Choosing a budget smartphone can be tough. The vivo X9s Plus and Samsung Galaxy A10s both offer compelling features at an affordable price, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The vivo X9s Plus generally edges out the Galaxy A10s thanks to its more powerful chipset and slightly better performance. However, Samsung's brand recognition and potentially better software support might sway some buyers. Ultimately, it depends on your priorities.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO & TD-SCDMA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28 - SM-A107M/DS |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, July. Released 2017, July | 2019, August 12. Released 2019, August 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.6 x 78.9 x 7.3 mm (6.40 x 3.11 x 0.29 in) | 156.9 x 75.8 x 7.8 mm (6.18 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183.2 g (6.46 oz) | 168 g (5.93 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~377 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.85 inches, 94.3 cm2 (~73.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A72 & 4x1.44 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8976 Pro Snapdragon 653 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 510 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo), Funtouch 3.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, 1/2.8", PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm
5 MP, depth sensor | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 32-bit/192kHz audio
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 4015 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gold, Rose Gold, Black | Blue, Green, Red, Black |
| Models | - | SM-A107F, SM-A107M |
| Price | About 390 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.25 W/kg (head) 1.06 W/kg (body) |
vivo X9s Plus
- More powerful chipset (Snapdragon 653)
- Potentially better camera (dual-lens)
- Slightly better performance
- Faster charging (18W)
- Older model, potentially fewer software updates
- Design may be less appealing to some
Samsung Galaxy A10s
- Samsung brand recognition
- Potentially longer software support
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Affordable price
- Less powerful chipset (Helio P22)
- Slower performance
- Single camera setup
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.21-inch HD+ display. While the resolution is similar, the vivo X9s Plus might offer slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles due to potentially better panel technology, though this is difficult to confirm definitively without testing. The A10s' display is perfectly adequate for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
The vivo X9s Plus typically features a dual-camera setup (13MP + 2MP) with a focus on portrait mode and scene recognition. The Samsung Galaxy A10s has a 13MP main camera. While megapixels aren't everything, the vivo's additional lens and image processing algorithms often result in more pleasing portrait shots. Low-light performance is likely comparable on both devices.
Performance
The vivo X9s Plus boasts a Qualcomm Snapdragon 653, a noticeably more powerful chipset than the Galaxy A10s' Helio P22. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a better overall user experience, especially when gaming. The A10s is sufficient for basic tasks but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones have a 3500mAh battery. Battery life will be similar, providing a full day of moderate use. The vivo X9s Plus's more efficient chipset *might* offer slightly better battery endurance, but real-world usage will vary.
Buying Guide
The vivo X9s Plus is ideal for users who prioritize performance and a smoother user experience. The Samsung Galaxy A10s is a good choice for those who value brand reliability and a potentially longer software update lifespan, even if it means sacrificing a bit of speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The vivo X9s Plus is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 653 chipset.
❓ Will the Samsung Galaxy A10s receive software updates for a long time?
Samsung generally provides better software support than vivo, so the A10s is likely to receive updates for a slightly longer period, although updates for both phones will eventually cease.