vivo Y21s vs. Oppo A74 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing 5G connectivity and potentially longer software support, the Oppo A74 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 480, built on a more efficient 8nm process, offers a slight performance edge and better thermal management, despite both phones sharing the same 18W charging.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | vivo Y21s | Oppo A74 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 3, 5, 8, 40 | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 21 | 2021, April 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 21 | Available. Released 2021, April 13 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 76.1 x 8 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 162.9 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm (6.41 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 (single lane) | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 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 | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| 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/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 2.5W reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Midnight Blue, Pearl White | Fluid Black, Space Silver |
| Models | V2110 | CPH2197, CPH2263 |
| Price | - | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | 0.83 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) | - |
vivo Y21s
- Helio G80 offers decent gaming performance for the price.
- Includes 2.5W reverse wired charging.
- Potentially more readily available in certain markets.
- 12nm process is less efficient than the Snapdragon 480’s 8nm.
- May receive fewer software updates.
- Lacks a dedicated 5G modem in some variants.
Oppo A74 5G
- Snapdragon 480 offers better power efficiency and 5G connectivity.
- 8nm process reduces thermal throttling.
- Likely to receive more consistent software updates from Oppo.
- Lacks reverse wireless charging.
- Gaming performance is comparable, not significantly better, than the Y21s.
- May be slightly more expensive depending on region.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, a common trait in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but functionality. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are missing, the core difference lies in the processors powering the user interface. A smoother experience is more likely on the A74 5G due to the Snapdragon 480’s more efficient architecture.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones targeting the budget segment. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make definitive claims. However, the image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 480 generally offers more advanced image processing capabilities, potentially leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction in photos and videos. The presence of a dedicated 5G modem on the A74 5G also frees up resources for the ISP to perform more efficiently. Expect both phones to struggle in low-light conditions.
Performance
The core battleground is the chipset. The Oppo A74 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G, fabricated on an 8nm process, holds a distinct advantage over the vivo Y21s’ MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm). The smaller node generally translates to better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling under sustained loads. Both CPUs share a similar core configuration (2x2.0 GHz + 6x1.8 GHz), but the Snapdragon’s Kryo 460 cores are architecturally more advanced, offering improved instructions per clock (IPC). This means the A74 5G will likely handle multitasking and demanding apps more smoothly. The 5G modem integrated into the Snapdragon 480 is also a key differentiator, providing native 5G support.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Y21s and Oppo A74 5G feature 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds (around 2 hours for a full charge). Battery capacity is not specified, but given the target market, both are likely in the 5000mAh range. The Snapdragon 480’s superior power efficiency could translate to slightly longer battery life on the Oppo A74 5G, especially when utilizing 5G connectivity. The Y21s also offers 2.5W reverse wired charging, a niche feature for topping up accessories, absent on the A74 5G.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y21s if you prioritize a slightly more established gaming chipset (Helio G80) and are comfortable with potentially shorter software update cycles. Buy the Oppo A74 5G if you value 5G connectivity, a more modern and efficient processor architecture, and potentially better long-term software support from a brand known for consistent updates.