vivo Y100 5G review
The Vivo Y100 5G is a stunning device with a Pacific Blue Glass bag that changes color under the sun. The phone's performance is impressive, with fast app launching and multitasking. However, I have mixed feelings about this device. Priced at Rs 24,999, it's available in an 8GB RAM variant, which I think is a smart decision. The back of the phone features a triple-camera setup, including a 64-megapixel primary camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), which produces stable videos and sharp images. The AMOLED display measures 6.38 inches and has a 90Hz refresh rate, making it smooth to use. However, I wish it had a higher refresh rate like 120Hz. The phone's battery life is decent, lasting a full day with moderate usage. In terms of cameras, the Vivo Y100 5G performs well, capturing good details even in direct sunlight. The macro camera does a decent job, but it struggles when zoomed in. The front camera produces crisp selfies, although skin tones feel over-processed. The phone runs on Android 13 with Funtouch OS and has some bloatware apps, which can be deleted. The Dimensity 900 chipset provides fast performance, making it suitable for gaming. Overall, the Vivo Y100 5G is a good deal at Rs 24,999, considering its features like OIS, AMOLED display, and decent battery life. However, it lacks an ultrawide camera and dual stereo speakers, which might be a drawback for some users.
Build Quality and Design
The Vivo Y100 5G's build quality is truly exceptional. The Pacific Blue Glass bag looks stunning, and the phone itself feels premium in hand. The back, made of glass, has a gorgeous matte finish that's soft to touch and resistant to fingerprints or smudges. The top section houses two modules with a triple camera setup, adding a touch of sophistication. The color-changing technology on the back is a standout feature. Exposed to sunlight, it transforms into a noticeably darker turquoise blue hue, only returning to its original color once indoors. This effect adds a unique charm to the phone's design, making it stand out from other devices on the market. The side frame has a flat design and is slim at just 7.7 mm, making it ergonomic to hold in hand. The ports below, including a single down-firing speaker, USB-C port, microphone, and 3.1mm headphone jack, are neatly arranged and don't detract from the overall aesthetic. The display, a 6.38-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, is vibrant and has deep blacks. While it would have been nice to see a higher refresh rate than 90Hz, the current speed is still smooth enough for general use. The in-display fingerprint scanner works well, although its placement could be slightly higher for better accessibility. Overall, the Vivo Y100 5G's build quality and design are impressive, making it a desirable device for those seeking a premium feel without breaking the bank.
Battery Life
The Vivo Y100 5G's battery life is an aspect that I have mixed feelings about. On one hand, the device's 4500mAh battery manages to last a full day without any issues, which is impressive given its slim and lightweight design. The phone also comes with a 44W charger, which takes around 60-70 minutes to fully charge the battery. However, I do wish that Vivo had opted for a slightly larger battery size or a more efficient charging system. This would have made the device even more competitive in the market. As it stands, the battery life is decent but not outstanding. I was able to get through a full day of moderate use, including browsing, streaming videos, and gaming, without needing to charge the phone again. However, heavy users may find themselves reaching for their charger by the afternoon. In terms of actual numbers, Vivo claims that the Y100 5G's battery can last up to 15 hours of video playback on a single charge. While this may be true in ideal conditions, I found that my real-world usage was more in line with 12-13 hours of moderate use. Overall, while the battery life is not spectacular, it gets the job done. If you're a light-to-moderate user, you'll likely find that the Y100 5G's battery will last through the day without any issues.
Display
The Vivo Y100 5G boasts an impressive 6.38-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. While it excels in some aspects, it falls short in others. On the plus side, the display's color reproduction is vibrant and pitch-perfect, with deep blacks that enhance visual impact. The 90Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and browsing experiences. It's also quite bright, with a maximum brightness of 1300 nits, making it suitable for outdoor use. However, I wish the display had come with a higher refresh rate, such as 120Hz, which would have made it even more responsive. Moreover, the in-display fingerprint scanner is placed too low, requiring some adjustment to get used to. The HDR10 support and video streaming capabilities are definite pluses, making this phone ideal for watching videos and movies. The display also does a great job of showcasing vibrant colors, especially when playing 4K content from YouTube or Netflix. All in all, the Vivo Y100 5G's display is a mixed bag. While it shines in some areas, it could have been even better with some tweaks to its specifications. Nonetheless, it remains an impressive offering that will satisfy those looking for a good display experience on their phone. 3.8/5 * Vibrant color reproduction * Smooth scrolling and browsing experiences (90Hz refresh rate) * Suitable brightness for outdoor use * HDR10 support and video streaming capabilities * No higher refresh rate option (e.g., 120Hz) * In-display fingerprint scanner placement could be improved
Camera
I recently had the opportunity to use the Vivo Y100 5G for more than a week, and I must say that my experience was a mixed bag. The phone's camera system is one of its most impressive features, but it also has some notable shortcomings. The rear camera setup consists of a 64-megapixel primary sensor, a 2-megapixel depth sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro lens. While the camera performs well in bright lighting conditions, capturing detailed images with good color reproduction, I was disappointed to find that there is no ultra-wide-angle lens on board. Despite this omission, the primary camera takes excellent photos, even in direct sunlight. The dynamic range is impressive, and the details are captured really well. However, when shooting portraits, I noticed that the subject's edges were not always perfectly detected. The 2-megapixel macro lens does a decent job, but it struggles to capture good images if you zoom in too much. This is not surprising given its low resolution. In terms of selfie photography, the 16-megapixel front camera takes crisp and detailed photos, even with background light. However, I noticed that the skin tones can feel over-processed, which might be a matter of personal preference. When shooting video, the phone's rear camera performs admirably, capturing smooth footage at 4K resolution and 30 frames per second. The front camera also takes decent videos, although they are not as stable. Overall, while the Vivo Y100 5G's camera system has its strengths and weaknesses, it is still a capable and feature-rich setup that should satisfy most users' needs. However, if you're looking for a phone with exceptional camera capabilities, you might want to consider other options in this price range. The Vivo Y100 5G's camera system has some notable strengths, but it also has some weaknesses that prevent me from giving it a higher score. While the primary camera takes excellent photos, the lack of an ultra-wide-angle lens and the subpar performance of the macro lens hold back the overall experience. Still, for most users, this camera setup should be more than sufficient.
