The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y51 (2020, December) and the Nokia 5.4 aim to deliver a functional Android experience without breaking the bank. While both utilize Qualcomm Snapdragon 6-series chipsets, subtle differences in processing power and charging capabilities create a clear distinction for specific user needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing faster charging and potentially smoother multitasking, the vivo Y51 (2020) emerges as the better choice. Its 18W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Nokia 5.4’s 10W charging, a crucial advantage for those constantly on the go. However, the Nokia 5.4’s clean Android experience may appeal to purists.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 28, 66 - NA, LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, December 03. Released 2020, December 07 | 2020, December 15. Released 2020, December 25 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 161 x 76 x 8.7 mm (6.34 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| 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, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, 70% in 67 min | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Sapphire, Crystal Symphony | Polar Night, Dusk |
| Models | V2030 | TA-1333, TA-1340, TA-1337, TA-1328, TA-1325 |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
vivo Y51 (2020, December)
- Faster 18W charging for reduced downtime
- Potentially smoother multitasking due to Snapdragon 665
- Likely more readily available in certain markets
- May include more pre-installed bloatware
- Software update support may be less consistent
Nokia 5.4
- Clean Android experience with minimal bloatware
- Potentially longer software update support (Nokia's promise)
- Slightly newer Snapdragon 662 chipset
- Significantly slower 10W charging
- May offer less RAM for multitasking
- Potentially limited availability in some regions
Display Comparison
Neither vivo nor Nokia provide display specifications beyond resolution in their marketing materials. However, given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The real difference lies elsewhere. The focus here is on the internal components, as display quality is likely similar and adequate for the target audience.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are unavailable for a precise comparison. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor, but the quality will heavily depend on sensor size and image processing algorithms. Given the market segment, expecting flagship-level camera performance is unrealistic. The focus should be on adequate performance in well-lit conditions for casual photography. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and offers limited practical benefit.
Performance
Both the vivo Y51 (2020) and Nokia 5.4 are powered by octa-core CPUs featuring the same Kryo 260 Gold and Silver core configuration clocked at 2.0 GHz and 1.8 GHz respectively. However, the Nokia 5.4 utilizes the slightly newer Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (SM6115) versus the vivo Y51’s Snapdragon 665 (SDM665). While the architectural differences are minimal, the 662 generally offers a small performance uplift in GPU tasks due to minor optimizations. This translates to slightly better frame rates in less demanding games, but the difference is unlikely to be noticeable in everyday use. Both phones will likely struggle with graphically intensive titles at higher settings.
Battery Life
The battery capacity for both devices is not specified in the provided data. However, the critical difference lies in charging speed. The vivo Y51 (2020) supports 18W wired charging, capable of reaching 70% charge in 67 minutes. The Nokia 5.4 is limited to 10W charging, meaning a full charge will take considerably longer. This disparity is significant for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day and need to minimize downtime. Even with a similar battery capacity, the faster charging of the vivo Y51 provides a tangible advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y51 (2020, December) if you need quicker charging speeds and a phone that can handle moderate multitasking without significant slowdowns. Buy the Nokia 5.4 if you prioritize a clean, bloatware-free Android experience and are willing to trade charging speed for software simplicity. Both phones are suitable for basic communication, social media, and light media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Nokia 5.4 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 662 is a relatively efficient chipset. However, given the plastic build and likely limited thermal dissipation on the Nokia 5.4, prolonged gaming at high settings may lead to some throttling and a noticeable increase in temperature. It's not expected to reach critical levels, but performance will likely dip over time.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the vivo Y51 (2020) compared to the Nokia 5.4 in real-world use?
The vivo Y51 (2020) can reach 70% charge in approximately 67 minutes with its 18W charger. The Nokia 5.4, with its 10W charger, will likely take over 2 hours to reach a full charge. This means you can get a substantial charge on the vivo Y51 during a short break, while the Nokia 5.4 requires a much longer commitment.
❓ Does either phone support NFC for contactless payments?
NFC support varies by region for both devices. It's crucial to check the specifications for your specific market before purchasing. Neither manufacturer explicitly advertises NFC as a standard feature on these models.
