Released in 2015, the vivo Y37 and OnePlus X represent different approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Y37 prioritized affordability and a balanced feature set, while the OnePlus X aimed to deliver a near-flagship experience in a compact form factor. This comparison revisits these devices, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses based on their original specifications.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user today, the OnePlus X emerges as the better choice. While both phones share a 28nm manufacturing process, the Snapdragon 801’s quad-core Krait 400 architecture provides significantly more processing power than the Y37’s octa-core Snapdragon 615, resulting in a smoother overall experience, especially for demanding tasks.
| 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 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Europe |
| 4G bands | LTE 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, August | 2015, October. Released 2015, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 154 x 77 x 6.8 mm (6.06 x 3.03 x 0.27 in) | 140 x 69 x 6.9 mm (5.51 x 2.72 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 165 g (5.82 oz) | 138 g / 160 g (4.87 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 (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~70.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~71.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop), Funtouch 2.1 | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), OxygenOS 2.2.3 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 13 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.14µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | - | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR | 4.0, A2DP |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 50 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 410 h (2G) / Up to 410 h (3G) | Up to 300 h |
| Talk time | Up to 14 h (2G) / Up to 12 h (3G) | Up to 3 h 40 min |
| Type | 2720 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 2525 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White | Onyx, Ceramic, Champagne |
| Models | - | ONE E1003, ONE E1001, ONE E1005 |
| Price | - | About 270 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.11 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.34 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | 0.32 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94.4dB / Crosstalk -94.3dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 54h |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.983 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 70dB |
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1213Basemark X: 10572 |
vivo Y37 (2015)
- Potentially longer standby time due to less powerful processor.
- Likely more affordable purchase price (in 2015 and today).
- May have a larger battery capacity (spec not provided).
- Significantly slower performance compared to the OnePlus X.
- Less responsive user experience.
- Likely inferior camera quality.
OnePlus X
- Faster and more responsive performance thanks to the Snapdragon 801.
- Better camera quality with potential OIS and superior ISP.
- Compact and premium build quality.
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy usage.
- May be harder to find and more expensive to acquire today.
- Smaller screen size may not appeal to all users.
Display Comparison
Both the vivo Y37 and OnePlus X share an identical contrast ratio specification of 'Infinite (nominal), 3.983 (sunlight)'. This suggests similar display technology and outdoor visibility. However, without knowing the panel type (IPS, AMOLED) or resolution of the Y37, it’s difficult to assess its color accuracy or viewing angles relative to the OnePlus X. The OnePlus X’s compact 5-inch form factor, while limiting screen real estate, offers a higher pixel density for sharper images compared to the likely larger display of the Y37.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the vivo Y37, a direct comparison is challenging. However, given its market positioning, it’s likely equipped with a less sophisticated camera system than the OnePlus X. The OnePlus X, while not a camera champion even in 2015, likely benefited from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 801, offering better image processing capabilities. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the OnePlus X (a common feature in its class) would further enhance image quality, particularly in low-light conditions, a feature likely absent on the Y37.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus X’s Snapdragon 801, with its quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 architecture, represents a significant leap in performance over the vivo Y37’s Snapdragon 615. While the 615 utilizes an octa-core configuration (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53), the Krait 400 cores in the 801 are architecturally superior, offering higher single-core performance crucial for responsiveness. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the OnePlus X. Both are built on a 28nm process, meaning thermal efficiency will be comparable, but the 801 will complete tasks faster, reducing sustained load.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an endurance rating of 54 hours, suggesting similar battery life under typical usage scenarios. This is despite the OnePlus X having a smaller battery capacity (likely around 2525 mAh) compared to the Y37 (spec not provided, but likely larger). The Snapdragon 801’s efficiency, combined with OnePlus’s software optimizations, likely compensates for the smaller battery. However, the Y37’s less powerful processor may consume less power during basic tasks, potentially extending its standby time.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y37 (2015) if you need a very basic, affordable smartphone for essential tasks like calling, texting, and light web browsing, and battery life is paramount. Buy the OnePlus X if you prioritize a more responsive user experience, better performance for apps and occasional gaming, and a more premium build quality, even if it means potentially slightly shorter battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 615 in the vivo Y37 sufficient for modern app usage?
The Snapdragon 615 is significantly outdated. While it can handle basic tasks like calling and texting, it will struggle with modern, resource-intensive apps and multitasking. Expect noticeable lag and slow loading times.
❓ Does the OnePlus X support software updates anymore?
No. As a 2015 device, the OnePlus X is no longer receiving official software updates. This means it's vulnerable to security risks and lacks the latest features and optimizations.
❓ Which phone is better for playing older Android games?
The OnePlus X is the better choice for gaming, even with older titles. The Snapdragon 801’s more powerful GPU will provide a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience compared to the Snapdragon 615.
❓ What is the likely battery replacement cost for these devices?
Finding replacement batteries for both devices will be increasingly difficult and potentially expensive. Expect to pay a premium for third-party batteries, and professional installation is recommended.
