The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y20s [G] and Nokia 5.4 both aim to deliver a solid Android experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The Y20s [G] prioritizes processing power with its MediaTek Helio G80, while the Nokia 5.4 leans on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 662 and a focus on software simplicity. This comparison dives deep into the specs to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and faster charging, the vivo Y20s [G] is the better choice. Its Helio G80 chipset, built on a 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance edge over the Nokia 5.4’s Snapdragon 662 (11nm). While the Nokia 5.4 offers a cleaner software experience, the Y20s [G]'s 18W charging significantly reduces downtime.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 28, 66 - NA, LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 10 | 2020, December 15. Released 2020, December 25 |
| 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) | 161 x 76 x 8.7 mm (6.34 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192.3 g (6.77 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, 13mm (ultrawide)
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@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 16 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 | 4.2, A2DP, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Obsidian Black, Purist Blue | Polar Night, Dusk |
| Models | V2038 | TA-1333, TA-1340, TA-1337, TA-1328, TA-1325 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
vivo Y20s [G]
- Faster CPU performance with Helio G80
- Significantly faster 18W charging
- Potentially smoother multitasking
- Likely less frequent software updates
- Potentially more bloatware
Nokia 5.4
- Clean, near-stock Android experience
- Guaranteed software updates (Android One)
- Potentially better power efficiency in standby
- Slower Snapdragon 662 processor
- Slow 10W charging
- Less responsive UI compared to Y20s [G]
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood: the Snapdragon 662’s 11nm process *could* translate to slightly better power efficiency in display-heavy tasks, but this is unlikely to be dramatically noticeable. We lack specific brightness data, but both will struggle in direct sunlight. Color accuracy is also likely to be standard for the segment, prioritizing saturation over fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature a primary camera and multiple auxiliary lenses (often 2MP macro/depth sensors of limited utility). The image signal processor (ISP) within the Helio G80 and Snapdragon 662 will dictate image quality. Qualcomm’s ISPs are generally known for strong image processing, but the Y20s [G]’s potentially faster processing power could allow for quicker image capture and processing. Expect similar performance in good lighting conditions, with the Nokia 5.4 potentially having a slight edge in dynamic range due to Qualcomm’s image processing algorithms.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Y20s [G]’s MediaTek Helio G80 utilizes a dual-cluster CPU design with 2x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores for performance and 6x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency. The Nokia 5.4’s Snapdragon 662 employs 4x 2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x 1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores. While both are octa-core, the Cortex-A75 cores in the Helio G80 generally offer higher single-core performance, beneficial for app launch times and smoother UI navigation. The 12nm process of the Helio G80 is slightly larger than the Snapdragon 662’s 11nm, potentially leading to slightly higher power consumption under sustained load, but the performance gains are likely worth it for most users.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified, but both phones likely house around a 5000mAh battery, standard for this price point. However, the charging speeds are significantly different. The vivo Y20s [G] supports 18W wired charging, while the Nokia 5.4 is limited to 10W. This translates to a much faster 0-100% charge time for the Y20s [G], a crucial advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery. The Snapdragon 662’s 11nm process *might* offer slightly better standby power efficiency, but the difference will be minimal compared to the impact of the faster charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y20s [G] if you need a phone for moderate gaming, multitasking, and appreciate faster charging speeds. It’s ideal for users who frequently switch between apps or enjoy mobile games. Buy the Nokia 5.4 if you prioritize a clean, near-stock Android experience with guaranteed updates and a more conservative power profile, even if it means sacrificing some raw performance and charging speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G80 in the vivo Y20s [G] handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G80 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low for a consistently smooth experience. The Snapdragon 662 in the Nokia 5.4 will require even more compromises in graphical fidelity to achieve similar frame rates.
❓ How important is the Android One program on the Nokia 5.4 for long-term usability?
The Android One program guarantees at least two years of Android version updates and three years of security patches. This is a significant benefit, ensuring your phone remains secure and receives the latest features for a longer period than many other phones in this price range. However, the Y20s [G] may still receive security updates, albeit potentially less frequently.
❓ Does the slower charging speed of the Nokia 5.4 make it impractical for daily use?
The 10W charging on the Nokia 5.4 is noticeably slower than the 18W charging on the Y20s [G]. A full charge will take considerably longer, potentially requiring overnight charging. This could be inconvenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery throughout the day.