The sub-₹10,000 (approximately $120 USD) smartphone segment is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y18 (India) and the Infinix Smart 8 Pro aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance in everyday tasks and slightly faster charging, the vivo Y18 (India) emerges as the better choice. Its Helio G85 chipset, featuring more powerful Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable edge over the Infinix Smart 8 Pro’s Helio G36, despite the latter’s higher clock speed on its less capable cores.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, May 03 | 2024, January 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, May 03 | Available. Released 2024, February |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 75.6 x 8.4 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 163.6 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 840 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 14, Funtouch 14 | Android 13 (Go edition), XOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | Ring-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 10W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Black, Gem Green | Rainbow Blue, Galaxy White, Shiny Gold, Timber Black |
| Models | V2333, V2345 | X6525B |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) | - |
vivo Y18 (India)
- More powerful CPU architecture (Cortex-A75 cores)
- Faster 15W wired charging
- Potentially smoother multitasking experience
- Lacks reverse wired charging
- May be slightly more expensive than the Infinix
Infinix Smart 8 Pro
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Potentially lower price point
- Higher clock speeds on Cortex-A53 cores (though less efficient)
- Less powerful CPU architecture (Cortex-A53 cores)
- Slower 10W wired charging
- Potentially noticeable lag with demanding apps
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. While specific details like resolution and peak brightness are missing, the focus here is on performance. Display quality will likely be similar, with both offering adequate viewing experiences for everyday use. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature a primary camera paired with auxiliary sensors of limited utility. The emphasis in this segment is rarely on image quality, but rather on providing a functional camera experience. The larger sensor (if present) will always be the determining factor, but without that data, we can assume similar results given the price point. Image processing will likely be heavily reliant on software algorithms to enhance photos.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Y18’s Mediatek Helio G85 utilizes a dual-cluster configuration with 2x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture provides a significant advantage in sustained performance compared to the Infinix Smart 8 Pro’s Helio G36, which features 4x 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. While the G36’s cores clock higher, the A53 architecture is less efficient and less powerful than the A75. This translates to smoother app switching and a more responsive experience on the vivo Y18, particularly with more demanding applications. The G85’s GPU will also offer a more capable gaming experience, though both phones are limited to light to medium gaming.
Battery Life
Both phones feature 12nm process technology, suggesting similar power efficiency. However, the Infinix Smart 8 Pro’s 10W charging is significantly slower than the vivo Y18’s 15W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed on the vivo Y18 means less time tethered to a wall socket. The inclusion of reverse wired charging on the Infinix Smart 8 Pro is a unique feature, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices, but this comes at the cost of slower overall charging speeds.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y18 (India) if you need a phone that handles multitasking and moderately demanding apps with greater fluidity, and if you value a slightly quicker charging experience. Buy the Infinix Smart 8 Pro if you prioritize reverse wired charging for topping up accessories and are willing to trade some processing power for this convenience, and potentially a slightly lower price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix Smart 8 Pro’s reverse charging be useful for my Bluetooth earbuds?
Yes, the Infinix Smart 8 Pro’s reverse wired charging is a convenient feature for topping up accessories like Bluetooth earbuds or smartwatches. However, the 10W charging speed is relatively slow, so it’s best suited for small top-ups rather than fully charging devices.
❓ Can the vivo Y18 (India) handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The vivo Y18 (India) with its Helio G85 chipset can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a playable frame rate. Expect some occasional stuttering during intense gameplay. The Infinix Smart 8 Pro will struggle more with these titles.
❓ Is the difference in CPU architecture between the Helio G85 and G36 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Helio G85’s Cortex-A75 cores are significantly more powerful than the G36’s Cortex-A53 cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience, especially when running multiple apps simultaneously.
❓ Which phone is better for watching videos and browsing the web?
Both phones are adequate for video streaming and web browsing. However, the vivo Y18’s slightly more powerful processor will result in smoother scrolling and faster page loading times, enhancing the overall browsing experience.
