The vivo Y12i and Samsung Galaxy A11 represent the entry-level of smartphone technology, often the first step for new smartphone users or those seeking a reliable secondary device. Both phones aim to deliver essential functionality at an affordable price, but they differ in their underlying hardware, particularly in their Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. This comparison will dissect those differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing slightly faster charging and a marginally more efficient processor, the Samsung Galaxy A11 is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 450, built on a 14nm process, offers a small edge in power efficiency over the vivo Y12i’s Snapdragon 439, and the 15W charging is a noticeable benefit.
| 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, 8, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A115U |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 10. Released 2020, July 10 | 2020, March 13. Released 2020, May 01 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.4 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.28 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 161.4 x 76.3 x 8 mm (6.35 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190.5 g (6.74 oz) | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1544 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.35 inches, 99.6 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~81.6% 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 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.1 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI Core 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8 | - |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| 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 | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| 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 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Agate Red, Mineral Blue | Black, White, Blue, Red |
| Models | - | SM-A115F/DS, SM-A115F, SM-A115M, SM-A115M/DS, SM-A115U, SM-A115A, SM-A115AZ, SM-A115U1, SM-A115W, SM-A115AP, SM-S115DL |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
vivo Y12i
- Potentially lower price point
- big.LITTLE CPU architecture *could* offer burst performance
- Reliable Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset
- Slower 10W charging
- Less power-efficient 12nm chipset
- Likely less refined software experience
Samsung Galaxy A11
- Faster 15W charging
- More power-efficient 14nm chipset
- Samsung’s established brand reputation
- Potentially higher price
- CPU clocked slightly lower than Y12i's peak
- Similar basic camera capabilities
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic usability. Without specific display specs, we can assume both offer adequate viewing angles and color reproduction for everyday tasks. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced panel technologies like AMOLED is expected.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. Without detailed sensor information, it’s safe to assume both rely on primary sensors with modest resolutions. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS). Image processing will be the key differentiator, and Samsung’s typically more aggressive image processing algorithms might yield slightly more vibrant, albeit potentially less natural, photos.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A11’s Snapdragon 450, fabricated on a 14nm process, benefits from a smaller manufacturing node compared to the vivo Y12i’s Snapdragon 439 (12nm). While both utilize octa-core Cortex-A53 CPUs, the 14nm process generally translates to better power efficiency, meaning the A11 may exhibit slightly longer battery life under similar usage. The A11’s CPU clocks in at a consistent 1.8 GHz, while the Y12i employs a big.LITTLE architecture with 1.95 GHz and 1.45 GHz cores; this *could* offer a burst of speed for certain tasks, but the overall impact is likely minimal. Neither chipset is designed for demanding games or applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified, but both phones likely house batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range, standard for this segment. However, the Samsung Galaxy A11’s 15W wired charging is a significant advantage over the vivo Y12i’s 10W charging. This translates to a noticeably faster 0-100% charge time, reducing downtime and improving overall usability. While a larger battery capacity is desirable, faster charging can mitigate the impact of a slightly smaller battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y12i if you need a phone primarily for basic communication – calls, texts, and light social media – and are extremely budget-conscious. Its Snapdragon 439 is sufficient for these tasks. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A11 if you prefer a slightly more responsive experience, anticipate occasional light gaming, and value the convenience of faster 15W charging, even if it means a small price premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 450 in the Galaxy A11 handle popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 450 is more than capable of handling everyday apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and basic web browsing. While not a powerhouse, it provides a responsive experience for these common tasks, and the 14nm process helps maintain stability during prolonged use.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the vivo Y12i with its 10W charger?
With a 10W charger, expect the vivo Y12i to take approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%, depending on battery capacity and usage during charging. This is significantly slower than the Galaxy A11’s 15W charging.
❓ Is the camera on either phone good enough for casual snapshots and social media?
Both phones are adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions. However, don't expect exceptional image quality, especially in low light. The 2MP macro lenses on both devices are largely for marketing and offer limited practical benefit. Focus on utilizing the main camera in well-lit environments.
