The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y12a and Motorola Moto E7 Power aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. This comparison dissects their core components – from chipsets to charging – to determine which device offers the best value for users prioritizing either raw processing power or extended battery life.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent, if not blazing-fast, performance, the Motorola Moto E7 Power edges out the vivo Y12a. Its slightly faster CPU clock speeds and the Helio G25 chipset offer a marginally smoother experience for everyday tasks, despite both phones sharing similar limitations.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 21 | 2021, February 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 21 | Available. Released 2021, February 26 |
| 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) | 165.1 x 75.9 x 9.2 mm (6.5 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent design |
| 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) | 6.51 inches, 103.1 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 380 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMCP |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | LED flash, Panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8 | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8 | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
5W reverse wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Phantom Black, Glacier Blue | Tahiti Blue, Coral Red |
| Models | V2102 | PAMH0001IN, PAMH0010IN, PAMH0019IN |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 140 EUR |
vivo Y12a
- Qualcomm’s software optimization may improve stability.
- Potentially slightly better battery life due to chipset efficiency.
- Familiar vivo UI for existing users.
- Slightly slower CPU clock speed compared to the Moto E7 Power.
- Likely similar camera performance to the Moto E7 Power.
Motorola Moto E7 Power
- Slightly faster CPU clock speed for improved responsiveness.
- Cleaner Android experience with minimal bloatware.
- Helio G25 offers a marginal performance boost.
- MediaTek chipsets sometimes lack the same level of software support as Qualcomm.
- Potentially slightly shorter battery life compared to the vivo Y12a.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Detailed display specs (resolution, brightness) are unavailable, but we can infer similar performance. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic readability. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both, maximizing screen real estate within a budget.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance will be limited on both devices. Without detailed sensor information, it’s safe to assume both rely on basic image sensors. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on both is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit due to the low resolution. Image quality will be acceptable in well-lit conditions, but expect significant noise and a lack of detail in low light. The image processing algorithms will be key, and Motorola’s typically leans towards a more natural look, while vivo often employs more aggressive sharpening.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto E7 Power’s MediaTek Helio G25 features a slightly higher peak CPU clock speed (2.0 GHz vs 1.95 GHz on the vivo Y12a’s Snapdragon 439). While both utilize Cortex-A53 cores, the G25’s marginal speed advantage translates to a potentially snappier response in app launches and multitasking. Both chipsets are built on a 12nm process, suggesting similar power efficiency. However, the Snapdragon 439 benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software support, potentially mitigating some of the G25’s clock speed advantage in real-world usage. Neither phone is designed for demanding gaming; expect to limit yourself to less intensive titles.
Battery Life
Both phones feature 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds (expect around 2.5-3 hours for a full charge). Battery capacity is not specified, but given the target market, both likely house batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The slightly more efficient chipset in the vivo Y12a *could* translate to marginally longer battery life, but the difference will likely be negligible in everyday use. Both phones are designed to last a full day with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y12a if you need a phone primarily for basic communication, social media, and light web browsing, and value the familiarity of the vivo UI. Buy the Motorola Moto E7 Power if you prefer a cleaner Android experience, anticipate slightly heavier app usage, and want a phone that can handle a bit more multitasking without significant slowdowns. Both are excellent choices for first-time smartphone owners or as reliable backup devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Motorola Moto E7 Power receive Android updates?
Motorola’s update policy for the E series is typically limited to one major Android version update and a few security patches. Expect Android 12 or 13 as the likely final update, and limited long-term software support.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 439 in the vivo Y12a capable of running popular social media apps?
Yes, the Snapdragon 439 is sufficient for running popular social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. However, expect some slowdowns when multitasking or using resource-intensive features within these apps.
❓ Can either of these phones handle games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
While technically capable of running these games at the lowest settings, the experience will be far from optimal. Expect low frame rates, significant lag, and frequent crashes. These phones are not designed for demanding gaming.
❓ Does the Motorola Moto E7 Power have a fingerprint sensor?
No, the Motorola Moto E7 Power does not feature a fingerprint sensor. It relies on traditional security methods like PINs and patterns for unlocking the device.
