vivo Y51a vs Realme 8 Pro: A Detailed Comparison for Budget Shoppers

The vivo Y51a and Realme 8 Pro represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches. The Y51a focuses on efficiency with its Snapdragon 662, while the 8 Pro prioritizes performance with the Snapdragon 720G and a significantly faster charging solution. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Realme 8 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 720G offers a noticeable performance uplift over the Y51a’s Snapdragon 662, and the 50W SuperDart charging is a game-changer, fully charging the device in just 47 minutes compared to the Y51a’s 67 minutes for a 70% charge.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Y51a Realme 8 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 401, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia
Launch
Announced2021, January 082021, March 24
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, January 23Available. Released 2021, March 25
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions163.9 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)160.6 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.32 x 2.91 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight188 g (6.63 oz)176 g (6.21 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDSuper AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 618
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 12, Funtouch 12Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Triple48 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)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, 70% in 67 min50W wired, 50% in 17 min, 100% in 47 min
Type5000 mAh4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsTitanium Sapphire, Crystal SymphonyInfinite Blue, Infinite Black, Punk Black, Illuminating Yellow
ModelsV2031RMX3081
PriceAbout 200 EURAbout 550 EUR
SAR0.87 W/kg (head)     0.39 W/kg (body)1.10 W/kg (head)     0.53 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 116h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -28.2 LUFS (Average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 286666 (v8) GeekBench: 1678 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo Y51a

  • Potentially better efficiency due to the Snapdragon 662.
  • Likely more affordable price point.
  • Decent battery life (116h endurance).

  • Slower processor compared to the Snapdragon 720G.
  • Significantly slower charging speed (18W).
  • Potentially less capable camera system.

Realme 8 Pro

  • Faster Snapdragon 720G processor for better performance.
  • Ultra-fast 50W SuperDart charging.
  • Likely superior camera capabilities.

  • May be slightly more expensive.
  • Potentially slightly lower battery efficiency due to the more powerful processor.
  • No detailed display specs available.

Display Comparison

Both devices share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting standard IPS LCD panels. However, detailed display specs like resolution, peak brightness, and color gamut coverage are missing. Given the price points, expect both to offer 1080p+ resolution. The Realme 8 Pro, being positioned slightly higher, *may* benefit from a slightly better panel with improved color accuracy, but without concrete data, this remains speculative. Bezels are likely comparable, focusing on maximizing screen real estate within their respective budgets.

Camera Comparison

While both phones feature photo/video capabilities, the Realme 8 Pro likely holds an edge due to its positioning. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make definitive claims. However, Realme typically prioritizes camera performance in its Pro models. The Snapdragon 720G’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is also more capable than the 662’s, enabling better image processing and potentially superior low-light performance. The Y51a’s camera is likely adequate for casual photography, but the 8 Pro aims for a more refined experience.

Performance

The Realme 8 Pro’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm) represents a clear advantage over the vivo Y51a’s Snapdragon 662 (11nm). The 720G’s Kryo 465 Gold cores, clocked at 2.3 GHz, outperform the Y51a’s 2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold cores. The 8nm process node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, meaning the 8 Pro is less likely to throttle under sustained load. This translates to smoother gaming and faster app loading times for the Realme 8 Pro. While both utilize octa-core configurations, the architectural improvements in the 720G are significant.

Battery Life

Both devices boast an endurance rating of 116 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life under moderate usage. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Realme 8 Pro’s 50W SuperDart charging can reach 50% in just 17 minutes and 100% in 47 minutes, a significant convenience factor. The vivo Y51a’s 18W charging takes 67 minutes to reach 70%, implying a much longer full charge time. This difference in charging speed is a major differentiator, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Y51a if you prioritize long-term efficiency and a consistently smooth experience for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media. It’s ideal for users who don’t heavily game or require demanding app performance. Buy the Realme 8 Pro if you value faster performance for gaming and multitasking, and if rapid charging is a must-have feature. It’s the better option for users who want a phone that can keep up with a more demanding lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 720G in the Realme 8 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 720G is well-equipped to handle PUBG Mobile at high settings. While it won't deliver the absolute highest frame rates, it provides a consistently smooth and enjoyable gaming experience, especially when paired with sufficient RAM. The 8nm process also helps mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How much of a difference will the 50W charging make in daily use on the Realme 8 Pro?
The 50W charging is a significant convenience. Being able to go from 0% to 50% in just 17 minutes, and fully charged in 47 minutes, means you can quickly top up your phone during short breaks, minimizing downtime. This is particularly useful for users who have busy schedules or frequently travel.
❓ Is the camera on the vivo Y51a sufficient for casual social media use?
Yes, the vivo Y51a’s camera is likely adequate for casual social media photography in good lighting conditions. However, it will likely struggle in low-light scenarios compared to the Realme 8 Pro, and may lack the advanced features and image processing capabilities for more serious photography.
❓ Will I notice a significant performance difference between the Snapdragon 662 and 720G in everyday tasks?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference might not be immediately noticeable. However, when multitasking, opening demanding apps, or playing games, the Snapdragon 720G in the Realme 8 Pro will provide a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience.