The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y20s [G] and Huawei P smart 2021 both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches. The Y20s [G] leverages Mediatek’s gaming-focused Helio G80, while the P smart 2021 relies on Huawei’s in-house Kirin 710A. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the vivo Y20s [G] emerges as the stronger choice. Its Helio G80 chipset, with its more modern Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance edge in demanding tasks and gaming. While the Huawei P smart 2021 boasts slightly faster charging, the Y20s [G]'s overall processing power and potential for smoother multitasking make it the better all-rounder.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 10 | 2020, September 28. Released 2020, September 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 10 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | 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) | 165.7 x 76.9 x 9.3 mm (6.52 x 3.03 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192.3 g (6.77 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Kirin 710A (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11 | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| 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/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| 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 |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, built-in antenna |
| 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 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 22.5W wired, 46% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Obsidian Black, Purist Blue | Crush Green, Blush Gold, Midnight Black |
| Models | V2038 | PPA-LX1, PPA-LX2 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 119h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1252:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.8 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 169253 (v8)
GeekBench: 1334 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Y20s [G]
- More powerful processor (Helio G80)
- Modern CPU core architecture (Cortex-A75)
- Potentially better thermal management (12nm process)
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Limited display specifications available
Huawei P smart 2021
- Faster charging (22.5W, 46% in 30min)
- Measured display brightness available (442 nits)
- Identical battery endurance rating
- Less powerful processor (Kirin 710A)
- Older CPU core architecture (Cortex-A73)
Display Comparison
Both devices offer a similar display experience, with the Huawei P smart 2021 achieving a measured peak brightness of 442 nits and a 1252:1 contrast ratio. The vivo Y20s [G]'s display specifications are not provided, but given its market positioning, it likely offers comparable brightness and contrast. The identical contrast ratio suggests similar panel technology. However, without knowing the Y20s [G]'s panel type or refresh rate, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner. The P smart 2021's measured brightness provides a concrete data point, indicating good visibility in most indoor conditions.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack detailed camera specifications. Without knowing sensor sizes, apertures, or image processing algorithms, a direct comparison is impossible. It’s reasonable to assume both devices target basic photography needs. The absence of information regarding OIS or advanced features suggests neither phone excels in low-light photography. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and low resolution.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Y20s [G] utilizes the Mediatek Helio G80, built on a 12nm process, featuring an octa-core configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Huawei P smart 2021 employs the Kirin 710A, a 14nm chip with 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Helio G80’s Cortex-A75 cores represent a generational improvement over the Kirin 710A’s Cortex-A73, offering better single-core performance and efficiency. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking on the Y20s [G]. The 12nm process of the Helio G80 also contributes to better thermal management compared to the 14nm Kirin 710A.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 119 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite potentially different battery capacities (not specified). However, the Huawei P smart 2021 boasts 22.5W wired charging, capable of reaching 46% charge in 30 minutes, while the vivo Y20s [G] is limited to 18W. This faster charging speed is a significant advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups. While the endurance rating is identical, the P smart 2021’s charging speed mitigates any potential battery life concerns.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y20s [G] if you prioritize performance for gaming and everyday multitasking, and value a more responsive user experience. Buy the Huawei P smart 2021 if you specifically need the fastest possible charging speeds within this budget and prefer Huawei’s EMUI software experience, understanding that its processor is less capable for demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G80 in the vivo Y20s [G] handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G80 is specifically designed for gaming. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it should comfortably run PUBG Mobile at medium settings with stable frame rates. The Cortex-A75 cores provide a performance boost over the Kirin 710A, making the Y20s [G] the better choice for mobile gamers on a budget.
❓ How much faster is the 22.5W charging on the Huawei P smart 2021 compared to the 18W charging on the vivo Y20s [G] in real-world use?
The Huawei P smart 2021 can achieve 46% charge in 30 minutes. While a precise 0-100% time for the Y20s [G] isn't available, the slower 18W charging will likely take significantly longer – potentially over 2 hours for a full charge. This makes the P smart 2021 ideal for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does the Huawei P smart 2021 still have access to Google Mobile Services (GMS)?
Due to ongoing restrictions, the Huawei P smart 2021 ships without Google Mobile Services. It relies on Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and the AppGallery. This means users may need to find alternative ways to access popular apps like Google Maps and YouTube, potentially through third-party app stores or web versions.