Choosing a new smartphone is difficult. There are so many options in the Pakistani market. Two phones often confuse buyers: the Vivo Y81 and the Vivo Y91. Both come from the same brand. Both look quite similar. And both target budget buyers who want a stylish phone.
You might wonder which one is better. Does the older Y81 still hold value? Or is the Y91 a better upgrade? This article compares both phones side by side. We analyze their design, performance, battery life, and camera quality. We break down the technical details into simple language. This guide helps you spend your hard-earned rupees wisely.
Design and build quality comparison
First impressions matter. Both phones look modern and sleek. Vivo is famous for making good-looking phones even at low prices.
The Vivo Y81 look
The Vivo Y81 has a classic design. It features a plastic back that feels smooth. It is lightweight and easy to hold in one hand. The back panel is clean. The camera sits quietly in the top corner. However, it lacks a fingerprint sensor on the back. This makes the design look very minimal.
The Vivo Y91 upgrade
The Vivo Y91 takes the design a step further. It has a glossy, gradient finish. The colors shift when light hits the back. It looks more premium than the Y81. The Y91 also adds a fingerprint sensor on the back. This is a big plus for security. It feels just as light as the Y81 but looks more expensive.
Winner: The Vivo Y91 wins here. The gradient color and fingerprint sensor give it a better look and feel.
Display: notch vs waterdrop
The screen is where you watch all your content. Both phones offer decent displays for the price.
The Vivo Y81 comes with a 6.22-inch screen. It has a wider notch at the top, like the iPhone X style. This notch holds the front camera and sensors. The resolution is HD+. Colors are bright, and videos look good indoors. But the wide notch might block some content in games or videos.
The Vivo Y91 also has a 6.22-inch screen. The resolution is the same HD+. The big difference is the notch style. The Y91 uses a “waterdrop” notch. It is much smaller. It looks like a tiny drop of water at the top. This gives you more screen space. It looks more modern in 2024.
Winner: The Vivo Y91 wins again. The smaller waterdrop notch provides a better viewing experience.
Performance and speed test
Performance is key for daily use. No one likes a slow phone. Let us see which phone handles apps better.
Vivo Y81 processor
The Vivo Y81 uses a MediaTek Helio P22 processor. This is a decent entry level chip. It handles Facebook, WhatsApp, and browsing well. It usually comes with 3GB of RAM. This allows you to keep a few apps open in the background without lagging.
Vivo Y91 processor
Surprisingly, the Vivo Y91 uses the same MediaTek Helio P22 processor. But here is the catch. The base model of the Y91 often comes with only 2GB or 3GB of RAM depending on the variant in Pakistan. If you buy the 2GB version, it will be slower than the Y81.
Both phones perform similarly in speed tests. Apps open at the same speed. Scrolling through Instagram feels the same. But the RAM makes a difference.
Winner: It is a tie. Since they use the same processor, the speed is almost identical. If you find a Y81 with 3GB RAM, it might actually be faster than a Y91 with 2GB RAM.
Gaming capability: PUBG and Free Fire
Young users in Pakistan love mobile gaming. Can these phones run PUBG Mobile?
Since both phones use the Helio P22 chip, gaming performance is limited. You can play PUBG on “Balanced” or “Smooth” settings. Do not expect high graphics. Both phones will lag if many enemies appear on the screen.
Free Fire runs much better on both devices. It is a lighter game. You will get smooth gameplay on both the Vivo Y81 and Y91. The phones might get warm after 30 minutes of gaming.
Winner: Tie. Both phones offer the exact same gaming experience. Neither is a gaming beast, but both handle casual games fine.
Camera battle: Single vs dual lens
This is a major difference between the two devices. People love taking photos for social media.
Vivo Y81 camera
The Vivo Y81 has a single 13MP rear camera. It takes nice shots in daylight. Colors are natural. The focus is quick. However, it lacks a depth sensor. This means portrait mode (blurred background) is done by software. Sometimes the edge detection is not perfect.
Vivo Y91 camera
The Vivo Y91 has a dual camera setup. It has a 13MP main lens plus a 2MP depth sensor. The extra 2MP lens helps take better portrait photos. The background blur looks more natural. It separates the subject from the background clearly.
