The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y18t and Samsung Galaxy A05s represent two compelling options, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Y18t leverages MediaTek's Unisoc T612, while the A05s opts for Qualcomm's Snapdragon 680. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A05s emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage and better thermal management. The A05s also boasts superior battery life, as evidenced by its 11:32h active use score, and a brighter display.
| 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, November 12 | 2023, September 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, November 12 | Available. Released 2023, October 18 |
| 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) | 168 x 77.8 x 8.8 mm (6.61 x 3.06 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 840 nits (HBM) | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T612 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 14, Funtouch 14 | Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.X", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| 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, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Black, Gem Green | Black, Silver, Light Green, Violet |
| Models | - | SM-A057F, SM-A057F/DS, SM-A057M, SM-A057M/DS, SM-A057G/DSN, SM-A057G |
| Price | About 110 EUR | $ 134.00 / C$ 146.99 / £ 83.94 / € 100.99 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.58 W/kg (head) 1.31 W/kg (body) |
vivo Y18t
- Potentially lower price point
- Unisoc T612 is adequate for basic tasks
- Likely lightweight design
- Less powerful chipset compared to Snapdragon 680
- Slower charging speed (15W)
- Likely lower display brightness
Samsung Galaxy A05s
- More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Excellent battery life (11:32h active use)
- Faster 25W charging
- Brighter display (468 nits)
- May be slightly more expensive
- Camera performance likely average
- No high refresh rate display
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A05s features a display capable of reaching 468 nits of peak brightness, a significant advantage over the likely lower brightness of the vivo Y18t (no data provided). This translates to better visibility outdoors. While the Y18t’s panel characteristics are unknown, the A05s’ 1418:1 contrast ratio indicates good black levels and overall image quality. The lack of high refresh rate support on either device is typical for this price segment, but the A05s’ brighter panel is a clear win for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Both devices likely feature modest camera systems geared towards casual photography. The context data only mentions 'Photo / Video' for the A05s, suggesting a standard setup. Without specific sensor details for either phone, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the A05s’ brand reputation suggests a more refined image processing pipeline. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A05s is unlikely to be a significant benefit, given the limitations of such sensors, but the main sensor quality will be the deciding factor.
Performance
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 in the A05s, fabricated on a 6nm process, is a more modern and efficient chipset than the Unisoc T612 (12nm) found in the Y18t. The Snapdragon 680’s CPU configuration – 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver – offers a higher peak clock speed and a more balanced architecture compared to the Y18t’s 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience. The 6nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended use.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A05s demonstrates a clear advantage in battery life, achieving an impressive 11 hours and 32 minutes of active use. While the Y18t’s battery capacity is unknown, the A05s’ efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset and optimized software contribute to its longevity. Furthermore, the A05s supports 25W wired charging, significantly faster than the Y18t’s 15W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups when needed. This faster charging speed is a practical benefit for users who frequently find themselves needing to recharge throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y18t if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A05s if you value smoother performance for multitasking and gaming, longer battery life, and a more vibrant viewing experience, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 680 in the Galaxy A05s handle popular games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 680 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but likely at medium graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. While not a gaming powerhouse, it offers a significantly better gaming experience than the Unisoc T612 in the Y18t due to its more powerful GPU and efficient thermal management.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A05s with the 25W charger?
While Samsung doesn't officially state the 0-100% charging time, based on similar devices with 25W charging and a comparable battery capacity, you can expect a full charge in approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours. This is considerably faster than the Y18t's 15W charging.
❓ Is the Unisoc T612 in the vivo Y18t sufficient for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the Unisoc T612 is adequate for basic smartphone tasks such as web browsing, social media, and messaging. However, you may experience some lag or slowdown when multitasking or running more demanding applications. It's best suited for users with light usage patterns.
