vivo V21e review
The Vivo V21e is a mid-range smartphone that packs almost all flagship features in a price tag of around $280. The phone has a premium design with a glass build and a decent-looking diamond flare design on the back. It weighs 170 grams and measures 7.4mm in thickness. The display is an AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, measuring 6.4 inches with a dewdrop notch at the top. The brightness level is around 430 nits, which may be problematic in outdoor situations. The phone features an under-display fingerprint scanner and comes with 8GB RAM (3GB virtual) and a 128GB ROM. The camera setup is one of the best in its budget class, featuring a 44MP front camera and a triple-camera setup on the back, including a 64MP primary sensor that can shoot 4K at 30fps. The phone also has an ultra-wide 8MP lens and a 2MP macro lens. In terms of battery life, the V21e has a 4000mAh battery that can last up to 20 hours on normal usage, but may not be enough for heavy users or gamers. The charger is a fast one, capable of charging 66% of the phone in under 30 minutes. The Vivo V21e's display has a 60Hz refresh rate, which may cause issues with gaming performance. However, the phone has a game mode that can help alleviate this issue. Overall, the V21e seems to be targeting camera enthusiasts rather than gamers or heavy users. In conclusion, the Vivo V21e is a well-rounded mid-range smartphone that packs many premium features in a budget-friendly price tag. While it may not excel in every area, its strengths lie in its camera capabilities and affordability.
Build Quality and Design
The Vivo V21e is a mid-range smartphone that punches above its weight in terms of build quality and design. Priced around $280, this device boasts features typically found in flagship devices, making it an attractive option for those seeking a premium experience without the hefty price tag. The first thing you notice about the V21e is its sleek and sturdy build. The diamond flare color variant I have on hand looks stunning from the back, with a glass finish that seems almost too good to be true at this price point. The weight of 170 grams and thickness of 7.4 millimeters make it feel solid in the hand, while the glass back resists fingerprints and smudges. The design is undeniably premium, with a V-shaped branding on the blue box that hints at the phone's identity. Inside, you'll find a silicone case, paperwork, a sim ejection tool, earphone, 33W flash charger, and USB Type-C cable – all of which add to the overall sense of refinement. The display is an AMOLED affair with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, covering a 6.4-inch screen space with a dual-notch setup. While the brightness level of around 430 nits may not be ideal for outdoor use, it's still more than sufficient for indoor viewing. One of the standout features of the V21e is its camera setup – but that's a topic for another review. Here, I want to focus on the phone's impressive build quality and design, which are certainly worthy of praise. With a sleek glass back and sturdy build, the Vivo V21e feels like a premium device that's ready to take on whatever life throws its way. Overall, the Vivo V21e is a testament to what can be achieved in the mid-range segment – impressive build quality, design, and features that rival those of more expensive devices. If you're looking for a reliable and feature-packed smartphone without breaking the bank, this device is definitely worth considering.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Vivo V21e is an aspect that warrants attention. This mid-range smartphone comes with a 4000mAh battery, which might seem sufficient at first glance. However, real-world usage reveals a slightly different picture. On normal usage, the device can last up to 20 hours, which is decent but not exceptional. This means users will likely need to charge their phone once or twice throughout the day, depending on their specific usage patterns. The flash charger that comes with the phone promises to deliver fast charging, claiming to charge the battery to 66% in under 30 minutes. While this is convenient, it doesn't quite compensate for the average battery life. Gamers might face a particular issue, as the device's 60Hz refresh rate display can cause some lag and stuttering, especially during intense gaming sessions. This might lead to a slight drop in performance, further affecting overall battery life. Despite its efforts, the Vivo V21e's battery life feels like an afterthought, rather than a top priority for the manufacturer. While it won't leave users completely stranded, it doesn't quite live up to expectations either. Overall, while the battery life is not a major letdown, it's a compromise that might not sit well with power-hungry users or those who require a device that can last them a full day without needing a top-up.
Display
The Vivo V21e is a mid-range smartphone that punches above its weight in terms of features and design. One of the standout aspects of this phone is its display, which is an AMOLED panel with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. The screen size is 6.4 inches, making it a great choice for watching videos, browsing the web, or gaming. The display itself is quite impressive, with a brightness level of around 430 nits. However, in outdoor situations, this may not be sufficient to combat direct sunlight. The AMOLED panel offers vibrant colors and good contrast ratios, making images and videos look great on the screen. One notable feature of the V21e's display is its under-display fingerprint scanner. This technology has become increasingly common in recent years, but it still impresses with its speed and accuracy. You can also customize the animations on the display through the settings app. The phone's display is not perfect, but it gets the job done for a mid-range smartphone. The only notable drawback is the lack of a high refresh rate (it's stuck at 60Hz), which may be disappointing for gamers who value smooth performance. However, for general use and casual gaming, the V21e's display should suffice. Overall, the Vivo V21e's display is one of its strongest features, offering great visuals and an intuitive experience. While it may not be perfect, it's a solid choice for anyone looking for a mid-range smartphone with premium features.
