Apple iPhone 13 vs Vivo Y36
The Quick Answer
Apple's iPhone 13 and Vivo's Y36 serve entirely different market segments with vastly different performance tiers.
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 13 and Vivo's Y36 serve entirely different market segments with vastly different performance tiers. The iPhone 13 features a superior 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with 800 nits brightness and 60Hz refresh rate, paired with the exceptional A15 Bionic chipset that delivers flagship-level performance and longevity. Its 12MP camera system captures stunning detail with Dolby Vision 4K video recording, while MagSafe wireless charging and IP68 water resistance add premium features. The Y36, priced at just $199, takes a different approach with a larger 6.64-inch IPS LCD screen at 90Hz, 8GB RAM, and a 5000mAh battery supporting 44W fast charging. Its 50MP main sensor impresses on paper, though the Snapdragon 680 processor limits real-world performance for gaming and multitasking. Build quality differs significantly: iPhone 13's aluminum frame and glass back feel considerably more premium than the Y36's plastic construction. The iPhone 13 excels in ecosystem integration, sustained performance, and camera quality, while the Y36 offers better battery capacity and charging speed at four times lower cost. For users prioritizing performance, camera quality, and longevity, iPhone 13 justifies its premium. Budget-conscious buyers seeking basic daily tasks and battery life should consider the Y36.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 13 if…
- →Significantly improved battery life over iPhone 12
- →Cinematic mode for video storytelling
- →Strong A15 Bionic chip handles anything
Buy the Vivo Y36 if…
- →44W fast charging is quick for a budget phone
- →5000 mAh battery provides reliable two-day endurance
- →50 MP main camera takes acceptable daylight photos
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 13
Pros
- Significantly improved battery life over iPhone 12
- Cinematic mode for video storytelling
- Strong A15 Bionic chip handles anything
- Bright and vibrant OLED panel
- Solid value compared to Pro tier
Cons
- Only 60Hz display while Android rivals offered 120Hz
- Lightning connector showing its age
- Notch remains largely unchanged
- No telephoto camera
- USB 2.0 transfer speeds over Lightning
Vivo Y36
Pros
- 44W fast charging is quick for a budget phone
- 5000 mAh battery provides reliable two-day endurance
- 50 MP main camera takes acceptable daylight photos
- 8 GB RAM is generous for the price range
- 90Hz display is smoother than entry-level 60Hz phones
Cons
- No 5G support — 4G LTE only
- No NFC for contactless payments
- Snapdragon 680 is weak for gaming or heavy multitasking
- 2 MP depth sensor adds negligible value
- No water resistance rating
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 13 | Vivo Y36 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 15 | Android 13 (Funtouch OS 13) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 174 g | 190 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Plastic frame and back |
| IP rating | IP68 | None |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm | 164.0 x 76.1 x 8.0 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, PDAF |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 1080p@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | — |
| Depth | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3227 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 44W FlashCharge |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.64 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2388 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 90Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 800 | 600 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz + 4x1.9 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 610 |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
Related Comparisons
Explore more in phones, see all Apple products or all Vivo products. View full details for the Apple iPhone 13 or the Vivo Y36.