Night photography
Both phones struggle in low light. Photos taken at night look grainy. You need a steady hand. The flash helps, but details get lost in the dark.
Winner: The Vivo Y91 wins. The dual camera setup gives it a clear advantage for portrait shots.
Selfie quality comparison
Selfies are important for Pakistani users. Vivo is known for its “Perfect Selfie” tagline.
The Vivo Y81 has a 5MP front camera. It uses AI Face Beauty to smooth your skin. The results are good for WhatsApp status. Skin tones look bright.
The Vivo Y91 also features an 8MP front camera. The jump from 5MP to 8MP adds more detail. Your selfies look sharper on the Y91. The AI beauty mode works even better here. It detects your gender and age to apply the right amount of beauty effects.
Winner: The Vivo Y91 wins. The higher megapixel count results in clearer and sharper selfies.
Battery life and charging
Battery life is crucial for long days. You need a phone that stays alive from morning to night.
Vivo Y81 battery
The Vivo Y81 packs a 3260mAh battery. For a screen this size, it is just average. With heavy use, you might need to charge it by the evening. If you use 4G data all day, the battery drains faster.
Vivo Y91 battery
The Vivo Y91 brings a massive upgrade. It has a 4030mAh battery. This is much bigger than the Y81. The processor is power efficient, so this big battery lasts a long time. You can easily get more than a day of use. Even with gaming and videos, it lasts until bedtime.
Charging speed
Both phones use a Micro USB port. Neither supports fast charging. The Y91 takes longer to charge because its battery is bigger. It can take nearly 2.5 hours to reach 100 percent. The Y81 charges a bit faster simply because the battery is smaller.
Winner: The Vivo Y91 is the clear winner. The 4030mAh battery is much better for daily use.
Security features: Face unlock and fingerprint
Security keeps your data safe.
The Vivo Y81 relies mostly on Face Unlock. It works fast in daylight. But in the dark, it struggles. You have to use a PIN or pattern. It does not have a fingerprint scanner. This is a big miss for many users.
The Vivo Y91 has both Face Unlock and a rear fingerprint sensor. The fingerprint scanner is very fast. You just touch it, and the phone unlocks instantly. You can also use Face Unlock if you prefer. Having both options is very convenient.
Winner: The Vivo Y91 wins easily. The fingerprint sensor is a must-have feature today.
Storage options
Storage fills up fast with WhatsApp photos and videos.
The Vivo Y81 typically comes with 32GB of internal storage. It supports a microSD card to expand space.
The Vivo Y91 often comes with 32GB or 64GB options. It also has a dedicated memory card slot.
Both phones allow you to expand storage. But since the Y91 is a newer model, finding the 64GB variant in the market is easier. This gives you more room for apps and games.
Winner: Tie. Both offer similar storage solutions and expandability.
Price and value for money
Price is the deciding factor for most people in Pakistan.
The Vivo Y81 is an older model. You can often find it cheaper in the used market. If you are on a very strict budget, the lower price might appeal to you.
The Vivo Y91 costs slightly more. However, for that extra price, you get a lot more features. You get a bigger battery, dual cameras, a better design, and a fingerprint sensor. The price difference is usually small.
Winner: The Vivo Y91 offers better value. The small extra cost gives you big upgrades.
If you’re comparing Vivo’s budget lineup, don’t miss our detailed price breakdown of the Vivo Y20 6/128 in Pakistan to see where it fits in the market.
Frequently asked questions
Does Vivo Y81 support fast charging?
No, the Vivo Y81 does not have fast charging. It uses a standard 10W charger and takes about 2 hours to charge fully.
Is Vivo Y81 good for PUBG?
The Vivo Y81 can run PUBG on low settings. However, it is not a gaming phone, so you may experience lag during heavy fights.
Does Vivo Y91 have a fingerprint sensor?
Yes, the Vivo Y91 has a fast fingerprint sensor on the back. The Vivo Y81 lacks this feature.
Which phone has a better battery?
The Vivo Y91 has a better battery. It has a 4030 mAh capacity compared to the 3260 mAh battery in the Vivo Y81.
Are both phones waterproof?
No, neither the Vivo Y81 nor the Vivo Y91.
