Released in 2015, both the vivo Y37 and Xiaomi Mi 4c represented compelling options in the burgeoning mid-range smartphone market. While both devices aimed for affordability, they took different approaches to achieving it, primarily diverging in their chipset choices. This comparison dissects those differences, and others, to determine which phone holds up better today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional, if dated, smartphone experience, the Xiaomi Mi 4c emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 808 chipset provides a significant performance advantage over the Y37’s Snapdragon 615, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user interface, despite both phones sharing an identical endurance rating.
| 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 |
| 4G bands | LTE 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, August | 2015, September. Released 2015, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 154 x 77 x 6.8 mm (6.06 x 3.03 x 0.27 in) | 138.1 x 69.6 x 7.8 mm (5.44 x 2.74 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM |
| Weight | 165 g (5.82 oz) | 132 g (4.66 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | 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 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Hexa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A57) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8992 Snapdragon 808 (20 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | Adreno 418 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop), Funtouch 2.1 | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat), MIUI 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 13 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR | 4.1, A2DP |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C |
| 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 | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, QC2, 40% in 60 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 3080 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White | White, grey, pink, yellow, blue |
| Models | - | Mi-4c |
| Price | - | About 210 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.34 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94.7dB / Crosstalk -95.3dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 52h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1609 (nominal), 2.574(sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 73dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 77dB |
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1233Basemark X: 12096 |
vivo Y37 (2015)
- Potentially lower price point (depending on current market)
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the Mi 4c
- Slower charging (likely)
- Less refined camera system (likely)
Xiaomi Mi 4c
- Superior performance thanks to the Snapdragon 808
- Faster charging with Quick Charge 2.0
- Likely better camera quality
- May be slightly more expensive than the Y37
- Older device with potential software limitations
- Battery life is comparable, not superior, despite the more efficient chip
Display Comparison
Both the vivo Y37 and Xiaomi Mi 4c feature displays with a nominal contrast ratio of 1609 and a sunlight contrast ratio of 2.574. This suggests similar display quality in terms of visibility under direct sunlight. However, the context data lacks specifics regarding resolution, panel type (IPS, AMOLED), or refresh rate. Given the era, both likely utilized IPS LCD panels. The lack of information prevents a definitive judgment, but the similar contrast ratios suggest a comparable viewing experience in most conditions.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Without information on sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization, a direct comparison is impossible. However, given Xiaomi’s historical focus on camera performance, even in their budget offerings, it’s reasonable to assume the Mi 4c likely possesses a more capable camera system than the Y37. The absence of any mention of advanced features like HDR or panorama on the Y37 further suggests a simpler camera experience.
Performance
The core difference between these two devices lies in their chipsets. The Xiaomi Mi 4c boasts the Qualcomm MSM8992 Snapdragon 808, a 20nm hexa-core processor featuring two high-performance Cortex-A57 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz and four power-efficient Cortex-A53 cores at 1.4 GHz. This contrasts with the vivo Y37’s Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615, a 28nm octa-core processor with eight Cortex-A53 cores split between 1.4 GHz and 1.0 GHz. The 808’s smaller manufacturing process (20nm vs 28nm) and inclusion of faster A57 cores provide a substantial performance advantage, particularly in demanding tasks and gaming. The Mi 4c will exhibit significantly less lag and faster app loading times.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both the vivo Y37 and Xiaomi Mi 4c share an endurance rating of 52 hours. This suggests similar real-world battery life despite the Mi 4c’s more powerful processor. However, the Mi 4c offers a significant advantage in charging speed with 18W wired charging and Quick Charge 2.0 support, capable of reaching 40% charge in just 60 minutes. The Y37’s charging specifications are not provided, implying a slower charging experience. This faster charging capability is a practical benefit for users who prioritize convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y37 (2015) if you prioritize a slightly more conservative design and are looking for the absolute lowest possible price point for a functional smartphone. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 4c if you value performance, faster charging with Quick Charge 2.0 support, and a more modern user experience, even if it comes at a potentially slightly higher cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Xiaomi Mi 4c handle modern apps and games?
While the Snapdragon 808 was a flagship processor in 2015, modern apps and games are significantly more demanding. The Mi 4c will struggle with graphically intensive titles and may exhibit lag with newer applications. It's best suited for lighter tasks and older games.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 615 in the vivo Y37 sufficient for basic tasks like calling and texting?
Yes, the Snapdragon 615 is perfectly adequate for basic smartphone functions like making calls, sending texts, and browsing the web. However, it will struggle with multitasking and more demanding applications. Expect noticeable slowdowns when running multiple apps simultaneously.
❓ What kind of storage options were available for these phones?
Both phones were typically available with 16GB or 32GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card. However, the actual storage configurations varied by region and retailer.
❓ How well do these phones support custom ROMs?
The Xiaomi Mi 4c has a relatively active custom ROM community, offering options for updated Android versions and improved performance. The vivo Y37 has a much smaller custom ROM scene, making it harder to find alternative software options.
