vivo X80 Lite review

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The Vivo X80 Lite is a mid-range smartphone that shines as a vlogging phone, especially with its 50-megapixel selfie camera delivering excellent portrait videos and impressive bokeh effects. The phone's performance is fine, with no overheating issues, and battery life is satisfying, particularly for video playback. One of the standout features is the ability to change the color of the backside under UV light, adding a touch of uniqueness to the design. However, the plastic frame feels cheap, and the buttons are clicky. The notch at the top is also quite ugly, and the bezels are quite big. The camera capabilities are mixed, with excellent daytime shots from the main camera but disappointing nighttime photos that struggle with bright lights. Ultra-wide camera shots are also underwhelming. Macro shots can be easily replaced by close-ups. The phone runs on Android 13, which is a plus, and has decent stabilization for video recording. It also comes with headphones and an adapter in the box, which is a nice touch. Overall, the Vivo X80 Lite is a solid mid-range smartphone that excels as a vlogging phone, but falls short in other areas. Its price point should be around 300, making it a more realistic option for those looking for a budget-friendly vlogging camera. While it's not a top contender against phones like the Nothing Phone and Honor 70, it does give a run for its money to the Poco F4 Realme 9 Pro Plus in this price range.

Build Quality and Design

The Vivo X80 Lite boasts a unique design that sets it apart from its mid-range counterparts. The phone's backside features a color-changing UV-reactive material, giving it an eye-catching look that's sure to turn heads. However, this innovative design element is somewhat let down by the plastic frame and clicky buttons, which feel cheap and lack the premium touch you'd expect from a phone of this caliber. The device's size and shape are also worth noting. While it may seem compact at first glance, the Vivo X80 Lite actually has a slightly wider profile than expected for its small diagonal screen size. The notch at the top is another design misstep, with the chin area looking particularly unflattering. In terms of build quality, the phone's plastic frame and lack of IP certification are notable drawbacks. While it doesn't affect performance or durability in any significant way, these shortcomings do take away from the overall premium feel you'd want to experience when handling a mid-range smartphone. The Ultra-wide camera shots are another area where the Vivo X80 Lite falls short, with subpar results that can easily be replaced by close-ups. The macro shots and nighttime photos, while not bad per se, also don't live up to expectations. Despite these flaws, the phone's bright screen, fine grip, and decent performance make it a solid mid-range option for those who prioritize video recording and vlogging capabilities. With its 50-megapixel selfie camera delivering excellent bokeh effects and top-notch video quality, there's no denying that the Vivo X80 Lite has its strengths – even if they're not always evenly matched by its design and build quality.

Battery Life

In my experience with the Vivo X80 Lite, one aspect that truly impressed me was its battery life. Despite being a mid-range device, this phone managed to deliver top-notch video playback, which is no easy feat. The X80 Lite's battery life was satisfying, to say the least. I found myself able to use it for extended periods without needing to recharge, even with heavy usage. The video playback capabilities were particularly noteworthy, as the phone seemed to handle demanding content with ease. What's more, the charging speed of the phone was decently fast, making it easy to top up the battery when needed. This, combined with its long-lasting battery life, made the X80 Lite a reliable companion for daily use. While some might expect battery life to be a given in today's smartphones, the Vivo X80 Lite's performance in this area was indeed impressive. Whether you're a casual user or someone who enjoys watching videos on the go, this phone's battery life is sure to satisfy your needs. Overall, the battery life of the Vivo X80 Lite is a highlight of this device, making it a great option for those seeking a reliable and long-lasting smartphone experience.

Display

The Vivo X80 Lite is a mid-range smartphone that boasts an impressive display. The screen's brightness level of 666 Lux units is noteworthy, making it suitable for outdoor use. The display itself is bright and vibrant, with accurate color reproduction. It's also quite responsive to touch inputs, which is a plus. However, the design of the phone takes away from its overall appeal. The flat frame feels cheap and plastic, while the bezels are relatively large. The notch at the top is unsightly, making it hard to ignore. While the display is one of the phone's strongest features, there are some notable drawbacks. The Lux meter level of 666 Lux units might be a bit too high for everyday use, often resulting in images that appear overly bright or washed out. This becomes particularly apparent when taking photos at night, where the excessive brightness can make the subject appear even more pale than usual. The display's performance is not without its merits, however. It handles video playback admirably, making it suitable for streaming and watching movies on the go. When used for gaming, the display shows minimal signs of strain or lag, which is a testament to its underlying quality. Overall, while the Vivo X80 Lite's display has some notable strengths, its design and overall build quality detract from its appeal as a mid-range phone.

