Vodafone Smart V10 vs. iPhone SE (2020): A Clash of Titans (on a Budget)

Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn't completely compromise on features? The Vodafone Smart V10 and the Apple iPhone SE (2020) are both contenders, but they cater to different needs. This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one is right for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone SE (2020) decisively wins thanks to its vastly superior performance (A13 Bionic chip), excellent camera, and iOS ecosystem. While the Vodafone V10 offers a larger screen and potentially more RAM for the price, the iPhone's overall quality and longevity make it the better choice.

PHONES
Phone Names Vodafone Smart V10 Apple iPhone SE (2020)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 281, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2296
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2275, A2298
Launch
Announced2019, May. Released 2019, June2020, April 15
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, April 24
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions151.3 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm (5.96 x 2.75 x 0.32 in)138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm (5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight145 g (5.11 oz)148 g (5.22 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
Display
ProtectionAsahi Dragontrail GlassIon-strengthened glass
Resolution720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~291 ppi density)750 x 1334 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density)
Size5.9 inches, 85.5 cm2 (~80.8% screen-to-body ratio)4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~65.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDRetina IPS LCD, 625 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUQuad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM429 Snapdragon 429 (12 nm)Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 504Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)iOS 13, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal32GB 3GB RAM64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 256GB 3GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1NVMe
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, AF 5 MP-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single-12 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF, OIS
Video1080p@30fps4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR, OIS, stereo sound rec.
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP7 MP, f/2.2
Video-1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS
RadioFM radioNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0Lightning, USB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximityFingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging-18W wired, 50% in 30 min 7.5W wireless (Qi)
TypeLi-Ion 3400 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 1821 mAh (6.91 Wh)
Misc
ColorsChrome PewterBlack, White, Red
Models-A2275, A2296, A2298, iPhone12,8
PriceAbout 180 EUR$ 120.00 / C$ 165.75 / £ 99.95 / € 130.89
SAR-1.17 W/kg (head)     1.16 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.98 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 59h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1544:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.1 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 462253 (v8) GeekBench: 3237 (v5.1)

Vodafone Smart V10

  • Larger screen
  • Potentially more RAM
  • Lower price point

  • Significantly slower performance
  • Inferior camera
  • Less polished software
  • Slower charging

Apple iPhone SE (2020)

  • Blazing-fast performance (A13 Bionic)
  • Excellent camera
  • iOS ecosystem
  • Fast charging (wired & wireless)
  • Long-term software support

  • Smaller screen
  • Higher price
  • Limited storage options (base model)

Display Comparison

The iPhone SE (2020) boasts a brighter display (670 nits vs. likely lower on the V10) and a similar contrast ratio (1544:1). While the V10 likely has a larger screen size, the iPhone's display quality is noticeably superior. Color accuracy and viewing angles are also expected to be better on the iPhone.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone SE (2020) has a reputation for excellent image quality, even in its budget category. Its computational photography is top-notch. The Vodafone V10's camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots, but won't match the iPhone's detail, dynamic range, or low-light performance.

Performance

This is where the iPhone SE (2020) truly shines. The A13 Bionic chip is significantly faster than the Snapdragon 429. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the iPhone. The V10 will handle basic tasks adequately, but struggles with demanding applications.

Battery Life

Both phones have an endurance rating of 59h, suggesting comparable battery life in typical usage. However, the iPhone SE (2020) supports faster wired (18W) and wireless (7.5W) charging, offering a significant convenience advantage.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Vodafone Smart V10? Users prioritizing a larger screen and potentially more RAM on a very tight budget. Who should buy the Apple iPhone SE (2020)? Anyone seeking a reliable, fast, and long-lasting smartphone with a great camera and access to the iOS ecosystem, even if it means a smaller screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Vodafone V10 good for gaming?
The Vodafone V10's Snapdragon 429 chipset is not ideal for demanding games. It can handle basic titles, but expect lower frame rates and potential lag.
❓ How long will the iPhone SE (2020) receive software updates?
Apple typically provides software updates for its iPhones for 5-7 years, ensuring long-term security and feature enhancements.
❓ Which phone has more RAM?
While specific RAM configurations vary, the Vodafone V10 often comes with more RAM than the base iPhone SE (2020) model, though this doesn't necessarily translate to better performance due to the chipset differences.