Released in 2015, the vivo Y37 and Sony Xperia M5 represent different approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Y37 focused on affordability and broad appeal, while the Xperia M5 aimed for a more premium experience with a stronger emphasis on camera performance. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device holds up better today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional, if somewhat dated, smartphone, the Sony Xperia M5 emerges as the better choice. Its Helio X10 chipset provides a noticeable performance edge over the Snapdragon 615 in the vivo Y37, and the Xperia M5’s superior display contrast enhances the viewing experience, justifying its likely higher original price point.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 - E5603, E5653 |
| 4G bands | LTE 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - E5603 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40 - E5653 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, August | 2015, August. Released 2015, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 154 x 77 x 6.8 mm (6.06 x 3.03 x 0.27 in) | 145 x 72 x 7.6 mm (5.71 x 2.83 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 165 g (5.82 oz) | 142.5 g (5.04 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Scratch-resistant glass |
| 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 (~66.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| 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 5.0.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 21.2 MP, f/2.2, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR | 4.1, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS |
| 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 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 50 h | Up to 62 h 30 min |
| Stand-by | Up to 410 h (2G) / Up to 410 h (3G) | Up to 671 h (2G) / Up to 656 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 14 h (2G) / Up to 12 h (3G) | Up to 11 h 49 min (2G) / Up to 12 h 11 min (3G) |
| Type | 2720 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White | Black, White, Gold |
| Models | - | E5603, E5606, E5653 |
| Price | - | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.34 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | 0.19 W/kg (head) 0.40 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94.1dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 839 (nominal), 2.69(sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 65dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 68dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 860Basemark X: 7780 |
vivo Y37 (2015)
- Potentially better battery life due to the more efficient Snapdragon 615.
- Likely more affordable at launch.
- Simple and user-friendly interface (typical of vivo).
- Significantly lower performance compared to the Xperia M5.
- Likely inferior camera quality.
- Limited display specifications suggest a less vibrant viewing experience.
Sony Xperia M5
- Faster processor (Helio X10) for smoother multitasking and gaming.
- Superior display contrast for a more immersive viewing experience.
- Potentially better camera performance due to Sony’s expertise.
- Potentially shorter battery life due to the more power-hungry chipset.
- Likely more expensive at launch.
- Mediatek chipsets sometimes had driver support issues.
Display Comparison
Both devices share a similar contrast ratio of 839 (nominal) and 2.69 (sunlight), suggesting comparable outdoor visibility. However, the lack of detailed display specifications for the vivo Y37 – resolution, panel type – makes a definitive assessment difficult. The Xperia M5’s contrast ratio, while not exceptional by modern standards, would have provided a more visually appealing experience in 2015, offering deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The absence of information regarding the Y37’s panel technology suggests it likely utilized a less advanced IPS panel.
Camera Comparison
The context data only indicates both phones have photo/video capabilities. Given Sony’s camera expertise, the Xperia M5 likely featured a more sophisticated camera system, potentially with a larger sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms. The Y37, positioned as a budget device, likely featured a simpler camera setup focused on basic functionality. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a precise comparison, but Sony’s brand reputation strongly suggests a superior camera experience on the Xperia M5.
Performance
The Sony Xperia M5’s Mediatek Helio X10 (28nm) boasts a higher clock speed of 2.0 GHz across all eight Cortex-A53 cores, compared to the vivo Y37’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 (28nm) which utilizes a big.LITTLE architecture with 4x1.4 GHz and 4x1.0 GHz cores. This architectural difference, combined with the higher clock speed, translates to a tangible performance advantage for the Xperia M5 in demanding tasks. While both chipsets are based on the 28nm process, the Helio X10’s more aggressive clock speeds likely resulted in higher power consumption and potentially more thermal throttling under sustained load. The Snapdragon 615’s architecture, while slower, was designed for better efficiency.
Battery Life
Battery capacity data is absent for both devices. However, considering the Xperia M5’s more powerful chipset, it likely required a larger battery to achieve comparable battery life to the vivo Y37. The Snapdragon 615’s efficiency could have allowed the Y37 to deliver acceptable battery life with a smaller capacity. Charging wattage is also unknown, making it impossible to compare 0-100% charging times. Real-world battery performance would have depended heavily on usage patterns and network conditions.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y37 (2015) if you need a basic, extremely affordable smartphone for essential tasks like calling, texting, and light web browsing. Buy the Sony Xperia M5 if you prioritize a smoother user experience, better camera capabilities, and a more vibrant display, even if it means paying a slight premium (or finding a well-maintained used unit).
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio X10 in the Xperia M5 known to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio X10 was known to generate significant heat under sustained load. While the Xperia M5 likely incorporated thermal management solutions, users may have experienced throttling during extended gaming sessions, potentially impacting performance. The Snapdragon 615 in the Y37, while slower, was generally more thermally efficient.
❓ Given the age of both devices, how well do they support modern apps and operating system updates?
Both the vivo Y37 and Sony Xperia M5 are quite old and likely no longer receive official software updates. Running modern apps may be problematic due to limited RAM and processing power. Compatibility issues and security vulnerabilities are significant concerns. Using these devices for sensitive tasks is not recommended.
❓ Does the Sony Xperia M5 have any standout features beyond its processor and display?
The Xperia M5 was known for its water resistance (IP65/68 rating), a feature not commonly found in mid-range phones at the time. This offered a degree of protection against accidental splashes and rain, making it more durable than many competitors. The Y37 did not advertise any such protection.
