Vivo
vivo X100 Review: The Flagship Killer of 2023
vivo phones are famous for their flagship-level designs and features offered at reasonable price ranges. The Chinese tech giant vivo’s X series represents a top-of-the-line smartphone experience. vivo launched its flagship X100 series on November 21, 2023, in China. Let’s check out what it offers.
Key Specifications of vivo X100
Design and Build Quality
The design of the vivo X100 is somewhat reminiscent of the X90. There is a curved front panel, a slim profile, a frosted finish, and a large camera housing at the back. Except in X100, the camera housing has been moved to the center. The device dimension comes in at 164.05 mm by 75.19 mm by 8.49 mm or 8.74 mm (Sunset Orange variant) with either 202 or 206 g weight.
The standard variant has a brushed finish, which complements the large circular triple camera housing. The surrounding aluminum ring also adds to the design dimensions. Ports and buttons are carried over from the X90, with the power button, volume rocker, and SIM slot all retained in their usual places. The device also has IP68 water and dust resistance.
The Display
The display on the X100 is an LTPO AMOLED panel with 1B colors and a 120Hz refresh rate with 3000 nits of peak brightness. The 6.78-inch display has a 1260 by 2800 pixel resolution with a 453 ppi density. The display also has an 89.9% screen-to-body ratio, thanks to the slim bezel and curved screen. Other features include 8000000:1 contrast and 105% NTSC. The display performance is great.
The Camera
There is a triple camera sensor on the X100, with the main camera being a 50 MP, f/1.6 wide-angle shooter with PDAF, laser AF, and OIS. The secondary sensors are a 64 MP, f/2.6, 70mm telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and a 50 MP, f/2.0, 15mm ultrawide shooter.
The cameras on the X100 use Zeiss Optics T* lens coating and custom LUT imports. The specialization of the images is their natural renditions with true tone colors. Images taken with the main sensor had sharp details and contrast in them. The same held true for the adjoining sensors as well, with great performance during daylight. Image quality remained more or less the same in artificial lights as well, with a slight sharpness loss.
There’s also a 32 MP (f/2.0) front camera on the X100, which can take some great selfies. The videography on the X100 is rated at 4K and 1080p. It supports Cinematic Mode too.
Processor and Performance
The processor on the X100 is the new MediaTek Dimensity 9300 based on the 4 Nm architecture. The graphic section is enriched with an Immortalis-G720 MC12 GPU.
The performance of the X100 is every bit like a flagship. Casual usage was a breeze considering the processor blazed past every task thrown at it. Dimensity 9300 also brings significant improvements to the gaming aspect, with 3D games running at maximum settings without any frame drops or jitters.
The X100 is running OriginOS 4 for the Chinese region and Funtouch 14 based on Android 14 for the international regions. The UI still has that characteristic bloatware, which might negate the experience a bit. But other than that, the experience has been fast, smooth, and snappy.
Battery and Charge Time
The battery capacity is either 4880 mAh or 5000 mAh. The X100 supports up to 120W Ultra-Fast flash charging. It can go from 1 to 50% in 11 minutes. This device allows reverse wiring, which is a user-friendly feature.
Pros and Cons of vivo X100
Pros:
- Great display - Good camera system - Improved flagship processor - Updated design - Ultra-fast charging
Cons:
- Bloatware in the OS
Price of the vivo X100
The vivo X100 comes in 12/256 GB, 16/256 GB/ 16/512 GB, 16 GB/1 TB, and 16 GB LPDDR5T RAM/ TB options. The prices are 3999, 4299, 4599, 4999, and 5099 RMB, respectively. It roughly translates to 62,019 BDT, 66,671 BDT, 71,324 BDT, 77,527 BDT, and 79,078 BDT, respectively. Here the conversion rate is 1 RMB equivalent to BDT 15.51 approx. However, the official price of the vivo X100 may vary in Bangladesh due to tax and other issues.
Verdict
The vivo X100 can be categorized as a flagship killer given its performance compared to its price. The smartphone inherits many features from the X90 and alleviates certain aspects to make it an even more compelling and complete device. For anyone looking for a flagship experience at a relatively lower price, the vivo X100 can be a good choice.
