The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo Y50 (2020) and Huawei P smart 2021 represent compelling options for users seeking affordability without completely sacrificing features. This comparison dissects their core specifications, focusing on the trade-offs between Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 665 and Huawei’s Kirin 710A, and assesses which device delivers the best overall experience for the price.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly more modern chipset architecture, the vivo Y50 (2020) emerges as the better choice. While the Huawei P smart 2021 boasts faster 22.5W charging, the Snapdragon 665’s more efficient Kryo cores and potentially better software optimization give it an edge in everyday usability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 06. Released 2020, April 12 | 2020, September 28. Released 2020, September 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 162 x 76.5 x 9.1 mm (6.38 x 3.01 x 0.36 in) | 165.7 x 76.9 x 9.3 mm (6.52 x 3.03 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 197 g (6.95 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Kirin 710A (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 10.0 | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, built-in antenna |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 22.5W wired, 46% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Iris Blue, Iris Blue, Pearl White | Crush Green, Blush Gold, Midnight Black |
| Models | 1935, V1965A | PPA-LX1, PPA-LX2 |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 119h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1252:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.8 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 169253 (v8)
GeekBench: 1334 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Y50 (2020)
- More efficient Snapdragon 665 chipset (11nm)
- Potentially better sustained performance due to chipset architecture
- Modern CPU core design
- Slower 15W charging
- Limited camera specification details
Huawei P smart 2021
- Faster 22.5W charging with 46% in 30 minutes
- High contrast ratio (1252:1)
- Good battery endurance (119h)
- Less efficient Kirin 710A chipset (14nm)
- Older CPU core design
Display Comparison
Both devices offer a similar display experience, with the Huawei P smart 2021 exhibiting a measured peak brightness of 442 nits and a 1252:1 contrast ratio. The vivo Y50’s display specifications are not provided, but given its market positioning, it likely offers comparable brightness and contrast. The identical contrast ratio suggests similar panel technology, likely IPS LCD. Neither device is expected to deliver exceptional color accuracy or HDR support, focusing instead on providing a functional viewing experience for everyday tasks.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the absence of any mention of advanced features like OIS suggests both rely on software-based image stabilization. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing tactic, offering limited real-world benefit due to the small sensor size and low resolution. Image quality will likely be comparable, leaning towards acceptable in good lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Y50 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with Kryo 260 Gold and Silver cores. This 11nm process node generally translates to better power efficiency compared to the Huawei P smart 2021’s Kirin 710A (14nm). While both CPUs are octa-core with similar clock speeds (2.0 GHz for the primary cores), the Snapdragon 665’s architecture is more modern. The Kirin 710A uses Cortex-A73 and A53 cores, which are older designs. This difference impacts sustained performance and thermal throttling, potentially favoring the vivo Y50 during extended gaming sessions or demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Y50 and Huawei P smart 2021 achieve an endurance rating of 119 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Huawei P smart 2021 supports 22.5W wired charging, capable of reaching 46% charge in 30 minutes, while the vivo Y50 is limited to 15W. This faster charging capability is a significant advantage for users who frequently need to quickly replenish their battery. The identical endurance rating suggests the Kirin 710A’s power consumption is offset by a potentially larger battery capacity, though this is unconfirmed.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y50 (2020) if you need a phone that handles multitasking and light gaming with relative ease, and value a chipset built on a more modern 11nm process for potentially better efficiency. Buy the Huawei P smart 2021 if you prioritize quick top-ups with its 22.5W charging and are less concerned with raw processing power, or if you are heavily invested in the Huawei ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Kirin 710A chipset sufficient for playing demanding games like PUBG Mobile on the Huawei P smart 2021?
While the Kirin 710A can run PUBG Mobile, expect to play at medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The 14nm process and older core design may lead to thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, potentially causing frame drops. The vivo Y50’s Snapdragon 665, with its more efficient architecture, may offer a slightly smoother experience.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between the 15W and 22.5W charging capabilities?
The 22.5W charging on the Huawei P smart 2021 is noticeably faster. Reaching 46% charge in 30 minutes is a substantial benefit for users who need a quick power boost. The vivo Y50’s 15W charging will take considerably longer to achieve a similar charge level, making it less convenient for those on the go.
❓ Does the Huawei P smart 2021 support Google Mobile Services (GMS)?
Due to ongoing restrictions, the Huawei P smart 2021 does *not* natively support Google Mobile Services (GMS). It utilizes Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) instead. This means access to apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps requires workarounds or using alternative apps from the Huawei AppGallery.
