Released in the same timeframe, the vivo Y27 (2014) and Sony Xperia M2 Aqua represent attempts to deliver smartphone functionality at an accessible price point. While both devices target budget-conscious consumers, they employ slightly different Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets, leading to nuanced differences in performance and user experience. This comparison dissects those differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a slightly more modern CPU architecture, the Sony Xperia M2 Aqua edges out the vivo Y27. Both offer identical battery endurance, but the Cortex-A7 cores in the Xperia M2 Aqua provide a small performance advantage in application loading and multitasking, despite both utilizing a 28nm process.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all models |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - D2403 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - D2403 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 4, 7, 17 - D2406 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, December. Released 2014, December | 2014, August. Released 2014, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 136.9 x 68.1 x 7 mm (5.39 x 2.68 x 0.28 in) | 140 x 72 x 8.6 mm (5.51 x 2.83 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 137 g (4.83 oz) | 149 g (5.26 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~312 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~229 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~65.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.8 inches, 63.5 cm2 (~63.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8926-2 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 306 | Adreno 305 |
| OS | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat) | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.4, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | VGA |
| Video | - | 480p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR | 4.0, A2DP, aptX, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 32 h | Up to 37 h 11 min |
| Stand-by | Up to 410 h (2G) / Up to 410 h (3G) | Up to 595 h (2G) / Up to 641 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 13 h (3G) | Up to 11 h 23 min (2G) / Up to 12 h 11 min (3G) |
| Type | 2260 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White | Black, White, Copper |
| Models | Y27L | D2403, D2406 |
| Price | - | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.69 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.40 W/kg (head) 0.48 W/kg (body) | 0.66 W/kg (head) 0.86 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 71h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
vivo Y27 (2014)
- Identical battery endurance to the Xperia M2 Aqua.
- Represents a functional, affordable smartphone option.
- Utilizes a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset for reliable performance.
- Cortex-A53 CPU architecture is less efficient than the A7.
- Limited camera details suggest basic image quality.
- Display specifications are unknown, likely indicating a low-quality panel.
Sony Xperia M2 Aqua
- Cortex-A7 CPU architecture offers a slight performance advantage.
- Identical battery endurance to the vivo Y27.
- Water resistance (a key marketing feature).
- Limited camera details suggest basic image quality.
- Display specifications are unknown, likely indicating a low-quality panel.
- Snapdragon 400 is an older chipset compared to the 410.
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are available, but given their market segment, both likely feature LCD panels with resolutions around 480x854. Expect relatively low brightness levels and limited viewing angles. The absence of information prevents a detailed comparison of color accuracy or pixel density, but both will likely prioritize power efficiency over visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing are absent. Given their price point, expect cameras capable of capturing acceptable images in good lighting conditions, but struggling in low-light scenarios. The lack of detail makes a meaningful comparison impossible; both likely feature basic camera modules focused on functionality rather than quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the vivo Y27 utilizes the Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 with quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, while the Xperia M2 Aqua features the MSM8926-2 Snapdragon 400 with quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 cores. The Cortex-A7 architecture, while older, generally offers better single-core performance than the A53, resulting in snappier responsiveness for basic tasks. Both are built on a 28nm process, meaning thermal efficiency will be comparable, but the A7's architectural advantage translates to a slight performance edge for the Xperia M2 Aqua.
Battery Life
Remarkably, both the vivo Y27 and Sony Xperia M2 Aqua achieve an endurance rating of 71 hours. This suggests similar battery capacities and power management strategies. While the Xperia M2 Aqua was marketed with water resistance, the battery performance is the key similarity. The identical endurance rating indicates that despite potential differences in display or chipset power draw, both devices are optimized for long battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y27 (2014) if you need a functional, basic smartphone and are primarily concerned with talk time and standby duration. Buy the Sony Xperia M2 Aqua if you prefer a device with a marginally faster processor for smoother app transitions and a slightly more responsive user interface, even if the overall experience remains firmly in the entry-level category.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Sony Xperia M2 Aqua's water resistance still effective after all these years?
While the Xperia M2 Aqua was initially marketed with IP65/68 water and dust resistance, the seals and adhesives degrade over time. After nearly a decade, the water resistance is likely compromised and should not be relied upon. Exposure to water could cause significant damage.
❓ Will either of these phones receive software updates in 2024?
No. Both the vivo Y27 (2014) and Sony Xperia M2 Aqua are far beyond their end-of-life support periods. They will not receive any further software updates, including security patches. Using these devices carries inherent security risks.
❓ Can I realistically play modern mobile games on either of these phones?
While basic games will function, playing modern, graphically demanding mobile games on either the vivo Y27 or Xperia M2 Aqua will likely result in a poor experience. The Snapdragon 410 and 400 chipsets lack the processing power and graphics capabilities to handle current titles at acceptable frame rates and settings.
