Released in the same era of rapidly expanding smartphone accessibility, the vivo Y27 (2014) and Lenovo A536 represent competing approaches to the entry-level market. Both devices aimed to deliver smartphone functionality at an affordable price point, but they differed significantly in their core hardware. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on the performance implications of their respective chipsets.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing slightly smoother application loading and potentially better long-term software support, the Lenovo A536 edges out the vivo Y27 (2014). The Mediatek MT6582M’s Cortex-A7 cores offer a modest clock speed advantage, translating to a more responsive user experience in everyday tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, December. Released 2014, December | 2014, Q3. Released 2014, Q3 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 136.9 x 68.1 x 7 mm (5.39 x 2.68 x 0.28 in) | 139.6 x 72 x 10 mm (5.50 x 2.83 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 137 g (4.83 oz) | 148 g (5.22 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~312 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~196 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~65.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~68.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6582M (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 306 | Mali-400MP2 |
| OS | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat) | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR | 4.0, A2DP |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 32 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 410 h (2G) / Up to 410 h (3G) | Up to 300 h (2G) / Up to 300 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 13 h (3G) | Up to 15 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 12 h (3G) |
| Type | 2260 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 2000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White | Black, White |
| Models | Y27L | A536 |
| Price | - | About 100 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.40 W/kg (head) 0.48 W/kg (body) | - |
vivo Y27 (2014)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 offers potentially better modem performance.
- Qualcomm’s GPU may provide slightly better graphics performance.
- Potential for better long-term software support (Qualcomm’s ecosystem).
- Slightly slower CPU clock speed (1.2 GHz Cortex-A53).
- May experience slightly longer app loading times.
Lenovo A536
- Faster CPU clock speed (1.3 GHz Cortex-A7).
- Potentially more responsive user interface.
- Slightly quicker app launch times.
- Mediatek chipset may have limited software support.
- Potentially less efficient modem performance.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Both are likely to feature similar LCD panels with resolutions around 480x854, typical for this price bracket in 2014. Detailed display specs like brightness and color accuracy are unavailable, but given the target market, we can assume both prioritize cost-effectiveness over visual fidelity. Bezels would have been substantial on both devices, maximizing screen real estate within the constraints of their physical sizes.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices would have been basic. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both feature low-resolution primary cameras (likely 5MP or 8MP) capable of passable photos in good lighting conditions. Image processing would have been minimal, resulting in images lacking dynamic range and detail. Any secondary cameras (likely VGA) would have been largely unusable. The focus here isn't on photographic quality, but on basic functionality for casual snapshots.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Lenovo A536’s Mediatek MT6582M features a quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU clocked at 1.3 GHz, while the vivo Y27 (2014) utilizes the Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 with a quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU clocked at 1.2 GHz. While both are 28nm chips, the Cortex-A7 architecture, despite being older, generally offers slightly better single-core performance than the Cortex-A53. This translates to snappier app loading times and a more responsive UI on the Lenovo A536. However, the Snapdragon 410 benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized GPU and modem technology, potentially offering better graphics performance and network connectivity. The lack of information on RAM capacity makes a definitive statement on multitasking performance difficult, but both likely featured 1GB of RAM, limiting heavy multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, given their similar hardware configurations and target market, both likely featured batteries in the 2000-2200 mAh range. Real-world battery life would have been heavily dependent on usage patterns, but both would likely provide a full day of light use. Charging speeds would have been slow, utilizing standard micro-USB charging with no support for fast charging technologies.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y27 (2014) if you anticipate needing a device with Qualcomm’s established modem technology for broader network compatibility, or if you specifically prefer the vivo user interface. Buy the Lenovo A536 if you prioritize a slightly faster CPU for quicker app launches and a marginally more fluid experience when multitasking, and are comfortable with Mediatek’s software ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Mediatek MT6582M in the Lenovo A536 struggle with modern apps?
The Mediatek MT6582M is a very old chipset. While it could handle basic apps in 2014, it will likely struggle significantly with modern, resource-intensive applications. Expect slow performance and potential crashes with most current apps.
❓ Is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 in the vivo Y27 better for mobile gaming?
While neither chipset is designed for serious gaming, the Snapdragon 410’s GPU may offer a slightly better gaming experience than the MT6582M’s. However, expect to play only very basic 2D games or older 3D titles at low settings.
❓ Which phone is more likely to receive software updates?
Historically, Qualcomm-based devices often receive more consistent software updates than those using Mediatek chipsets. Therefore, the vivo Y27 (2014) *might* have a slightly better chance of receiving updates, although support for both devices is likely discontinued at this point.