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vivo V29e 5G Review: Is this mid-range phone rightly priced?
vivo smartphones have always been about strong camera performance. Since its initial days, vivo has expanded the V series to include mid-range as well as flagship-grade smartphones that offer exclusive camera perks. Recently, the brand launched the V29e 5G in Bangladesh on 29th October 2023 on a pre-order basis. The V29e brings 5G capability to the latest entry-level mid-range V series smartphone. Let’s find out what changed from last year’s V27e and what exciting new features the V29e has to offer.
Key Specifications of vivo V29e 5G
Design and Build Quality
There was a time when every new release from vivo would mean a complete design overhaul. However, the brand has been subtly moving towards uniformity considering the last two iterations of the V series have seen only incremental updates. The V29e has also seen slight design changes compared to the V27e.
The device comes in at 162.35 mm by 74.85 mm by 7.69 mm with 190 g weight. The weight is kept low thanks to the plastic front and the glass back. The V29e comes in three color variants, Forest Black, Rose Gold, and Ice Creek Blue. However, only the Forest Black and Rose Gold variants are available in Bangladesh.
Read more: vivo iQOO Z7 Pro: Is it an efficient gaming phone?
The choice of ports and buttons are the same with the power button, volume rocker, speaker, and Type C charger in their usual place. However, unlike the V27e, the shared sim slot cannot be used as a micro SDXC slot anymore. The device is also IP54 dust and splash-resistant.
The Display
The display on the vivo V29e is a 6.67-inch almost-symmetrical AMOLED panel. The large display has a new exciting addition this time. The 120 Hz refresh rate is coupled with 1150 nits of peak brightness making it perfectly legible under direct sunlight. The 2400 × 1080 pixel render asserts a 394 ppi density. The E4 light emitter ensures deep blacks and sharp contrast even when the display is dimmed. Users will be getting a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and a 107% NTSC color saturation.
Out of the box, the display shows a cooler tone. But it can easily be calibrated from the settings. The 88.3% screen-to-body ratio makes for an impressive screen real estate which doesn’t fare pretty well for its price point.
Read more: OPPO A58 Review: Is this budget-friendly phone good for photos?
vivo iQOO Z7 Pro: Is it an efficient gaming phone?
BBK Electronics, the parent company of vivo introduced iQOO as its subsidiary, a new and revamped lineup that streamlined gaming in the mid-range market back in 2019. iQOO launched the Z7 Pro on 5th September 2023. So how does it fare alongside the competitors? Let’s find out the specs, pros, cons and price of iQOO Z7 Pro.
Key Features of vivo iQOO Z7 Pro
Design and Build Quality
The Z7 Pro moves away from the traditional iQOO design elements to be more streamlined with the Vivo V series. The Z7 Pro has a stark similarity with the V27 Pro with its camera housing and ring LED flash. The Z7 Pro is larger and sleeker than the Z7 with its curved edges and long-form factor.
The device dimensions are 164.10 mm by 74.80 mm by 7.36 mm with a weight of 175 g. Even though it’s a large phone, the plastic frame and body with glass back help to keep weight down to a handy limit. The glass back called the Fluorite AG glass has a matte finish which helps to deter fingerprints and smudges. The front glass is protected by Asahi glass. The new Blue Lagoon variant has a frosted blue texture on the back making it look like ocean waves.
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Moving on to the technical features, the device brings the same set of features from last year’s Z6 Pro. The power button and the volume rockers are placed on the right. The usual dual sim slot, single firing speaker, and the Type C charging port are placed on the bottom with a flush left side. The top however has the words “Professional Portrait” printed on it which might as well be iQOO’s new branding approach.
The Display
The display on the iQOO Z7 Pro is a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with FHD+ resolution. Even though it is a mid-range smartphone, iQOO did not hold back when it comes to features. The display has a 120 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, 1B colors, and 1300 nits of peak brightness. The rather long and curved panel has a 20:9 aspect ratio of 1080 by 2400 pixels. It brings the pixel density to 388 ppi. The almost bezel-less curved punch-hole panel pushes the limit with an astounding 90.4% screen-to-body ratio.
