The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y21a and Infinix Hot 11s NFC both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches. The Y21a, particularly in the Egypt variant, offers a slightly different chipset, while the Hot 11s NFC prioritizes a more modern processor and NFC connectivity. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Infinix Hot 11s NFC is the superior choice. Its Helio G88 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the vivo Y21a’s Helio P22 (or P35 in Egypt), translating to smoother multitasking and better gaming. While both offer 18W charging, the Hot 11s NFC’s overall package is more compelling.
| 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, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 22 | 2022, February 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February 14 | Available. Released 2022, February 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 76.1 x 8 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 168.9 x 77 x 8.8 mm (6.65 x 3.03 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) - Egypt | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) - Egypt | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 | Android 11, XOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lenses |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Blue, Diamond Glow | Polar Black, Green Wave, Purple |
| Price | - | About 230 EUR |
vivo Y21a
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and user-friendly interface (typical of vivo)
- Reverse wired charging (2.5W)
- Significantly weaker processor (Helio P22/P35)
- Less responsive user experience
- Lacks NFC connectivity
Infinix Hot 11s NFC
- More powerful processor (Helio G88)
- NFC support for contactless payments
- Better gaming performance
- May be slightly more expensive
- Infinix UI can be more cluttered
- No reverse charging
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common trait in this price bracket. However, detailed display specs (resolution, brightness) are missing. The focus here is on the internal hardware. The absence of high refresh rates on either device suggests a focus on power efficiency rather than visual fluidity.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones relying on budget sensors. Detailed sensor information is unavailable, but the focus is likely on a primary camera for basic photography. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited real-world benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS). Image processing will likely be the differentiating factor, and Infinix often leans towards more saturated colors, while vivo tends to aim for more natural tones.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Infinix Hot 11s NFC’s MediaTek Helio G88 (12nm) is a significant upgrade over the vivo Y21a’s Helio P22 (12nm). The G88 features a more modern CPU architecture – Cortex-A75 cores alongside A55 cores – compared to the Y21a’s all-Cortex-A53 setup. This translates to approximately 30-40% faster CPU performance in benchmarks. The Egypt variant of the Y21a uses the Helio P35, which offers a slight CPU boost over the P22 (2.35GHz vs 2.0GHz), but still falls short of the G88. The G88’s GPU also provides a more capable gaming experience. While neither phone is a gaming powerhouse, the Hot 11s NFC will handle titles like PUBG Mobile at lower settings with more stability.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds (approximately 2-2.5 hours for a full charge). Battery capacity is not specified, but typical capacities for phones in this segment range from 5000mAh to 5200mAh. The more efficient Helio G88 in the Infinix Hot 11s NFC may offer slightly better battery life under heavy use, offsetting any potential capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y21a if you prioritize a potentially lower price point (depending on regional offers) and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use. Buy the Infinix Hot 11s NFC if you want a more responsive experience, NFC for mobile payments, and a chipset capable of handling moderately demanding games and applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Infinix Hot 11s NFC overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G88 is a relatively efficient chipset. While it will get warm during extended gaming, it's unlikely to experience significant thermal throttling, especially at medium settings. The phone's plastic build also helps dissipate heat.
❓ Is the NFC on the Infinix Hot 11s NFC compatible with Google Pay and other mobile payment services?
Yes, the Infinix Hot 11s NFC supports NFC and is compatible with popular mobile payment services like Google Pay, provided those services are available in your region. You'll need to add your cards through the respective app.
❓ Which phone is better for running multiple apps simultaneously?
The Infinix Hot 11s NFC is significantly better for multitasking. The Helio G88’s more powerful CPU and potentially more RAM (depending on the configuration) allow it to handle multiple apps without noticeable slowdowns, unlike the vivo Y21a’s Helio P22/P35.
❓ What is the practical benefit of reverse wired charging on the vivo Y21a?
The 2.5W reverse wired charging on the Y21a is primarily for emergency situations. It can slowly charge accessories like wireless earbuds or a smartwatch, but it's not a substitute for a dedicated power bank or fast charger.
