The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y12s and the Motorola Moto G Play (2021) aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, relying on distinct chipsets and design philosophies. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly more modern chipset, the Motorola Moto G Play (2021) emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 460, built on an 11nm process, offers a modest but noticeable advantage in efficiency and responsiveness over the vivo Y12s’ Helio P35.
| 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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 38, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 4, 5, 12, 14, 30, 66 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, November 16. Released 2020, November 16 | 2021, January 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, January 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 76.3 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 166.6 x 76 x 9.4 mm (6.56 x 2.99 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 204 g (7.20 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| 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 (~80.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 11 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, Panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8 | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| 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-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glacier Blue, Phantom Black | Misty Blue |
| Models | V2026, V2033, V2042 | XT2093-3, XT2093-7, XT2093-DL, XT2093DL |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 60 EUR |
vivo Y12s
- 5W Reverse Wired Charging: Offers limited but useful charging for accessories.
- Potentially Cleaner Software: Depending on the region, vivo’s Funtouch OS may be less cluttered than Motorola’s.
- Competitive Price: Likely to be available at a similar or slightly lower price point.
- Older Chipset: The Helio P35 is less efficient and offers lower performance.
- 12nm Process: Less efficient than the Snapdragon 460’s 11nm process.
- Likely Slower Performance: Will struggle more with demanding tasks.
Motorola Moto G Play (2021)
- More Efficient Chipset: Snapdragon 460 offers better power efficiency.
- 11nm Process: Provides a slight advantage in thermal management.
- Qualcomm Stability: Snapdragon chipsets are generally known for their stability.
- Slightly Better Performance: Handles everyday tasks and light gaming more smoothly.
- Motorola Software: Motorola’s software can be perceived as bloated by some users.
- Standard 10W Charging: Charging speed is relatively slow.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. Specifics like resolution and brightness are not provided, but we can assume they are adequate for basic usage. The lack of higher refresh rates or advanced panel technologies like LTPO is expected at this price point. Bezels are likely to be noticeable on both, impacting the overall screen-to-body ratio. Color accuracy will likely be standard for budget devices, prioritizing power efficiency over color fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones relying on basic sensor setups. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make definitive claims. However, the inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution. Image processing will likely be heavily reliant on software algorithms to enhance photos, and results will vary depending on lighting conditions. Expect acceptable results in good lighting, but struggles in low-light scenarios. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on both devices further limits low-light performance.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto G Play (2021) features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm), while the vivo Y12s uses the MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm). The 11nm process of the Snapdragon 460 generally translates to better power efficiency compared to the 12nm Helio P35. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 460’s Kryo 240 cores offer a slight architectural advantage. The Helio P35’s Cortex-A53 cores are older and less efficient. This difference will be most noticeable during sustained tasks and multitasking. While neither phone is a gaming powerhouse, the Snapdragon 460 will likely handle less demanding games with slightly smoother frame rates. RAM configurations are not specified, but both will likely feature 3GB or 4GB, impacting multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
Both phones feature 10W wired charging, a standard offering in this price range. While the battery capacity isn’t specified, both are likely to be in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The Snapdragon 460’s improved power efficiency could translate to slightly longer battery life on the Moto G Play (2021), despite potentially having a similar capacity battery. A full charge from 0-100% will likely take around 2-3 hours on both devices, given the 10W charging rate. The vivo Y12s does offer 5W reverse wired charging, a niche feature allowing it to charge other devices, albeit slowly.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y12s if you prioritize a potentially more streamlined software experience (depending on regional customizations) and are comfortable with a chipset that, while capable, is showing its age. Buy the Motorola Moto G Play (2021) if you prefer a more recent Qualcomm chipset known for its stability and slightly better performance in everyday tasks and light gaming, even if it means accepting Motorola’s software approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Motorola Moto G Play (2021) struggle with popular apps like Facebook and WhatsApp?
The Snapdragon 460 should handle Facebook and WhatsApp without significant issues. While not a high-end processor, it’s sufficient for running these commonly used social media applications. However, running multiple apps simultaneously might lead to some slowdowns due to the limited RAM (likely 3GB or 4GB).
❓ Is the 5W reverse charging on the vivo Y12s actually useful?
The 5W reverse charging is a niche feature. It's useful for topping up accessories like Bluetooth earbuds or a smartwatch in an emergency, but it's very slow and not practical for charging a phone significantly. Expect a very long charging time for any device using this feature.
❓ Can either of these phones handle games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
Both phones will struggle with PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile at higher settings. You’ll likely need to play at the lowest graphics settings and frame rates to achieve a playable experience. The Snapdragon 460 in the Moto G Play (2021) will offer a slightly smoother experience, but don’t expect flagship-level gaming performance.
❓ How long will software updates be supported on the Motorola Moto G Play (2021)?
Motorola’s software update commitment for the Moto G Play (2021) is limited. Typically, these budget devices receive one major Android update and a few security patches. Don’t expect long-term software support like you’d find on more expensive devices.
