The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y3 and Oppo A78 4G aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price. However, they take drastically different approaches to achieving this, with the Oppo A78 4G leveraging a more modern chipset and significantly faster charging technology, while the vivo Y3 relies on a more established, if less efficient, platform.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Oppo A78 4G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset, built on a 6nm process, offers a noticeable performance uplift and improved efficiency compared to the vivo Y3’s Helio P35. The 67W charging is a game-changer, drastically reducing downtime, making it ideal for users on the go.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (2CA) Cat6 400/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October | 2023, July 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2019, October | Available. Released 2023, July 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.4 x 76.7 x 8.9 mm (6.28 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 160 x 73.2 x 7.9 mm (6.30 x 2.88 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1544 pixels (~268 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.35 inches, 99.6 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.0 | Android 13, ColorOS 13.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8 | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | - | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 67W wired, PD, 76% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ink blue, Jade Red | Mist Black, Aqua Green |
| Models | - | CPH2565 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 200 EUR |
vivo Y3 (4GB+64GB)
- Familiar MediaTek platform
- Potentially lower price point
- Reliable for basic tasks
- Outdated Helio P35 chipset
- Slow 18W charging
- Less efficient power consumption
Oppo A78 4G
- Modern Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Ultra-fast 67W charging
- Improved power efficiency
- Potentially slightly higher price
- Qualcomm chipset may have more bloatware
- May not be available in all markets
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. However, detailed specs like resolution and peak brightness are missing. The focus here is on internal components. The lack of information prevents a detailed comparison of color accuracy or viewing angles, but we can assume both will be adequate for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones will feature a primary camera and potentially multiple auxiliary lenses (likely 2MP macro/depth sensors of limited utility). The Snapdragon 680’s image signal processor (ISP) is more advanced, offering better noise reduction and dynamic range. This suggests the Oppo A78 4G will produce more detailed and visually appealing photos, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Helio P35’s ISP is older and less capable, resulting in potentially softer images with less detail.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A78 4G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) is a significant upgrade over the vivo Y3’s MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm). The 6nm process node inherently provides better power efficiency, translating to longer battery life and less heat generation under load. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 680 utilizes newer Kryo cores clocked slightly higher (2.4 GHz vs 2.3 GHz), offering a tangible performance advantage in both single-core and multi-core tasks. This means smoother app launches, faster web browsing, and a more responsive user experience on the Oppo A78 4G. The Helio P35, while capable, will show its age in more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Oppo A78 4G’s 67W charging is the standout feature. It can reportedly reach 76% charge in just 30 minutes, a massive advantage over the vivo Y3’s 18W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the Snapdragon 680’s superior power efficiency means the Oppo A78 4G will likely offer comparable or even better battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery. The faster charging significantly reduces downtime, making the Oppo A78 4G more convenient for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y3 (4GB+64GB) if you prioritize a familiar, well-established platform and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a reasonable option for basic smartphone tasks. Buy the Oppo A78 4G if you value performance, efficiency, and incredibly fast charging. This phone is better suited for users who multitask, enjoy mobile gaming, or simply dislike waiting for their phone to power up.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 680 in the Oppo A78 4G handle popular games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 680 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with stable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship gaming experience, it provides a significantly better gaming performance than the Helio P35 in the vivo Y3, which may struggle with consistent performance even at lower settings.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Oppo A78 4G compared to the 18W charging on the vivo Y3 in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Oppo A78 4G can gain approximately 76% charge in 30 minutes, while the vivo Y3 will likely take well over 1.5 hours to reach a full charge. This means you can quickly top up the Oppo A78 4G during a short break, whereas the vivo Y3 requires a much longer charging period.
❓ Does the Oppo A78 4G's Snapdragon 680 chipset generate more heat during prolonged use than the vivo Y3's Helio P35?
Despite being more powerful, the Snapdragon 680's 6nm process is more efficient, meaning it generates less heat under load compared to the Helio P35's 12nm process. This translates to less thermal throttling and more sustained performance during demanding tasks like gaming or video recording.
