Vivo V50 Lite vs Samsung A26: In-Depth Comparison and Verdict

Today we’re diving deep into a phone comparison that many of you have been waiting for. While the market hasn’t seen many new product launches recently, it’s still essential to know which phones stand out in different price segments. Today’s focus is on two popular models: the Vivo V50 Lite and the Samsung A26. After this comprehensive review, you’ll be able to decide which phone suits your needs better.

Price and Market Positioning

Let’s start with the pricing. Both phones fall within a similar price bracket once discounts are applied. Retail prices show the Vivo V50 Lite slightly higher at around RS 90,000, while the Samsung A26 is closer to RS 85,000. However, after discounts, both phones are typically available in the range of RS 80,000 to RS 82,000 in offline markets. Samsung’s discounts tend to be a bit lower compared to Vivo, which sometimes offers better deals.

Design and Build Quality

When it comes to design, the two phones approach things differently. Samsung’s recent A-series phones, including the A26, share a uniform look, but there are notable differences in premium feel across the range. For example, the Samsung A56 offers an aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2.8 protection, which gives it a more premium appeal compared to the A26. The A26 itself has a matte finish with a blend of plastic and glass-like materials, giving it a solid feel with less fingerprint smudging.

The Vivo V50 Lite, on the other hand, uses Gorilla Glass VTS Plus on the back and offers a glossy finish. It tends to attract fingerprints more easily but feels slightly more appealing to some due to the camera module and overall design layout. Samsung’s phone is a bit wider, offering a larger footprint, while Vivo opts for a more compact size, making it easier to handle. In terms of thickness, the Vivo measures about 7.79mm, marginally thicker than the Samsung’s 7.7mm, though the weight difference is minimal, with the Vivo weighing 197 grams and the Samsung around 200 grams.

While Vivo’s design might look more stylish to some, Samsung offers advantages like Gorilla Glass protection on the front and an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance. Vivo’s rating is slightly lower at IP65. Both phones use plastic frames, but Samsung’s matte texture feels a bit more premium compared to Vivo’s glossy finish.

Display and Visual Experience

Moving on to the display, Vivo takes the lead here in several aspects. The Vivo V50 Lite boasts a screen-to-body ratio above 90%, featuring a punch-hole cutout with very slim bezels, giving it a modern, immersive look. In contrast, the Samsung A26 has thicker bezels and a noticeable chin at the bottom, which slightly detracts from the viewing experience. Another difference is the fingerprint sensor — Vivo comes with an in-display fingerprint scanner and always-on display functionality, features missing in the Samsung A26.

Both phones have AMOLED displays with Full HD+ (1080p) resolution, but there’s a subtle difference in size. Samsung’s screen measures 6.7 inches, slightly wider than Vivo’s 6.77-inch display. The peak brightness of the Vivo’s display reaches between 1300 to 1800 nits, which means it handles bright sunlight and daylight conditions better, offering clearer visibility and less reflection. Samsung’s display, while good, peaks at around 1200 nits. Both phones provide a smooth experience with a 120Hz refresh rate.

Samsung also benefits from Gorilla Glass VTS Plus on the front, ensuring scratch resistance. Vivo uses a shield glass that also protects the screen but isn’t quite at the same level as Samsung’s offering. A significant advantage for Samsung users who watch a lot of YouTube videos is its support for 2160p resolution and HDR playback on the YouTube app, while Vivo maxes out at 1440p and lacks HDR support. For users who enjoy streaming on OTT platforms, both phones support Widevine L1, but HDR is limited on these platforms.

Overall, the Vivo V50 Lite provides a slightly better display experience due to its slim bezels, higher brightness, and advanced features like the always-on display and in-display fingerprint sensor.

Performance and Hardware

Both phones are equipped with capable processors, but with distinct differences under the hood. The Samsung A26 runs on the Exynos 1380 chipset, built on a 5nm process, with a clock speed of 2.4 GHz. Meanwhile, the Vivo V50 Lite features the Dimensity 6300, manufactured using a 6nm process, also clocked at 2.4 GHz. Both support 5G connectivity.

Storage and RAM options vary slightly. Vivo offers a more generous variant with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, compared to Samsung’s 8GB RAM and 256GB storage option. This gives Vivo an edge in multitasking and storage capacity for heavy users.

Samsung has made a strong commitment to software support, promising six years of Android updates, which is a significant advantage for anyone looking to keep their phone updated well into the future. Vivo, on the other hand, offers three years of software updates. Both devices ship with Android 15 out of the box, but Samsung runs One UI 7, while Vivo features FunTouch OS 15.

When it comes to CPU performance, tests show the Samsung’s chipset maintains more consistent performance under sustained load, whereas the Vivo’s processor fluctuates more and shows some throttling under stress. GPU tests also reveal that Samsung’s graphics processor delivers better performance, especially noticeable during gaming or graphic-intensive tasks.

Conclusion: Which Phone Should You Choose?

The Vivo V50 Lite shines in design and display, offering a more modern look, better screen-to-body ratio, and additional features like the in-display fingerprint sensor and always-on display. It also comes with more RAM, which benefits users needing extra memory for multitasking.

Samsung A26 stands out with its superior build protection, IP67 rating, and long-term software support, making it a better choice for users prioritizing durability and future-proofing through software updates. Its display, while slightly less bright, offers HDR support on YouTube, which enhances video watching experiences.

If you prioritize a sleek, modern design and display quality, Vivo V50 Lite is an excellent option. However, if software longevity, durability, and stable performance under load are more critical for you, Samsung A26 might be the better buy.

Both phones have their pros and cons, and your choice should depend on what features matter most to your daily usage.