Price and Value
The Vivo Y100 5G is priced at Rs 24,999 for the sole 8GB RAM variant, which I believe is a shrewd decision by the manufacturer. This phone has managed to leave me with mixed feelings, and in this review, we'll delve into the pros and cons of this device. At first glance, the Vivo Y100 5G seems like an excellent value proposition. The color-changing back, impressive performance, decent gaming capabilities, and slim design all contribute to its allure. However, upon closer inspection, some shortcomings become apparent. The lack of an ultra-wide camera, dual stereo speakers, and a slightly smaller battery might be deal-breakers for some. Considering the price tag of Rs 24,999, I believe the Vivo Y100 5G is still a good deal. While it may not excel in every department, its strengths make up for its weaknesses. The rear camera with optical image stabilization, glass back, and impressive performance are notable highlights. Ultimately, whether the Vivo Y100 5G is worth Rs 24,999 depends on your individual needs and priorities. If you're looking for a good rear camera, decent gaming capabilities, and a slim design, this phone might be an excellent choice. However, if you're particular about features like ultra-wide cameras or dual stereo speakers, you might want to consider other options. Overall, the Vivo Y100 5G is a mixed bag that offers value for money but falls short in some areas. If you can live with its limitations, this phone might be worth considering.
Performance
The Vivo Y100 5G is a device that packs quite a punch when it comes to performance. Powered by the Dimensity 900 chipset, this phone delivers impressive results in various benchmarks. In AnTuTu, we recorded an impressive score of 4 lakhs 69,000, which indicates its capabilities. In our tests, the Y100 5G performed admirably in multitasking and app loading times, thanks to its generous 8GB LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB storage variant. The addition of 8GB expandable storage helps further enhance overall performance. The phone's ability to handle resource-intensive apps like Call of Duty was also noteworthy. Although we did notice some heating issues after prolonged gaming sessions, the device still managed to deliver smooth gameplay without any significant lag or shuttering. In terms of battery life, the Y100 5G packs a slightly smaller 4500mAh battery, which still lasted us a full day without any issues. The inclusion of a 44W charger is a welcome feature, allowing for relatively quick top-ups. In our CPU throttle test, we observed that the device maintained around 79% of its maximum performance, indicating that it can handle demanding tasks with ease. Although this isn't a gaming powerhouse, the Y100 5G still delivers impressive performance considering its price point. Overall, the Vivo Y100 5G is an excellent choice for those seeking a fast and efficient device without breaking the bank. While some compromises have been made to achieve affordability, the phone's performance capabilities make it a compelling option in the sub-25K segment.
Pros
1. The Pacific Blue Glass bag looks absolutely stunning, with a color-changing feature that's truly impressive.
2. The phone has an overall very impressive performance, making it suitable for gaming and multitasking.
3. The camera is good, with excellent dynamic range, good color reproduction, and excellent Edge detection in portrait shots.
4. The display is vibrant, with perfect deep blacks, 90Hz refresh rate, and 1300 nits of screen brightness, making it easy to use outdoors.
5. The battery life is decent, lasting a full day without any issues, despite being smaller (4500 mAh).
6. The phone's design is slim and gorgeous-looking, with a flat side frame and a glass back that feels soft to touch.
Cons
1. The phone lacks an ultra-wide camera, which might be a disappointment for some users.
2. There's no dual stereo speaker, resulting in average audio output.
3. The battery size could have been better (4500 mAh).
4. The phone has bloatware apps pre-installed, which can be annoying for some users.
5. The price of 24,999 might be steep for some users, especially considering the lack of an ultra-wide camera and dual stereo speaker.