vivo Y51s vs Huawei nova 7i: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Performance

The vivo Y51s and Huawei nova 7i represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they take different approaches to processing power and charging speed. This comparison dissects the key differences between the Exynos 880-powered vivo Y51s and the Kirin 810-equipped Huawei nova 7i, helping you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing fast charging and potentially smoother multitasking, the Huawei nova 7i emerges as the better choice. Its 40W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the Kirin 810’s slightly higher clock speeds offer a marginal performance edge. However, the vivo Y51s remains a viable option for those seeking a more power-efficient chipset.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Y51s Huawei nova 7i
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - JNY-L21A, JNY-L01A, JNY-L21B
5G bands1, 41, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G (3.6+ Gbps DL)HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - JNY-L22A, JNY-L02A, JNY-L22B
Launch
Announced2020, July 24. Released 2020, July 292020, January 30. Released 2020, February 14
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions162 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm (6.38 x 3.02 x 0.33 in)159.2 x 76.3 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 3.00 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)183 g (6.46 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A77 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetExynos 880 (8 nm)Kirin 810 (7 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MP5Mali-G52 MP6
OSAndroid 10, Funtouch 10.5Android 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoFM radio (market/region dependent)
USBmicroUSB 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, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired40W wired, 70% in 30 min
Type4500 mAhLi-Po 4200 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, WhiteMidnight Black, Crush Green, Sakura Pink
ModelsV2002AJNY-L22B, JNY-L21A, JNY-L01A, JNY-L21B, JNY-L22A, JNY-L02A, JNY-LX2
PriceAbout 250 EURAbout 240 EUR

vivo Y51s

  • Potentially better power efficiency with the Exynos 880's 8nm process.
  • May run cooler under sustained load.
  • Competitive GPU performance for gaming.

  • Significantly slower 18W charging.
  • CPU clock speeds are slightly lower than the nova 7i.
  • Likely lacks the software optimizations of Huawei's camera.

Huawei nova 7i

  • 40W fast charging – 70% in 30 minutes.
  • Slightly higher CPU clock speeds for improved multitasking.
  • Kirin 810's 7nm process offers good efficiency.

  • May run slightly warmer under heavy load.
  • Huawei's software ecosystem may be a concern for some users.
  • Potentially more aggressive image processing.

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on cutting-edge tech like LTPO or high refresh rates. The real difference, absent from the provided specs, likely lies in color calibration and peak brightness. Huawei historically leans towards more saturated colors, while vivo often aims for a more natural look. Bezels are expected to be similar, contributing minimally to the overall user experience.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning suggests both phones will feature multi-camera setups with a primary sensor, ultrawide, and depth/macro lenses. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device is a notable omission. Image processing will be a key differentiator; Huawei’s image algorithms are known for their aggressive sharpening and vibrant colors, while vivo often aims for a more balanced and natural look. The 2MP macro cameras found on many phones in this segment are largely marketing features and offer limited practical benefit.

Performance

The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei nova 7i’s Kirin 810, fabricated on a 7nm process, has a slight advantage in raw CPU power with its 2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 cores compared to the vivo Y51s’ 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A77 cores on the 8nm Exynos 880. While both utilize Cortex-A55 efficiency cores at similar clock speeds (1.8 GHz vs 1.88 GHz), the 7nm process of the Kirin 810 generally translates to better power efficiency and potentially slightly improved sustained performance. The Exynos 880, however, benefits from Mali-G76 MP5 GPU, which may offer competitive gaming performance. The impact of RAM speed (LPDDR4X is likely on both) is minimal in real-world usage.

Battery Life

The Huawei nova 7i’s 40W wired charging is a significant advantage. The ability to reach 70% charge in just 30 minutes drastically reduces downtime compared to the vivo Y51s’ 18W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed of the nova 7i effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. The Exynos 880’s 8nm process may offer better power efficiency, potentially leading to longer standby times, but the convenience of rapid charging is a compelling benefit for many users.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Y51s if you prioritize long-term battery life and a potentially cooler operating temperature during sustained tasks, even if it means slower charging. Buy the Huawei nova 7i if you value rapid charging, enabling you to quickly top up your battery and minimize interruptions, and if you frequently switch between multiple applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 880 in the vivo Y51s overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 880 is generally a thermally efficient chip, especially when compared to higher-end processors. While it may get warm during extended gaming, it's unlikely to experience significant throttling due to its 8nm fabrication process. However, sustained performance will still be lower than the Kirin 810.
❓ Is the 40W charging on the Huawei nova 7i compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
Huawei typically uses its own SuperCharge protocol for 40W charging. While some PD chargers may work at lower wattages, it's best to use the charger included in the box to ensure optimal charging speed and compatibility. Using a non-compatible charger may result in slower charging times.
❓ How does the Kirin 810 handle multitasking compared to the Exynos 880?
The Kirin 810’s slightly higher CPU clock speeds and efficient 7nm process give it a marginal advantage in multitasking scenarios. Users who frequently switch between numerous apps may notice smoother performance on the Huawei nova 7i.
❓ Are the 2MP macro cameras on either phone worth using?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on phones in this price range offer limited practical benefit. Image quality is often poor, and the fixed focus distance makes it difficult to capture truly detailed macro shots. They are primarily a marketing feature.