vivo Y1s vs Tecno Spark Go 2021: Which Budget Phone Delivers More Performance?

The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y1s and the Tecno Spark Go 2021 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point. However, a significant disparity in processing power separates these two devices, making the choice less about features and more about performance expectations.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the vivo Y1s is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Helio P35 chipset, with its eight cores, provides a substantial performance advantage over the Tecno Spark Go 2021’s quad-core processor. While the Spark Go 2021 may offer slightly better battery life due to lower power draw, the Y1s’s performance boost justifies the potential trade-off for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Y1s Tecno Spark Go 2021
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41LTE
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2020, November 26. Released 2020, November 262021, July 01
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, July 07
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame-
Dimensions155.1 x 75.1 x 8.3 mm (6.11 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)165.6 x 76.3 x 9.1 mm (6.52 x 3.00 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight161 g (5.68 oz)193 g (6.81 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
Size6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 480 nits
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Quad-core 1.8 GHz
ChipsetMediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)-
GPUPowerVR GE8320-
OSAndroid 10, Funtouch 10.5Android 10 (Go edition), HiOS 6.2
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM32GB 2GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual-13 MP, f/1.8, AF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF8 MP, f/2.0
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-LED flash
Single5 MP, f/1.88 MP, f/2.0
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE4.2, A2DP
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGmicroUSB 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
Battery
TypeLi-Ion 4030 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsAurora Blue, Olive BlackMaldives Blue, Horizon Orange, Galaxy Blue
Models1929-
PriceAbout 80 EURAbout 80 EUR

vivo Y1s

  • Significantly faster processor for smoother multitasking.
  • Octa-core architecture handles demanding apps better.
  • Potentially better camera image processing.
  • More responsive user experience.

  • May have slightly shorter battery life due to higher power draw.
  • Potentially higher price point.

Tecno Spark Go 2021

  • Likely longer battery life due to lower power consumption.
  • Potentially lower price point.
  • Simpler user experience for basic tasks.
  • Adequate for calls and messaging.

  • Slow processor struggles with multitasking.
  • Quad-core architecture limits performance.
  • Laggy user interface.
  • Poor performance with demanding apps.

Display Comparison

Neither device is expected to boast a high-end display. Given the price bracket, both likely utilize LCD panels with 720p+ resolution. Without specific brightness or color gamut data, it’s reasonable to assume similar visual experiences. The focus here isn’t on display quality, but on the underlying processing power to drive the UI smoothly.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. It’s probable that both devices include a primary camera and potentially a depth sensor. The image processing capabilities will heavily rely on the chipset, giving the Y1s an edge due to its more powerful processor. Expect the Y1s to handle image processing and HDR algorithms more efficiently.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipset. The vivo Y1s’s Mediatek Helio P35 is an octa-core processor built on a 12nm process, featuring four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.35 GHz and another four at 1.8 GHz. This architecture allows for parallel processing, significantly improving multitasking and app launch speeds. In contrast, the Tecno Spark Go 2021 utilizes a quad-core 1.8 GHz processor. The lack of additional cores and the potentially older architecture will result in noticeably slower performance, especially when running multiple applications or demanding tasks. The Helio P35’s higher clock speeds further contribute to its performance advantage.

Battery Life

Battery capacity data is missing for both devices. However, the Tecno Spark Go 2021’s less powerful processor will likely consume less energy, potentially resulting in longer battery life. The Y1s’s Helio P35, while more capable, will draw more power under load. Charging wattage is also unknown, making it difficult to assess 0-100% charging times. The trade-off is performance versus potential longevity.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Y1s if you need a phone capable of handling more than basic tasks like calls and messaging – if you plan to use social media apps, browse the web with multiple tabs, or occasionally play light games. Buy the Tecno Spark Go 2021 if your primary needs are extremely basic communication and you prioritize maximizing battery life above all else, and are willing to accept significantly slower performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the vivo Y1s be able to run popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the Helio P35 chipset in the vivo Y1s is more than capable of running social media apps smoothly, even with multiple apps open in the background. The octa-core processor and sufficient RAM (though unspecified) will provide a responsive experience.
❓ Is the Tecno Spark Go 2021 suitable for playing mobile games?
The Tecno Spark Go 2021 is not ideal for gaming. Its quad-core processor will struggle with most modern mobile games, resulting in low frame rates and lag. It may be able to handle very basic 2D games, but don't expect a good gaming experience.
❓ How much storage does each phone offer, and can it be expanded?
Storage capacity is not specified. However, both phones likely offer expandable storage via microSD card, a common feature in this price segment. Checking the product listing is crucial to confirm the base storage and maximum microSD card support.
❓ What version of Android do these phones run?
The Android version is not specified. However, given the price point, it's likely to be Android Go Edition on the Tecno Spark Go 2021 to optimize performance on the limited hardware. The vivo Y1s may run a slightly more full-featured version of Android, but likely still an older version.