The vivo Y37 and Meizu MX5e represent a fascinating snapshot of the mid-range smartphone market in 2015. Both devices aimed to deliver a balanced experience, but employed different strategies under the hood. This comparison revisits these phones, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses based on their core specifications, and considering how they hold up even today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional, albeit dated, smartphone, the Meizu MX5e emerges as the slightly better choice. Its more powerful Mediatek Helio X10 chipset and 24W fast charging offer a noticeable performance and convenience advantage over the vivo Y37’s Snapdragon 615, despite both being built on the same 28nm process.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA |
| 4G bands | LTE 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 | LTE |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Yes |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, August | 2016, April. Released 2016, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 154 x 77 x 6.8 mm (6.06 x 3.03 x 0.27 in) | 149.9 x 74.7 x 7.6 mm (5.90 x 2.94 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 165 g (5.82 oz) | 149 g (5.26 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~70.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~74.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6795 Helio X10 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | PowerVR G6200 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop), Funtouch 2.1 | Android 5.1 (Lollipop), Flyme 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 16 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 24W wired, 60% in 40 min |
| Music play | Up to 50 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 410 h (2G) / Up to 410 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 14 h (2G) / Up to 12 h (3G) | - |
| Type | 2720 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3150 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White | Gray, Gold, Silver, Black/Silver |
| Price | - | About 190 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.34 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | - |
vivo Y37 (2015)
- Potentially wider aftermarket support due to vivo's brand recognition.
- Snapdragon chipset may offer slightly better power efficiency in certain scenarios.
- Likely a more conservative software experience.
- Slower processor compared to the Helio X10.
- Likely slower charging speeds.
- Lower overall performance for demanding tasks.
Meizu MX5e
- Faster Mediatek Helio X10 processor for improved performance.
- 24W fast charging for quicker top-ups.
- Potentially better image processing capabilities.
- Mediatek chipsets sometimes have less consistent driver support.
- May be harder to find replacement parts or accessories.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display by modern standards. Both likely utilized IPS LCD panels, common for the price point in 2015. However, detailed specs like resolution and brightness are missing. The focus here is on the internal hardware. The absence of features like high refresh rates or HDR support is expected. The user experience will be defined by basic readability and color reproduction, with neither phone likely to excel in outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones featured relatively basic camera setups for their time. The image quality will likely be acceptable in good lighting conditions, but struggle in low light. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests limited low-light performance. Focusing on the processors, the Helio X10’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) *may* offer slightly faster image processing and potentially better dynamic range, but this is speculative without further data.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Meizu MX5e’s Mediatek Helio X10, with its octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 configuration, represents a clear step up in processing power compared to the vivo Y37’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 615. While both are octa-core, the higher clock speed of the Helio X10 translates to faster app launches and smoother multitasking. The Snapdragon 615’s split core configuration (1.4GHz & 1.0GHz) aims for power efficiency, but sacrifices peak performance. Both are built on a 28nm process, meaning thermal throttling could be a concern under sustained load, but the Helio X10 is more likely to exhibit this due to its higher operating frequency.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Meizu MX5e’s 24W wired charging capability is a significant advantage. The ability to reach 60% charge in just 40 minutes drastically reduces downtime compared to the likely slower charging speeds of the vivo Y37. While a larger battery capacity on the Y37 *could* offset this, the convenience of fast charging is a major benefit for users who rely on their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y37 (2015) if you prioritize a potentially wider availability of aftermarket support and a slightly more conservative software approach. Buy the Meizu MX5e if you prefer a faster processor for smoother multitasking and app loading, and value the convenience of significantly faster 24W charging, reducing downtime between uses. Both are best suited for basic tasks and light usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio X10 known to overheat under heavy load?
The Helio X10, being a 28nm chip with a relatively high clock speed, is prone to thermal throttling under sustained heavy load, such as prolonged gaming. While not catastrophic, users should expect performance to decrease over time during intensive tasks. The Snapdragon 615, with its lower clock speeds, may manage heat slightly better, but will still throttle.
❓ Can either of these phones handle modern mobile games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Neither the vivo Y37 nor the Meizu MX5e are well-suited for modern, graphically demanding games. While they might be able to run older or less intensive titles at low settings, expect significant frame rate drops and lag in games like PUBG or Call of Duty. The Helio X10 will offer a slightly better experience, but it will still be far from ideal.
❓ What Android version did these phones originally ship with, and are updates still available?
Both phones likely shipped with Android 5.1 Lollipop. Official updates are almost certainly no longer available. Any current software on these devices would be the result of custom ROMs or unofficial updates, which carry inherent risks and may not be stable.
