The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y11s and Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches under the hood, relying on chipsets from Qualcomm and MediaTek respectively. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the vivo Y11s emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 460, built on an 11nm process, offers a more efficient architecture than the Redmi 9i Sport’s 12nm Helio G25, translating to potentially smoother multitasking and better sustained performance despite similar CPU clock speeds.
| 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 21. Released 2021, January 05 | 2021, September 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, September 28 |
| 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) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 11 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 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 |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 а/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glacier Blue, Phantom Black | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Blue |
| Models | V2028 | - |
| Price | About 270 EUR | About 100 EUR |
vivo Y11s
- More efficient Snapdragon 460 chipset
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Qualcomm's ISP may offer better image processing
- Lower CPU clock speed on paper
- Likely similar display quality to the Redmi 9i Sport
Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport
- Higher CPU clock speed (2.0GHz)
- Potentially lower initial price
- Familiar MIUI software experience for Xiaomi users
- Less efficient Helio G25 chipset
- Potential for more throttling under load
- Older Cortex-A53 CPU cores
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Without specific brightness or color gamut data, it's difficult to declare a clear winner. However, the focus here is on the chipset, which impacts the UI responsiveness *on* the display. The more efficient Snapdragon 460 in the Y11s could contribute to smoother scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic camera setups. Without detailed sensor information beyond the presence of a 2MP macro lens (which is largely irrelevant in image quality), a direct comparison is challenging. Image processing will heavily influence the final result, and both brands tend to prioritize vibrant, sometimes oversaturated, colors. The chipset’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) plays a role, and Qualcomm’s ISPs generally offer more advanced features, potentially giving the Y11s a slight edge in image processing capabilities.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Y11s features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460, fabricated on an 11nm process. This smaller node generally equates to improved power efficiency and thermal performance compared to the Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport’s MediaTek Helio G25, which is built on a 12nm process. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 460’s Kryo 240 cores, though clocked slightly lower (1.8GHz vs 2.0GHz on the Redmi), benefit from Qualcomm’s architectural optimizations. The Helio G25 utilizes Cortex-A53 cores, which are older and less efficient. This means the Y11s is likely to handle sustained workloads – like prolonged browsing or moderate gaming – with less throttling.
Battery Life
Both devices are equipped with 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds. Battery capacity isn't specified, but typical for this segment is around 5000mAh. The Snapdragon 460’s superior power efficiency in the Y11s could translate to slightly longer battery life during typical usage, offsetting any potential capacity differences. The 12nm Helio G25 will consume more power under load, potentially leading to faster battery drain during gaming or video playback.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y11s if you prioritize consistent performance during everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming, and value a chipset known for its power efficiency. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport if you are primarily focused on basic communication features and prefer a slightly larger CPU clock speed on paper, potentially benefiting from marginally faster single-core performance in specific, lightweight applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 9i Sport struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
The Redmi 9i Sport should handle basic apps like WhatsApp and Facebook without significant issues. However, the Helio G25's limitations may become apparent when multitasking or using more demanding apps, potentially leading to lag or slowdowns. The Snapdragon 460 in the Y11s is better equipped for smoother multitasking.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 460 in the vivo Y11s capable of playing mobile games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty?
While the Snapdragon 460 can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty, it will likely require low graphics settings and may experience occasional frame drops, especially during intense action. The Helio G25 in the Redmi 9i Sport will likely offer a similar, or slightly worse, gaming experience. Neither phone is designed for serious mobile gaming.
❓ Does either phone support fast charging?
No, both the vivo Y11s and Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport only support 10W wired charging. Expect a full charge to take approximately 2-3 hours.
