The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo Y18e and Infinix Smart 8 Pro are two contenders vying for your attention. Both devices leverage Mediatek's Helio series, but employ different chips and prioritize slightly different features. This comparison dissects their core specifications to determine which offers the best balance of performance, battery life, and value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the vivo Y18e emerges as the stronger choice. Its Helio G85 chipset, featuring more powerful Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance edge over the Infinix Smart 8 Pro’s Helio G36. While the Infinix offers reverse wired charging, the vivo’s superior processing power makes it better suited for everyday tasks and light gaming.
| 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, April 29 | 2024, January 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, May | 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, 528 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 | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | Ring-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (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 | 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 | V2350 | X6525B |
| Price | - | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) | - |
vivo Y18e
- Faster processor (Helio G85)
- Faster charging (15W)
- More responsive user experience
- Lacks reverse wired charging
- Likely similar camera performance to the Infinix
Infinix Smart 8 Pro
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Potentially slightly longer battery life due to lower power draw
- Competitive price point
- Slower processor (Helio G36)
- Slower charging (10W)
- Less responsive user experience
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. Detailed specs like resolution and peak brightness are missing, but we can assume they are similar – likely 720p+ resolution. The focus here isn’t on visual fidelity, but on basic usability. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both, and color accuracy will likely be standard for budget phones.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones relying on budget sensors. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on both devices suggests limited utility; these sensors often produce low-quality images. The primary camera’s performance will be the deciding factor, and image processing algorithms will play a crucial role. Expect acceptable results in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Y18e’s Mediatek Helio G85 utilizes a 12nm process and features an octa-core configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture provides a significant advantage in single-core performance compared to the Infinix Smart 8 Pro’s Helio G36. The G36 employs 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. While the G36 has a higher clock speed on its A53 cores, the A75 cores in the G85 are substantially more efficient and powerful. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking on the vivo. The G85 also generally offers better GPU performance for light gaming.
Battery Life
Both phones feature modest battery capacities, likely around 5000mAh (spec not provided, but standard for this segment). The key difference is charging speed. The vivo Y18e supports 15W wired charging, while the Infinix Smart 8 Pro is limited to 10W. This means the vivo will charge significantly faster, reducing downtime. The Infinix Smart 8 Pro does offer reverse wired charging, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices, a feature the vivo lacks. However, the slower charging speed and the need to sacrifice battery life to charge other devices may negate this benefit for some users.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y18e if you prioritize a smoother user experience, faster app loading times, and slightly better gaming performance. This phone is ideal for students, casual social media users, and those who need a reliable device for everyday communication. Buy the Infinix Smart 8 Pro if you value the convenience of reverse wired charging – the ability to top up other devices – and are willing to trade a small amount of processing power for this added functionality. It’s a good fit for users who frequently share power with friends or family.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix Smart 8 Pro’s reverse charging significantly drain its battery when used to charge a smartwatch?
Yes, using the Infinix Smart 8 Pro’s reverse charging feature to top up a smartwatch or other small device will noticeably drain its battery. The 10W output is relatively slow, meaning the phone will need to expend energy for a longer period to provide a meaningful charge. It’s best used for emergency top-ups rather than regular charging.
❓ Can the vivo Y18e handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The vivo Y18e’s 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 action sequences. It’s suitable for casual gaming, but not ideal for demanding gamers.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the vivo Y18e from 0% to 100%?
With its 15W charging, the vivo Y18e should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is considerably faster than the Infinix Smart 8 Pro’s 10W charging.
