The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y11s and Nokia 3.4 aim to deliver a functional Android experience at an accessible price point, and both rely on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 chipset. However, subtle differences in CPU architecture and software approach create a surprisingly distinct user experience. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and a slightly smoother experience, the Nokia 3.4 emerges as the better choice. While both phones share the Snapdragon 460 and 10W charging, the Nokia 3.4’s use of Cortex-A73 cores in its CPU configuration provides a noticeable performance edge in everyday tasks.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 13, 28, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 21. Released 2021, January 05 | 2020, September 22. Released 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 76.3 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 161 x 76 x 8.7 mm (6.34 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 11 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, Panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glacier Blue, Phantom Black | Fjord, Dusk, Charcoal |
| Models | V2028 | TA-1288, TA-1285, TA-1283 |
| Price | About 270 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.83 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.36 W/kg (head) 1.56 W/kg (body) |
vivo Y11s
- Minimalist software experience
- Potentially lower price point
- Reliable Qualcomm chipset
- Less powerful CPU architecture
- Slower perceived performance
- Limited software update support
Nokia 3.4
- More powerful CPU architecture (Cortex-A73)
- Better multitasking performance
- Nokia’s commitment to software updates
- Slow 10W charging
- Potentially slightly higher price
- Similar GPU performance to vivo Y11s
Display Comparison
Neither vivo nor Nokia provide detailed display specifications beyond the basic panel size. Given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO is expected. The real-world impact will be similar viewing experiences, with color accuracy and brightness likely being average for this segment. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both devices, contributing to a larger overall footprint.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. It’s safe to assume both feature a primary camera and potentially depth/macro sensors. Without knowing sensor sizes or apertures, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given Nokia’s history of image processing optimization, the Nokia 3.4 is likely to produce more consistently pleasing images, even with similar hardware. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and shouldn’t be a deciding factor.
Performance
Both the vivo Y11s and Nokia 3.4 are powered by the Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm). However, the CPU configuration is where a key difference lies. The vivo Y11s utilizes four 1.8 GHz Kryo 240 cores and four 1.6 GHz Kryo 240 cores. The Nokia 3.4, conversely, employs four 1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 cores and four 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Cortex-A73 cores are architecturally superior to the Kryo 240, offering better single-core performance, which translates to snappier app launches and smoother scrolling. While the GPU is identical, the CPU difference will be felt in daily usage. Both phones will likely struggle with demanding games, but the Nokia 3.4 should handle multitasking slightly better.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 10W wired charging, which is slow by modern standards. Expect a full charge to take well over two hours. Battery capacity isn’t specified, but both likely hover around the 5000mAh mark, common for this price range. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but both should comfortably last a full day with moderate use. The slow charging speed is a significant drawback for both, but the difference in CPU efficiency might give the Nokia 3.4 a slight edge in battery endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y11s if you prioritize a minimalist software experience and are comfortable with a potentially less responsive interface. It’s a solid option for basic communication and light app usage. Buy the Nokia 3.4 if you value a more refined Android experience, slightly faster performance for multitasking, and the promise of timely software updates – a hallmark of the Nokia brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 460 in either phone struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 460 is an entry-level chipset. While you might be able to run PUBG Mobile at the lowest settings, expect significant frame drops and a less-than-ideal gaming experience on both the vivo Y11s and Nokia 3.4. The CPU difference won't drastically improve gaming performance, as the GPU is the primary bottleneck.
❓ How important is Nokia’s promise of software updates for these budget phones?
Software updates are *crucial* for budget phones. They provide security patches, bug fixes, and potentially performance improvements. Nokia’s commitment to providing regular updates for the 3.4 extends the phone’s usable lifespan and protects against vulnerabilities, a significant advantage over brands with limited update support.
❓ Is the difference between Kryo 240 and Cortex-A73 cores really noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the Cortex-A73 cores in the Nokia 3.4 offer a tangible performance boost in everyday tasks like app launching, web browsing, and multitasking. While both phones can handle basic operations, the Nokia 3.4 will feel more responsive and less prone to lag.
