The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y31 (2021) and Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC represent compelling options, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Y31 focuses on a streamlined experience with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 662, while the Note 10 Pro aims for more raw power with MediaTek’s Helio G95 and faster charging.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a reliable experience, the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC emerges as the better choice. Its Helio G95 chipset, despite being built on a 12nm process, delivers a noticeable performance edge over the Snapdragon 662, and the 33W charging significantly reduces downtime.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 20 | 2021, May 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, January 20 | Available. Released 2021, June 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 172.8 x 78.3 x 7.8 mm (6.80 x 3.08 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~387 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.95 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11 | Android 11, XOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 16 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.09" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, 70% in 67 min | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Black, Ocean Blue | Black, Purple, Nordic Secret |
| Models | V2036, V2036_21 | X695C |
| Price | About 190 EUR | - |
vivo Y31 (2021)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 offers a stable and reliable experience.
- Potentially better power efficiency due to the 11nm process.
- Simpler software experience, potentially less bloatware.
- Less powerful chipset compared to the Helio G95.
- Slower 18W charging.
- Likely less capable GPU for gaming.
Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC
- More powerful MediaTek Helio G95 chipset for better performance.
- Faster 33W wired charging significantly reduces charging time.
- NFC support for contactless payments and data transfer.
- 12nm process may result in slightly higher power consumption.
- MediaTek chipsets sometimes have a reputation for more aggressive background app management.
- Potential for more bloatware compared to vivo's Funtouch OS.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are unavailable, the focus here is on chipset performance. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The absence of high refresh rates on either device suggests a focus on power efficiency rather than visual fluidity.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of a main sensor, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning suggests the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC likely features a higher-resolution primary sensor. The inclusion of 'NFC' in the name suggests a more feature-rich package overall, potentially extending to camera capabilities. The 2MP macro cameras found on many phones in this segment are largely marketing fluff and offer limited real-world benefit on either device.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC’s MediaTek Helio G95 (12nm) features a dual-core Cortex-A76 setup paired with six Cortex-A55 cores, clocked up to 2.05 GHz. This contrasts with the vivo Y31’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) which uses a quad-core Kryo 260 Gold and quad-core Kryo 260 Silver configuration, maxing out at 2.0 GHz. While the Snapdragon 662 benefits from a slightly smaller node size, the Helio G95’s more powerful core architecture provides a tangible advantage in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The G95’s Mali-G76 MC4 GPU also outperforms the Adreno 610 in the Snapdragon 662, translating to higher frame rates in demanding games.
Battery Life
The Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC’s 33W wired charging is a significant advantage over the vivo Y31’s 18W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed means less downtime. The Y31 takes 67 minutes to reach 70% charge, implying a full charge will take considerably longer. The Helio G95’s 12nm process may consume slightly more power than the Snapdragon 662’s 11nm, but the faster charging mitigates this concern for most users.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y31 (2021) if you prioritize a known chipset architecture (Qualcomm) and a generally smoother, less demanding software experience. It’s ideal for users who primarily browse, use social media, and make calls. Buy the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC if you want more processing power for gaming or multitasking, and value faster charging to minimize time tethered to an outlet. It’s the better option for power users on a tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G95 in the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Helio G95 is a capable chipset, its 12nm process can lead to thermal throttling during extended gaming. However, the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC typically incorporates thermal management solutions to mitigate this, and performance remains generally good for the price point. Expect some frame rate drops after 30-45 minutes of intensive gaming.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 662 and Helio G95 noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference is minimal. Both chipsets are more than capable of handling these workloads smoothly. The Helio G95’s advantage becomes apparent in more demanding applications like gaming, video editing, or multitasking with several apps open simultaneously.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC from 0% to 100% with the 33W charger?
While the official specification states 70% in a certain time, a full 0-100% charge on the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC with the included 33W charger typically takes around 60-70 minutes, depending on usage during charging.
