The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y20 and Tecno Spark 7 Pro both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches. The Y20 relies on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 460, while the Spark 7 Pro opts for MediaTek's Helio G80. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Tecno Spark 7 Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its Helio G80 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Snapdragon 460 in the vivo Y20, particularly in gaming and multitasking. While both phones share similar battery capacities, the Spark 7 Pro’s more efficient processor translates to slightly better real-world endurance.
| 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 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| 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, April 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, May 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 76.3 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 164.9 x 76.2 x 8.8 mm (6.49 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192.3 g (6.77 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 10.5 | Android 11, HIOS 7.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Quad-LED flash |
| Single | - | 8 MP |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, PDAF
Secondary unknown camera
Third unknown camera |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@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 | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | - |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Obsidian Black, Dawn White, Purist Blue | Alps Blue, Spruce Green, Neon Dream, Magnet Black |
| Models | V2029, V2029_PK | - |
| Price | About 150 EUR | - |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.58 W/kg (body) | - |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 64GB 3GB RAM | Rp 2,099,000 | - |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | ₹ 13,990 | - |
vivo Y20
- Established brand reputation
- Reliable software experience (typically)
- 18W fast charging
- Less powerful processor
- Potentially slower app loading times
- Limited gaming performance
Tecno Spark 7 Pro
- More powerful Helio G80 processor
- Smoother multitasking and gaming
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Less established brand
- Software updates may be less frequent
- Charging speed unspecified
Display Comparison
Neither vivo nor Tecno provide detailed display specifications beyond basic resolution. However, given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The Tecno Spark 7 Pro, being a slightly newer device, may benefit from minor improvements in color calibration. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO is expected in this segment. Bezels are likely comparable, focusing on maximizing screen real estate within the budget constraints.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are lacking for both devices. However, both are expected to feature a primary camera alongside multiple auxiliary lenses (likely 2MP macro/depth sensors). The image processing capabilities of the Helio G80’s ISP may offer slightly better dynamic range and noise reduction compared to the Snapdragon 460’s. The usefulness of the 2MP macro cameras on both devices is questionable, offering limited detail and requiring ideal lighting conditions. Focusing on the primary sensor’s megapixel count and aperture (if available) would be more indicative of real-world image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Tecno Spark 7 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm) boasts a more powerful CPU configuration – 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 – compared to the vivo Y20’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm) with its 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240. The Helio G80’s Cortex-A75 cores offer significantly better single-core performance, crucial for app launch speeds and responsiveness. While the Snapdragon 460’s 11nm process *should* theoretically be more efficient, the G80’s architectural advantages outweigh this in practical usage. The Y20’s RAM options (3GB/4GB) are matched by the Spark 7 Pro, but the G80 will manage that RAM more effectively.
Battery Life
Both phones are likely equipped with batteries in the 5000mAh range, a common capacity for budget smartphones. The vivo Y20 supports 18W wired charging, while the Tecno Spark 7 Pro’s charging speed is unspecified but likely similar. The Helio G80’s more efficient architecture, despite its higher performance, may result in slightly longer battery life during moderate usage. However, heavy gaming on the Spark 7 Pro will naturally drain the battery faster, but the experience will be smoother than on the Y20.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y20 if you prioritize a known brand with a generally reliable software experience and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Tecno Spark 7 Pro if you want a more capable processor for gaming, smoother multitasking, and a slightly more modern feature set, even if it means sacrificing some brand recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Tecno Spark 7 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Helio G80 in the Spark 7 Pro is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship-level experience, it will provide a significantly smoother gaming experience compared to the Snapdragon 460 in the vivo Y20, which may struggle with consistent performance.
❓ Is the software on the Tecno Spark 7 Pro heavily customized with bloatware?
Tecno's HiOS software is known for being customized, and the Spark 7 Pro likely includes pre-installed apps. However, many of these can be uninstalled. While the software experience may not be as clean as stock Android, it offers features and customization options that some users may appreciate.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 460 in the vivo Y20 perform with everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
The Snapdragon 460 is adequate for basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and messaging. However, you may experience occasional lag or slowdowns when multitasking or opening multiple apps. It's best suited for users with light smartphone usage patterns.
❓ What is the typical screen-on time I can expect from each phone?
With moderate usage (social media, browsing, calls), you can expect around 7-8 hours of screen-on time from both phones. However, the Tecno Spark 7 Pro’s more efficient processor may allow for slightly longer usage on a single charge, especially with less demanding tasks.
