The vivo Y5s and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro represent a fascinating intersection in the budget smartphone market. Both devices aimed to deliver a compelling feature set at an accessible price point, but they took different approaches to achieving this. The Y5s prioritized a streamlined experience with a MediaTek Helio P65, while the Redmi Note 8 Pro doubled down on performance with the Helio G90T and a more ambitious camera system. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone offers the best overall value in 2024.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing gaming and camera versatility, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio G90T chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Y5s’ Helio P65, and while both offer 18W charging and similar battery endurance ratings, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s display is brighter and more detailed.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November. Released 2019, December | 2019, August 29. Released 2019, September 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 161.4 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.35 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6768 Helio P65 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CC Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.2 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
5W reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Magnetic Black, Spring White, Blue | Black, Red, Blue, White, Deep Sea Blue, Midnight Blue, Electric Blue, Twilight Orange |
| Models | V1934A | 2015105, M1906G7I, M1906G7G |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.47 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -91.9dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 114h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1326:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 64dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 82dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 224759 (v7), 279355 (v8)
GeekBench: 6999 (v4.4), 1622 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Y5s
- 5W Reverse Wired Charging
- Potentially more streamlined software experience
- Lower price point (likely)
- Less powerful processor (Helio P65)
- Likely inferior camera performance
- Lower display brightness
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
- More powerful processor (Helio G90T)
- Superior camera system (64MP main sensor)
- Brighter display (640 nits)
- No reverse wireless charging
- Potentially more bloatware
- Slightly higher price point
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar contrast ratios at 1326:1, suggesting comparable color reproduction. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 640 nits compared to the Y5s’ unspecified brightness. This makes the Redmi Note 8 Pro more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s higher brightness translates to a superior viewing experience, particularly for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but the Redmi Note 8 Pro is widely known for its 64MP main sensor, a significant advantage over the Y5s’ likely lower-resolution sensor (spec not provided). The Redmi Note 8 Pro’s larger sensor size and potentially wider aperture allow for better low-light performance and more detailed images. While the Y5s may offer acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions, the Redmi Note 8 Pro provides greater versatility and image quality, especially for users who prioritize photography. The inclusion of features like Night Mode and potentially more advanced image processing algorithms further enhance the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s camera capabilities.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi Note 8 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G90T (12nm) utilizes two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz, alongside six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. This is a step up from the vivo Y5s’ Helio P65 (12nm), which features two Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.7 GHz. The A76 cores in the G90T offer superior single-core performance, crucial for app responsiveness and smoother multitasking. The G90T also includes a more powerful Mali-G76 MP4 GPU, providing a noticeable advantage in gaming performance. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural improvements in the G90T deliver a more fluid user experience.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 114 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life. Both also support 18W wired charging. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s more efficient chipset and potentially optimized software could translate to slightly better battery optimization. The Y5s does offer 5W reverse wired charging, a niche feature for topping up accessories, which the Redmi Note 8 Pro lacks. However, the impact of this feature is minimal for most users.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y5s if you need a reliable, everyday smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media, and value a simple user experience. It’s a good choice for users who don’t heavily rely on demanding apps or mobile gaming. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro if you prefer a phone capable of handling more intensive tasks, including gaming, and appreciate a more versatile camera system. It’s ideal for users who want a phone that can keep up with their active lifestyle and capture high-quality photos and videos.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G90T in the Redmi Note 8 Pro get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G90T is known to generate more heat under sustained load compared to the Helio P65. While Xiaomi implemented thermal management solutions, users may experience some throttling during prolonged gaming. However, the performance uplift generally outweighs the thermal concerns for most gamers.
❓ Is the 64MP camera on the Redmi Note 8 Pro useful in everyday shooting, or is it mostly a marketing gimmick?
The 64MP sensor on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is genuinely useful. It allows for detailed images with good dynamic range, especially in well-lit conditions. The sensor also supports pixel binning, which combines multiple pixels into one larger pixel for improved low-light performance. While not a professional-grade camera, it offers a significant step up in image quality compared to lower-resolution sensors.
❓ Can the Redmi Note 8 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high settings?
Yes, the Redmi Note 8 Pro can handle PUBG Mobile at high settings with reasonably smooth frame rates. While it may not consistently achieve 60fps, it provides a playable and enjoyable gaming experience. Optimizing in-game settings and utilizing game boosting features can further improve performance.
❓ What kind of storage options were available for the vivo Y5s and Redmi Note 8 Pro?
The vivo Y5s typically came in configurations of 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card. The Redmi Note 8 Pro offered options of 64GB, 128GB, or even 256GB of internal storage, also expandable via microSD, providing more flexibility for users with larger media libraries.
