The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y12i and Tecno Spark 5 Pro aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point. This comparison dissects their core components – chipset, performance, and battery – to determine which device offers the best value for users prioritizing affordability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent, if not blazing-fast, performance, the vivo Y12i edges out the Tecno Spark 5 Pro. The Snapdragon 439, while older, generally offers a slightly smoother experience in everyday tasks due to its more refined Cortex-A53 implementation.
| 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, 8, 40 | LTE |
| 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 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 10. Released 2020, July 10 | 2020, July 13. Released 2020, July 13 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | 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) | 164.7 x 76.3 x 8.8 mm (6.48 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190.5 g (6.74 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1544 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.35 inches, 99.6 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.1 | Android 10, HIOS 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8 | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8 | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Agate Red, Mineral Blue | Ice Jadeite, Spark Orange, Seabed Blue, Cloud White |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 120 EUR |
vivo Y12i
- Slightly more refined CPU architecture (Snapdragon 439)
- Established brand reputation (vivo)
- Potentially smoother everyday performance
- 10W charging is relatively slow
- Limited RAM may hinder multitasking
Tecno Spark 5 pro
- Potentially lower price point
- Large battery capacity (estimated)
- May offer unique software features
- Helio A25 may exhibit slightly more lag
- Less established brand recognition
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. Detailed specs like brightness and color accuracy are unavailable, but expect typical performance for budget phones – adequate for indoor use, but potentially washed out in direct sunlight. Bezels are likely substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones relying on basic sensors. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. Expect a primary camera accompanied by auxiliary lenses (likely a depth sensor and potentially a macro lens) on both devices. Image quality will be acceptable in good lighting conditions, but will suffer in low light. The 2MP macro cameras often found in this segment offer limited practical benefit due to their low resolution and lack of autofocus.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Y12i features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 439, built on a 12nm process, with an octa-core CPU configuration split between 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.45 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Tecno Spark 5 Pro utilizes the MediaTek Helio A25, also on a 12nm process, with a similar octa-core setup of 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. While both are entry-level, the Snapdragon 439’s slightly higher clock speeds on its primary cores, and Qualcomm’s generally more optimized CPU architecture, translate to a marginally snappier experience. The GPU performance is likely comparable, sufficient for basic gaming but struggling with demanding titles. RAM configurations are not specified, but both will likely feature 2-3GB, impacting multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but both likely feature around 4000-5000mAh batteries, typical for this price range. The vivo Y12i supports 10W wired charging. Charging speed for the Tecno Spark 5 Pro is unknown, but is likely similar. Expect a full charge to take several hours with either device. Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but both should comfortably last a full day with moderate use.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y12i if you need a reliably functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, messaging, and light social media use, and value a slightly more established brand reputation. Buy the Tecno Spark 5 Pro if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are willing to accept minor performance trade-offs for cost savings, or if you find a specific deal that makes it significantly cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio A25 in the Tecno Spark 5 Pro struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the Helio A25 can handle basic apps like WhatsApp and Facebook, expect some lag when multitasking or using more demanding features within those apps. The Snapdragon 439 in the vivo Y12i will likely offer a smoother experience, but neither chipset is designed for heavy app usage.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the vivo Y12i too slow for daily use?
10W charging is indeed slow by modern standards. Expect a full charge to take around 3-4 hours. However, given the likely battery capacity (around 4000-5000mAh), overnight charging is a viable solution, and the slower charging rate may contribute to slightly better battery health over the long term.
❓ Can either of these phones run PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Running PUBG Mobile on either the vivo Y12i or Tecno Spark 5 Pro will require significant compromises. Expect to play at the lowest graphics settings and frame rates, and even then, you may experience stuttering and lag. These phones are not designed for demanding gaming.
