Both the vivo Y11 (2019) and the Realme 5i represent the entry-level segment of the smartphone market, often serving as first-time smartphone buyers or those seeking a reliable secondary device. However, a key difference lies under the hood: the Realme 5i utilizes the more modern and capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 665, while the vivo Y11 relies on the older Snapdragon 439. This comparison will dissect these differences and determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Realme 5i is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 665 chipset, built on an 11nm process, delivers a noticeable performance improvement over the vivo Y11’s Snapdragon 439, resulting in smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience, all for a similar price point.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE (2CA) 450/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October 18. Released 2019, October | 2020, January 06. Released 2020, January |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.4 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.28 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 164.4 x 75 x 9.3 mm (6.47 x 2.95 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190.5 g (6.74 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1544 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.35 inches, 99.6 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~83.2% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Agate Red, Mineral Blue | Blue, Green |
| Models | 1906, 1906_20 | RMX2030, RMX2032 |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 170 EUR |
vivo Y11 (2019)
- Potentially lower initial cost
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Reliable for basic smartphone tasks
- Significantly slower performance compared to Realme 5i
- Less efficient chipset leading to shorter battery life
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Realme 5i
- Superior performance thanks to Snapdragon 665
- More efficient chipset for longer battery life
- Better multitasking and gaming capabilities
- Improved image processing with the 665 ISP
- May be slightly more expensive than the vivo Y11
- Still an entry-level device with limitations
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. However, detailed specs like resolution and brightness are missing. The focus here is on the chipset impact on UI smoothness. A faster processor like the Snapdragon 665 in the Realme 5i will translate to smoother scrolling and animations, even on a similar display.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications beyond the presence of cameras, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Snapdragon 665 includes a more capable Image Signal Processor (ISP) than the 439. This means the Realme 5i can likely process images faster and with greater detail, even if both phones have similar sensor resolutions. The ISP’s improved capabilities will be most noticeable in low-light conditions and when recording video. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests limited utility; the primary sensor quality is the key differentiator, and the 665’s ISP gives the Realme 5i an edge.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 5i’s Snapdragon 665 (11nm) is a significant upgrade over the vivo Y11’s Snapdragon 439 (12nm). The 665 utilizes Kryo 260 cores – split into 4x2.0 GHz Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Silver – offering a more efficient and powerful architecture compared to the 439’s homogenous Cortex-A53 setup (4x1.95 GHz & 4x1.45 GHz). This translates to approximately a 20-30% performance increase in CPU-intensive tasks and a more substantial improvement in GPU performance, benefiting gamers. The 11nm process node of the 665 also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Both phones feature 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Snapdragon 665’s improved power efficiency in the Realme 5i means it will likely deliver longer battery life on a single charge compared to the vivo Y11. The 11nm process node consumes less power, allowing the Realme 5i to extract more usage from a comparable battery size. This efficiency advantage is particularly beneficial for users who frequently use their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y11 (2019) if your primary need is a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and you prioritize a potentially lower initial cost. Buy the Realme 5i if you want a more future-proof device capable of handling moderate multitasking, occasional gaming, and benefit from the improved efficiency of the Snapdragon 665 chipset, even if it means spending slightly more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme 5i handle popular games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 665 in the Realme 5i is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but likely at medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. While not a dedicated gaming phone, it offers a significantly better gaming experience than the Snapdragon 439-powered vivo Y11, which would struggle with even lower settings.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 665 and 439 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is quite noticeable. The Realme 5i will feel snappier when switching between apps, browsing the web, and performing other common tasks. The Snapdragon 439 in the vivo Y11 can feel sluggish, especially with multiple apps open.
❓ Does the Realme 5i support fast charging, and how long does it take to charge?
Both devices support only 10W charging. Expect a full charge to take approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on the battery capacity (which isn't officially specified for either device). The Realme 5i's more efficient chipset may allow it to reach a usable charge level slightly faster.
