The vivo Y12s and Samsung Galaxy A02s represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at a minimal cost, but they achieve this with different approaches to chipset selection and feature prioritization. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device offers the best value for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A02s emerges as the slightly better choice. While both phones offer similar endurance ratings (114h), the A02s’s 15W charging provides a faster top-up, and its measured 406 nits brightness offers a more usable outdoor experience than the Y12s’s unspecified display brightness.
| 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 | 2020, November 16. Released 2020, November 16 | 2020, November 24. Released 2021, January 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | 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 (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 10, 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, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, Panorama | LED flash |
| Single | - | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 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 | Glacier Blue, Phantom Black | Black, White, Red, Blue |
| Models | V2026, V2033, V2042 | 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 Y12s
- Slightly newer chipset architecture (Helio P35)
- 5W reverse wired charging
- Potentially lower price (depending on region)
- Lower charging speed (10W)
- Unspecified display brightness
- Limited brand recognition
Samsung Galaxy A02s
- Faster charging (15W)
- Brighter display (406 nits)
- Established brand reputation (Samsung)
- Older chipset (Snapdragon 450)
- No reverse wired charging
- Potentially higher price (depending on region)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A02s boasts a measured peak brightness of 406 nits, a significant advantage over the vivo Y12s, which lacks published brightness data. While both share a 1765:1 contrast ratio, the A02s’s higher brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. The Y12s’s display specifications are largely unknown, making it difficult to assess its color accuracy or viewing angles. This makes the A02s the clear winner for users who frequently use their phones outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature basic photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are scarce. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is challenging. It’s safe to assume both rely on budget sensors and image processing. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization. Image quality will likely be comparable, favoring the device with better software optimization.
Performance
The vivo Y12s utilizes the Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with a split core configuration (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53). The Samsung Galaxy A02s, however, is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 (14nm) with a uniform octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 setup. Despite the higher clock speeds on some cores of the Helio P35, the Snapdragon 450’s 14nm process *should* offer better power efficiency. Real-world performance will likely be similar for basic tasks, but the Snapdragon 450 may exhibit slightly better sustained performance under load due to improved thermal management. The Y12s's newer architecture doesn't guarantee a performance lead.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Y12s and Samsung Galaxy A02s achieve an endurance rating of 114 hours, suggesting similar battery life under typical usage. However, the A02s has a charging advantage with 15W wired charging, compared to the Y12s’s 10W charging. This translates to a faster 0-100% charge time for the A02s. The Y12s does offer 5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices, a feature absent on the A02s.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y12s if you prioritize a slightly newer chipset architecture (though not necessarily performance) and potentially benefit from the 5W reverse wired charging for accessories. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A02s if you value faster charging speeds, a brighter and more viewable display, and the established brand reputation of Samsung within the budget segment.
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 experience for core smartphone functions.
❓ Does the vivo Y12s's reverse charging feature significantly impact battery life when used?
The 5W reverse charging on the Y12s is primarily intended for small accessories like earbuds or smartwatches. While it's a convenient feature, using it to charge other devices will noticeably drain the Y12s's battery, reducing its overall runtime.
❓ How does the camera performance compare in low-light conditions?
Given the budget nature of both devices, low-light camera performance will be limited. Expect noisy images with a lack of detail. The device with better software processing will likely produce slightly more usable results, but neither is expected to excel in challenging lighting scenarios.
❓ Will I experience noticeable lag when switching between apps on either phone?
Both phones have 3GB of RAM, which is sufficient for basic multitasking. However, you may experience some lag when switching between multiple apps, especially if they are resource-intensive. Closing unused apps will help maintain smoother performance.
