The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power and the vivo Y20a aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, significant differences in their core hardware – specifically the chipset and charging capabilities – dictate which phone is better suited for different user needs. This comparison dissects these differences to provide a definitive recommendation.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 662 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Y20a’s Snapdragon 439, and the 18W fast charging significantly reduces downtime. While the Y20a is a functional device, the Redmi 9 Power offers better value for money.
| 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, 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 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, December 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 76.3 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 198 g (6.98 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 11 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 5 MP, AF |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 350 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 8 h (3G) |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dawn White, Nebula Blue | Mighty Black, Fiery Red, Electric Green, Blazing Blue |
| Models | V2052, V2054, V2070, V2101, V2034 | M2010J19SI, M2010J19SL |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.86 W/kg (body) |
vivo Y20a
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Functional for basic tasks
- Significantly slower processor
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited gaming capabilities
Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power
- Faster Snapdragon 662 processor
- 18W fast charging
- Potential for longer battery life
- Reverse wired charging
- Slightly higher price
- Xiaomi’s MIUI software can be resource intensive
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common trait in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but rather on basic usability. Without specific display specs, it's difficult to differentiate, but the Redmi 9 Power's slightly larger screen size (typically found in this model line) may offer a more immersive experience. Both will likely feature 720p resolution, adequate for the screen sizes.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is challenging. However, both phones likely feature a primary camera accompanied by auxiliary lenses (depth, macro). The Redmi 9 Power, given its positioning, likely has a higher resolution main sensor. Image processing will also differ; Xiaomi typically employs more aggressive sharpening and saturation, while vivo often aims for a more natural look. The presence of a more powerful ISP within the Snapdragon 662 will also benefit the Redmi 9 Power’s image quality, particularly in low-light conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power’s Snapdragon 662, built on an 11nm process, represents a significant upgrade over the vivo Y20a’s Snapdragon 439 (12nm). The 662 features Kryo 260 Gold and Silver cores clocked up to 2.0 GHz, offering a substantial performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming compared to the 439’s Cortex-A53 cores peaking at 1.95 GHz. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Redmi 9 Power. The 11nm process also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting the larger battery capacity of the Redmi 9 Power.
Battery Life
The Redmi 9 Power’s 18W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Y20a’s 10W charging. This means significantly faster top-ups, reducing downtime. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Redmi 9 Power typically features a larger battery (around 6000mAh) in this series, coupled with the more efficient Snapdragon 662, resulting in potentially longer battery life. The Redmi 9 Power also includes 2.5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Y20a, allowing it to act as a power bank for smaller devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y20a if you prioritize a minimal, no-frills experience and are on an extremely tight budget, accepting compromises in performance and charging speed. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power if you value faster performance for everyday tasks and gaming, and appreciate the convenience of quicker charging, even if it means a slightly higher initial investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 439 in the vivo Y20a struggle with popular apps like Facebook and WhatsApp?
While the Snapdragon 439 can handle basic apps like Facebook and WhatsApp, you may experience noticeable lag when multitasking or using more demanding features within these apps. The Snapdragon 662 in the Redmi 9 Power provides a much smoother experience for everyday app usage.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power from 0% to 100%?
With the 18W charger, the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power typically takes around 2.5 to 3 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%. This is significantly faster than the vivo Y20a, which could take upwards of 4-5 hours with its 10W charger.
❓ Is the Redmi 9 Power a good option for playing PUBG Mobile or other demanding games?
The Redmi 9 Power, with its Snapdragon 662, can run PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. However, don't expect a flagship-level gaming experience. The Y20a's Snapdragon 439 will struggle to provide a playable experience even at the lowest settings.
❓ Does the Redmi 9 Power's MIUI software come with a lot of bloatware?
Xiaomi's MIUI is known for including pre-installed apps (bloatware). While some can be uninstalled, others cannot. This can consume storage space and system resources. However, MIUI also offers extensive customization options.
