The vivo Y9s and Samsung Galaxy M30s represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, they diverge significantly in their core hardware. This comparison dissects the differences between the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665-powered vivo Y9s and the Samsung Galaxy M30s with its Exynos 9611 chipset, helping you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a slightly more efficient processor, the vivo Y9s emerges as the better choice. While the Samsung Galaxy M30s boasts a brighter display and comparable battery endurance, the Snapdragon 665 offers a smoother experience for everyday tasks and light gaming.
| 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December. Released 2019, December | 2019, September 18. Released 2019, October 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.3 x 75.2 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) | 159 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.26 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186.7 g (6.60 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 6000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Fancy Sky, Knight Black, Nebula Blue | Opal Black, Sapphire Blue, Pearl White |
| Models | V1945A, V1945T | SM-M307F, SM-M307FN, SM-M307F/DS, SM-M307FN/DS, SM-M3070 |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.47 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.49 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -93.2dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 130h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 152075 (v7), 180321 (v8)
GeekBench: 5566 (v4.4), 1288 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Y9s
- More efficient Snapdragon 665 chipset
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Display specifications are unknown and likely inferior to the M30s
- Limited camera details available
Samsung Galaxy M30s
- Brighter 642 nit display for outdoor visibility
- Established Samsung brand and ecosystem
- Comparable battery endurance
- Exynos 9611 prone to thermal throttling
- Slower 15W charging
- Potentially less efficient chipset
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy M30s clearly leads in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 642 nits. This is a significant advantage for outdoor use, where the vivo Y9s’s display specifications are not provided and likely fall short. While the M30s’s contrast ratio is listed as ‘Infinite’ (a marketing term), the higher brightness translates to a more vibrant and readable image in bright conditions. The lack of detailed display specs for the Y9s makes a precise comparison difficult, but the M30s’s panel is demonstrably superior in terms of brightness.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are primarily marketing features with limited real-world utility. Image processing will likely be the differentiating factor, with Samsung typically favoring more saturated and vibrant images, while vivo often aims for a more natural look. The lack of OIS on either device suggests low-light performance will be heavily reliant on software processing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy M30s utilizes the Exynos 9611, built on a 10nm process, featuring a combination of Cortex-A73 and A53 cores clocked up to 2.3 GHz. The vivo Y9s, however, employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665, fabricated on a more efficient 11nm node. While the Exynos 9611 boasts higher clock speeds on its performance cores, the Snapdragon 665’s Kryo architecture and process node generally translate to better sustained performance and thermal management. This means the Y9s is less likely to throttle under prolonged load, offering a more consistent experience. The Snapdragon 665’s architecture is also more modern, offering improvements in power efficiency.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Y9s and Samsung Galaxy M30s achieve an endurance rating of 130 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the charging speeds differ. The vivo Y9s supports 18W wired charging, while the M30s is limited to 15W. This means the Y9s will likely charge from 0-100% slightly faster, offering a convenience advantage. The comparable endurance ratings suggest that despite the different chipsets, both phones manage power consumption effectively.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y9s if you need a phone that handles daily tasks and casual gaming with consistent performance, and value a more modern chipset architecture. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M30s if you prioritize a brighter screen for outdoor visibility and are heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem, and don't mind potentially experiencing more thermal throttling during extended use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Samsung Galaxy M30s overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is known to exhibit thermal throttling under sustained load, particularly during graphically intensive gaming. While it can handle casual gaming, extended sessions may result in reduced performance as the chip attempts to manage heat. The Snapdragon 665 in the vivo Y9s, with its 11nm process, is generally better at maintaining performance over longer periods.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited utility. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. They are often included as a marketing feature rather than a genuinely useful photographic tool. Expect soft, grainy results when attempting macro photography with either device.
❓ Can the vivo Y9s handle popular games like PUBG Mobile at acceptable frame rates?
The Snapdragon 665 in the vivo Y9s can run PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to stick to medium graphics settings and a moderate frame rate (around 30-40fps) for a smooth experience. Pushing the settings higher may result in noticeable lag and frame drops. The Exynos 9611 in the M30s might offer slightly higher peak frame rates initially, but is more prone to throttling, potentially leading to inconsistent performance.
