vivo Y20s [G] vs OnePlus Nord N100: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Performance

The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y20s [G] and OnePlus Nord N100 both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Y20s [G] leverages Mediatek’s Helio G80, while the Nord N100 opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 460. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the vivo Y20s [G] emerges as the stronger choice. Its Helio G80 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance edge over the Snapdragon 460 in the Nord N100, particularly in demanding tasks. While both offer 18W charging, the Y20s [G]'s slightly better CPU performance justifies its position as the winner.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Y20s [G] OnePlus Nord N100
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat13 400/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71 - USA
Launch
Announced2021, April 102020, October 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 10Available. Released 2020, November 11
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame
Dimensions164.4 x 76.3 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)164.9 x 75.1 x 8.5 mm (6.49 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight192.3 g (6.77 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
Size6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240)
ChipsetMediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Adreno 610
OSAndroid 11, Funtouch 11Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5.9
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/1.8, (wide)-
Triple13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth)13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, f/1.8, (wide)8 MP, f/2.0
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jack-Yes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNo-
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired18W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsObsidian Black, Purist BlueMidnight Frost
ModelsV2038BE2013, BE2015, BE2011, BE2012
PriceAbout 170 EURAbout 80 EUR
Pricing
64GB 4GB RAM-$ 125.00
RENEWED-$ 129.00

vivo Y20s [G]

  • More powerful Helio G80 processor for smoother performance
  • Potentially better image processing from vivo
  • Stronger CPU performance for multitasking

  • May have slightly less efficient power consumption
  • Brand recognition isn't as strong as OnePlus

OnePlus Nord N100

  • Lower price point ($125 for 64GB/4GB)
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 offers decent efficiency
  • OnePlus brand recognition and potential software support

  • Significantly weaker CPU performance compared to the Helio G80
  • Less responsive user experience
  • Limited gaming capabilities

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic usability. Without specific display specs, it's difficult to declare a winner. However, the Y20s [G]'s potential for slightly better color calibration, given vivo's history, is a possibility. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is likely to be similar on both devices, leaning towards adequate rather than impressive. Both will likely feature a primary sensor paired with depth and macro lenses (the usefulness of the latter is questionable). Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to assess image quality. However, the Y20s [G] might benefit from vivo’s image processing algorithms, which are generally tuned for vibrant, social media-friendly photos. The Nord N100’s camera is likely to be more neutral in its color reproduction.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Y20s [G]'s Mediatek Helio G80 (12nm) features a dual-cluster configuration with 2x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture provides a significant advantage in single-core and multi-core performance compared to the OnePlus Nord N100’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm) with its 4x 1.8 GHz Kryo 240 and 4x 1.6 GHz Kryo 240 cores. The A75 cores in the Helio G80 are more powerful than the Kryo 240 cores, resulting in snappier app launches and smoother overall operation. The 12nm process of the Helio G80 is slightly less efficient than the 11nm Snapdragon 460, but the architectural advantage outweighs this difference in most real-world scenarios.

Battery Life

Both phones feature 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds – approximately 2-3 hours for a full charge. Battery capacity isn’t specified, but both are likely in the 4500-5000 mAh range. The Snapdragon 460’s 11nm process *could* offer slightly better power efficiency, but the Helio G80’s performance advantage means the Y20s [G] might be used more intensely, potentially negating any efficiency gains. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Y20s [G] if you prioritize responsiveness and smoother multitasking, especially if you occasionally play mobile games. Its Helio G80 chipset offers a more capable experience for the price. Buy the OnePlus Nord N100 if you are strictly focused on brand recognition and potentially longer software support, and your usage is limited to basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing. The Nord N100’s $125 price point (64GB/4GB) is attractive, but the performance trade-offs are significant.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 460 in the OnePlus Nord N100 struggle with popular apps like TikTok or Instagram?
While the Nord N100 can run these apps, the Snapdragon 460's limited processing power may result in noticeable lag, especially when multitasking or scrolling through content-heavy feeds. The Helio G80 in the Y20s [G] will provide a smoother, more responsive experience with these applications.
❓ Is the gaming performance significantly different between these two phones?
Yes. The Helio G80 in the vivo Y20s [G] is considerably better suited for gaming than the Snapdragon 460. While neither phone will handle demanding titles at high settings, the Y20s [G] will offer playable frame rates in games like PUBG Mobile at lower settings, whereas the Nord N100 may struggle even at the lowest settings.
❓ How does the software experience differ between vivo and OnePlus?
OnePlus's OxygenOS is known for its clean interface and minimal bloatware, while vivo's Funtouch OS historically included more pre-installed apps and customizations. However, recent versions of Funtouch OS have become more streamlined. Software update frequency is generally better on OnePlus devices, though both brands are improving in this area.