The vivo Y series consistently delivers affordable smartphones packed with features. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the vivo Y51s and the vivo Y51 (2020). Both aim to provide a solid experience without breaking the bank, but which one comes out on top?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The vivo Y51s edges out the Y51 (2020) thanks to its slightly more powerful Exynos 880 chipset and generally improved performance. While charging speeds are similar, the Y51s offers a more modern processor, making it the better choice for smoother multitasking and gaming.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40 |
| 5G bands | 1, 41, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G (3.6+ Gbps DL) | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 24. Released 2020, July 29 | 2020, December 03. Released 2020, December 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 162 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm (6.38 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 163.9 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A77 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Exynos 880 (8 nm) | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP5 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 10.5 | Android 11, Funtouch 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired, 70% in 67 min |
| Type | 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Titanium Sapphire, Crystal Symphony |
| Models | V2002A | V2030 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 210 EUR |
vivo Y51s
- More powerful Exynos 880 chipset
- Improved image processing
- Slightly better performance for gaming
- Modern design
- 18W charging is relatively slow
- 720p display resolution
vivo Y51 (2020, December)
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Decent camera quality
- Long battery life
- Potentially lower price
- Older Snapdragon 665 chipset
- Less powerful than Y51s
- Slightly less efficient image processing
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.51-inch IPS LCD display with a 720 x 1600 resolution. While the panels are similar in size and resolution, the Y51s might offer slightly better color accuracy due to its newer chipset's image processing capabilities. However, the difference is likely minimal and won't be noticeable for most users.
Camera Comparison
The vivo Y51 (2020) typically features a 48MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens. The Y51s also has a 48MP main camera, but the Exynos 880's image signal processor (ISP) likely provides better image processing, resulting in slightly improved photo quality, especially in low light. Both phones have a 16MP front-facing camera.
Performance
The vivo Y51s boasts the Exynos 880, fabricated on an 8nm process, offering a noticeable performance advantage over the Y51's Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The Exynos 880's Cortex-A77 cores provide better single-core performance, leading to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. Gaming performance is also expected to be better on the Y51s.
Battery Life
Both devices are equipped with a 5000mAh battery and support 18W wired charging. The Y51 (2020) advertises a 70% charge in 67 minutes, suggesting slightly more efficient charging management, but real-world performance will likely be similar for both.
Buying Guide
The vivo Y51s is ideal for users who prioritize performance and a slightly more modern chipset for everyday tasks and light gaming. The vivo Y51 (2020) remains a good option for those seeking a reliable and affordable phone with a decent camera and battery, especially if found at a significantly lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the vivo Y51s worth the extra money compared to the Y51?
If performance is a priority, the Y51s is worth the upgrade. The Exynos 880 offers a noticeable improvement in speed and responsiveness. However, if you're on a tight budget and primarily use your phone for basic tasks, the Y51 remains a solid choice.
❓ What is the difference in gaming performance between the two phones?
The vivo Y51s generally provides a smoother gaming experience due to its more powerful chipset. You can expect higher frame rates and less stuttering in demanding games compared to the Y51.