Using the display has been as exciting as its features. The panel had vivid settings out of the box which can be recalibrated based on user preference. Beyond that, the performance of the display was excellent. It showed good color contrast with very smooth navigations by virtue of the 120 Hz refresh rate. Legibility under direct sunlight was not an issue due to the high peak brightness. iQOO seems to have improved their accidental touch as no mistouches were noticed during the test.
Overall, it's an excellent panel that can easily take the panel for being the best in its price range.
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The Camera
There’s a vertically aligned dual camera module on the Z7 Pro with an AURA LED flashlight. The main camera is a 64 MP f/1.79 and 26mm wide lens. The secondary camera is a 2 MP f/2.4 depth sensor. The depth sensor aids in the bokeh effect for portrait shots but it cannot be used as a standalone sensor.
iQOO since its initial days, focused on the performance aspect of the smartphone. This was an effective strategy considering Vivo themselves focused heavily on the camera performance. While the camera improved a lot since its initial days, it still has a long way to go.
Pictures under direct sunlight came out crisp and clear with detailed subject and background separation. There were good details in each image with a decent dynamic range. The stock camera has different shooting modes which lets the users experiment and choose. Just like its tagline on the top, the portrait photography indeed got better as they came out identically perfect every time.
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Performance in low light requires a heavy dependency on the night mode. In testing, the night mode was consistent with decent exposure in each shot but the color looked artificial with HDR enhancements. The front camera is a 16 MP shooter with generic features good enough for casual selfies and videos.
The videography on the rear camera of iQOO 7 Pro is rated at 4K at 30fps. The front camera is capable of capturing 1080p footage at 30fps. The OIS and gyro-EIS improve the stability of the videos with good details. But there are some jitters here and there.
Overall, the camera performance of the Z7 Pro is an improvement from last year’s Z6 Pro but it’s still not on par with camera-focused smartphones in the mid-range market.
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Processor and Performance
The processor on the Z7 Pro is Mediatek Dimensity 7200 based on the 4 Nm architecture. It has a 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 and 6x Cortex-A510 chip design which brings a balance of efficiency and higher clock speed. The processor is coupled with Mali-G610 MC4 GPU.
It has 8GB of RAM. The internal memory ranges from 128 to 256 GB.
Like the previous iQOO smartphones, the Z7 Pro also focused on performance and it shows. In testing, the smartphone was able to run leading titles like PUBG, Asphalt 9, and Genshin Impact at max settings. There were no frame drops or noticeable lag in the gameplay. Users will be getting a constant 60 fps on Asphalt 9 which significantly increases the immersive experience of the gameplay.
The device did however heat up after about half an hour of continued gaming. But even then, there weren’t any noticeable performance drops. The battery discharge also stayed at a fairly constant rate. Day-to-day tasks like browsing, social media and stuff are a breeze thanks to the fluid 120 Hz display and the fast animation of the OS. Speaking of OS, the smartphone comes with FuntouchOS 13 based on Android 13. Funtouch still has its bloatware but the sheer performance helps to offset the experience a bit.
Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Review: What are the key upgrades?
Battery and Charge Time
The battery on the iQOO Z7 Pro is 4600 mAh which might be less compared to the usual 5000 mAh spec. However, the efficient processor ensures that users will be getting 6 to 8 hours of SoT from the device. It also comes with 66W wired fast charging which can take the device from 0 to 50% in 22 minutes.
Pros and Cons of iQOO Z7 Pro
Pros:
- Impressive design - Excellent performance - Great battery life - Best-in-class display - Ergonomic in-hand experience.
Cons:
- Slightly lacking in camera performance - Lack of stereo speaker - Bloatware in the OS.
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Price of iQOO Z7 Pro
The iQOO Z7 Pro comes in 8/128 GB and 8/256 GB variants. The price of the base model is 23,999 INR whereas the higher storage variant is priced at 24,999 INR. It roughly amounts to 31,763 BDT and 33,086 BDT respectively (1 INR = 1.32 BDT). However, the price is expected to differ once it becomes officially available in Bangladesh.
