The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y36i and the Samsung Galaxy A24 4G aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank. This comparison dives deep into their specifications, focusing on where each phone excels and who will benefit most from its strengths.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A24 4G emerges as the better choice. Its significantly brighter display (1012 nits) provides a superior viewing experience, especially outdoors, and the 25W charging is a noticeable improvement over the Y36i’s 15W. While both share the same CPU architecture, the A24’s overall package offers more value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, December 09 | 2023, April 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, January | Available. Released 2023, May 05 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75.4 x 8.1 mm (6.44 x 2.97 x 0.32 in) | 162.1 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm (6.38 x 3.06 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 840 nits (HBM) | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, OriginOS 3 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Anti-stroboscopic sensor | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF, OIS
5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired
Reverse wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Purple, Gold, Black | Black, Lime Green, Blue gradient, Dark red |
| Models | V2318A | SM-A245F, SM-A245F/DS, SM-A245F/DSN, SM-A245M, SM-A245M/DS, SM-A245N |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.41 W/kg (head) 1.30 W/kg (body) |
vivo Y36i
- Potentially longer software support from vivo.
- Slightly newer design aesthetic.
- Mediatek Dimensity 6020 offers decent performance for the price.
- Significantly dimmer display compared to the A24.
- Slower 15W charging.
- Limited information on camera capabilities.
Samsung Galaxy A24 4G
- 1012 nits peak brightness for excellent outdoor visibility.
- Faster 25W wired charging.
- Established Samsung ecosystem and software experience.
- Helio G99 is slightly older chipset architecture.
- 2MP macro camera is likely of limited utility.
- May receive fewer software updates than some competitors.
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A24 4G boasts a substantial advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 1012 nits. This is a critical difference for outdoor visibility, making the A24 far more usable in direct sunlight. While both phones likely utilize LCD panels (based on price point), the A24’s higher brightness suggests superior backlighting technology. The Y36i’s display specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison of color accuracy and viewing angles impossible, but it’s safe to assume it falls behind the A24.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are limited. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality will heavily depend on the primary sensor and image processing. Without knowing the sensor sizes or apertures, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A24 is a common, but often underwhelming, feature in this price range. The A24’s image processing algorithms, benefiting from Samsung’s experience, are likely to produce more consistently pleasing results than the Y36i’s, though this is speculative without sample images.
Performance
Both the vivo Y36i and the Samsung Galaxy A24 4G are powered by an octa-core CPU configuration featuring 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. However, they differ in their underlying chipsets: the Y36i uses the Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7nm) while the A24 employs the Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm). The 6nm process of the Helio G99 *should* translate to slightly better power efficiency and potentially lower thermal throttling during sustained workloads. While CPU performance will be similar for everyday tasks, the G99’s GPU may offer a marginal edge in gaming. Neither phone is expected to deliver flagship-level performance, but the G99 has a slight architectural advantage.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A24 4G has an endurance rating of 141 hours, indicating strong battery life. Crucially, it supports 25W wired charging, allowing for significantly faster top-ups compared to the vivo Y36i’s 15W charging. While the Y36i may have a slightly larger battery capacity (unconfirmed), the A24’s faster charging will likely result in less downtime. A full charge on the A24 will take considerably less time, a practical benefit for users who frequently need to recharge.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y36i if you prioritize a slightly newer design and potentially longer software support from vivo, and are comfortable with a dimmer screen and slower charging. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A24 4G if you value a brighter, more visible display, faster charging speeds, and the established Samsung ecosystem. The A24 is the better all-rounder for everyday use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Helio G99 in the Samsung Galaxy A24 4G get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G99’s 6nm process helps with thermal efficiency, but it’s not a gaming powerhouse. Expect some throttling during prolonged, graphically intensive games. The phone will likely get warm, but shouldn’t reach dangerously high temperatures. Performance will be adequate for most mobile games at medium settings.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the vivo Y36i noticeably slower than the 25W charging on the Samsung Galaxy A24 4G?
Yes, the difference is significant. 15W charging will take considerably longer to fully charge the Y36i, potentially adding several hours to your charging time. The A24’s 25W charging will provide a much quicker top-up, making it more convenient for users who need to recharge frequently.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the vivo Y36i and the Samsung Galaxy A24 4G?
The Samsung Galaxy A24 4G runs One UI, Samsung’s well-established Android skin, known for its feature-richness and polish. The vivo Y36i uses Funtouch OS, which has improved over time but generally offers a different aesthetic and feature set. Samsung typically provides longer software support, including security updates.
