The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y21a and Tecno Spark 7 Pro aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point. However, significant differences in chipset architecture and CPU configurations mean one phone offers a substantially better user experience, particularly for those seeking responsiveness and gaming capabilities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Tecno Spark 7 Pro is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Helio G80 chipset, featuring more powerful Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance boost over the vivo Y21a’s Helio P22. While both offer adequate battery life, the Spark 7 Pro’s superior processing power makes it the better choice for multitasking and gaming.
| 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 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 22 | 2021, April 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February 14 | Available. Released 2021, May 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 76.1 x 8 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 164.9 x 76.2 x 8.8 mm (6.49 x 3.00 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) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| 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 MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 | Android 11, HIOS 7.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash | Quad-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 8 MP |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, PDAF
Secondary unknown camera
Third unknown camera |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 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, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired | - |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Blue, Diamond Glow | Alps Blue, Spruce Green, Neon Dream, Magnet Black |
vivo Y21a
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- 18W fast charging
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Significantly weaker processor performance
- Less responsive for multitasking and gaming
Tecno Spark 7 Pro
- Superior processor performance with Helio G80
- More responsive user experience
- Better suited for gaming and demanding apps
- Charging speed not explicitly stated
- May have slightly lower battery life under heavy load
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on functionality. Specifics like resolution and brightness are not provided, but given the price point, expect 720p+ resolution and moderate brightness levels. Bezels are likely to be noticeable on both devices, impacting the overall screen-to-body ratio. Color accuracy is unlikely to be a priority, with both likely targeting a standard color profile.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar in real-world usage, with both phones relying on budget sensors and image processing. While megapixel counts aren't specified, the focus should be on the main sensor's size and aperture. The Tecno Spark 7 Pro’s image processing algorithms may offer slightly better dynamic range and noise reduction, but don't expect flagship-level results from either device. The inclusion of 2MP macro/depth sensors on both is largely marketing fluff and offers limited practical benefit. The G80's ISP (Image Signal Processor) is more advanced, potentially leading to faster image capture and processing.
Performance
This is where the Tecno Spark 7 Pro truly shines. The Helio G80, with its octa-core configuration of 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, represents a significant upgrade over the vivo Y21a’s Helio P22 (or P35 in Egypt). The Cortex-A75 cores in the G80 are considerably more powerful than the Cortex-A53 cores found in the Y21a, resulting in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The Y21a’s CPU, while octa-core, relies entirely on less efficient Cortex-A53 cores. The Egypt variant with the P35 offers a slight clock speed bump (2.35GHz vs 2.0GHz) but doesn't close the performance gap. The G80 also benefits from a more modern GPU, further enhancing its gaming capabilities.
Battery Life
Both devices offer adequate battery capacity for all-day use with moderate usage. The vivo Y21a features 18W wired charging, while the Tecno Spark 7 Pro’s charging speed is not specified, but is likely similar. The 2.5W reverse wired charging on the Y21a is a niche feature, useful for topping up accessories but not a primary selling point. The efficiency of the Helio G80 chipset, despite its higher performance, is comparable to the P22, meaning the Spark 7 Pro’s increased processing demands won’t drastically impact battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y21a if your primary needs are basic communication – calls, texts, and light social media – and you prioritize a simple, straightforward user experience. Buy the Tecno Spark 7 Pro if you want a phone capable of handling more demanding tasks like gaming, video streaming, and running multiple apps simultaneously, and you value a more responsive overall experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Tecno Spark 7 Pro handle popular games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Helio G80 chipset in the Tecno Spark 7 Pro is specifically designed for gaming. While you may need to lower graphics settings for optimal performance, it will provide a significantly smoother gaming experience compared to the vivo Y21a’s Helio P22.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio P22 and Helio G80 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Absolutely. The Helio G80’s more powerful cores and improved architecture result in faster app loading times, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive overall experience, even for basic tasks. The Y21a may exhibit noticeable lag when switching between apps or loading complex web pages.
❓ Does the vivo Y21a’s reverse charging feature make it a useful power bank?
At 2.5W, the reverse charging feature is very slow and best suited for emergency top-ups of small accessories like wireless earbuds. It won’t significantly charge a smartphone.
❓ Which phone is better for taking photos in low-light conditions?
While neither phone excels in low-light photography, the Tecno Spark 7 Pro’s more advanced ISP may offer slightly better noise reduction and dynamic range, resulting in marginally better low-light photos.
