vivo Y21 review
The Vivo Y21 is a budget-friendly smartphone designed to compete in the upper budget segment. Priced at KSh 16,999, this device boasts an affordable tag while packing some impressive features. Design-wise, the phone has a sleek diamond glow texture that's sure to turn heads. The well-positioned volume buttons and USB-C port are also notable features. Vivo opted for a side-mounted fingerprint sensor instead of an in-display one, which works efficiently. The 6.51-inch Halo LCD display with 1600x720 pixels resolution is not high-refresh-rate enabled, but it still provides a pleasant multimedia experience. The phone's performance is backed by a Mediatek Helio P35 processor paired with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, expandable to 1GB. While the device handles light to medium tasks without any issues, gaming performance takes a hit. Playing graphic-intensive games like Call of Duty requires medium settings, which might deter some users. However, the phone's battery longevity is noteworthy. The 5000mAh battery delivers up to two days of use on a single charge, with charging speeds that top off from 0-70% in just 52 minutes using an 18W charger. The camera setup features three sensors - an 8MP selfie camera and a 13MP dual main camera with a 2MP macro sensor. While not the best camera performer, it's still a commendable feature set for its price bracket. Overall, the Vivo Y21 is a solid budget offering that's worth considering, especially given its excellent battery life, satisfactory performance, and value-for-money pricing.
Build Quality and Design
The Vivo Y21 boasts an impressive build quality and design that sets it apart from its competitors in the budget segment. The phone's unique diamond glow finish on our unit is nothing short of mesmerizing, with a texture reminiscent of meticulously cut diamonds. This attention to detail not only adds a touch of elegance but also makes the phone stand out. The well-positioned volume buttons and USB-C port at the bottom are neatly placed, while the headphone jack remains conveniently located. The absence of an in-display fingerprint sensor is somewhat surprising, given Vivo's tendency to include this feature on some of its other models. However, a side-mounted fingerprint reader more than makes up for it, providing quick and accurate unlocking. The phone's overall design is straightforward yet refined, with clean lines and minimal clutter. This simplicity creates a sense of visual balance that's pleasing to the eye. The diamond glow finish adds an extra layer of sophistication, elevating the phone beyond its budget-friendly price tag. While some may bemoan the lack of high-end features like high refresh rates or in-display sensors, it's hard to deny the Vivo Y21's appeal based on its build quality and design alone. This phone feels premium without breaking the bank, making it a compelling option for those seeking value in their smartphone purchase. In terms of sheer aesthetics, the Vivo Y21 is undeniably a strong contender in the budget segment. Its diamond glow finish and sleek design make it a standout choice for anyone looking to upgrade from a mid-range phone without sacrificing style or substance.
Battery Life
One of the standout features of the Vivo Y21 is its impressive battery life. The phone ships with a 5000mAh battery, and I'm pleased to report that it delivers exactly what it promises. During my time with the device, I found myself comfortably getting through an entire day of use without triggering any battery anxiety. The phone's screen on time hit high numbers, ranging between 9 hours and 12 hours, which is impressive considering its mid-range specifications. What's more, the Vivo Y21 can easily last for two days on a single charge, making it an excellent option for users who want a device that will see them through extended periods of use without needing to be plugged in. Charging is also speedy, with an 18W wired charger included in the box. The phone can be topped up to just short of 70% in only 52 minutes, and a full charge takes around two hours. The extra hour is to fill up the remaining 30%, which is still remarkably quick considering the battery size. Overall, the Vivo Y21's battery life is a major highlight of the device. It's a testament to Vivo's commitment to delivering phones that can keep up with users' demands without breaking the bank. If you're in the market for a phone with excellent battery life, the Vivo Y21 should definitely be on your shortlist.
Display
The Vivo Y21 boasts a 6.51-inch Halo LCD display with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels. While the lack of a high refresh rate is surprising in this segment, I found myself enjoying consuming multimedia content on this device. The speakers, in particular, are noteworthy for their output quality, even when gaming. The display itself is relatively straightforward, with well-positioned volume buttons and a USB-C port at the bottom. However, it's worth noting that Vivo opted for a power button and side-mounted fingerprint sensor over an in-display sensor. I appreciate this decision, as it makes navigation smoother and more intuitive. One of my initial concerns was the display resolution, but I found that it still offers decent visuals for its price point. While not perfect, it's well-suited to everyday use, including browsing the web, watching videos, and gaming. The speakers' sound quality is a pleasant surprise, making multimedia consumption a pleasure on this device. In terms of performance, the display holds up well with light to medium tasks, and Vivo remained snappy in day-to-day operations. However, gaming experience takes a toll on the Y21, particularly with heavy games that require high-end graphics processing. The battery life is another strong point for this phone, with a 5,000mAh battery delivering exactly what it promises – a full day of use without any anxiety. The display's screen-on time was impressive, ranging between 9 and 12 hours during my testing period. Overall, the Vivo Y21's display offers decent visuals, solid performance, and satisfying multimedia consumption experiences for its price point. While not perfect, it stands out as a competitive offering in this segment, particularly with its slender frame and excellent battery life.
