The sub-₹15,000 (approximately $180 USD) smartphone segment in India is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y15a and the Samsung Galaxy A12 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects those differences and determines which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) is the better choice. Its Exynos 850 chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the vivo Y15a’s Helio P35, despite the latter’s slightly higher CPU clock speeds. While the Y15a offers acceptable performance for basic tasks, the A12’s efficiency and potential for smoother multitasking make it the winner.
| 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, 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 | 2021, November 15 | 2021, August 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 15 | Available. Released 2021, August 12 |
| 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 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 205 g (7.23 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 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| 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, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| 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, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
5W reverse wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Wave Green, Mystic Blue | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | V2134 | SM-A127F, SM-A127F/DS |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.79 W/kg (head) |
vivo Y15a
- Potentially longer standby time due to Helio P35 efficiency in idle mode.
- 5W reverse wired charging for accessory top-ups.
- Lower price point (likely).
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the Exynos 850.
- Slower charging speed (10W).
- Likely to struggle with multitasking and demanding apps.
Samsung Galaxy A12 (India)
- More powerful and efficient Exynos 850 chipset.
- Faster 15W charging.
- Smoother user experience and better multitasking capabilities.
- Potentially slightly shorter battery life under heavy load.
- May be slightly more expensive than the vivo Y15a.
- No reverse charging.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Details regarding panel type and resolution are missing, but both likely utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. The key difference lies in the processing power driving them. The Exynos 850 in the A12 will likely handle UI animations and scrolling more smoothly, even with a similar display specification. While neither phone is expected to deliver vibrant colors or high peak brightness, the A12’s more powerful GPU will contribute to a better overall visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but details beyond the presence of a 2MP macro lens on the Y15a are scarce. Given the price point, image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. However, the Exynos 850’s image signal processor (ISP) is likely more capable than the Helio P35’s, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction in the A12’s photos. The 2MP macro lens on the Y15a is unlikely to deliver significant detail and should be considered a marketing feature rather than a practical tool.
Performance
The core of the difference between these phones is the chipset. The Samsung Galaxy A12’s Exynos 850, fabricated on an 8nm process, is a significant step up from the vivo Y15a’s Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm). While the Y15a’s CPU boasts slightly higher peak clock speeds (2.3 GHz vs 2.0 GHz), the Exynos 850’s more modern Cortex-A55 cores and superior process node translate to better sustained performance and thermal efficiency. The 8nm process allows the Exynos 850 to deliver more performance per watt, meaning less throttling during prolonged use. This is crucial for multitasking and gaming, where the Helio P35 is likely to struggle.
Battery Life
The vivo Y15a’s 10W charging is noticeably slower than the Samsung Galaxy A12’s 15W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Exynos 850’s superior power efficiency means the A12 will likely offer comparable, if not better, real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity. The faster charging on the A12 also means less downtime, allowing users to quickly top up their battery when needed. The Y15a also offers 5W reverse wired charging, a niche feature for emergency charging of accessories, but the slow charging speed limits its practicality.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y15a if you need a phone primarily for basic communication – calls, texts, and light social media – and prioritize a potentially longer standby time due to the Helio P35’s power efficiency in idle scenarios. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) if you prefer a more responsive user experience, enjoy occasional gaming, or anticipate using multiple apps simultaneously. The A12’s Exynos 850 offers a more capable platform for everyday tasks and light entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy A12 get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 850 isn't a flagship-level gaming chip, its 8nm process and efficient thermal design allow it to handle moderate gaming for extended periods without significant throttling. You may experience some warmth, but it shouldn't become uncomfortably hot. The Helio P35 in the Y15a is more likely to throttle under similar conditions.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the vivo Y15a actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro camera on the Y15a is largely a marketing feature. The low resolution and lack of autofocus result in images that are often soft and lack detail. It's unlikely to deliver satisfying close-up shots compared to using the main camera with digital zoom.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) handle games like PUBG Mobile at playable frame rates?
The Galaxy A12 can run PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to stick to lower graphics settings (Balanced or Low) to achieve consistently playable frame rates. Expect around 30-40 FPS. The Helio P35 in the Y15a will struggle to maintain even those frame rates, even on the lowest settings.
❓ Which phone is better for watching videos on YouTube or streaming movies?
The Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) offers a slightly better experience for video consumption due to the Exynos 850’s more capable GPU. This translates to smoother playback and potentially better color reproduction, even if both phones have similar display panels. The A12 will also handle video decoding more efficiently.
