vivo Y38 vs Motorola Edge 50 Pro: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Powerhouses

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo Y38 and Motorola Edge 50 Pro represent compelling options for users seeking a balance of features and affordability. While both devices utilize Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets, they target slightly different priorities – the Y38 focuses on efficiency, while the Edge 50 Pro aims for a more robust performance profile. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and rapid charging, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, coupled with 125W charging and a brighter display, offers a more premium experience. However, the vivo Y38 remains a viable option for budget-conscious users who value efficiency and a more streamlined experience.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Y38 Motorola Edge 50 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43, 48, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, May 022024, April 03
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, MayAvailable. Released 2024, April 08
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front, plastic back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), aluminum frame
Dimensions165.7 x 76 x 8 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)161.2 x 72.4 x 8.2 mm (6.35 x 2.85 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)186 g (6.56 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version)
Resolution720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~264 ppi density)1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)
Size6.68 inches, 107.2 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~92.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak)P-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 2000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 613Adreno 720
OSAndroid 14, Funtouch 14Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple-50 MP, f/1.4, 25mm (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.0, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.1, (wide)50 MP, f/1.9, 21mm (wide), 0.64µm, AF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.4, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, DisplayPort 1.4
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging44W wired125W wired, 100% in 18 min 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless
Type6000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsOcean Blue, Dark GreenLuxe Lavender, Black Beauty, Moonlight Pearl, Vanilla Cream
Models-XT2403-2
Price-€ 410.57 / $ 399.00 / £ 369.99 / ₹ 22,995
SAR-1.08 W/kg (head)     1.08 W/kg (body)

vivo Y38

  • More affordable price point
  • Efficient Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset
  • Potentially longer battery life with conservative use

  • Significantly slower charging speed
  • Less powerful processor for demanding tasks
  • Likely lower display quality

Motorola Edge 50 Pro

  • Ultra-fast 125W wired charging
  • Powerful Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset
  • Brighter and higher-quality display
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging

  • Higher price tag
  • Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load

Display Comparison

The Motorola Edge 50 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1295 nits. This is a substantial advantage over what we’d expect from the Y38, making the Edge 50 Pro far more usable in direct sunlight. While the Y38’s panel specifications are not provided, it’s likely to be a standard LCD or lower-tier AMOLED. The Edge 50 Pro’s brightness also suggests a higher-quality panel with better contrast and color accuracy. The absence of LTPO technology in either device means refresh rate scaling will likely be less efficient than flagship models, but the Edge 50 Pro’s superior brightness is a key differentiator.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the vivo Y38, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is likely to offer a more sophisticated camera system due to its higher-tier chipset and potential for advanced image processing. The Edge 50 Pro’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 will enable features like improved low-light performance and faster image capture. We can assume the Edge 50 Pro will have a larger main sensor and more advanced features like optical image stabilization (OIS), which are crucial for capturing sharp, detailed photos and videos. The Y38 likely relies on software optimization to compensate for a less capable sensor.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the vivo Y38 utilizes the Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, while the Motorola Edge 50 Pro features the SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 represents a significant step up in performance, employing a more advanced CPU architecture (Cortex-A715 vs A78) and a more powerful GPU. The Edge 50 Pro’s CPU configuration (1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) provides a more balanced and capable processing experience. While both are built on a 4nm process, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3’s architecture delivers superior performance per watt, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. The Y38’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is sufficient for basic tasks, but will struggle with graphically intensive games.

Battery Life

The Motorola Edge 50 Pro truly shines in the battery and charging department. Its 125W wired charging can fully charge the device in just 18 minutes – a game-changer for users who need a quick power boost. The addition of 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging further enhances its versatility. While the vivo Y38 offers 44W wired charging, it’s significantly slower. The Edge 50 Pro’s active use score of 11:59h demonstrates excellent battery life, likely due to the efficient Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset and optimized software. While the Y38 may offer comparable battery capacity, the slower charging speed and potentially less efficient chipset could result in a less convenient user experience.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Y38 if you need a reliable, efficient smartphone for everyday tasks and prioritize battery life over raw power. It’s ideal for users who don’t heavily game or require demanding applications. Buy the Motorola Edge 50 Pro if you prefer a faster, more responsive experience, especially for gaming and multitasking, and value the convenience of incredibly fast wired and wireless charging. This phone is geared towards power users and those who demand a more feature-rich device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 in the Motorola Edge 50 Pro get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is a relatively efficient chipset built on a 4nm process. While some heat generation is inevitable during prolonged gaming, the Edge 50 Pro’s thermal management system should prevent significant throttling. User reports and reviews will be crucial to confirm real-world performance under sustained load, but it's expected to handle most mobile games comfortably.
❓ Is the 44W charging on the vivo Y38 slow compared to other phones in its price range?
Yes, 44W charging is comparatively slow in today’s market, especially when the Motorola Edge 50 Pro offers 125W charging. While it’s not unusable, it will take considerably longer to fully charge the Y38, potentially requiring overnight charging for a full top-up. This is a key trade-off for the Y38’s lower price.
❓ Will the vivo Y38 be able to run popular games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile?
The vivo Y38’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but likely at lower graphics settings and frame rates to maintain a playable experience. Expect some stuttering or lag during intense moments. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro will provide a significantly smoother and more visually appealing gaming experience.