Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The vivo Y12a and Huawei Y6 (2019) are both contenders in the budget market, offering essential features at attractive price points. But which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The vivo Y12a edges out the Huawei Y6 (2019) thanks to its superior chipset and octa-core CPU, resulting in noticeably smoother performance. While both offer decent battery life, the Y12a's reverse charging is a useful bonus. Ultimately, the Y12a provides a more modern and responsive user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 21 | 2019, March 02. Released 2019, March 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 21 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | 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) | 156.3 x 73.5 x 8 mm (6.15 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 150 g (5.29 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~79.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11 | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB 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 |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8 | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| 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 | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM Radio, built-in antenna |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
5W reverse wired | - |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 3020 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Phantom Black, Glacier Blue | Midnight Black, Sapphire Blue, Amber Brown |
| Models | V2102 | MRD-LX1F, MRD-LX1, MRD-LX3, MRD-LX1N |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 130 EUR |
vivo Y12a
- Better Performance (Octa-Core CPU)
- Reverse Wired Charging
- Slightly More Modern Chipset
- Generally Smoother User Experience
- Camera performance is average
- Display quality is basic
Huawei Y6 (2019)
- Very Affordable
- Large Battery (All-Day Life)
- Huawei's Software (though increasingly limited)
- Slower Performance (Quad-Core CPU)
- Can feel sluggish
- Limited Software Updates
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.3-inch HD+ display, offering adequate viewing for everyday use. Color accuracy and brightness are typical for this price range; neither phone excels in this area. The Y12a might have a slightly more modern display panel, but the difference is minimal.
Camera Comparison
The Huawei Y6 (2019) typically features a 13MP main camera, while the vivo Y12a often includes a 13MP main camera as well, supplemented by depth sensors. Image quality is comparable in good lighting conditions, but the Y12a's image processing might be slightly better. Low-light performance is generally weak on both devices. Front-facing cameras are likely to be around 5-8MP on both.
Performance
This is where the vivo Y12a pulls ahead. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 chipset with an octa-core CPU significantly outperforms the Huawei Y6 (2019)'s quad-core MediaTek Helio A22. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a generally more responsive feel on the Y12a. The Y6 (2019) can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones offer a large 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate usage. The vivo Y12a distinguishes itself with 5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices – a handy feature.
Buying Guide
The vivo Y12a is ideal for users prioritizing performance and a slightly more modern feature set, especially those who might benefit from reverse charging. The Huawei Y6 (2019) is a good option for those seeking a very budget-friendly device and are less concerned with raw processing power, potentially prioritizing Huawei's software ecosystem (though this is increasingly limited).
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The vivo Y12a is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset and octa-core CPU. The Huawei Y6 (2019) will struggle with even basic games.
❓ Will the Huawei Y6 (2019) receive software updates?
Software updates for the Huawei Y6 (2019) are likely to be limited due to Huawei's current situation. The vivo Y12a may receive slightly more updates, but don't expect major Android version upgrades.
