The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y20a and the Infinix Smart 5 Pro aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, relying on distinct chipsets and architectural choices. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best value for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the vivo Y20a emerges as the slightly better choice. While both phones offer similar battery life and charging speeds, the Snapdragon 439’s more mature architecture and generally better-optimized software support provide a smoother, more responsive user experience, justifying its slight edge.
| 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, 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 02 | 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 (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 11 | Android 11 (Go edition), XOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB 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 | 4.2, 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 | V2052, V2054, V2070, V2101, V2034 | - |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 70 EUR |
vivo Y20a
- More efficient Snapdragon 439 chipset
- Potentially smoother multitasking experience
- Better software optimization (typically)
- Older chipset architecture
- May be slightly more expensive
Infinix Smart 5 Pro
- Lower price point
- Adequate for basic tasks
- Often includes a dedicated night mode
- Less efficient Unisoc SC9863A chipset
- Potential for lag and slowdowns with multitasking
Display Comparison
Neither vivo nor Infinix provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. However, given the price bracket, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The key difference lies under the hood. The focus here isn't on high-end features like refresh rates or HDR, but on basic usability. Without specific brightness data, it's difficult to declare a winner, but the Y20a's brand reputation suggests slightly better color calibration, a common strength in vivo's budget offerings.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are expected to feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. Detailed sensor information is scarce, but it’s safe to assume both rely on primary sensors with modest resolutions. The Infinix Smart 5 Pro often includes a dedicated night mode, but the Unisoc chipset’s image signal processor (ISP) is less sophisticated than Qualcomm’s, limiting the effectiveness of such features. Without specific sensor sizes or aperture data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a camera winner, but the Y20a’s Qualcomm ISP likely offers better dynamic range and noise reduction.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The vivo Y20a’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 439, built on a 12nm process, benefits from Qualcomm’s established optimization and a more efficient CPU architecture. Its octa-core configuration splits into 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.45 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. Conversely, the Infinix Smart 5 Pro utilizes the Unisoc SC9863A, fabricated on a larger 28nm node. This larger node generally translates to lower efficiency and higher power consumption for similar tasks. The Smart 5 Pro’s CPU is also octa-core, but with 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 and 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. While the Cortex-A55 is a newer architecture, the lower clock speeds and larger process node mean the Y20a will likely handle multitasking and app loading more smoothly. The Snapdragon’s Adreno GPU also provides a more capable graphics experience.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Y20a and Infinix Smart 5 Pro feature 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds – expect around 2.5 to 3 hours for a full charge. Battery capacity is not specified in the provided data, but both likely hover around the 5000mAh mark, common for this price segment. The Snapdragon 439’s superior power efficiency, due to its 12nm process, may translate to slightly longer battery life under moderate usage, offsetting any potential capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y20a if you prioritize a more consistently fluid user experience and anticipate running multiple apps or light multitasking. The Snapdragon 439, despite its age, offers a more refined performance profile. Buy the Infinix Smart 5 Pro if your primary needs are extremely basic – calls, texts, and very light social media – and you’re looking for the absolute lowest possible price point. The Unisoc chip is adequate for these tasks, but struggles with more demanding workloads.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc SC9863A in the Infinix Smart 5 Pro struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the Unisoc SC9863A can handle basic apps like WhatsApp and Facebook, you may experience occasional lag or slowdowns, especially when multiple apps are open simultaneously. The Snapdragon 439 in the vivo Y20a offers a more consistently smooth experience for these common tasks.
❓ Is the 10W charging on either phone fast enough for daily use?
10W charging is relatively slow by modern standards. Both phones will take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours to fully charge from 0%. This is acceptable for overnight charging, but not ideal if you need a quick top-up during the day. Neither phone supports fast charging technologies.
❓ Can the vivo Y20a handle light gaming?
The Snapdragon 439 can handle light gaming, such as older titles or less demanding games. However, don't expect high frame rates or smooth performance in graphically intensive games. The Adreno GPU is a step up from the integrated graphics in the Unisoc chip, but it's still an entry-level solution.
❓ Does the Infinix Smart 5 Pro have any features to improve low-light photography?
The Infinix Smart 5 Pro often includes a dedicated night mode. However, the effectiveness of this mode is limited by the Unisoc chipset's less powerful image signal processor (ISP). Expect noisy images and limited detail in low-light conditions.