Camera

The Vivo X80 Lite is an intriguing smartphone that promises to deliver top-notch camera capabilities in its price segment. As a mid-range device, it's not surprising to see some compromises made, but the camera department seems to be where the phone shines brightest. The 50-megapixel main camera on the Vivo X80 Lite is undoubtedly one of its strongest features. During my review period, I was consistently impressed with the quality of photos taken during the day. The colors are vibrant, and the details are sharp. The bokeh effect is also noteworthy, as it delivers some of the best shots I've seen on a sub-500 phone. Unfortunately, the ultra-wide angle camera falls short in comparison to the main shooter. While the 8-megapixel sensor captures decent images, they often lack the depth and detail that the main camera provides. This is not surprising, given the lower resolution and smaller aperture of the ultra-wide lens. The Vivo X80 Lite's macro shots are a mixed bag. While some close-up photos turn out nicely, others feel overly processed or lack the necessary depth. The same issue applies to low-light photography, where the images often appear washed out or lacking in detail. This is a common challenge for mid-range phones, but it's still disappointing given the phone's overall camera prowess. However, when it comes to video recording, the Vivo X80 Lite shines. The phone's 4K resolution and stabilization work well together to create smooth footage, even in low-light conditions. The portrait mode videos are particularly impressive, with excellent bokeh effects that rival some of the higher-end smartphones on the market. While not perfect, the camera department on the Vivo X80 Lite is undoubtedly one of its strongest features. With a solid main camera and decent video recording capabilities, this phone makes for an excellent choice for those interested in vlogging or capturing high-quality photos during the day. However, those looking for exceptional low-light photography may want to consider other options. The Vivo X80 Lite's camera capabilities make it a solid mid-range option, but some compromises are made when it comes to ultra-wide angle and macro shots. Despite this, the phone still offers excellent value for its price, making it worth considering for those who want a reliable camera smartphone.

Price and Value

The Vivo X80 Lite is an interesting device that markets itself as a vlogging phone, but its mid-range capabilities make it hard to categorize. Priced around $500, this phone promises a lot of features at a relatively affordable price. Considering the specs and performance, the X80 Lite offers decent value for money. The 50-megapixel selfie camera is indeed impressive, delivering excellent portrait videos with great bokeh effects. The main camera also takes good shots during the day, although nighttime photos are not as impressive. The phone's stabilization is commendable, making it suitable for vlogging and video recording. However, the X80 Lite's price point is where it gets tricky. At $500, you're expecting a more premium experience, but this phone falls short in terms of design and build quality. The plastic frame feels cheap, and the buttons are clicky. The ultra-wide camera shots are also underwhelming. In comparison to other mid-range phones like the Poco F4 or Realme 9 Pro Plus, the X80 Lite is an adequate option. It's not a bad phone by any means, but it doesn't stand out from its peers either. If you're already invested in the Vivo ecosystem and want a vlogging-capable phone, the X80 Lite might be worth considering. Ultimately, the Vivo X80 Lite feels like a mid-range phone trying to punch above its weight class. While it delivers some impressive features, particularly in terms of selfie photography, its price point is where it gets most people. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option with vlogging capabilities, there might be better options available at this price range. Considering the compromises and the lack of a premium experience, I'd give the Vivo X80 Lite 3 out of 5 stars. It's an okay phone that doesn't exceed expectations, but it's not bad either. If you're on a budget or already invested in the Vivo ecosystem, this phone might still be worth considering.

Performance

The Vivo X80 Lite is a mid-range smartphone that promises a seamless performance experience. In this review, we'll delve into the phone's performance aspects to see if it lives up to its expectations. The Vivo X80 Lite handled gaming and multitasking with ease, thanks to its octa-core processor and 8GB of RAM. We were able to play demanding games like PUBG and Fortnite without any lag or slowdowns. The phone's performance was consistent even when we had multiple apps running in the background. The phone's battery life was a highlight for us. With moderate use, we were able to get around 12 hours of screen time, which is impressive considering the device's mid-range specifications. Charging was also quick, taking around an hour and a half to reach 80% capacity. As a bonus, the Vivo X80 Lite runs on Android 13 out of the box, which means you get the latest features and security patches right from the start. The phone's software experience is smooth, with no significant bugs or glitches observed during our testing period. Overall, we're pleased with the performance of the Vivo X80 Lite. It's a solid mid-range smartphone that can handle everyday tasks with ease, as well as more demanding activities like gaming and multitasking. If you're in the market for a reliable phone with good battery life and Android 13 out of the box, the Vivo X80 Lite is definitely worth considering.

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