The vivo Y91i and Honor 8C represent a common battleground in the smartphone market: delivering essential features at an accessible price point. Both rely on Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform, but significant differences in chipset generation and architecture dictate a noticeable disparity in performance and efficiency. This comparison dissects those differences, helping you determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing smooth multitasking and a slightly more responsive experience, the Honor 8C emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 632, built on a 14nm process, offers a tangible performance advantage over the Y91i’s Snapdragon 439, despite the Y91i’s slightly newer design.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, November. Released 2018, November | 2018, October. Released 2018, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 155.1 x 75.1 x 8.3 mm (6.11 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 158.7 x 75.9 x 8 mm (6.25 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 163.5 g (5.78 oz) | 167.2 g (5.89 oz) |
| | - | IP5X (dust), IPX4 (water) resistance |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.26 inches, 97.8 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM632 Snapdragon 632 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo), Funtouch 4.5 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), EMUI 8.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 4030 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Ocean Blue, Red | Magic Night Black, Platinum Light Gold, Aurora Blue, Nebula Purple |
| Models | - | BKK-LX2, BKK-LX1, BKK-L21, BKK-AL00, BKK-TL00, BKK-AL10 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 170 EUR |
vivo Y91i
- Potentially lower price point
- Slightly newer design (potentially)
- Adequate for basic smartphone tasks
- Inferior chipset performance (Snapdragon 439)
- Likely less efficient battery life
- Slower app loading times
Honor 8C
- Superior chipset performance (Snapdragon 632)
- More efficient power consumption
- Smoother multitasking and gaming
- Older chipset generation
- Potentially slightly higher price
- Charging is limited to 10W
Display Comparison
Neither vivo nor Honor provide detailed display specifications for these models. Given their price points, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels with 720p+ resolutions. However, the lack of information prevents a direct comparison of brightness, color accuracy, or viewing angles. The Honor 8C’s slightly larger screen size (typically 6.1 inches vs the Y91i’s 6.22 inches) may offer a marginally more immersive viewing experience, but this is a minor difference. Expect both displays to be adequate for everyday use but not exceptional.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are scarce for both devices. Both are likely to feature a primary camera paired with a depth sensor. However, the image processing capabilities of the Snapdragon 632 in the Honor 8C likely provide a slight edge in image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The Y91i’s Snapdragon 439 has a less powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor), resulting in potentially softer images and less effective noise reduction. The presence of a 2MP depth sensor on both phones is largely for marketing purposes and contributes minimally to image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor 8C’s Snapdragon 632 (14nm) utilizes Kryo 250 Gold and Silver cores, offering a more sophisticated architecture than the Y91i’s Snapdragon 439 (12nm). While the 439 has an octa-core configuration (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53), the 632’s Kryo cores provide better sustained performance and efficiency. The 14nm process node of the 632, while older, contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling during prolonged use. This translates to smoother app switching, faster loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the Honor 8C. The Y91i will handle basic tasks, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified in the provided data. However, given the Snapdragon 632’s superior efficiency, the Honor 8C is likely to offer comparable or better battery life than the Y91i, even with a similar capacity battery. The Honor 8C also supports 10W wired charging, which, while slow by modern standards, provides a consistent charging rate. The Y91i’s charging capabilities are unknown, but likely similar or slightly slower.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y91i if you need a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and are on a very tight budget. Its focus is on affordability above all else. Buy the Honor 8C if you prefer a more fluid user experience, occasional gaming, and a chipset capable of handling more demanding applications without significant slowdowns. The 8C offers a better balance of performance and price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Honor 8C struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 632 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it can handle PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. Expect some occasional stuttering, especially in intense firefights. The Y91i’s Snapdragon 439 will likely struggle to provide a playable experience at even low settings.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 439 and 632 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is quite noticeable. The Snapdragon 632 offers a smoother and more responsive experience when switching between apps, browsing the web, and launching applications. The Y91i’s Snapdragon 439 can feel sluggish, especially with multiple apps open.
❓ Does the Honor 8C support fast charging?
No, the Honor 8C supports only 10W wired charging. This is a relatively slow charging speed compared to modern smartphones, but it's sufficient for overnight charging.
❓ Which phone is better for taking photos in low light?
The Honor 8C is likely to perform better in low-light conditions due to the Snapdragon 632’s more capable Image Signal Processor (ISP). This allows for better noise reduction and more detail in dimly lit environments.
