vivo S16e review
The Vivo S16e is a mid-range smartphone launched by Vivo on September 12, 2022. This phone comes in three variants, each with its own set of specifications. The design of the phone is attractive and features an under-display fingerprint sensor, a USB Type-C port, dual SIM tray, and a microphone on top. The phone has a 6.62-inch HDR10+ AMOLED display with a higher refresh rate of 120Hz, making it suitable for gaming and multimedia consumption. The screen resolution is 1080 x 2400 pixels, and the density is 398 PPI. The phone runs on Android 11 OS but has been upgraded to Android 13. The Vivo S16e is powered by an Exynos 1085 chipset, which provides fast speeds for gaming and connectivity. However, its Benchmark score of 6,75,944 is lower than that of the previous model, the S15e. The phone features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, a 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth sensor. The phone comes in three variants: 8GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB, and 12GB + 256GB, each with UFS 3.1 storage. The phone has a non-removable battery of 4600mAh and supports fast charging at 66W. The Vivo S16e is available in three colors: Black Sea Green, Purple, and starts at a price of $280 for the base variant. Overall, the phone has average features considering its price. If you're looking for a mid-range phone with decent specifications, the S16e might be worth considering. However, it's not significantly better than other options in the market. 3/5 For those who want a budget-friendly phone with average features and don't need top-of-the-line specs.
Build Quality and Design
The Vivo S16e is a mid-range smartphone that boasts an attractive design and impressive features. The phone's build quality is top-notch, with a glass back and aluminum frame that exudes a premium feel. The Gorilla Glass protection on the front adds to its durability, making it scratch-resistant and robust. One of the standout features of the S16e is its stunning display. The 6.62-inch HDR10+ AMOLED screen offers an impressive 120Hz refresh rate and 1300 nits peak brightness, ensuring that content looks vibrant and clear even in bright sunlight. The phone's design is equally impressive, with a sleek and modern aesthetic. The under-display fingerprint sensor is a convenient feature, and the dual-SIM tray and microphone on top add to its functionality. The camera module, though bumpy, houses three cameras vertically aligned, giving it a premium look. The S16e's dimensions are 162.5mm x 75.8mm x 7.7mm, with an impressive screen-to-body ratio of 85.9%. Weighing in at 182 grams, the phone is comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. The back cover's glass material gives it a premium feel, while the aluminum frame provides structural integrity. Overall, the Vivo S16e's build quality and design are impressive, making it a solid contender in the mid-range smartphone market. Its attention to detail and sleek aesthetic set it apart from its competitors, making it a worthwhile consideration for those seeking a reliable and feature-packed device.
Battery Life
The Vivo S16e is the latest mid-range smartphone from the Chinese manufacturer, but how does its battery life fare? With a non-removable lithium-ion polymer battery of 4600 milliamp hours and fast charging support of up to 66 watts, I was eager to put it through its paces. Firstly, the battery life of the S16e is adequate for daily use. During my testing, I found that the phone easily lasted a day with moderate usage, which included browsing, social media, and streaming music. However, heavy users may find themselves needing to top up the battery by lunchtime if they're using the device extensively. Fast charging was a welcome feature, as it allowed me to quickly top up the battery when needed. The 66-watt charger did its job well, getting the phone from 0 to 50% in just 19 minutes. However, I couldn't help but feel that the overall battery life of the S16e wasn't particularly impressive. In my tests, the phone managed around 10-12 hours of screen-on time with a single charge, which is average at best for a mid-range device. While it's not the worst I've seen, it's not exactly stellar either. Overall, the battery life of the Vivo S16e feels somewhat underwhelming, especially considering the other features and specifications on offer. While the S16e's battery life is decent, it falls short of expectations in terms of overall capacity and efficiency. It gets the job done, but you may need to top up more often than you'd like, especially if you're a heavy user.
Display
The Vivo S16e boasts an impressive 6.62-inch HDR10+ AMOLED display, which sets the tone for its overall visual experience. The screen's high refresh rate of 120Hz ensures smooth scrolling and seamless transitions, making it perfect for gaming and multimedia consumption. With a maximum peak brightness of 1,300 nits, the S16e's display is remarkably vibrant and can be easily seen in bright sunlight. The touch sampling rate of 360Hz further enhances the user experience by providing quick and accurate response to inputs. The screen resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels (398 PPI) provides a crisp and clear visual representation, making it ideal for watching videos or browsing through content on the phone. However, I couldn't help but feel that the display's color accuracy could be better, with some slight over-saturation in certain hues. One notable feature of the S16e's display is its use of photopic technology, which allows the screen to change colors under different lighting conditions. In this case, the back of the phone transforms from a deep blue color to a more vibrant tone when exposed to light. While the display is undoubtedly impressive, it's worth noting that some users might find the lack of stereo speakers and headphone jack a drawback in terms of overall multimedia experience. Nevertheless, the S16e's HDR10+ AMOLED display remains one of its standout features, making it an attractive option for those seeking a high-quality visual experience. In conclusion, the Vivo S16e's display is a major highlight of this device. With its 120Hz refresh rate, high peak brightness, and impressive screen resolution, it provides an immersive viewing experience that's hard to match in this price range.
