The vivo V17 Neo and Samsung Galaxy M30s represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both devices aimed to deliver a balanced experience without breaking the bank, but they took different approaches to achieve this. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which phone offers the best value for your money, focusing on performance, display quality, and battery endurance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing display quality and sustained performance, the Samsung Galaxy M30s is the better choice. Its Exynos 9611 chipset, coupled with a brighter 642-nit display, provides a smoother experience, despite the slightly slower 15W charging compared to the V17 Neo’s 18W.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August. Released 2019, August | 2019, September 18. Released 2019, October 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.5 x 75.2 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.96 x 0.32 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 | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6768 Helio P65 (12 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | 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 | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 6000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black brilliant, Blue Pearl | Opal Black, Sapphire Blue, Pearl White |
| Models | - | SM-M307F, SM-M307FN, SM-M307F/DS, SM-M307FN/DS, SM-M3070 |
| Price | About 280 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 V17 Neo
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially more streamlined software experience
- Slightly more modern design (subjective)
- Less powerful chipset (Helio P65)
- Likely lower display brightness
- Potentially less efficient power consumption
Samsung Galaxy M30s
- Brighter 642-nit display
- More powerful Exynos 9611 chipset
- More efficient 10nm process
- Slower 15W charging
- Samsung’s One UI can be resource-intensive
- Potential for more bloatware
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy M30s boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 642 nits, compared to the unspecified brightness of the vivo V17 Neo. This difference is crucial for outdoor visibility. While both displays are likely to be IPS LCD panels, the M30s’ higher brightness translates to a more enjoyable viewing experience in direct sunlight. The M30s also claims an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, typical of IPS panels, but the lack of specific details on the V17 Neo’s panel makes a direct comparison difficult. Bezels are likely comparable given the price points, and color accuracy is expected to be standard for this segment.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but specifics are lacking. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the market positioning suggests the M30s likely has a more capable main sensor. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are primarily for marketing purposes and offer limited real-world benefit. Image processing will likely differ, with Samsung typically favoring more saturated colors and the V17 Neo potentially aiming for a more natural look. The absence of OIS on either device indicates reliance on software stabilization.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy M30s utilizes the Exynos 9611, fabricated on a 10nm process, offering a theoretical performance advantage over the vivo V17 Neo’s Mediatek Helio P65 (12nm). The Exynos 9611’s CPU configuration – 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 – is architecturally superior to the Helio P65’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55. The Cortex-A73 cores in the M30s provide a noticeable boost in single-core performance, impacting app launch speeds and general responsiveness. While both phones likely feature similar RAM configurations, the more efficient 10nm process of the Exynos 9611 should result in better thermal management during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Both the vivo V17 Neo and Samsung Galaxy M30s achieve an endurance rating of 130 hours, suggesting comparable battery life in typical usage scenarios. However, the V17 Neo supports 18W wired charging, while the M30s is limited to 15W. This means the V17 Neo will theoretically charge faster, potentially reaching 100% in a shorter timeframe. The actual charging time will depend on the charger used and the phone’s power management system, but the V17 Neo has a clear advantage in this area.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo V17 Neo if you prioritize faster charging speeds and a slightly more modern design aesthetic. It’s a good fit for users who frequently top up their phones throughout the day. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M30s if you value a brighter, more visible display, and a chipset capable of handling more demanding tasks, making it ideal for media consumption and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy M30s tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is generally well-behaved in terms of thermal throttling. While it can get warm during extended gaming, the 10nm process helps mitigate overheating compared to the 12nm Helio P65 in the V17 Neo. Expect some performance reduction after 30-60 minutes of demanding games, but it shouldn't be severe.
❓ Are the 2MP macro cameras on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro cameras on both the vivo V17 Neo and Samsung Galaxy M30s are largely marketing gimmicks. The low resolution and lack of autofocus result in images that are often soft and lack detail. They are best avoided in favor of the main camera.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy M30s reliably run PUBG Mobile at 60fps?
The Samsung Galaxy M30s *can* run PUBG Mobile at 60fps, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to 'Smooth' or 'Balanced' to maintain a stable frame rate. The Exynos 9611 has enough power for a playable experience, but don't expect maximum settings.
❓ Which phone is better for watching videos on the go?
The Samsung Galaxy M30s is the clear winner for video consumption. Its significantly brighter display (642 nits) makes it much easier to see content outdoors or in brightly lit environments. The larger screen size, if any, would also contribute to a more immersive viewing experience.
