The sub-€100 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y15 and Infinix Note 7 represent compelling options for users prioritizing affordability, but they take different approaches. The Y15 focuses on a streamlined experience, while the Note 7 aims for a more robust feature set, particularly in performance and charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Infinix Note 7 is the superior choice. Its Helio G70 chipset offers a significant performance uplift over the Y15’s Helio P22, making it better suited for gaming and demanding applications. The 18W charging is a substantial advantage, mitigating the impact of a potentially similar battery capacity. While the Y15 is cheaper, the Note 7’s extra power justifies the slight price increase.
| 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, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 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, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May 28. Released 2019, May | 2020, April 06. Released 2020, July |
| 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) | 173.4 x 79 x 8.8 mm (6.83 x 3.11 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190.5 g (6.74 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1544 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 720 x 1640 pixels (~258 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.35 inches, 99.6 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.95 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 2EEMC2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9 | Android 10, XOS 6.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
2 MP, f/1.8, (dedicated video camera) - 128/6 model only
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aqua Blue, Burgundy Red | Forest Green, Aether Black, Bolivia Blue |
| Models | - | X690B, X690 |
| Price | About 70 EUR | - |
| SAR | 1.01 W/kg (head) 0.75 W/kg (body) | - |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 64GB 4GB RAM | € 72.66 | - |
vivo Y15
- Lowest possible price point
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Potentially longer battery life due to less powerful chipset
- Significantly weaker performance
- Slow charging speeds
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Infinix Note 7
- Superior performance with Helio G70
- Faster 18W charging
- Better suited for gaming and streaming
- Slightly higher price
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load
- May include bloatware
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting similar power constraints impacting display capabilities. While specific display specs are missing for the Y15, it’s likely an IPS LCD panel, common in this price bracket. The Note 7’s display details are also absent, but given its focus on media consumption, a reasonably bright and color-accurate panel is expected. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO on either device is typical for this segment, meaning users shouldn’t expect fluid scrolling or exceptional outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is difficult to assess without detailed sensor information. However, it’s safe to assume both phones rely on budget sensors. The Y15’s camera setup is likely focused on basic photography, while the Note 7 may offer slightly better image quality due to the more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Helio G70. The prevalence of 2MP macro/depth sensors in this price range suggests limited utility; these are often included for marketing purposes rather than genuine photographic enhancement. Expect acceptable results in good lighting conditions, but both phones will struggle in low-light scenarios.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Infinix Note 7’s MediaTek Helio G70 is a clear upgrade over the vivo Y15’s Helio P22. The G70 features a combination of 2x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x 1.7 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, offering significantly better multi-core performance than the Y15’s 8x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The A75 cores in the G70 provide a substantial boost in single-core performance, crucial for app launch speeds and responsiveness. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural improvements in the G70 translate to a smoother user experience, especially when multitasking or playing graphically intensive games. The Y15 will struggle with demanding titles, while the Note 7 can handle them at lower settings.
Battery Life
Both devices likely feature similar battery capacities, typical for this price point (around 5000mAh is a reasonable expectation for both). However, the Infinix Note 7’s 18W wired charging is a game-changer. This allows for significantly faster charging times compared to the Y15, which likely supports only standard 10W or 15W charging. The faster charging mitigates the impact of a potentially similar battery capacity, providing users with less downtime and more usable screen-on time throughout the day. The convenience of quickly topping up the battery is a significant advantage for the Note 7.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y15 if you need a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and prioritize the absolute lowest price. You’ll be content with its simplicity. Buy the Infinix Note 7 if you want a phone capable of handling moderate gaming, streaming video, and multitasking without significant slowdowns, and value faster charging for minimal downtime. It’s the better all-rounder.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix Note 7 run PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Helio G70 in the Infinix Note 7 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to use medium or low graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. The Y15’s Helio P22 will struggle significantly with PUBG, even on the lowest settings.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Infinix Note 7 a significant improvement over standard charging?
Yes, it is. 18W charging will reduce charging times considerably compared to the typical 10W or 15W charging found on the vivo Y15. Expect to go from 0% to 50% in around 30-45 minutes with the Note 7, versus potentially over an hour with the Y15.
❓ How much of a performance difference can I realistically expect between the Helio G70 and Helio P22?
The Helio G70 offers a substantial performance improvement – roughly 30-50% faster in CPU-intensive tasks and a noticeable boost in GPU performance. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a better gaming experience on the Infinix Note 7.
