The vivo Y20a and Samsung Galaxy M02s represent the ultra-budget end of the smartphone spectrum, targeting first-time smartphone buyers or those needing a reliable secondary device. Both rely on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 4-series, but subtle differences in chipset and charging could sway your decision. This comparison dissects those nuances to determine which phone delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy M02s emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Snapdragon 450, built on a more efficient 14nm process, offers a modest performance advantage, and the 15W charging is a significant benefit over the Y20a’s slower 10W charging, reducing downtime.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, December 30. Released 2021, January 02 | 2021, January 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, January 19 |
| 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) | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 11 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| - | Go |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | Yes |
| 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 | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dawn White, Nebula Blue | Black, Blue, Red |
| Models | V2052, V2054, V2070, V2101, V2034 | SM-M025F/DS, SM-M025F |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.52 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.40 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
vivo Y20a
- Potentially slightly better power efficiency due to 12nm process (theoretical)
- Strong brand recognition in select markets
- May be available at a lower price point
- Slower 10W charging
- Snapdragon 439 is a slightly older and less efficient chipset
- Potentially less smooth multitasking
Samsung Galaxy M02s
- Faster 15W charging
- Snapdragon 450 offers a slight performance advantage
- More efficient 14nm process
- Samsung’s software can be resource-intensive
- May be slightly more expensive than the vivo Y20a
- Build quality may feel less premium
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. The focus here isn't on resolution or refresh rate, but rather on efficiency. Without specific display specs, we can assume both prioritize battery life over visual fidelity. The absence of features like high PWM dimming rates suggests neither is optimized for users particularly sensitive to screen flicker.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, relying heavily on software processing. Both phones likely feature a primary camera alongside depth and macro sensors (the latter often being of limited utility). Without sensor size information, it’s difficult to definitively say which will perform better in low light. However, the Snapdragon 450’s slightly more capable ISP (Image Signal Processor) could offer a marginal advantage in image processing speed and quality. Expect both to struggle in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy M02s utilizes the Snapdragon 450 (14nm), while the vivo Y20a features the Snapdragon 439 (12nm). While the Y20a’s 12nm process *should* theoretically offer better power efficiency, the 450’s architecture and slightly higher clock speed (1.8GHz vs 1.95GHz on the Y20a’s faster cores) likely translate to a smoother experience in everyday tasks. Both CPUs share the same Cortex-A53 core design, meaning the performance gap won’t be massive, but the 450’s more mature process node provides a slight edge. The Y20a’s split core configuration (1.95GHz & 1.45GHz) may lead to minor scheduling inefficiencies compared to the 450’s uniform 1.8GHz.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn’t specified, both phones likely house batteries in the 4000-5000mAh range, typical for this segment. The key differentiator is charging speed. The Samsung Galaxy M02s supports 15W wired charging, significantly faster than the vivo Y20a’s 10W charging. This translates to a noticeably quicker 0-100% charge time, a crucial benefit for users who can’t afford to leave their phone plugged in overnight.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y20a if you prioritize a brand with a strong presence in certain markets and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M02s if you value slightly better performance for multitasking and a faster charging experience, making it ideal for users who rely on their phone throughout the day and need quick top-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 450 in the Galaxy M02s handle basic gaming like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 450 can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at the lowest graphics settings and potentially experience frame drops during intense action. It's suitable for casual gaming, but not for demanding titles or competitive play.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the vivo Y20a with its 10W charger?
Given the 10W charging and likely 4000-5000mAh battery, expect a full charge to take approximately 3-4 hours. This is significantly slower than the Galaxy M02s.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy M02s support fast charging protocols beyond 15W?
No, the Samsung Galaxy M02s is limited to 15W charging. While it doesn't support newer fast charging standards like USB Power Delivery, 15W is still a substantial improvement over the Y20a's 10W.
❓ Which phone is better for running multiple apps simultaneously?
The Samsung Galaxy M02s, with its Snapdragon 450, is better equipped for multitasking. The slightly more powerful chipset and potentially more efficient memory management will result in smoother app switching and less lag.
