The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y20 and the Samsung Galaxy M21 2021 aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the Y20 prioritizing efficiency with a Snapdragon 460, while the M21 2021 opts for a more powerful, albeit older, Exynos 9611. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy M21 2021 is the better choice. Its Exynos 9611 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Snapdragon 460 in the vivo Y20, making it more capable for multitasking and gaming. While the Y20 offers slightly better efficiency, the M21's larger battery mitigates this difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 26. Released 2020, August 28 | 2021, July 21 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, July 26 |
| 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) | 159 x 75.1 x 9 mm (6.26 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192.3 g (6.77 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 10.5 | Android 11, One UI 3.1 Core |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 20 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Obsidian Black, Dawn White, Purist Blue | Charcoal Black, Arctic Blue |
| Models | V2029, V2029_PK | SM-M215G, SM-M215G/DS |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.58 W/kg (body) | 0.47 W/kg (head) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 64GB 3GB RAM | Rp 2,099,000 | - |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | ₹ 13,990 | - |
vivo Y20
- More efficient Snapdragon 460 chipset
- Potentially more compact form factor
- Faster charging speed (18W)
- Less powerful CPU for demanding tasks
- Likely lower performance in gaming
- Potentially less refined camera software
Samsung Galaxy M21 2021
- More powerful Exynos 9611 chipset
- Better multitasking capabilities
- Likely larger battery capacity
- Less power-efficient chipset
- Potentially larger and less pocketable
- Slower charging speed (15W)
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common choice in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but functionality. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are missing, the M21 2021's larger screen size is a benefit for media consumption. The Y20's smaller form factor might appeal to users preferring a more pocketable device. Color accuracy and viewing angles are likely similar, leaning towards acceptable rather than exceptional.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones targeting the entry-level segment. The absence of detailed sensor information makes a precise comparison difficult. However, the focus should be on the main sensor's capabilities. While both phones likely include multiple rear cameras, the 2MP macro lenses often found in this price range offer limited practical benefit. Image processing will play a crucial role, and Samsung’s software typically provides more refined results than vivo’s in this segment. Expect decent daylight photos from both, but struggles in low-light conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy M21 2021’s Exynos 9611, built on a 10nm process, features a more powerful CPU configuration – 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 cores and 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 cores – compared to the vivo Y20’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) on an 11nm node. This translates to a significant advantage for the M21 2021 in CPU-intensive tasks. While the Snapdragon 460 benefits from a newer node, the architectural advantage of the Exynos 9611’s Cortex-A73 cores provides a more substantial performance uplift. The Y20’s 3GB or 4GB of RAM is adequate for basic use, but the M21 2021, if available with similar RAM configurations, will handle multitasking more effectively.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy M21 2021’s battery capacity is not specified, but it is likely larger than the Y20's. The Y20 supports 18W wired charging, while the M21 2021 offers 15W. While the Y20 charges slightly faster on paper, the Exynos 9611’s higher power draw will offset this advantage. The Snapdragon 460’s efficiency will contribute to longer battery life during typical usage, but the M21 2021’s larger battery will likely provide comparable, if not superior, endurance in real-world scenarios. Expect both phones to comfortably last a full day with moderate use.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y20 if you prioritize long-term battery life and a consistently smooth experience for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Its Snapdragon 460 is optimized for efficiency. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M21 2021 if you need more processing power for gaming, video streaming, or running multiple apps simultaneously. The Exynos 9611 delivers a more responsive experience, even if it comes at the cost of slightly reduced battery longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Samsung Galaxy M21 2021 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 9611 isn't known for exceptional thermal performance, it's unlikely to overheat severely during typical gaming sessions. The phone's chassis will likely get warm, but throttling shouldn't be a major issue for moderately demanding games. However, extended gameplay with high graphics settings may lead to some performance reduction.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited utility. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. They are often included for marketing purposes rather than providing a significant photographic benefit. Expect better results using the main camera and digitally zooming in.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy M21 2021 handle PUBG Mobile at 60fps?
The Samsung Galaxy M21 2021 can likely run PUBG Mobile, but achieving a consistent 60fps experience will depend on the graphics settings. Lowering the graphics to medium or low is recommended for smoother gameplay. Expect some frame drops during intense action sequences.
❓ Which phone is better for watching videos on YouTube or streaming movies?
The Samsung Galaxy M21 2021 is slightly better suited for video consumption due to its potentially larger screen size. While both phones likely have similar display quality, the larger display provides a more immersive viewing experience.
