in less well-cooled devices. While the M30s isn't necessarily a thermal disaster, the Snapdragon 675 in the vivo U3 generally manages heat more efficiently, leading to more consistent performance during extended gaming.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the vivo U3 a significant improvement over the 15W charging on the Samsung Galaxy M30s?
Yes, while 3W may not sound like much, it translates to a noticeable difference in charging speed. The vivo U3 can top up from 0-100% approximately 15-20% faster than the M30s, reducing downtime and making it more convenient for users who need a quick charge.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the vivo U3 and Samsung Galaxy M30s?
The Samsung Galaxy M30s runs Samsung’s One UI, which is feature-rich and offers a polished user experience, but can also be more resource-intensive. The vivo U3 likely runs Funtouch OS, which is generally lighter and more streamlined, potentially contributing to better performance on the Snapdragon 675. Preference here is subjective.