Camera
In my previous review, I touched upon various aspects of the Vivo Y21, but today, I want to delve deeper into what matters most to many users – the camera. The Vivo Y21 boasts a triple-camera setup, including an 8-megapixel selfie camera and a 13-megapixel dual main camera configuration with a 2-megapixel macro sensor. The 13-megapixel primary sensor is the star of the show here. While it may not be as high-end as some flagships, it still manages to deliver decent results in various lighting conditions. Indoor shots turn out well-lit and detailed, with minimal noise. However, when faced with outdoor lighting, the camera sometimes struggles to balance exposure, leading to overexposure or underexposure in certain areas. The 2-megapixel macro sensor is a nice touch, allowing users to capture intimate moments or details that would otherwise be lost on the naked eye. While it's not as high-resolution as some dedicated macro cameras out there, it still manages to deliver crisp and clear shots when used correctly. The 8-megapixel selfie camera does its job reasonably well. It captures a good amount of detail, especially in bright lighting conditions. However, I've noticed that the skin tones can sometimes appear slightly off or unnatural, which might be a drawback for those who value accurate color representation. In terms of additional features, the Vivo Y21 offers modes such as Ultra Night Mode and AI Portrait mode, which can enhance your photography experience. While not revolutionary, these features do provide some creative options to experiment with. Overall, while the camera on the Vivo Y21 is not a game-changer, it's still capable of delivering decent results in various lighting conditions. It's not perfect, but it gets the job done for casual users who don't require top-notch photography capabilities.
Price and Value
The Vivo Y21 has made its entry into the budget segment, aiming to take on established players in this space. With a price tag of 16,999 Shillings, the phone is one of the most affordable offerings in this segment, making it an attractive option for those looking for a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank. From a value perspective, the Vivo Y21 offers a compelling package. The phone's design is sleek and modern, with a diamond-glow finish that sets it apart from its competitors. The phone's performance, powered by a MediaTek Helio P35 processor and 4GB of RAM, is adequate for light to medium tasks, making it suitable for everyday use. One of the standout features of the Vivo Y21 is its battery life. With a massive 5,000mAh battery, the phone easily lasts two days on a single charge, making it an ideal option for those who are always on the go. The charging speed is also impressive, with an 18W wired charger that can top up the battery to just short of 70% in under an hour. In terms of cameras, the Vivo Y21 has three snappers, including a 13-megapixel dual main camera setup and an 8-megapixel selfie camera. While not groundbreaking, the camera performance is satisfactory for a phone in this price bracket. Overall, the Vivo Y21 offers great value for its price. With its impressive battery life, smooth performance, and decent camera capabilities, it's a solid option for those looking to upgrade their smartphone without breaking the bank. The phone's 16,999 Shillings price tag is competitive with other budget smartphones on the market, making it a worthy consideration for anyone in this segment.
Performance
The Vivo Y21 is a budget-friendly smartphone that aims to take the fight to the upper budget segment. While it may not be a powerhouse in terms of performance, it still manages to deliver decent results in everyday tasks. Under the hood, the phone is powered by a MediaTek Helio P35 processor, paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. In our testing, we found that light to medium tasks were handled well, and the phone remained snappy in day-to-day operations. Performance was perfectly acceptable for most users. However, when it came to gaming, the Vivo Y21 showed its limitations. While less graphic-intensive games played smoothly, more demanding titles like Call of Duty had to be played on medium settings to avoid frame drops. Asphalt 9: Nitro Fueled also ran well, but we did notice some hiccups. In terms of battery life, the phone performed admirably, with a 5000mAh battery that easily lasted two days on a single charge. Charging was also speedy, thanks to an 18W wired charger included in the box. Overall, while the Vivo Y21's performance may not be its strongest suit, it still manages to deliver decent results in everyday tasks and gaming. For casual users who don't require top-notch performance, the phone is a solid choice.