The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y3s (2021) and the Infinix Smart 5 Pro aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, relying on distinct chipsets and design philosophies. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device offers the best value for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the vivo Y3s (2021) emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio P35 chipset, built on a more efficient 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Infinix Smart 5 Pro’s 28nm Unisoc SC9863A, translating to smoother multitasking and app loading. While both offer similar battery capacity and charging speeds, the Y3s’ superior processing power makes it the more versatile option.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 40, 66 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 18 | 2021, November 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 18 | Available. Released 2021, November 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 76.3 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 164.4 x 75.6 x 9.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition), Funtouch 11 | Android 11 (Go edition), XOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), AF | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.8 | 8 MP |
| Video | Unspecified | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
5W reverse wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Blue, Pearl White, Mint Green | Morandi Green, Heart of Ocean |
| Models | V2044 | - |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 70 EUR |
vivo Y3s (2021)
- More powerful Helio P35 chipset
- More efficient 12nm fabrication process
- Potentially smoother user experience
- 10W charging is slow
- Camera performance likely limited
Infinix Smart 5 Pro
- Extremely affordable price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Likely similar battery life to Y3s
- Significantly weaker Unisoc SC9863A chipset
- Less efficient 28nm process
- Struggles with multitasking and demanding apps
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. However, the lack of detailed display specifications necessitates focusing on the chipset’s ability to drive the UI smoothly. The Helio P35 in the Y3s has a more capable GPU, suggesting a slightly more fluid visual experience, especially when scrolling through content. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, and color accuracy is unlikely to be a strong point.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, and largely unimpressive. Both phones likely feature a primary camera alongside basic auxiliary lenses (often 2MP macro or depth sensors). Given the context data, detailed analysis is limited. The image processing capabilities of both devices will be basic, and low-light performance will be poor. Focusing on the chipset’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) capabilities, the Helio P35 likely offers slightly better image processing, but the difference will be marginal. The usefulness of any 2MP auxiliary cameras on either device is questionable.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Y3s (2021) utilizes the Mediatek Helio P35, a 12nm octa-core processor with a Cortex-A53 cluster clocked up to 2.3 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the Infinix Smart 5 Pro’s Unisoc SC9863A, a 28nm chip with slower Cortex-A55 cores peaking at 1.6 GHz. The 12nm fabrication process of the Helio P35 is significantly more efficient, leading to lower power consumption and potentially better sustained performance. While both are octa-core, the architectural improvements and higher clock speeds of the Helio P35 give the Y3s a clear edge in CPU-intensive tasks. The Unisoc chip will likely struggle with demanding applications and multitasking.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds – expect around 2.5 to 3 hours for a full charge. While battery capacity isn’t specified, both likely house around 5000mAh batteries, standard for this segment. The Helio P35’s superior power efficiency could translate to slightly longer battery life in real-world usage, offsetting any potential capacity differences. However, the difference will likely be minimal, and both phones should comfortably last a full day with moderate use.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y3s (2021) if you prioritize a more responsive user experience and anticipate running multiple apps or engaging in light gaming. Its more modern chipset architecture offers better long-term usability. Buy the Infinix Smart 5 Pro if your primary needs are extremely basic – calls, texts, and occasional social media – and you’re looking for the absolute lowest possible price. The Smart 5 Pro is a functional device, but its performance limitations are significant.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix Smart 5 Pro struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the Smart 5 Pro can run these apps, the Unisoc SC9863A chipset’s limited processing power may result in noticeable lag and slow loading times, especially when multitasking or using the apps’ more feature-rich components. The vivo Y3s (2021) will provide a significantly smoother experience.
❓ Is the 10W charging speed on either phone acceptable for daily use?
10W charging is slow by modern standards. Expect a full charge to take over 2.5 hours. Neither phone offers fast charging capabilities. However, given the likely battery capacities (around 5000mAh), topping up overnight is a viable solution for both devices.
❓ Can either of these phones handle basic mobile gaming?
The vivo Y3s (2021) is better suited for basic gaming due to its more powerful GPU. However, don't expect to play demanding titles at high settings. The Infinix Smart 5 Pro will struggle with even less demanding games, experiencing significant frame rate drops and lag.
❓ What kind of storage options are typically available on these devices?
Both phones typically come with 32GB of internal storage, which is quite limited. Thankfully, both likely support microSD card expansion, allowing you to add more storage for photos, videos, and apps. Check the specific model for maximum supported microSD capacity.
