The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y18i and Samsung Galaxy A15 represent compelling options for users prioritizing affordability. However, they take different approaches to achieving that price point, with the A15 leaning into a more powerful chipset and brighter display, while the Y18i focuses on a streamlined experience. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Samsung Galaxy A15 is the stronger choice. Its Mediatek Helio G99 chipset delivers noticeably better performance than the vivo Y18i’s Unisoc T612, and the significantly brighter 808 nit display enhances usability in outdoor conditions. While the Y18i is more affordable, the A15’s advantages justify the price difference.
| 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, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, August 23 | 2023, December 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August 23 | Available. Released 2023, December 16 |
| 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) | 160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 528 nits (HBM) | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T612 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 14, Funtouch 14 | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Black, Gem Green | Brave Black, Optimistic Blue, Magical Blue, Personality Yellow |
| Models | V2414 | SM-A155F, SM-A155F/DSN, SM-A155M, SM-A155M/DS, SM-A155P, SM-A155R |
| Price | About 90 EUR | € 168.99 / $ 125.00 / £ 113.00 |
| SAR | 0.69 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.29 W/kg (body) |
vivo Y18i
- Lower price point makes it very accessible.
- Simple and streamlined user experience.
- Potentially more compact design (speculation based on brand history).
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the A15.
- Likely dimmer display, impacting outdoor visibility.
- Slower charging speed.
Samsung Galaxy A15
- Superior performance thanks to the Helio G99 chipset.
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- Faster 25W charging.
- Longer battery life (15:28h active use).
- Slightly higher price point.
- May be larger and less comfortable to hold for some users.
- Software bloat (typical for Samsung).
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A15 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 808 nits. This is a substantial advantage over what we’d expect from the Y18i, making the A15 far more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. While the Y18i’s panel specifications aren’t available, it’s likely to be considerably dimmer. Both devices likely utilize LCD panels given their price points, but the A15’s brightness is the defining factor. Bezels are expected to be similar on both, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the vivo Y18i, a direct comparison is challenging. However, given the price bracket, both devices likely feature a primary camera as their main selling point. The A15’s image processing benefits from Mediatek’s ISP, potentially offering better dynamic range and noise reduction. It’s safe to assume both will include lower-resolution auxiliary cameras (likely 2MP macro/depth sensors) that offer limited practical value. Focusing on the primary sensor’s megapixel count and aperture would be more informative than analyzing the auxiliary lenses.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is considerable. The Samsung Galaxy A15’s Mediatek Helio G99, fabricated on a 6nm process, offers a clear advantage in efficiency and power compared to the vivo Y18i’s 12nm Unisoc T612. The Helio G99’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – outperforms the Y18i’s 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the A15. The 6nm process also implies better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained loads.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A15 demonstrates a clear advantage in battery endurance, achieving an active use score of 15 hours and 28 minutes. While the Y18i’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the A15’s superior chipset efficiency and larger battery (likely around 5000mAh) contribute to its longer runtime. Furthermore, the A15 supports 25W wired charging, significantly faster than the Y18i’s 15W charging. This means the A15 can replenish its battery much quicker, minimizing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y18i if you need a basic, reliable smartphone for essential tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely tight. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A15 if you prioritize smoother multitasking, occasional gaming, a brighter and more vibrant display, and longer battery life, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio G99 in the Galaxy A15 powerful enough for demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G99 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship gaming experience, it provides a playable experience for casual gamers. Expect some frame drops during intense firefights, but it's a significant step up from the Y18i's Unisoc T612.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A15 with the 25W charger?
With the included 25W charger, the Samsung Galaxy A15 should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is considerably faster than the Y18i's 15W charging, which would likely take over 3 hours.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A15 have a dedicated microSD card slot for expandable storage?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy A15 includes a dedicated microSD card slot, allowing you to expand the storage capacity up to 1TB. This is a valuable feature for users who plan to store a large number of photos, videos, or apps.