Verdict
The iQOO Z7 Pro stays true to its roots of being an affordable gaming device. Though the manufacturing brand did not promote Z7 Pro as a gaming smartphone, the performance level easily helped it to become one. The updated design, display, processor, and battery all work in unison making it an almost complete smartphone in the mid-range segment.
The only shortcoming is the camera. While it's not bad by any means, it still doesn’t hold up against the competitors at the same price range or even a tad below it. So for anyone who’s not that into photography, the vivo iQOO Z7 Pro 5G can be an excellent choice that can provide a satisfactory user experience.
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vivo Y17s Review with Price in Bangladesh
The Y series from vivo are targeted as entry-level smartphones with a great value proposition. vivo recently launched the Y17s globally on 2nd October 2023. This year there are new colorways, a new camera, and a whole lot of other features. Let’s take a look into the key features, pros, cons, and price of vivo Y17s in Bangladesh.
Key Specifications of vivo Y17s
Design and Build Quality
The Y17s is the direct successor of the Y16 from last year. Like almost all of their Y series iterations, the design on the Y17s has been slightly tweaked to bring a sense of distinction to the new generation. However, the waterdrop notch display remains the same from the last generation. There’s a sizeable bottom chin on the Y17s which doesn’t align with the 2023 design standards. But considering it’s a budget-friendly smartphone, this was probably one of the cost cut corners. There are two color variants with the Y17s – Glitter Purple and Forest Green.
The device holds a dimension of 163.74 mm by 75.43 mm by 8.09 mm with 186 g weight. The plastic frame and back help to keep the weight under 200 g. What’s interesting is that the Y17s now have an IP54 dust and splash resistance rating.
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The ports and buttons on the Y17s are all as usual. The power and volume buttons are located on the right with the SIM slot on the top and the Type-C port on the bottom. The power button also doubles as the fingerprint scanner of the device. The headphone jack has been retained in the Y17s which is good news for wired headphone enthusiasts. The device comes with 6GB RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. The storage can be expanded by another 128 GB thanks to the micro SDXC support.
The Display
The display on the vivo Y17s is a 6.56-inch IPS LCD panel with 720 x 1612 pixels. The 720P display has an aspect ratio of 20:9 and a pixel density of 269 ppi. By all means, this is an entry-level display and features. The large chin on the bottom of the panel accounts for a lower 83.8% screen-to-body ratio. The saving grace here would be the waterdrop notch camera cutout.
The display showed good color calibration with 83% NTSC color saturation. There were no weird color shifts in the test from different angles. Being an LCD panel, the blacks aren’t all that deep and may seem a bit washed out.
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The display has 700 nits of peak brightness which makes it fairly legible under direct sunlight. For the price, the display on the Y17s produces a passable result.
The Camera
There’s a dual camera setup on the back of the Y17s. The main camera is a 50 MP f/1.8 wide-angle sensor with PDAF. The secondary camera is a 2 MP f/2.4 depth sensor. The Y17s lack several features like autofocus, EIS, and OIS. These are again, the cut corners for an aggressive budget pricing.
The main camera performed well for an entry-level smartphone in our test. Pictures taken under direct sunlight had good details in them. The depth sensor assists in the portrait shots which saw significant improvement in edge detection and realistic background blur. The dynamic range is also satisfactory.
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However, the same performance isn’t translated into indoor or artificial lighting conditions. There are noticeable noises and grains whenever there is less-than-ideal lighting. There’s also the issue of exposure which is a hit or miss at times.
vivo V29 5G Review: Is it a balanced camera phone?
vivo has undeniably made significant strides in the competitive smartphone market in recent times. V Series lineup of vivo offers well-balanced devices featuring innovative Camera technology, standard performance, and smooth user experience. In this legacy, vivo launched the V29, a camera focused phone in September 2023. V29 is blessed with a powerful front camera to meet the needs of today’s self portraying generation. Does this device offer the same competency in other segments? Let’s review the key specs, pros and cons of the vivo V29 5G smartphone.