Camera
The Vivo V21e boasts an impressive camera setup that rivals some flagship models in its price range. While the device itself may not be perfect, the cameras are undoubtedly one of its strongest features. The camera setup consists of a 44-megapixel front-facing lens with auto eye focus, and a triple-camera configuration on the back. The primary sensor is a 64-megapixel lens that can shoot 4K video at 30 frames per second, accompanied by an ultra-wide 8-megapixel lens and a 2-megapixel macro lens. In my experience, the Vivo V21e's camera delivers impressive results, especially in well-lit conditions. The primary sensor captures detailed images with excellent dynamic range, making it perfect for capturing high-quality photos of people, landscapes, and still-life scenes. The ultra-wide lens is also useful for framing shots that wouldn't fit within the standard frame. However, I did encounter some issues with low-light photography. While the cameras do a decent job in dimly lit environments, they sometimes struggle to capture sharp images or produce excessive noise. One of my favorite features of the Vivo V21e's camera is its ability to switch between various modes seamlessly. You can easily access modes such as portrait, ultra-wide, and macro with just one tap, making it easy to experiment with different styles. In terms of video recording, the primary sensor does a great job in 4K mode, producing smooth footage with minimal shake or distortion. However, I did notice some minor issues with audio quality, which can be improved by using an external microphone. Overall, the Vivo V21e's camera setup is one of its strongest features. While it may not excel in every aspect, it delivers impressive results in most situations. If you're a photography enthusiast or someone who values high-quality image capture, the Vivo V21e should definitely be on your radar. While there are some minor quibbles with low-light performance and audio quality, the Vivo V21e's camera is undoubtedly one of its best features. With seamless mode switching, impressive primary sensor capabilities, and a useful ultra-wide lens, it's an excellent choice for anyone looking for a mid-range smartphone with top-notch camera capabilities.
Price and Value
The Vivo V21e is a mid-range smartphone that punches above its weight in terms of features and performance. With a price tag of around $280, it's clear that this device is aimed at those who want a flagship-like experience without breaking the bank. One of the standout features of the V21e is its impressive camera setup. The device boasts a 64-megapixel primary sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro lens on the back. On the front, you get a 44-megapixel selfie camera with auto-eye focus. This level of camera quality is typically seen in higher-end devices, making the V21e a great option for photography enthusiasts. The phone's hardware is also impressive, with an 8GB RAM and 128GB ROM configuration. The addition of virtual RAM (3GB) further enhances performance, ensuring smooth multitasking and fast app loading times. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G chipset may be an older processor, but it still delivers solid performance in this budget segment. In terms of value, the V21e is a clear winner. Its price point is attractive, considering the features on offer. While some might find the device's design to be nothing special, the glass build and decent color options (including Diamond Flare) make it a stylish option for those who care about aesthetics. Overall, the Vivo V21e offers exceptional value for its price. With its impressive camera setup, solid performance, and sleek design, this mid-range smartphone is well worth considering for anyone looking to upgrade without breaking the bank. Just be aware that some features, like the screen refresh rate, might not be as polished as those found in higher-end devices. 4.5/5 For camera enthusiasts and those who want a solid mid-range smartphone experience without sacrificing too much quality.
Performance
In today's tech-savvy world, mobile phones have become an essential part of human life. The Vivo V21e is one such smartphone that packs a punch in its mid-range category. With a price tag of around $280, this device boasts almost all the flagship features that you'd expect from a premium phone. The Vivo V21e is equipped with an octa-core Snapdragon 720G chipset, which may seem old but performs admirably well in this budget segment. The 8GB RAM (including 3GB virtual RAM) and 128GB of storage ensure seamless multitasking and fast app loading. I was impressed by the device's ability to handle demanding tasks with ease. The phone's 4000mAh battery may not be spectacular, but it can last up to 20 hours on normal usage. The 33W flash charger that comes with the device is a significant plus, as it can charge the phone to 66% in just under 30 minutes. While the V21e's performance was impressive overall, gamers may face some issues due to its 60Hz refresh rate display. However, the separate game mode does help to optimize performance and provide a smoother gaming experience. If you're an avid gamer, this might be a slight drawback, but for casual gamers, it shouldn't be a major concern. In conclusion, the Vivo V21e is a solid mid-range smartphone that offers impressive performance, making it a great option for those seeking a reliable device without breaking the bank. While there may be some minor compromises on battery life and gaming performance, overall, this phone delivers where it counts – in terms of raw power and features.
Pros
1. The phone comes with almost all flagship features, making it a mid-range smartphone in name only
2. It has a premium-looking glass build that doesn't get hand smudges easily
3. The phone is equipped with an AMOLED display with high brightness level of around 430 nits
4. It has an under-display fingerprint scanner which is quite fast
5. The camera setup is one of the best in its budget, with a 44MP front camera and a 64MP main camera
6. The phone comes with a large 4000mAh battery that can last up to 20 hours on normal usage
7. It has a separate game mode for gamers, making it a great option for those who want to play games
Cons
1. The phone may have problematic brightness level in outdoor situations
2. The speakers are average and not very loud
3. Gaming enthusiasts may face issues with the screen's 60Hz refresh rate display