vivo recently launched Y36, an update to their Y series, globally on 27th May 2023. The smartphones under vivo Y series offer premium looks. Like its predecessors, the vivo Y36 blends in modern design elements in a compact mid-range package. Let’s look at the detailed review.
Key Specifications of vivo Y36
Design and Build Quality
Much of the design elements of the Y36 have been carried forward from the outgoing Y35. The Y36 takes a more toned-down design approach compared to the flashy refractive back of the Y35. This design choice is purely subjective as some might prefer the minimal look over the flaunting one. The large rectangular camera housing on the back is almost becoming synonymous with the Y series design and that is probably a good thing. It’s adding a distinct design element that highlights the Y36 from the rest.
At 202 grams, the device is on the heavier side for an all-plastic device. Much of that can be attributed to the footprint of the device which comes in at 6.46 x 3.00 x 0.32 in. The front of the device houses the 6.64-inch display which with an 85.4% screen-to-body ratio, looks like an entry-level smartphone from yesteryear.
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Other than the front with its large chin, there aren’t any design loops with the Y36. Ports and buttons are all placed as usual with the 3.5 mm headphone jack staying for another iteration. There is also a dedicated micro SDXC slot on the device which will be necessary if one goes with the entry-level 4/64 GB variant.
Overall, the device feels great in looks. The weight distribution felt even with a good balance all around. For anyone looking for a minimal yet stylish device at a mid-range budget, the Y36 can be a perfect pick.
The Display
While the display bezels might not be all that pleasing to look at, the story is completely different from the display itself. The 6.64-inch display is an IPS LCD panel with 1080P by 2388P FHD+ resolution, 90 Hz refresh rate, and a 550 nits HBM. The 395 PPI is more than enough for an LCD panel making it a pretty solid performer.
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Being an LCD panel, the 550 HBM isn’t all that great. Even with max brightness, legibility under direct sunlight will still be a strenuous ordeal. But most people won’t be using the device in the scorching sunlight as is.
The performance of the panel itself is satisfactory. It will not compete with the likes of AMOLED with washed-out blacks. But the display has its own perks. Unlike most LCD panels, the display on the Y36 doesn’t suffer from weird color shifts here and there. The viewing angles are good with accurate color reproduction.
The 90 Hz refresh rate is another plus point of the device as it delivers a smooth interactive experience. Overall, the display on the Y36 isn’t the best of the lot out there. But it certainly produces passable results.
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The Camera
The camera on the Y36 is a bit confusing. The device has a triple camera setup with 50 MP main sensors, 2 MP depth, and a 2 MP macro shooter. However, the macro shooter is not available in every region. For the South Asian market, the macro sensor has not been included in the design.
Moving on to the performance of the camera, it's exactly what one would expect from a mid-range device. vivo has come a long way from their over-processed photo era and it honestly makes a big difference. Photos under direct sunlight look natural and crisp with great details all around. The depth sensor aids well in portrait shots though the edge detection is a hit or miss at times.
However, the camera performance drops a bit in indoor or artificial lighting conditions. It's not drastically different but the images overall become a bit soft.
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The story is the same with the 16 MP front camera as well, great daylight pictures and moderate low light images.
The Y36 videography is rated at 1080P at 30 fps. With the main camera resolution and processing power, vivo could have provided 4K technology on the device. But the guess is that lack of OIS or EIS may have deterred the move.