Key Features of vivo V29 5G
Design
The vivo V29 smartphone aims to revive the trend of curved waterfall displays in the premium segment. Its glass sandwich design, curved screen, and substantial camera module make it visually striking but notably slippery. The package includes a recommended TPU case. Despite its sleekness, the V29 offers comfortable one-handed use at 186g and 164.2 mm by 74.4 mm bu 7.5 mm dimension with a 90% screen-to-body ratio for an immersive display.
Features include an under-display fingerprint reader, USB-C charging, IP68 waterproofing (rare in its price range), and eSIM capability. It lacks a headphone jack, has a single downward-firing speaker, and no microSD card slot. Available in Space Black, Himalayan Blue, Purple Fairy, and Majestic Red, the V29 offers a premium look and feel. One drawback is the lack of information on recycling and sustainability efforts.
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Display
The vivo V29 boasts a substantial 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a high 120Hz refresh rate. With a resolution of 2800 × 1260 pixels, a pixel density of 452 PPI, and HDR10+ support, this display offers a stunning visual experience. While it doesn't feature a quad-curved design like the HONOR 90, it stands out as one of the most visually appealing displays in its segment. The V29's minimal side bezels and compact top and bottom bezels contribute to its sleek aesthetics.
In terms of performance, the display impresses with excellent color reproduction and strong sunlight visibility, enhancing activities such as gaming, web browsing, video streaming, and reading. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures a smooth and fluid user experience. Additionally, vivo incorporates various display technologies to minimize blue light and screen flickering, prioritizing eye protection for users.
Camera
The vivo V29 shines brightly in the realm of smartphone photography, boasting an impressive camera setup. It inherits its predecessor's camera configuration, comprising a 50 MP primary camera, an 8 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2 MP monochrome sensor. On the front, the selfie camera retains its 50 MP resolution but now offers auto-focus and a wider f/2.0 aperture, enhancing the quality of self-portraits.
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The primary camera delivers exceptional photos with rich detail and sharpness. Colors appear vibrant without crossing into oversaturation territory, distinguishing it from competitors like the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Images exhibit crispness, a wide dynamic range, and minimal noise, even in challenging lighting conditions. The V29 consistently captures an extensive range of details, surpassing even some flagship smartphones.
Low-light photography or situations with artificial lighting remain a strong suit for the V29's camera. Thanks to its built-in optical image stabilization (OIS), it excels in low-light conditions without relying on a flash. The Aura Ring Light proves beneficial in low-light scenarios, ensuring even lighting on subjects and seamlessly adjusting colors automatically.
While the primary camera excels, the ultra-wide angle camera and monochrome sensors leave something to be desired. They exhibit lower overall quality, diminished sharpness, detail, and color accuracy. Nevertheless, for occasional use, the ultra-wide camera serves its purpose. For optimal results, relying on the primary camera and the impressive 50 MP selfie shooter is recommended.
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vivo iQOO Neo 8 Pro Review: Is it a value for money smartphone?
vivo’s sub-brand iQOO mainly works on the “flagship killer” category smartphones assuring value and performance for the users. The vivo iQOO Neo 8 Pro was released on 23rd May in China. So how does it differ from the Neo 7 Pro? And is it going to seal the title of flagship killer for 2023? Let’s find out.
Key Specifications of the vivo iQOO Neo 8 Pro
Design and Build Quality
The first thing that stands out is the design and build quality of the smartphone. There are three color variants on the 8 Pro, red, black, and mint. The red one uses a deep orange shade of vegetable tan leather on the back which provides a great texture and hand feel. The rectangular camera housing on the red variant has a distinct carbon fiber-like texture. The contrasting design elements on the back give the device a unique look.
Dimension-wise, the device comes in at 164.7 x 77 x 8.5 mm. The device is on the lighter side at just 192 gm. The even weight distribution makes it easy to hold for a long time without hand fatigue. The frame of the device is made from plastic with a glass front and leather (red) or glass back. There’s no protection rating for the front glass which can be an issue for many users.
