The vivo Y12a and Samsung Galaxy A02s represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum, targeting first-time buyers or those needing a reliable secondary device. Both phones aim to deliver essential functionality at an incredibly low cost, but key differences in their chipsets and display characteristics create distinct user experiences. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A02s emerges as the slightly better choice. While both phones share a similar price point, the A02s’s Snapdragon 450, built on a more efficient 14nm process, offers a marginal performance advantage and slightly faster charging. The measured 406 nits brightness also provides a more usable outdoor experience.
| 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, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 21 | 2020, November 24. Released 2021, January 04 |
| 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) | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB 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 |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8 | 3.15 MP |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
5W reverse wired | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 530 h (2G) / Up to 530 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 6 h 12 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 18 min (3G) |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Phantom Black, Glacier Blue | Black, White, Red, Blue |
| Models | V2102 | SM-A025F, SM-A025F/DS, SM-A025G, SM-A025G/DS, SM-A025M, SM-A025M/DS, SM-A025U, SM-A025V, SM-A025A, SM-A025U1, SM-A025AZ, SM-S124DL |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.79 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.40 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -81.4dB / Crosstalk -80.5dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1765:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.8 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 90811 (v8)
GeekBench: 495 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Y12a
- Offers 5W reverse wired charging for accessory power.
- Potentially lower price point depending on region.
- Simple and straightforward user interface.
- Older Snapdragon 439 chipset with less efficient 12nm process.
- Slower 10W charging.
- Limited display specifications.
Samsung Galaxy A02s
- More efficient Snapdragon 450 chipset (14nm).
- Faster 15W wired charging.
- Brighter display (406 nits) for better outdoor visibility.
- Lacks reverse wired charging functionality.
- Basic camera performance.
- May be slightly more expensive.
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A02s boasts a measured peak brightness of 406 nits, a significant advantage over the unmeasured display of the vivo Y12a. Both displays share a 1765:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color reproduction capabilities. However, the higher brightness of the A02s translates to better visibility in direct sunlight, a crucial factor for outdoor use. The lack of detailed display specifications for the Y12a makes a precise comparison difficult, but the A02s’s measured performance provides a clear benefit.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature basic photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is challenging. It’s reasonable to assume both phones rely on similar budget image sensors. The presence of a camera on both devices is more for basic documentation than serious photography, and users shouldn't expect high-quality results in low-light conditions. The marketing materials for both devices emphasize the camera, but the actual performance is likely similar.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the vivo Y12a utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 (12nm), while the Samsung Galaxy A02s features the Snapdragon 450 (14nm). While both are octa-core processors using Cortex-A53 cores, the 450’s 14nm process generally leads to better power efficiency and slightly improved sustained performance. The Y12a’s CPU clocks are split (1.95GHz & 1.45GHz), potentially impacting multi-tasking, while the A02s maintains a consistent 1.8GHz across all cores. This translates to a smoother experience with the A02s, particularly when running multiple apps.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Y12a and Samsung Galaxy A02s achieve an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage. However, the A02s supports 15W wired charging, significantly faster than the Y12a’s 10W charging. This means the A02s can replenish its battery more quickly, reducing downtime. The Y12a does offer 5W reverse wired charging, a unique feature allowing it to charge other devices, but this comes at the cost of slower overall charging speeds.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y12a if you prioritize reverse wired charging for powering accessories, and are comfortable with a slightly older chipset. This is a good option for users who frequently need to top up other devices on the go. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A02s if you value a marginally more responsive user experience, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and faster 15W charging, making it ideal for users who need a dependable daily driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 450 in the Galaxy A02s powerful enough for basic social media and messaging?
Yes, the Snapdragon 450 is perfectly adequate for everyday tasks like browsing social media, sending messages, and making calls. While it won't handle demanding games or intensive multitasking, it provides a smooth and responsive experience for typical smartphone usage.
❓ Does the vivo Y12a's reverse charging feature significantly impact its battery life?
Using the vivo Y12a's 5W reverse charging will definitely drain its battery. It's best suited for emergency top-ups of small devices like earbuds or smartwatches, rather than fully charging another phone. Expect a noticeable reduction in the Y12a's battery life if used frequently.
❓ Can I expect a smooth gaming experience on either of these phones?
Neither the vivo Y12a nor the Samsung Galaxy A02s are designed for serious gaming. While they can handle very basic games, you'll likely experience lag and low frame rates in more demanding titles. These phones are best suited for casual gaming, not graphically intensive experiences.
❓ What kind of storage options are available on these devices?
Both phones typically come with 32GB of internal storage, which is quite limited. Thankfully, both support microSD card expansion, allowing you to add more storage for photos, videos, and apps. We recommend purchasing a microSD card if you plan to store a lot of media.
