The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y3s and the Infinix Smart 5 Pro aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, they take different approaches under the hood, relying on distinct chipsets – the Mediatek Helio P35 and the Unisoc SC9863A respectively – which significantly impacts performance and efficiency. This comparison dives deep into these differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness in everyday tasks, the vivo Y3s emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio P35, built on a 12nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Infinix Smart 5 Pro’s 28nm Unisoc SC9863A, translating to smoother multitasking and app loading times.
| 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 40, 66 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 21. Released 2020, October 26 | 2021, November 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, November 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.4 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.28 x 3.02 x 0.35 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 | 190.5 g (6.74 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1544 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.35 inches, 99.6 cm2 (~81.4% 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 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9 | Android 11 (Go edition), XOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/1.8, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash |
| Single | - | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8 | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue, Light Blue, Red | Morandi Green, Heart of Ocean |
| Models | V1901A, V1901T | - |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 70 EUR |
vivo Y3s
- More powerful and efficient processor (Helio P35)
- Smoother multitasking and app loading
- Potentially better battery life
- May be slightly more expensive
- Basic camera system
Infinix Smart 5 Pro
- Lower price point
- Acceptable for basic communication tasks
- 10W charging
- Significantly slower processor (Unisoc SC9863A)
- Laggy performance with multiple apps
- Less efficient, impacting battery life
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature basic IPS LCD panels, and detailed specs like resolution and brightness are unavailable. However, the processor powering the display is relevant. The Helio P35 in the Y3s has a more capable GPU, potentially leading to smoother scrolling and animations, even if the panel itself is similar. The larger process node of the Unisoc chip suggests it may struggle to efficiently drive even a basic display.
Camera Comparison
Given the price point, camera performance is unlikely to be a key differentiator. Both phones likely feature basic camera setups. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Helio P35’s slightly more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) might offer marginally better image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in slightly more detailed and vibrant photos. Expect both phones to struggle in low-light conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Y3s’ Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm) features an octa-core CPU with a split configuration of 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. This is a more mature architecture than the Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) found in the Infinix Smart 5 Pro, which uses 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 and 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The 12nm fabrication process of the Helio P35 is significantly more efficient than the 28nm process of the Unisoc chip, resulting in lower power consumption and better sustained performance. The Cortex-A53 cores in the Y3s, while older, are clocked higher and generally outperform the Cortex-A55 cores in the Smart 5 Pro. This translates to faster app launch times and a more responsive user experience.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the more efficient Helio P35 in the vivo Y3s will likely result in longer battery life on a single charge. The 28nm Unisoc SC9863A in the Infinix Smart 5 Pro will consume more power, even during idle periods, reducing overall usage time.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y3s if you need a phone that feels relatively snappy for basic tasks like social media, messaging, and light web browsing. Its more efficient processor will also contribute to slightly better battery life during moderate use. Buy the Infinix Smart 5 Pro if your primary concern is absolute affordability and you primarily need a device for calls, texts, and very occasional, undemanding app usage. Be prepared for slower performance and potential lag with multiple apps open.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix Smart 5 Pro struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the Infinix Smart 5 Pro can run these apps, expect slower loading times and potential lag, especially when switching between them. The Unisoc SC9863A is a very basic processor and isn't optimized for demanding applications. The vivo Y3s will offer a noticeably smoother experience.
❓ Is the Helio P35 in the vivo Y3s capable of playing mobile games?
The Helio P35 can handle some light gaming, but don't expect high frame rates or detailed graphics. Games like PUBG Mobile will likely need to be played on the lowest settings. The Unisoc SC9863A in the Infinix Smart 5 Pro is even less suited for gaming.
❓ How much faster is the vivo Y3s in real-world use compared to the Infinix Smart 5 Pro?
The difference is noticeable in everyday tasks. App launch times on the vivo Y3s are significantly quicker, and multitasking feels smoother. The Infinix Smart 5 Pro will exhibit more lag and slowdown, especially when running multiple apps simultaneously.
