Vodafone Smart N8 vs. Apple iPhone 6s: A Detailed Comparison

Choosing a smartphone can be overwhelming, especially when considering budget options. Today, we're pitting the Vodafone Smart N8, a budget Android device, against the classic Apple iPhone 6s. Let's see how these phones stack up in terms of performance, camera, and overall value.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 6s wins decisively. While the Vodafone Smart N8 offers affordability, the iPhone 6s boasts a significantly superior chipset, camera, and iOS ecosystem. The 6s's longevity and resale value also make it a smarter long-term investment.

PHONES
Phone Names	Vodafone Smart N8	Apple iPhone 6s

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	LTE	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29 - A1688
EDGE	Yes	-
GPRS	Yes	-
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
	-	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 - A1687

Launch
Announced	2017, June. Released 2017, June	2015, September 09. Released 2015, September 25
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Build	-	Glass front (Corning-made glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	144.5 x 71.9 x 8.6 mm (5.69 x 2.83 x 0.34 in)	138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm (5.44 x 2.64 x 0.28 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM
Weight	151 g (5.33 oz)	143 g (5.04 oz)
	-	Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)

Display
Protection	-	Ion-strengthened glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution	720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density)	750 x 1334 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density)
Size	5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.3% screen-to-body ratio)	4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~65.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	IPS LCD, 500 nits
	-	3D Touch

Platform
CPU	Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53	Dual-core 1.84 GHz Twister
Chipset	Mediatek MT6737 (28 nm)	Apple A9 (14/16 nm - maker dependant)
GPU	Mali-T720MP2	PowerVR GT7600 (six-core graphics)
OS	Android 7.0 (Nougat)	iOS 9, upgradable to iOS 15.8.5

Memory
Card slot	microSDHC	No
Internal	16GB 1.5GB RAM	16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM
	eMMC 5.0	-

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR
Single	13 MP, AF	12 MP, f/2.2, 29mm (standard), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, PDAF
Video	720p@30fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps,1080p@120fps, 720p@240fps

Selfie camera
Features	-	Face detection, HDR, panorama
Single	5 MP	5 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard)
Video	-	720p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes, dual speakers	Yes
	-	16-bit/44.1kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	4.0, A2DP	4.2, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes (Apple Pay only)
Positioning	GPS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
Radio	FM radio	No
USB	microUSB 2.0	Lightning, USB 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity	Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer

Battery
Stand-by	-	Up to 240 h (3G)
Talk time	-	Up to 14 h (3G)
Type	Li-Ion 2400 mAh, non-removable	Li-Ion 1715 mAh, non-removable (6.91 Wh)

Misc
Colors	Graphite, Gold	Space Gray, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold
Models	VFD 610	A1633, A1688, A1691, A1700, iPhone8,1
Price	About 100 EUR	About 230 EUR
SAR	-	1.14 W/kg (head) 1.14 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	-	0.87 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body)

Tests
Audio quality	-	Noise -93.8dB / Crosstalk -73.2dB
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 62h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: 1481 (nominal), 3.783 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker	-	Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 65dB
Performance	-	Basemark OS II 2.0: 2195

Vodafone Smart N8

Very affordable
Decent screen visibility
Android OS

Weak performance
Basic camera
Limited storage
Outdated chipset

Apple iPhone 6s

Powerful A9 chipset
Excellent camera
Smooth iOS experience
Good resale value
Strong ecosystem

Older model
Smaller screen compared to modern phones
Battery life is aging (though rated high)
Limited storage options

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a respectable contrast ratio of 1481 (nominal) and 3.783 (sunlight), indicating good visibility in various lighting conditions. However, the iPhone 6s's display generally offers better color accuracy and brightness due to Apple's display technology. The N8 likely uses a standard IPS LCD, while the iPhone 6s uses a Retina display.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 6s's camera is a clear winner. While both offer Photo/Video capabilities, the iPhone 6s's image processing and sensor quality are superior, resulting in better photos and videos, especially in low light. The N8's camera is likely adequate for basic snapshots but won't compete with the iPhone 6s's capabilities.

Performance

This is where the iPhone 6s truly shines. The Apple A9 chipset and dual-core Twister CPU significantly outperform the Mediatek MT6737 and quad-core Cortex-A53 in the Vodafone Smart N8. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the iPhone 6s. The N8 will likely struggle with demanding apps and games.

Battery Life

Both phones are reported to have an endurance rating of 62h. However, iOS is generally more efficient in power management than Android, so the iPhone 6s might offer slightly better real-world battery life despite the similar rating. The N8's battery capacity is likely smaller, which could impact performance under heavy load.

Buying Guide

The Vodafone Smart N8 is for users on a very tight budget who prioritize affordability over premium features. The iPhone 6s is ideal for those seeking a reliable, well-supported smartphone with a good camera and a smooth user experience, even if it's an older model.