The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the vivo Y15a and the Oppo A16. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Oppo A16 edges out the vivo Y15a thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset (Helio G35 vs Helio P35) and potentially better gaming performance. Both offer similar battery life and camera quality, making the Oppo A16 the marginally better choice for most users.
| 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, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 15 | 2021, July 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 15 | Available. Released 2021, July 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 163.8 x 75.6 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, ColorOS 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
5W reverse wired | - |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Wave Green, Mystic Blue | Pearl Blue, Space Silver, Crystal Black |
| Models | V2134 | CPH2269 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | £ 88.50 / € 109.99 |
| SAR | - | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) |
vivo Y15a
- Reverse wired charging
- Slightly more compact design
- Decent battery life
- Less powerful chipset
- Average camera performance
- 10W charging
Oppo A16
- Slightly better performance (Helio G35)
- Larger display
- Decent battery life
- No reverse charging
- Average camera performance
- 10W charging
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.51-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels (HD+). While the panels are similar in size and resolution, Oppo A16 often has slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to Oppo's display tuning. Viewing angles are acceptable on both.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature a triple rear camera setup. Typically, this includes a 13MP main sensor, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro lens. Image quality is comparable, with decent performance in well-lit conditions. Low-light performance is average on both devices. The front-facing cameras are also similar, around 8MP, offering acceptable selfies.
Performance
Here's where the Oppo A16 gains a slight advantage. The Helio G35 chipset in the Oppo A16 offers a modest performance boost over the Helio P35 in the vivo Y15a. This translates to slightly smoother app loading times and better performance in less demanding games. Both phones handle everyday tasks like browsing and social media without issue.
Battery Life
Both phones pack a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life for moderate users. The vivo Y15a has a unique advantage with its 5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices. The Oppo A16 charges at 10W.
Buying Guide
The vivo Y15a is a good option for users prioritizing reverse charging and a slightly more compact design. The Oppo A16 is ideal for those seeking a bit more processing power for smoother multitasking and light gaming, and a slightly larger display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can the vivo Y15a charge other phones?
Yes, the vivo Y15a supports 5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to charge other devices slowly.
❓ Is the Oppo A16 good for gaming?
The Oppo A16 is adequate for light gaming, but don't expect high frame rates or demanding titles to run smoothly. The Helio G35 provides a slight edge over the Y15a's chipset.
