vivo S20 Pro review
In a market where Flagship-grade features meet mid-range prices, the Vivo S20 Pro stands out as an attractive option for those seeking exceptional value. With its stunning design, vibrant AMOLED display, and impressive camera system, this smartphone is sure to impress. Powered by Mediatek's Dimensity 9300 plus processor, it delivers smooth performance for gaming and multitasking. The phone's battery life holds up well in real-world use, and the inclusion of a 90 W fast charger makes it convenient to keep your device powered on. But does this combination of features make the Vivo S20 Pro the perfect phone for you?
Build Quality and Design
The Vivo S20 Pro's design is nothing short of stunning. The phone's textured back gives off a mesmerizing 3D effect that resembles flowing sand, with the light playing off its shimmering surface in a beautiful way. The Purple Horizon color option is particularly striking, but Vivo also offers two other color options: Gold and Black. However, while the design is certainly eye-catching, it falls short in terms of build quality. The glossy plastic frame feels less premium than one would expect from a flagship-grade smartphone, and it's prone to fingerprints and scratches. While this may not be a major concern for some users, others may find it disappointing. On the other hand, Vivo has thoughtfully included a clear protective case in the box, which helps to keep the phone looking pristine even when used extensively. The phone itself is also rated IP64, protecting against dust and minor water splashes. In terms of overall build quality, the S20 Pro feels solid enough, but it's not quite on par with some of its competitors in this regard. Still, for a mid-range smartphone, it's certainly acceptable, and the design more than makes up for any minor shortcomings. Despite the plastic frame, the phone has a certain weight to it that suggests quality, and the overall ergonomics are comfortable and easy to hold. However, those who prefer a more premium feel may find themselves disappointed by the S20 Pro's build quality. Nevertheless, for its price point, it's still a very solid offering from Vivo. Ultimately, the Vivo S20 Pro's design is a major strength of this smartphone, but its build quality falls short in some ways. While not perfect, it's still a well-crafted device that feels good to hold and use.
Battery Life
One aspect where the Vivo S20 Pro falls short is its battery life, despite having a respectable 5500mAh power bank inside. The phone manages to deliver around 7 hours of screen-on time with dual SIM and 5G active, but this drops to around 8 hours when used for lighter tasks like texting and streaming. While the included 90W charger can fully charge the phone in just 45 minutes, which is impressive, the battery life itself doesn't quite match up. This could be a concern for users who rely heavily on their smartphone throughout the day, such as gamers or heavy social media users. The battery efficiency of the Vivo S20 Pro is somewhat compromised by its 120Hz refresh rate and AMOLED display, which can guzzle power quickly. However, it's worth noting that the phone does offer a "Power Saving" mode, which can help stretch battery life to some extent. While not the worst in the mid-range market, the Vivo S20 Pro's battery life is merely average. The phone's 90W charger helps to make up for this somewhat, but users will still need to be mindful of their power consumption if they want to squeeze out the most from the battery. Overall, while the Vivo S20 Pro's battery life might not be its strongest suit, it's still a solid effort in an otherwise feature-packed device.
Display
The Vivo S20 Pro boasts an impressive 6.67-inch AMOLED display that is sure to captivate users. The screen's peak brightness is impressive, making it easy to use outdoors even under bright sunlight. Colors are vibrant and sharpness is top-notch, making this display perfect for watching videos or playing games. One of the standout features of the Vivo S20 Pro's display is its 120Hz refresh rate. This allows for incredibly smooth visuals, making scrolling and gaming a seamless experience. The screen also offers a 60Hz and 20Hz mode, depending on whether users want to prioritize smoother visuals or better battery life. The AMOLED technology used in the Vivo S20 Pro's display provides excellent contrast ratios, resulting in deep blacks and rich colors. This is particularly noticeable when watching videos or playing games with vibrant graphics. In addition to its impressive performance, the Vivo S20 Pro's display also features an in-display fingerprint sensor. While setting it up may take a bit of time, the sensor is reliable and secure for everyday use. The only drawback of the Vivo S20 Pro's display is that the glossy plastic frame can be prone to fingerprints and scratches. However, this is easily mitigated by using the included clear protective case. Overall, the Vivo S20 Pro's display is a major highlight of this smartphone. Its impressive brightness, vibrant colors, and smooth refresh rate make it perfect for users who want an immersive viewing experience. Whether you're watching videos or playing games, the Vivo S20 Pro's display is sure to impress. 9/10 If you prioritize a high-quality display in your smartphone, the Vivo S20 Pro is definitely worth considering. Its impressive performance and features make it an excellent choice for users who want a great viewing experience.
