Released four years apart, the vivo Y37 (2015) and Samsung Galaxy A80 represent vastly different eras in smartphone development. The Y37 targeted the budget-conscious market, while the A80 aimed for a more premium mid-range experience. This comparison dissects the core differences, highlighting how advancements in chipset technology and display capabilities define the user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user in 2024, the Samsung Galaxy A80 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 730 chipset delivers significantly improved performance and efficiency compared to the Snapdragon 615 in the Y37, coupled with a brighter, higher-quality display and faster charging. While the Y37 served its purpose in 2015, the A80 offers a far more modern and capable experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, August | 2019, April 10. Released 2019, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 154 x 77 x 6.8 mm (6.06 x 3.03 x 0.27 in) | 165.2 x 76.5 x 9.3 mm (6.50 x 3.01 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 165 g (5.82 oz) | 220 g (7.76 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~70.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop), Funtouch 2.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
TOF 3D, f/1.2, (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@480fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Triple | - | Motorized pop-up rotating main camera module |
| Video | - | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+
Bixby natural language commands and dictation |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 25W wired |
| 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-Po 3700 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White | Angel Gold, Ghost White, Phantom Black |
| Models | - | SM-A805F, SM-A8050, SM-A805X, SM-A805N |
| Price | - | About 380 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.30 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.34 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | 0.22 W/kg (head) 1.43 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 90h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 69dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 79dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 207502 (v7)
GeekBench: 6934 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Y37 (2015)
- Extremely affordable (in its time)
- Lightweight and compact
- Functional for basic tasks
- Outdated chipset and slow performance
- Low display brightness and quality
- Limited camera capabilities
- Slow charging
Samsung Galaxy A80
- Significantly faster performance with Snapdragon 730
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Faster 25W charging
- More efficient power consumption
- Higher price point (originally)
- May be difficult to find in new condition
- Software support likely ended
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A80 boasts a significantly more advanced display experience. While both phones feature a 'Photo/Video' capable display, the A80’s measured peak brightness of 607 nits dwarfs what the Y37 likely offered (typical budget panels of that era rarely exceeded 400 nits). The A80’s 'Infinite' contrast ratio, while a marketing term, suggests a superior panel technology – likely AMOLED – providing deeper blacks and more vivid colors compared to the Y37’s probable LCD. The A80’s larger screen size also contributes to a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but the specifics are lacking. Given the era, the Y37 likely featured a lower-resolution sensor with limited image processing capabilities. The A80, benefiting from advancements in camera technology, likely incorporates a more sophisticated sensor and image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 730. While details are missing, the A80’s camera system would almost certainly deliver superior image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance. The absence of specific sensor details prevents a deeper analysis, but the A80’s chipset provides a strong foundation for a better camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Y37’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 (28nm) utilizes an older architecture with a split core configuration (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53). This contrasts sharply with the Samsung Galaxy A80’s Snapdragon 730 (8nm). The 8nm process node is significantly more efficient, leading to lower power consumption and reduced heat generation. The Snapdragon 730’s Kryo 470 cores (2x2.2 GHz Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Silver) offer a substantial performance uplift in both single-core and multi-core tasks, making the A80 far more responsive for demanding applications and multitasking. The A80 will handle modern apps and games with ease, while the Y37 will struggle.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 90 hours, which is a somewhat misleading metric without knowing battery capacity. However, the Snapdragon 730’s 8nm process and improved power efficiency give the A80 a significant advantage in real-world battery life. The A80 also supports 25W wired charging, allowing for a much faster 0-100% charge time compared to the Y37, which likely supported slower charging speeds. The A80’s faster charging and more efficient chipset translate to less time tethered to a wall and more time using the device.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y37 (2015) if you absolutely need a functional, extremely affordable device for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing, and are willing to accept significant performance limitations. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A80 if you prioritize a smoother user experience, better multitasking, a brighter and more vibrant display, and faster charging – even if it means spending more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 730 in the Galaxy A80 still capable of running modern apps and games?
Yes, the Snapdragon 730 remains a capable chipset in 2024. While not a flagship processor, it can comfortably handle most popular apps and games at medium to high settings. It offers a significant performance advantage over the Snapdragon 615 in the Y37.
❓ Given the age of both phones, what is the likely software support situation?
Software support for both devices is likely limited or non-existent. The vivo Y37 (2015) almost certainly no longer receives updates. The Samsung Galaxy A80 may have received its final major update, but Samsung generally provides longer software support than other manufacturers. Expect to rely on third-party custom ROMs if you desire a more modern Android experience.
❓ Would the Galaxy A80 be a good choice as a secondary or backup phone in 2024?
Yes, the Galaxy A80 could serve as a reliable secondary or backup phone. Its performance and features are still adequate for basic tasks, and its larger display and faster charging offer a better experience than many newer budget options.
