Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available. Today, we're pitting two popular vivo phones against each other: the vivo V21s and the vivo V25. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The vivo V25 emerges as the overall winner thanks to its brighter display, more powerful chipset, and slightly faster charging. While the V21s remains a solid contender, the V25 offers a noticeable upgrade in key areas, justifying its likely higher price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, November 17 | 2022, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November 17 | Available. Released 2022, September 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back |
| Dimensions | 159.7 x 73.9 x 7.3 mm or 7.4 mm | 159.2 x 74.2 x 7.8 mm (6.27 x 2.92 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 176 g / 177 g (6.21 oz) | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| | - | Color changing back panel color |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2404 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2404 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.0 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.44 inches, 100.0 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 12, Funtouch 12 | Android 12, Funtouch 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF, OIS | 50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 63% in 30 min | 44W wired, 61% in 30 min |
| Type | 4000 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dusk Blue, Gradient | Elegant Black, Sunrise Gold, Surfing Blue |
| Models | - | V2202 |
| Price | About 360 EUR | About 350 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.94 W/kg (head) 1.24 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 120h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.3 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 461428 (v9)
GeekBench: 2023 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 21fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo V21s
- Good value for money
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Stylish design
- Fast charging (33W)
- Older chipset
- Less bright display
- Potentially lower camera quality compared to V25
vivo V25
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- More powerful chipset for smoother performance
- Excellent battery life (120h endurance)
- Faster charging (44W)
- Likely higher price point
- Design may not appeal to everyone
Display Comparison
The vivo V25 boasts a significant advantage with a measured peak brightness of 781 nits, offering much better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the V21s. The V25's 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests excellent image depth, while the V21s display, though adequate, lacks the same punch. Both likely feature AMOLED panels with vibrant colors.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are marketed for their camera capabilities, but the V25 likely has an edge due to its newer chipset and potentially improved image processing algorithms. While specific camera specs are not detailed, expect the V25 to offer better low-light performance and video recording quality. Both likely feature a primary high-resolution sensor and a suite of secondary lenses (ultrawide, macro, depth).
Performance
The vivo V25's Mediatek Dimensity 900 chipset (6nm) provides a noticeable performance boost over the V21s' Dimensity 800U (7nm). The Cortex-A78 cores in the V25 offer improved CPU performance, resulting in smoother multitasking and faster app loading times. Gaming performance should also be better on the V25.
Battery Life
The vivo V25 shines with an impressive endurance rating of 120 hours, suggesting exceptional battery life. While the V21s also offers decent battery performance, the V25's larger battery capacity and efficient chipset contribute to its superior longevity. Both support 33W/44W fast charging, with the V25 charging slightly faster (61% in 30 min vs 63%).
Buying Guide
Who should buy the vivo V21s? It's a great choice for users prioritizing a balance of features and affordability. Who should buy the vivo V25? If you value a vibrant display, smoother performance, and a more modern chipset, the V25 is the better investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the vivo V25 worth the extra money compared to the V21s?
If you prioritize display quality, performance, and battery life, the V25 is likely worth the investment. However, if you're on a tighter budget and primarily need a phone for basic tasks, the V21s remains a capable option.
❓ What are the camera capabilities of each phone?
Both phones offer versatile camera systems, but the V25 likely has an edge in image quality, especially in low light. Specific camera specs (megapixel counts, sensor sizes) would need to be compared for a more detailed analysis.