Camera
The Vivo S20 Pro's camera system is its standout feature, and for good reason. The phone boasts an Ultra-wide lens, standard wide-angle lens, telephoto lens, and 100mm portrait lens – a combination that outshines many of its competitors. In terms of portrait photography, the S20 Pro excels, delivering vibrant, lifelike images with excellent background separation. Its 100mm telephoto lens is particularly impressive, capturing stunning detail with minimal noise. Whether it's a cityscape or a candlelit dinner scene, the phone ensures your shots look professional. The night mode is equally impressive, capturing stunning detail with minimal noise. The camera system is capable of recording 4K video at 60 FPS on both the front and rear cameras, making it a great choice for vloggers and content creators. One of the standout features of the S20 Pro's camera system is its teleprompter feature, which helps deliver smooth scripted videos. While the resolution is limited to 4K 30 FPS, the results are steady and clear, making it ideal for stabilized video recordings. The Vivo S20 Pro's camera capabilities are truly impressive, especially considering its mid-range price point. It's clear that the phone has been designed with photography enthusiasts in mind, offering a level of image quality that rivals many flagship devices. While there may be some minor drawbacks to the camera system – such as occasional oversharpening in photos – overall, it's a feature-packed and exceptional value for its price. The S20 Pro's camera is truly one of its strongest selling points, making it a great choice for anyone prioritizing photography design and battery efficiency. In conclusion, the Vivo S20 Pro's camera system is a major highlight of this mid-range device. With its impressive combination of lenses, features, and image quality, it's clear that the phone has been designed with photography enthusiasts in mind. Whether you're a vlogger, content creator, or simply someone who loves taking photos, the S20 Pro's camera is sure to impress.
Price and Value
In today's smartphone market, finding a device that balances performance with affordability is a rare gem. The Vivo S20 Pro is one such phone that checks all the right boxes without breaking the bank. Priced in the mid-range segment, this phone offers Flagship-grade features at a fraction of the cost of its high-end counterparts. With a price tag of around [$X], the S20 Pro is an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers who want it all – great camera, impressive display, and snappy performance. The phone's design, while not entirely premium, has its own charm with the Purple Horizon color variant being particularly stunning. The textured back gives it a 3D effect that's hard to ignore. However, the glossy plastic frame does feel less premium and is prone to fingerprints and scratches – a minor trade-off for the price point. Inside, the S20 Pro packs a punch with its Mediatek Dimensity 9300 Plus processor, ensuring seamless performance for gaming and multitasking. The 6.67-inch AMOLED display is another highlight, offering vibrant colors and sharp visuals even in bright sunlight. The camera system, comprising ultra-wide, standard wide-angle, telephoto, and 100mm portrait lenses, takes stunning images with excellent background separation. While the battery life may not be the longest, a 5500mAh cell ensures around 7 hours of screen time on heavy use. Fast charging is also included, with the 90W charger replenishing the battery in just 45 minutes. Considering its price and feature set, the Vivo S20 Pro delivers exceptional value for money. It's an ideal choice for those who prioritize photography, design, and battery efficiency without breaking the bank. For budget-conscious buyers, this phone is worth considering, especially if they're looking to upgrade from an older device or are new to the smartphone market.
Performance
The Vivo S20 Pro is a mid-range smartphone that packs a punch when it comes to performance. Powered by Mediatek's Dimensity 9300+ processor, this phone handles everyday tasks with ease and can even handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile and Genshin Impact without breaking a sweat. In our testing, the Vivo S20 Pro consistently delivered smooth performance, whether we were scrolling through social media or multitasking between multiple apps. The phone's thermal management system kept it cool during extended gaming sessions, ensuring that it didn't get too hot to handle. One of the standout features of the Vivo S20 Pro is its ability to run demanding games at high frame rates. We observed no lag or stuttering even when playing intense games like PUBG Mobile and Genshin Impact. The phone's performance was also stable during extended gaming sessions, with no signs of overheating. The Dual speakers on the Vivo S20 Pro provide clear and loud audio, making it perfect for casual media consumption. While audio files might find the base a bit lacking, they are more than adequate for everyday use. Overall, the Vivo S20 Pro's performance is one of its strongest features. With its fast processor, smooth display, and reliable thermal management system, this phone is capable of handling demanding tasks with ease. Whether you're a gamer or just need a reliable smartphone for everyday use, the Vivo S20 Pro is definitely worth considering. * Fast Dimensity 9300+ processor * Smooth performance even during demanding games * Reliable thermal management system * Clear and loud Dual speakers None notable in terms of performance.
Pros
1. The phone's design is stunning with a beautiful shade called Purple Horizon.
2. It features a well-thought-out unboxing experience with a powerful 90 W fast charger, USB-C cable, and clear protective case.
3. The AMOLED display has a 120Hz refresh rate, vibrant colors, and impressive peak brightness.
4. The phone's thermal management system keeps it cool during extended gaming sessions.
5. The camera system is standout with ultra-wide lens, standard wide-angle lens, telephoto lens, and 100mm portrait lens.
6. Fast charging (90 W charger) can fully charge the phone in just 45 minutes.
Cons
1. The glossy plastic frame feels less premium and is prone to fingerprints and scratches.
2. The large camera module may affect grip.
3. Occasional oversharpening in photos.
4. The indisplay fingerprint sensor setting up might feel a bit slow.
5. Audio files might find the base lacking for casual media consumption.
6. The battery capacity (5500 mAh) is slightly smaller than the standard model.