The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y20 2021 and the Infinix Smart 5 Pro aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly affordable price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their choice of chipset. This comparison dissects the key differences between the Mediatek Helio P35-powered vivo Y20 2021 and the Unisoc SC9863A-equipped Infinix Smart 5 Pro to determine which offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and a slightly smoother experience, the vivo Y20 2021 is the better choice. Its Helio P35 chipset, built on a more efficient 12nm process, offers a performance edge over the Infinix Smart 5 Pro’s 28nm Unisoc SC9863A, despite similar core counts. Both phones offer basic functionality, but the vivo edges out in usability.
| 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, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 40, 66 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, December 30. Released 2021, January 13 | 2021, November 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, November 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 76.3 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 164.4 x 75.6 x 9.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 11 | Android 11 (Go edition), XOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Quad-LED flash |
| Single | - | 8 MP |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dawn White, Nebula Blue | Morandi Green, Heart of Ocean |
| Models | V2043, V2048 | - |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 70 EUR |
vivo Y20 2021
- More efficient chipset (12nm)
- Higher CPU clock speeds
- Potentially smoother user experience
- 10W charging is slow
- Likely basic camera performance
Infinix Smart 5 Pro
- Lowest possible price point
- Acceptable for basic communication
- Potentially longer standby time (due to lower performance)
- Less efficient chipset (28nm)
- Lower CPU clock speeds
- May struggle with multitasking
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. However, the lack of detailed display specifications necessitates focusing on the chipset's impact on UI smoothness. A more powerful chipset, like the Helio P35, can mitigate some perceived display lag, even on a similar panel.
Camera Comparison
Given the price point, camera performance is unlikely to be a differentiating factor. Both phones likely feature basic camera setups. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both rely on software processing to enhance image quality. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Y20 2021’s Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm) features an octa-core configuration with a split core design – four cores clocked at 2.35 GHz (Cortex-A53) and four at 1.8 GHz. This contrasts with the Infinix Smart 5 Pro’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm), also octa-core, but with four cores at 1.6 GHz (Cortex-A55) and four at 1.2 GHz. The 12nm fabrication process of the Helio P35 is significantly more efficient than the 28nm process of the Unisoc chip. This translates to better thermal management and potentially sustained performance. While both use Cortex-A53/A55 cores, the higher clock speeds and process node give the Helio P35 an advantage in CPU-bound tasks. The newer Cortex-A55 architecture in the SC9863A offers some efficiency gains per clock cycle, but the lower clocks and larger process node negate much of this benefit.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the more efficient Helio P35 in the vivo Y20 2021 will likely result in slightly better battery life, even with a similar capacity battery. The 28nm Unisoc chip will consume more power during operation, reducing overall uptime.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y20 2021 if you need a phone that feels a bit more responsive for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light messaging. The Helio P35 provides a noticeable, albeit small, advantage in these scenarios. Buy the Infinix Smart 5 Pro if your primary concern is absolute lowest price and you primarily need a device for calls, texts, and very occasional, undemanding app use. The SC9863A will suffice for the most basic of smartphone needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix Smart 5 Pro struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the Infinix Smart 5 Pro can run these apps, the Unisoc SC9863A chipset may exhibit noticeable lag when switching between them or when the apps are heavily loaded with media. The vivo Y20 2021, with its Helio P35, will offer a smoother experience for these common tasks.
❓ Is the Helio P35 in the vivo Y20 2021 capable of playing mobile games?
The Helio P35 can handle very basic 2D games and older, less demanding 3D titles. However, it's not a gaming chipset. Expect low frame rates and graphical settings on most modern games. The Infinix Smart 5 Pro will likely perform even worse in gaming scenarios.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge either phone with the 10W charger?
Expect a full charge to take approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours with the included 10W charger. The charging speed is relatively slow on both devices, so overnight charging is recommended.
