The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y15a and Realme C25Y aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily in their chipset choices and charging capabilities. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C25Y emerges as the better choice. Its Unisoc T610 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 performance cores, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the vivo Y15a’s Helio P35. The 18W charging is a significant advantage, reducing downtime compared to the Y15a’s slower 10W charging.
| 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, September 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 15 | Available. Released 2021, September 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 164.5 x 76 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| 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 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 420 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 | Android 11, Realme UI R |
| 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 |
|---|
| 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, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 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, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@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, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
5W reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Wave Green, Mystic Blue | Glacier Blue, Metal Gray |
| Models | V2134 | RMX3265, RMX3268, RMX3269 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 140 EUR |
vivo Y15a
- Potentially longer battery life under light use due to less powerful processor.
- Reverse wired charging capability (5W).
- Simple and reliable for basic tasks.
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Realme C25Y.
- Slow 10W charging.
- Less responsive user experience.
Realme C25Y
- Faster and more responsive performance thanks to the Unisoc T610.
- 18W fast charging for quicker top-ups.
- More capable for multitasking and light gaming.
- Battery life may be slightly shorter under heavy load.
- Unisoc chipset may have less software support compared to MediaTek.
- Build quality may be slightly less premium.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Detailed display specs (resolution, brightness) are unavailable, but we can infer that both will offer adequate, but not exceptional, viewing experiences. The focus here is on functionality over fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, relying heavily on software processing. Both devices likely feature a primary camera and multiple secondary sensors (often 2MP macro/depth). Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the chipset’s image signal processor (ISP) plays a role, and the Unisoc T610 in the Realme C25Y likely offers slightly more advanced image processing capabilities. Don't expect flagship-level image quality from either device.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C25Y’s Unisoc T610 utilizes a big.LITTLE architecture with 2x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This configuration provides a significant advantage in multi-threaded tasks and responsiveness compared to the vivo Y15a’s MediaTek Helio P35, which relies solely on 4x 2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The A75 cores in the T610 offer substantially higher single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother scrolling. While both are built on a 12nm process, the architectural advantage favors the Realme C25Y.
Battery Life
Both phones will likely offer all-day battery life with moderate use. The Realme C25Y’s 18W charging is a clear win. While the Y15a supports 5W reverse wired charging, the C25Y’s faster charging significantly reduces the time spent tethered to a wall outlet. A full charge on the Y15a will take considerably longer than on the C25Y, making the latter more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y15a if your primary need is a simple, reliable device for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and you prioritize a potentially longer-lasting battery due to the less powerful processor. Buy the Realme C25Y if you want a more responsive experience for multitasking, occasional gaming, and appreciate the convenience of faster charging, even if it means slightly reduced battery life under heavy load.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C25Y handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Unisoc T610 in the Realme C25Y can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at lower graphics settings (balanced or low) to maintain a stable frame rate. The Helio P35 in the vivo Y15a will struggle with PUBG, even on the lowest settings.
❓ Is the 5W reverse charging on the vivo Y15a actually useful?
The 5W reverse charging on the vivo Y15a is very slow and best suited for emergencies – topping up a wireless earbud case or a smartwatch. It's not a practical solution for significantly charging another phone.
❓ How much faster is the 18W charging on the Realme C25Y compared to the 10W on the vivo Y15a?
The 18W charging on the Realme C25Y will likely charge the phone from 0-100% in around 2.5-3 hours, while the vivo Y15a’s 10W charging could take 4-5 hours or longer. This is a substantial difference for users who need to quickly recharge their device.
❓ Which phone is better for someone who primarily uses WhatsApp and makes calls?
Both phones are perfectly adequate for WhatsApp and calls. However, the Realme C25Y’s smoother performance will make the overall experience more pleasant, even for these basic tasks. The faster charging is also a benefit for frequent users.