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The device comes with the standard ports and buttons. Additionally, there’s an IR blaster on top so if you have IoT devices in your home, the phone can serve as a secondary remote. The Type C port and the sim-slot are placed at the bottom. Unfortunately, there’s no micro SDXC support on the 8 Pro. But the 256 GB base variant should be more than ample for most users.
Overall, the 8 Pro is reiterative of the iQOO design elements. It doesn’t reinvent itself much which may very well be its strongest suit in terms of design elements.
Display
The display on the iQOO Neo 8 Pro is a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with 1260 x 2800 resolution. The unusual resolution brings the display to around 453 ppi with a 20:9 aspect ratio. In addition to that, the display supports 1B colors, 144Hz high refresh rate, HDR10, and 1300 nits of peak brightness.
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The high refresh rate combined with the 1.5K resolution makes it a crystal clear sharp display. The chins and perimeter bezels have also been significantly reduced to make way for an 87.5% screen-to-body ratio.
In typical use, the display is perfect for media consumption. The HBM helps with outdoor visibility with reduced glare and sharp contrast. The high refresh rate and touch sampling also elevate the gaming experience on the 8 Pro.
Overall, the display is one of the strong elements of the device. It easily takes one up over the 7 Pro with better resolution and a higher refresh rate.
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Vivo V27 5G Review: Is it worth buying?
The Vivo 'V' series has consistently epitomized the perfect combination of innovation and style, and the newest entrant. The latest addition of this series, V27, was released in Bangladesh on the 11th May of 2023. Can Vivo V27 5G hold the legacy? This comprehensive review will explore how it performs in real-life scenarios.
Key Features of Vivo V27 5G
Design
The V27 introduces a color-changing panel crafted from Fluorite AG Glass. Its UV-sensitive back transitions between light blue and deep dark teal for the Magic Blue variant.
The phone's lightweight with 180g weight and slim build with a 164.1 × 74.8 × 7.36 mm body dimension. Measuring just 7.36 millimeters in thickness – the phone is vivo's thinnest yet. Both front and back boast glass with a dual curve design and a frosted anti-glare finish, enhancing its premium appearance. The slim aspect ratio and curved edges ensure comfortable handling.
Widevine L1 certification allows for high-quality show and movie streaming. A selfie camera resides in a center punch hole, and the top bezel houses an earpiece. The under-display fingerprint reader at the bottom of the screen offers swift phone unlocking. On the right side, the power button and volume rockers are easily accessible.
Read more: MediaTek Dimensity 7200 processor
The bottom includes a type-C charging port, sim slot, microphone, and speaker grille, while the top features a secondary microphone. Overall, this design propels the V27 beyond other mid-range phones in the market.
Display
Featuring a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, the screen of the V27 offers a smooth and responsive experience. The resolution stands at 2400 x 1080, and the edges are elegantly curved.
The identical display as the V27 Pro is a positive aspect. The 120Hz refresh rate contributes to a seamless feel in interactions, and the screen's decent brightness ensures visibility even in sunlight.
Similar to the previous model, this version of the phone provides color reproduction controls with three presets and the option to adjust color temperature. Additionally, there are modes to reduce blue light for eye comfort, accompanied by an SGS Eye Care certification.
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The speaker setup remains unchanged from the Pro model. Although the audio is clear and loud, it lacks bass and is a single speaker, thus missing stereo sound.
Interestingly, when transitioning from a flagship device, the speaker was the most noticeable aspect. While not subpar, the absence of stereo sound during activities like watching YouTube at home took some getting used to.
Performance
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 processor, the Vivo V27 offers up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Operating on Funtouch OS 13, which is based on Android 13, the V27 distinguishes itself from the Pro model by using the Dimensity 7200 instead of the Dimensity 8200.
In daily usage, the 7200 chipset delivers satisfactory performance. There were occasional instances of animation stuttering and minor freezing during testing, but overall, the phone maintained a responsive and speedy feel, with differences noticeable only upon close inspection.