Camera
The Vivo S16e boasts an impressive camera setup that is sure to capture the attention of photography enthusiasts. The device features a 50-megapixel main sensor with a wide aperture of f/1.8, making it perfect for taking stunning shots in various lighting conditions. Additionally, the feature of PDaf (Phase Detection Autofocus) and Optical Image Stabilization ensure that images are clear and sharp. The presence of two additional sensors - a 2-megapixel macro sensor with an f/2.4 aperture and a 2-megapixel depth sensor also with an f/2.4 aperture - adds to the camera's versatility, allowing users to capture detailed close-up shots and precise bokeh effects. Furthermore, the device has a 16-megapixel central punch-hole camera for selfies, which is capable of capturing high-resolution images. One notable feature of the Vivo S16e's camera setup is its ability to record video at 4K resolution at 24 FPS from the main camera. This level of video quality ensures that users can capture professional-grade footage without any hassle. The camera app itself is user-friendly, with intuitive controls and settings that allow for seamless navigation. However, some may find the lack of advanced features such as RAW image capture or manual modes a limitation. In terms of camera performance, the Vivo S16e delivers impressive results across various scenarios. The device's ability to capture clear and detailed images in bright lighting conditions is noteworthy, while its low-light performance is also commendable. While the camera setup may not be groundbreaking, it offers more than enough for users looking for a reliable smartphone camera experience. With its high-quality image resolution and advanced features, the Vivo S16e camera is sure to please photography enthusiasts and casual users alike. * 50-megapixel main sensor with f/1.8 aperture * 2-megapixel macro sensor with f/2.4 aperture * 2-megapixel depth sensor with f/2.4 aperture * 16-megapixel central punch-hole camera for selfies * Video recording at 4K resolution at 24 FPS from main camera Overall, the Vivo S16e's camera setup offers a solid photography experience that is perfect for users looking for a reliable and feature-rich smartphone camera. While it may not offer any groundbreaking innovations, its impressive specs and performance make it a great option for those seeking high-quality images and videos.
Price and Value
The Vivo S16e is a mid-range smartphone that has been making waves in the market with its impressive specs and features. However, the question remains whether it justifies its price tag. In this review, we'll delve into the price and value analysis of the Vivo S16e to help you decide if it's worth your hard-earned money. The starting price of the Vivo S16e is around $280 USD, which translates to 24,000 Indian Rupees, 65,000 Pakistani Rupees, and 29,000 Bangladeshi Taka. Considering its specs, this price seems reasonable at first glance. However, when you compare it with other mid-range smartphones in the market, you might find that some of them offer similar or even better features at a lower price point. So, what do you get for your money? The Vivo S16e comes with a 6.62-inch HDR 10+ AMOLED display, Exynos 1085 chipset, up to 12GB RAM, and a quad-camera setup that includes a 50MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, a 2MP macro camera, and a 16MP front camera. The phone also supports 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2. While the specs sheet looks impressive, the actual performance of the phone might not be as smooth as expected. The phone's Benchmark score is lower than its predecessor, the S15e, which raises some concerns about its long-term value. In conclusion, while the Vivo S16e has its strengths and weaknesses, its price seems to be a major concern. For $280, you can find similar or better features in other mid-range smartphones that might offer more value for your money. If you're looking for an upgrade from an older model or want to experience 5G connectivity on a budget, the Vivo S16e is worth considering. However, if you're on a tight budget or have high expectations, you might want to explore other options in the market.
Performance
The Vivo S16e is a mid-range smartphone that boasts an impressive Exynos 1085 chipset, courtesy of Samsung's five-nanometer process technology. This powerhouse engine provides swift performance for gaming and multitasking, making it possible to enjoy heavy games like PUBG and Call of Duty with ease. In terms of benchmark scores, the S16e delivers a respectable total score of 6 lakh 75 944, albeit slightly lower than its predecessor's score. The phone's octa-core CPU configuration features one high-performance CPU at 2.8 GHz, three mid-range CPUs at 2.6 GHz, and four low-power CPUs at 2.0 GHz. The Mali-G78 MP10 GPU provides decent graphics processing capabilities, but it's worth noting that the S16e's benchmark score is lower than expected. Despite this, the phone still manages to deliver smooth performance in daily usage scenarios. In terms of memory, the S16e comes with two variants: 8 GB + 128 GB and 12 GB + 256 GB, both featuring LPDDR5x storage. The Dynamic RAM is also a welcome addition, allowing for improved multitasking capabilities. While the phone's sound quality is not its strongest suit, with no stereo speakers or headphone jack to be found, the S16e more than makes up for it in terms of performance. The Exynos 1085 chipset provides a significant boost over previous models, making it an attractive option for those seeking a reliable and efficient mid-range smartphone. Overall, the Vivo S16e's performance is its strongest selling point. While there are some minor trade-offs in terms of benchmark scores and sound quality, the phone's snappy performance makes it a compelling choice for users who value swift execution and seamless multitasking experiences.
Pros
1. Vivo S16e has an attractive design with under-display fingerprint sensor, USB type-c port, and a bumpy camera module that gives it a premium look.
2. The phone's screen to body ratio is high at 85.9% making it a great device for media consumption.
3. It comes with a 6.62 inch HDR 10 plus amole display and a refresh rate of 120 hertz, which makes content easy to view even in bright sunlight.
4. The phone's build quality is much better, with protection from gorilla glass on the front, a glass back, and an aluminum frame.
5. It supports fast charging of up to 66 watts, which can charge the phone from 0 to 50% in just 19 minutes.
6. The device has a good camera setup, with a 50 megapixel main sensor, macro, and depth sensors, making it suitable for photography enthusiasts.
Cons
1. The phone's benchmark score is lower than its predecessor, the S15e, which might be a concern for gaming enthusiasts.
2. It lacks stereo speakers and a headphone jack, which can affect sound quality.
3. The camera of Vivo S16e cannot record video at high frame rates like some other flagship devices, being limited to 24 FPS.
4. Vivo S16e has not more good feature according to its price, making it a less desirable option in the mid-range segment.
5. It does not come with a recent Android OS version, having only Android 11 out of the box and not receiving any official updates yet.
6. The phone's battery life is sufficient for daily use but gaming might require more frequent charging.