The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y11 (2019) and the Infinix Note 7 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches: the Y11 focuses on minimizing cost, while the Note 7 attempts to offer a more compelling feature set, particularly around performance and charging speed. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Infinix Note 7 is the superior choice. Its MediaTek Helio G70 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Snapdragon 439 in the vivo Y11, and the 18W fast charging is a significant advantage. While the Y11 is cheaper, the Note 7’s extra capabilities justify the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 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 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October 18. Released 2019, October | 2020, April 06. Released 2020, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 159.4 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.28 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 173.4 x 79 x 8.8 mm (6.83 x 3.11 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190.5 g (6.74 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1544 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 720 x 1640 pixels (~258 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.35 inches, 99.6 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.95 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | Mali-G52 2EEMC2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.1 | Android 10, XOS 6.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
2 MP, f/1.8, (dedicated video camera) - 128/6 model only
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8 | 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, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Agate Red, Mineral Blue | Forest Green, Aether Black, Bolivia Blue |
| Models | 1906, 1906_20 | X690B, X690 |
| Price | About 70 EUR | - |
vivo Y11 (2019)
- Lower price point makes it very accessible.
- Simple and easy-to-use interface.
- Potentially longer battery life due to less power-hungry processor.
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Note 7.
- Slow 10W charging.
- Limited multitasking capabilities.
Infinix Note 7
- Faster and more responsive performance with the Helio G70.
- 18W fast charging for quicker top-ups.
- Better suited for gaming and demanding applications.
- Slightly higher price than the vivo Y11.
- May experience slightly faster battery drain during intensive use.
- Build quality may not be significantly better than the Y11.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Both utilize 12nm process technology, suggesting similar power consumption profiles for the display panels. However, detailed display specs (resolution, panel type, brightness) are unavailable for the Y11. The Note 7’s display is likely a standard IPS LCD, common in this price bracket. The focus here isn’t on visual fidelity, but on basic usability. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar in real-world usage, given the focus on affordability. Detailed sensor information is lacking for both devices, but it’s safe to assume both rely on budget sensors. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on both phones is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit. Image processing will likely be basic on both, prioritizing speed over detail. The Note 7 *may* have a slight edge due to the more powerful ISP within the Helio G70, potentially allowing for better noise reduction and dynamic range.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Infinix Note 7’s MediaTek Helio G70 is a clear upgrade over the Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 in the vivo Y11. The Helio G70 features a dual-core Cortex-A75 cluster clocked at 2.0 GHz alongside a hexa-core Cortex-A55 cluster, offering significantly better single-core and multi-core performance than the Y11’s quad-core Cortex-A53 (1.95 GHz) and quad-core Cortex-A53 (1.45 GHz) configuration. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The Helio G70’s GPU is also more capable, making it the preferred choice for mobile gamers. The Y11’s SD439 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones feature similar battery capacities (likely around 5000mAh, based on market trends for this segment). However, the Infinix Note 7’s 18W fast charging is a game-changer. The vivo Y11 is limited to 10W charging, resulting in significantly longer charge times. This means the Note 7 can go from 0-100% much faster, offering greater convenience for users who are frequently on the go. While the Y11’s battery may last slightly longer on a single charge due to the less powerful processor, the Note 7’s faster charging mitigates this advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y11 (2019) if you need a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Infinix Note 7 if you prioritize a smoother user experience, enjoy mobile gaming, or frequently find yourself needing to quickly top up your battery. The Note 7 is the better option for anyone who values performance and convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix Note 7 struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio G70 isn't a flagship gaming chip, it's capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. Expect some occasional frame drops during intense action, but it's a significantly better gaming experience than the Snapdragon 439 in the vivo Y11, which would likely require the lowest settings and still struggle.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to charge the Infinix Note 7 from 0% to 100%?
With the included 18W charger, the Infinix Note 7 should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is a substantial improvement over the vivo Y11, which could take upwards of 4-5 hours with its 10W charger.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the two phones noticeable for everyday tasks?
Yes, the difference is quite noticeable. The Helio G70 in the Infinix Note 7 provides a smoother and more responsive experience when opening apps, browsing the web, and multitasking. The Snapdragon 439 in the vivo Y11 can feel sluggish, especially when running multiple apps simultaneously.
