vivo S15 review
The Vivo S15 series has expanded with two new additions: the standard S15 and the S15 Pro. The first phone in the series was the S15E, which marked the beginning of this lineup. Both the S15 and S15 Pro utilize Samsung's 120Hz AMOLED panels, ensuring a smooth gaming experience. However, there are significant differences between these two models. The S15 Pro is powered by Vivo's first Dimensity 8100 chip, paired with advanced gaming-grade cooling technology that reduces the chipset temperature by 1.2 degrees Celsius. The phone features a 6.56-inch AMOLED display with a 1080x2376 pixel resolution, utilizing Samsung's E5 emissive materials. It boasts a maximum brightness of 1500 nits and supports HDR10+ along with factory-installed color calibration. In contrast, the standard S15 is equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 870 processor, which, according to the manufacturer, has been paired with VMM (Vivo Memory Management) technology for improved performance. The phone also features a 6.62-inch AMOLED display, but it uses older E4 materials and supports HDR10+. The camera setup on both phones is nearly identical, featuring a 50MP Sony IMX766v primary sensor with OIS, an 8MP ultrawide camera, and a 32MP selfie camera. The S15 Pro has a larger battery capacity (4500mAh) but slightly faster charging capabilities, while the standard S15 has a 66W charger. Overall, the Vivo S15 series offers high-performance devices at competitive prices. However, the choice between these two phones largely depends on individual preferences and needs, with the S15 Pro boasting more advanced features like Dimensity 8100 chip and improved gaming performance.
Build Quality and Design
The Vivo S15 series has been a topic of interest for many smartphone enthusiasts, with three variants released in quick succession. In this review, we'll focus on the build quality and design aspects of these devices. Firstly, it's worth noting that all three phones - the S15e, S15, and S15 Pro - feature Samsung's 120Hz AMOLED panels, ensuring a seamless visual experience. The displays themselves are quite impressive, with high refresh rates and HDR10+ support. However, the difference between the two display variants becomes apparent when examining the materials used. The Vivo S15 Pro boasts a premium look and feel, thanks to its use of Samsung's E5 emissive materials. This results in a bright and vibrant screen that can reach up to 1,500 nits in maximum brightness. In contrast, the older E4 material used in the standard Vivo S15 is less dazzling but still capable of producing 1,300 nits. The design itself is sleek and modern, with a focus on ergonomics. The phones are comfortable to hold and use one-handed, making them suitable for everyday tasks. However, it's worth noting that the Pro variant has a slightly larger screen size (6.56 inches vs 6.62 inches), which may affect its overall portability. In terms of build quality, all three phones feel solid and well-made, with no notable creaks or flex in the chassis. The use of premium materials ensures a high-end feel that's on par with other flagships in this price range. Overall, while there are some minor differences between the display variants, the Vivo S15 series as a whole offers excellent build quality and design. If you're looking for a premium smartphone experience, any one of these devices is sure to deliver.
Battery Life
The Vivo S15 series has been making waves in the tech world with its impressive specs, but one aspect that stands out is its battery life. I've taken a closer look at the power-hungry capabilities of these devices. Both the S15 and S15 Pro feature fast charging batteries, with the former supporting 80W rapid charging and the latter boasting an 100W quick charge. The S15's 4500mAh battery can go from zero to 70% in just 18 minutes and reach a full 100% charge in 35 minutes, all while maintaining a cool temperature due to its efficient charging pumps. The S15 Pro's battery performance is similar, with the same 4500mAh capacity and rapid charging capabilities. However, it takes slightly longer to reach 100%, clocking in at approximately 40 minutes from zero to full charge. While this may seem like a minor difference, it's worth noting that both phones can still deliver an all-day battery life, making them perfect for those who need a reliable device on-the-go. Overall, the Vivo S15 series has shown impressive battery life capabilities, making them great options for heavy users.
Display
The Vivo S15 series has been making waves in the tech world, with three flagship phones to choose from: the standard S15, the S15 Pro, and the Peak Edition S15. When it comes to display quality, all three phones share one thing in common - a stunning Samsung AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Vivo S15 Pro features a 6.56-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2376 pixels. The screen is made using Samsung's E5 emissive materials, which ensures that it is both bright and vibrant. The maximum brightness of the display reaches up to 1500 nits, making it suitable for use in direct sunlight. Additionally, the S15 Pro's display supports HDR10+ and comes with factory-installed color calibration, ensuring accurate colors. One of the standout features of the display on the Vivo S15 Pro is its high refresh rate, which provides a seamless gaming experience. The touch sampling rate is set at 300Hz by default, but can be adjusted to 1000Hz if desired. This results in quick and responsive screen interactions. The haptic feedback system uses an X-axis linear motor with 500 settings to provide improved realism. The display's other notable feature is its color calibration, which ensures accurate colors straight out of the box. Whether you're watching videos, playing games, or browsing through your favorite apps, the Vivo S15 Pro's display provides a stunning visual experience. While all three phones in the S15 series share this impressive display, it's worth noting that the standard S15 and Peak Edition S15 have slightly different specs, including older E4 materials used in their displays. However, these differences do not detract from the overall quality of the display on any of these phones. Overall, the display on the Vivo S15 Pro is a major highlight of this phone, providing an immersive visual experience that's perfect for gaming and other resource-intensive activities.
