The vivo Y20a and Oppo A15s represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point, but they achieve this with different chipsets – Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 439 and MediaTek’s Helio P35. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two devices, focusing on performance, and helping you determine which offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance in everyday tasks, the vivo Y20a edges out the Oppo A15s. While both offer similar battery life and charging speeds, the Snapdragon 439’s slightly more efficient architecture and optimized CPU clock speeds translate to a smoother user experience, particularly when multitasking.
| 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, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, December 30. Released 2021, January 02 | 2020, December 18. Released 2020, December 18 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| 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 x 75.4 x 7.9 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 177 g (6.24 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 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 11 | Android 10, ColorOS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4230 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dawn White, Nebula Blue | Dynamic Black, Fancy White |
| Models | V2052, V2054, V2070, V2101, V2034 | CPH2179 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 130 EUR |
vivo Y20a
- More efficient Snapdragon 439 chipset
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Generally smoother user experience
- Lower peak CPU clock speed
- Limited RAM options
Oppo A15s
- Higher peak CPU clock speed for burst tasks
- Competitive price point
- Similar battery life to vivo Y20a
- Less efficient Helio P35 chipset
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
- Similar RAM limitations
Display Comparison
Neither vivo nor Oppo provide detailed display specifications for these models. Given their price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels with 720p+ resolution. The real-world difference in display quality will likely be minimal, focusing on color calibration and viewing angles rather than inherent panel technology. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are expected to feature a primary camera alongside depth and macro sensors. However, detailed sensor specifications are scarce. The image processing capabilities will likely be similar, focusing on basic scene recognition and HDR. The usefulness of the 2MP macro cameras on both devices is questionable, offering limited detail and requiring ideal lighting conditions. The primary camera sensor size and aperture will be the key determinants of image quality, but without specific data, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A15s’ MediaTek Helio P35 features a slightly higher peak CPU clock speed (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53) compared to the vivo Y20a’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53). However, the Snapdragon 439 benefits from a more refined 12nm process node, potentially leading to better power efficiency and sustained performance. The Helio P35’s higher clock speeds may offer a brief performance boost in single-core tasks, but the Snapdragon 439’s architecture is better suited for handling multi-threaded workloads. Both devices are likely paired with 3GB or 4GB of RAM, further limiting their multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Y20a and Oppo A15s are equipped with 10W wired charging. Given their modest processors and displays, both devices should comfortably achieve a full charge in approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. Battery capacity is not specified, but both are likely in the 4000-5000 mAh range. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but both should provide a full day of moderate use.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y20a if you need a phone that handles daily tasks like social media, messaging, and light web browsing with a bit more responsiveness. It’s the better choice for users who occasionally play less demanding mobile games. Buy the Oppo A15s if you prioritize a slightly higher peak CPU clock speed for burst performance, but understand this may come at the cost of sustained performance and thermal efficiency during prolonged use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Oppo A15s overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The MediaTek Helio P35, while offering a higher peak clock speed, is known to be less thermally efficient than the Snapdragon 439. This means the Oppo A15s is more likely to experience thermal throttling – a reduction in performance to prevent overheating – during prolonged gaming or demanding tasks. Expect frame rate drops and potential stuttering after extended play.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 439 in the vivo Y20a powerful enough for popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 439 can run PUBG Mobile, but you’ll need to temper your expectations. Expect to play at lower graphics settings (balanced or low) and potentially with a reduced frame rate to maintain a stable experience. It’s not a gaming powerhouse, but it’s capable of providing a playable experience for casual gamers.
❓ How much storage do these phones typically come with, and is it expandable?
Both the vivo Y20a and Oppo A15s typically ship with 32GB or 64GB of internal storage. Crucially, both devices *do* support microSD card expansion, allowing you to add up to 256GB of additional storage for photos, videos, and apps. This is essential given the limited base storage.