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When engaging in gaming, the performance gap becomes more pronounced. While the Pro model managed to run Genshin Impact at 60fps with high settings, the V27 required lowering the settings to 30fps for a smooth experience. Despite the game boost mode aiming to optimize gaming performance, 60fps play was achievable only at the lowest graphical settings.
On a positive note, this model exhibited impressive battery life. It consistently lasted through the day, even during extensive screen-on time and GPS navigation. With lighter usage, it could potentially stretch to two days on a single charge – a commendable feat.
iQOO Neo 7 Pro Review: Is it worth its price tag?
Earlier this year, vivo's subsidiary company iQOO released its Neo 7 range. The company has been committed to providing affordable yet performance-oriented smartphones since its inception. With that commitment, iQOO launched the Neo 7 Pro on July 4 in India. The device is meant to be a souped-up version of the existing Neo 7. Let’s look at its detailed specs and price to see whether iQOO Neo 7 Pro 5G worth the price tag.
Key Specifications of IQOO Neo 7 Pro
Design and Build Quality
The design of the Neo 7 Pro is the same as that of the Neo 7. The dimensions are almost exactly the same as well. It's pretty difficult to tell which is which just by holding them.
However, unlike the Neo 7, the 7 Pro has a plastic frame complemented by either glass or leather back. The device comes in at 164.8 x 76.9 x 8.5 mm or 8.9 mm depending on either the glass or leather back. The 193 gm or 202 gm (glass) weight makes for an impressive hand feel thanks to the even weight distribution. The curved back also helps to increase the grip on the device.
This time iQOO went with a uniform bezel design on the front. While it might not seem like much, it makes quite a difference while interacting with the display. The center punch-hole camera brings a sense of symmetry to the display. The dual-tone rectangular camera housing on the back looks unique. It adds to the overall aesthetic of the device, especially on the leather variant.
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The power button and the volume rocker are placed on the left with the secondary noise cancellation mic at the top. The bottom of the device houses the Type C port, sim slot, and primary mic.
The Neo 7 Pro is definitely a breath of fresh air when it comes to designs in the upper mid-range segment. It might even help iQOO establish a new design identity in this segment.
The Display
The display on the iQOO Neo 7 Pro is an AMOLED 1080P display with 1B colors, 120 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and 1300 nits of peak brightness. The 6.78-inch panel is stacked with features that would easily give flagship displays a run for their money.
The uniform front bezel means that the display has an 87.6% screen-to-body ratio. The pixel density comes in at 388 ppi making it a sharp and crisp panel. Viewing angles on the Neo 7 Pro is excellent with no color shifts or hazing. The high peak brightness makes for comfortable legibility even under direct sunlight.
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Overall, the display on the Neo 7 Pro makes for an impressive interaction all around. For anyone looking for a device with media consumption in mind, the Neo 7 Pro can be an easy pick.
The Camera
There is a triple camera setup on the Neo 7 Pro with a 50 MP main sensor, 8 MP ultrawide, and a 2 MP macro shooter. The main camera is equipped with an f/1.9 aperture and a 24 mm lens. There is no EIS so OIS and PDAF are all that the users will be getting.
In the test, the camera performs as expected from a 50 MP shooter. The pictures look sharp and detailed with a decent amount of dynamic range. It also does a great job at edge detection in portrait shots. iQOO has also fixed the fish eye effect on their ultrawide shots. It now looks much on par with the main sensor shots.
The night photography on the Neo 7 Pro is also great. Shots came out with good details though the exposure was a hit or miss at times. The front features a single 16 MP selfie shooter good enough for casual pictures.
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The videography on the 7 Pro is rated up to 4K at 30 fps. The lack of EIS is visible especially if it shakes too much. But overall it produces decent videos.
Processor and Performance
The processor on the iQOO Neo 7 Pro is Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 based on the 4 Nm architecture. iQOO has moved away from their usual collaborator MediaTek for the 7 Pro and opted for last year’s flagship processor from Snapdragon.
The switch has also bumped up the overall performance. The SoC has 1 3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3 2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 chip designs with Adreno 730 as the GPU. In our test, the device performed like any other flagship. The high refresh rate combined with the fast animations of the UI made it hard to differentiate from this year’s flagship devices.
