Released in the same year, the vivo Y28 (2014) and HTC Desire 510 represent competing approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. Both aimed to deliver a functional Android experience at a low price point, but differed significantly in their underlying hardware. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device holds up better considering its original context and potential for continued use.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional, albeit basic, smartphone experience, the HTC Desire 510 emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Snapdragon 410 chipset, particularly the EU model with the Cortex-A53 cores, offers a more modern and efficient architecture than the vivo Y28’s Mediatek MT6582, translating to smoother multitasking and potentially better app compatibility.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - EMEA |
| 4G bands | - | 3, 7, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 25, 26, 41 - Sprint |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, December. Released 2014, December | 2014, August. Released 2014, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 137.4 x 68.6 x 9.8 mm (5.41 x 2.70 x 0.39 in) | 139.9 x 69.8 x 10 mm (5.51 x 2.75 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 156 g (5.50 oz) | 158 g (5.57 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~208 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 64.2 cm2 (~68.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~62.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 - EU modelQuad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 - USA model |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6582 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) - EU modelQualcomm Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) - USA model |
| GPU | Mali-400MP2 | Adreno 306 - EU modelAdreno 305 - USA model |
| OS | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), Sense UI 5.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | VGA/ 1.3 MP, Sprint |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR | 4.0, A2DP, aptX |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/operator dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 32 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 430 h (3G) | Up to 646 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 14 h (2G) / Up to 13 h (3G) | Up to 17 h (3G) |
| Type | 2100 mAh, removable | Li-Po 2100 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White | Vanilla White, Jet Black, Dark Grey, Deep Navy Blue |
| Models | Y28 | Desire 510, 0PCV1 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -92.6dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 70h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1159 (nominal), 1.34 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 63dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 66dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 448Basemark X: 1906 |
vivo Y28 (2014)
- Simpler user experience (potentially)
- Lower initial cost (likely)
- Functional for basic tasks
- Less efficient processor
- Potentially limited app compatibility
- Older chipset architecture
HTC Desire 510
- More efficient Snapdragon 410 (EU model)
- Better app compatibility
- Qualcomm’s software optimization
- Similar display quality to vivo Y28
- Camera performance likely similar
- USA model has less efficient Snapdragon 400
Display Comparison
Both the vivo Y28 and HTC Desire 510 share a nominal contrast ratio of 1159, and a poor sunlight contrast ratio of 1.34, indicating both displays will struggle in bright outdoor conditions. Neither manufacturer specified resolution or panel technology, suggesting both likely utilized low-cost TN panels. The lack of detailed display specifications makes a direct comparison difficult, but the shared contrast ratio suggests a similar viewing experience – one that is likely to be underwhelming by modern standards.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed with simply 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering no details on sensor size, resolution, or features. Given their price point, it’s safe to assume both cameras utilize low-resolution sensors and lack advanced features like optical image stabilization (OIS). The absence of specific camera specs suggests neither device was intended as a photography powerhouse, and image quality will likely be subpar by today’s standards. Focusing on the camera for either device would be a mistake.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Y28 utilizes the Mediatek MT6582, featuring four Cortex-A7 cores clocked at 1.3 GHz. The HTC Desire 510, however, comes in two variants: a Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (EU) with Cortex-A53 cores at 1.2 GHz, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 (USA) with Cortex-A7 cores at 1.2 GHz. The Cortex-A53 architecture in the Snapdragon 410 (EU) is significantly more efficient than the Cortex-A7, offering better performance per watt. This translates to potentially longer battery life and less thermal throttling under load. The USA model, using the Snapdragon 400 with Cortex-A7, is less of an upgrade, but still benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software and modem.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Y28 and HTC Desire 510 achieve an endurance rating of 70 hours, suggesting similar battery life in typical usage scenarios. However, the Snapdragon 410’s superior power efficiency (particularly the Cortex-A53 variant) in the Desire 510 could translate to slightly longer real-world battery life, especially during demanding tasks. Neither device is specified with fast charging capabilities, so 0-100% charge times will likely be lengthy.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y28 (2014) if you prioritize simplicity and are looking for a device for extremely basic tasks like calls and texts, and are comfortable with potentially limited app support. Buy the HTC Desire 510 if you prefer a slightly more responsive user experience, better compatibility with modern apps, and a device that benefits from Qualcomm’s more mature software ecosystem, even if both are limited by their age.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the HTC Desire 510's Snapdragon 410 handle modern apps like WhatsApp or Facebook?
While the Snapdragon 410 is a low-end chipset, it's more likely to run modern apps like WhatsApp and Facebook than the Mediatek MT6582 in the vivo Y28. However, expect limited functionality and potential lag, as these apps have become more demanding over time. The EU model with the Cortex-A53 cores will perform better than the USA model.
❓ Is the battery on either phone likely to hold a charge well after 10 years of use?
Highly unlikely. Lithium-ion batteries degrade significantly over time. After 10 years, both the vivo Y28 and HTC Desire 510 will likely exhibit severely reduced battery capacity, potentially lasting only a few hours on a full charge, if they even hold a charge at all. Battery replacement is a viable option, but finding compatible batteries may be difficult.
❓ Which phone is better for playing older Android games from 2014?
The HTC Desire 510, specifically the EU model with the Snapdragon 410 and Cortex-A53 cores, will likely provide a smoother gaming experience for games released in 2014. The more efficient processor and potentially better thermal management will help maintain consistent performance.
