The sub-$300 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y20s and Oppo A53s 5G represent compelling options, but cater to different priorities. The Y20s focuses on a balance of features at a very competitive price point, while the A53s 5G prioritizes 5G connectivity and a more powerful processor, albeit with compromises elsewhere.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Oppo A53s 5G is the better choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset, fabricated on a 7nm process, delivers significantly improved CPU and GPU performance compared to the Snapdragon 460 in the vivo Y20s. While the Y20s offers a slightly faster charging speed, the A53s 5G’s performance advantage outweighs this difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 19. Released 2020, October 19 | 2021, April 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, May 07 |
| 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) | 164 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192.3 g (6.77 oz) | 189.6 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 10.5 or Funtouch 11 | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Purist Blue, Obsidian Black, Nebula Blue | Crystal Blue, Ink Black |
| Models | - | CPH2321 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 4GB RAM | € 264.40 | - |
| 128GB 8GB RAM | Rp 2,760,000 | - |
vivo Y20s
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Solid build quality (based on vivo's reputation)
- Significantly weaker processor (Snapdragon 460)
- Less efficient 11nm process
- Likely slower app loading and multitasking
Oppo A53s 5G
- More powerful processor (Dimensity 700)
- More efficient 7nm process
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Slower 10W charging
- Potentially higher price
- Oppo's ColorOS can be divisive
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Details regarding panel type (IPS vs AMOLED) and resolution are missing, but both likely feature standard LCD panels for this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity. The absence of high refresh rates is expected. The key difference lies elsewhere.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely similar, given the lack of detailed sensor information. Both phones likely feature a primary camera paired with depth and macro sensors (the latter often being of limited utility). Without knowing the megapixel count or aperture of the main sensors, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. Image processing will likely be the deciding factor, and Oppo generally offers more refined software algorithms. The 2MP macro cameras on both devices are unlikely to deliver significant detail.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Oppo A53s 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm) in the vivo Y20s. The Dimensity 700’s Cortex-A76 cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, offer a considerable performance advantage over the Kryo 240 cores in the Snapdragon 460. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Y20s’ Snapdragon 460 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Oppo A53s 5G’s 10W charging is slower than the vivo Y20s’ 18W charging. However, the Dimensity 700’s improved efficiency may partially offset this difference. The actual battery life will depend on usage patterns and network conditions (5G consumes more power). The Y20s will likely charge faster, but the A53s 5G may offer comparable real-world battery endurance due to its more efficient chipset.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y20s if you prioritize maximizing value and are primarily focused on essential smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Its lower price point makes it ideal for first-time smartphone buyers or those on a very tight budget. Buy the Oppo A53s 5G if you want a smoother, more responsive experience, especially when using 5G networks or playing mobile games. The Dimensity 700 provides a noticeable performance boost for demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Oppo A53s 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Mediatek Dimensity 700’s 7nm process is more thermally efficient than the Snapdragon 460’s 11nm process. While it won’t rival flagship-level cooling, the A53s 5G is less likely to experience significant throttling during extended gaming compared to the Y20s.
❓ Is the 8GB of RAM in the vivo Y20s worth the extra cost over the 4GB version?
For users who frequently multitask or run several apps simultaneously, the 8GB RAM variant of the vivo Y20s is a worthwhile investment. It will prevent apps from being frequently reloaded from storage, resulting in a smoother user experience. However, for basic usage, 4GB is likely sufficient.
❓ Does the Oppo A53s 5G support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
The Mediatek Dimensity 700 supports carrier aggregation, which allows it to combine multiple 5G channels for faster download and upload speeds. This is a significant advantage in areas with strong 5G coverage and carrier aggregation enabled.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 460 in the vivo Y20s handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 460 can run PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to use low to medium graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. Expect some stuttering and lag, especially during intense firefights. The Oppo A53s 5G with its Dimensity 700 will provide a much smoother PUBG Mobile experience.