Gaming on the Neo 7 Pro is also very smooth. The device gave a constant 60 fps on titles like COD, Asphalt 9, Genshin Impact, and PUBG. There were no noticeable frame drops or heating issues even after 30-odd minutes of continued gaming. It's safe to say that this is by far the best gaming smartphone on a mid-range budget.
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Funtouch OS has also been significantly upgraded but the problem with bloatware remains. Overall, the performance of the Neo 7 Pro would be more than satisfactory for most users as well as gamers out there.
Battery and Charge Time
The battery on the iQOO Neo 7 Pro is 5000 mAh. However, the biggest feature in terms of battery is its charging capability. The device supports 120W wired fast charging. iQOO claims the device would be able to go from 0 to 50% in 8 minutes.
Pros and Cons of IQOO Neo 7 Pro
Pros:
- Great performance - Impressive primary camera - 120W fast charging - Excellent display - Leatherback model - Uniform front bezel.
Cons:
- Bloatware
- Plastic frame
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Price of iQOO Neo 7 Pro
The official price of the iQOO Neo 7 Pro in India is 33,999 INR for the 8/128 GB and 37,999 INR for 12/256 GB variant. That roughly translates to 45,080 BDT and 50,384 BDT respectively (1 INR = 1.33 BDT). But expect the price to significantly differ once it becomes officially available in Bangladesh.
Final Words
The iQOO Neo 7 Pro is a refined version of their existing Neo 7. It brings some subtle changes in the processor and camera department which ends up making a meaningful impact in the overall experience of the device. It still boasts a decent camera, excellent display, and battery.
The only gripe would be that the frame is still plastic and Funtouch OS is still riddled with bloatware. If you can overlook these two aspects, then the iQOO Neo 7 Pro 5G can be an excellent buy at any price point.
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vivo Y36 Review: Does Price Meet Performance?
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.
Vivo V27e Review: Worth its price tag?
The Vivo V27e is one of the latest mid-range smartphones to come out of Vivo’s product lineup in 2023. With its sleek design, powerful specifications, and an array of features, the Vivo V27e has started gaining popularity among smartphone enthusiasts. This latest Vivo smartphone is currently available in Bangladesh. Let’s take a look at the specs, pros, cons, and price of Vivo V27e.
Key Features of Vivo V27e
Design
The Vivo V27e is undeniably one of the most attractive smartphones in the market today, with its sleek and elegant design. Its Glory Black color option is gorgeous, and the Lavender Purple variant stands out with its elegant look.
Despite its slim and lightweight build, measuring about 7.7 mm (Glory Black) or 7.8mm (Lavender Purple) thick and weighing 185 grams (Glory Black) or 186g (Lavender Purple). Therefore, this device is easy to manage with one hand.
Vivo V27e is built with composite plastic sheets. Not to mention, the plastic feel on its back panel is a downside in terms of aesthetics.
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The usual ports and buttons are present on the Vivo V27e, including a USB-C 2.0 port, a hybrid dual nano-SIM card tray, and a single loudspeaker located at the bottom. The volume rocker and power button are on the phone's right side, while the fingerprint scanner is integrated into the screen.
Overall, the Vivo V27e is a stunning device that you would want to showcase with a clear case. It comes with a transparent case, a USB-A to USB-C cable, a 66W charger adapter, a SIM ejector tool, and some paperwork.
Display
The Vivo V27e boasts a large 6.62-inch AMOLED screen with moderately sized bezels, providing a maximized display that is neither too thin nor too thick. The device's AMOLED display, with a resolution of 1080 x 2400, delivers stunning and vivid colors with impressive detail sharpness, even when used under bright sunlight.
One of the standout features of the Vivo V27e's display is its 120Hz refresh rate, which offers smooth and seamless scrolling for a more fluid user experience. The device also features a punch-hole selfie camera, a more modern alternative to the traditional water drop notch design.
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Overall, the Vivo V27e's display is a great feature for a mid-range device, delivering top-notch visuals and a smooth user experience.