Camera
The camera system on the Vivo S15 Pro is an impressive aspect of this flagship device. At its core is a 50MP Sony IMX766V primary sensor, which has been custom-made for Vivo by the renowned manufacturer. This camera boasts optical image stabilization (OIS) and an f/1.9 aperture, ensuring that images are crisp and well-lit. One of the standout features of this camera setup is its ability to capture stunning wide-angle shots with the 12MP super-wide angle camera, which has a field of view of 116 degrees. This module can also be used as a macro camera, thanks to its impressive focusing capabilities, allowing users to get up close and personal with their subjects. The camera system on the Vivo S15 Pro is rounded out by a 2MP depth sensor, which helps to create detailed portrait shots with a shallow depth of field. On the front of the device, you'll find a 32MP selfie camera with an f/2.45 aperture, perfect for capturing high-quality self-portraits and group shots. One area where the Vivo S15 Pro truly shines is in its low-light performance, thanks to the custom-made Sony IMX766V sensor. This allows users to take stunning photos in environments that would be a challenge for other devices. In terms of features, the camera system on the Vivo S15 Pro offers a range of options and modes, including HDR10+ support and factory-installed color calibration, which ensures that images are displayed accurately and with vibrant colors. Overall, the camera system on the Vivo S15 Pro is an impressive aspect of this device, offering users a wide range of capabilities and features to capture stunning photos. Whether you're looking for high-quality selfies or detailed landscape shots, this camera system delivers.
Price and Value
The Vivo S15 series has been making waves with its impressive lineup of smartphones, including the standard S15 and the high-end S15 Pro. As we dive into the pricing and value analysis of these devices, it's essential to consider their unique features and how they stack up against each other. The base model Vivo S15 starts at a competitive price point, with the lowest storage variant costing around $450-$500. This puts it in direct competition with other flagship smartphones from established brands. In contrast, the top-tier Vivo S15 Pro comes with more premium features and a higher price tag, starting at around $700. In terms of value for money, the Vivo S15 offers an impressive array of features, including a 120Hz AMOLED display, fast charging battery, and high-quality cameras. With its powerful Snapdragon 870 processor and up to 12GB of RAM, this device is capable of handling demanding tasks with ease. On the other hand, the S15 Pro takes things to the next level with its custom-made camera sensor and advanced cooling technology. However, this premium smartphone comes at a higher price point, making it more expensive than some established flagships in the market. Ultimately, the value of the Vivo S15 series depends on individual preferences and budget constraints. For those seeking an affordable flagship experience with high-end features, the base model S15 is an excellent choice. However, if you're willing to splurge on a more premium device with advanced camera capabilities and cutting-edge cooling technology, the S15 Pro might be worth considering.
Performance
The Vivo S15 Pro is one of the latest additions to the company's flagship series, and it's packed with some impressive performance features. The phone is powered by Qualcomm's Dimensity 8100 chipset, which is paired with a gaming-grade cooling technology that reduces the chipset temperature by 1.2 degrees Celsius. The Pro variant also features an add-on chip called the Gaming Graphics Core Pro, which aids the Mali G610 MC6 GPU in maintaining a consistent frame rate when playing games. This results in seamless performance even during intense gaming sessions. In addition to its impressive processing capabilities, the S15 Pro also boasts a 120Hz AMOLED display with a high refresh rate and touch sampling set at 300Hz by default (which can be adjusted to 1000Hz if desired). The phone's performance is further enhanced by the inclusion of an X-axis linear motor in 500 settings for improved haptic feedback. The Pro variant also features 12GB of RAM, which provides a significant boost to overall system performance. This, combined with its high-capacity battery (4500mAh), results in smooth and efficient multitasking. In terms of charging speed, the S15 Pro is capable of rapid charging up to 80W, reaching 70% capacity in just 18 minutes and 100% in 35 minutes. The phone's cooling system ensures that it remains cool even during prolonged usage. The Vivo S15, on the other hand, features a Snapdragon 870 processor with VMM (Vapor Memory Management) technology for improved performance. While not as powerful as the Pro variant, the S15 still delivers smooth performance and fast charging capabilities. Overall, both the S15 Pro and S15 offer impressive performance capabilities that make them suitable for demanding users. The Pro variant's advanced cooling system and add-on GPU chip make it a top choice for gamers and heavy users, while the S15 provides a more affordable option with still-impressive specs.
Pros
1. The phone has a high refresh rate panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, great for gaming.
2. It features a powerful Sony IMX 766V camera with optical image stabilization and an f/1.9 aperture.
3. The phone has fast charging batteries that can charge to 70% in 18 minutes and 100% in 35 minutes.
4. It offers a high-quality AMOLED display with HDR10+ support and factory-installed color calibration.
5. The Vivo S15 Pro has a gaming-grade cooling technology that reduces the chipset temperature by 1.2 degrees Celsius.
6. The phone's haptic feedback incorporates an X-axis linear motor in 500 settings for improved realism.
Cons
1. The phone's camera, although high-quality, does not enable macro photography.
2. The standard Vivo S15 model has a lower charging capability of 66W compared to the Pro model.