Vivo Y21: Vivo has made its niche in the Indian smartphone market by adding that oomph factor to the phones and seeing that they handle the basic requirements of an average user.
So, the Vivo Y21, one of the more budget-friendly phones from the brand, is catering to the needs of those who want reasonably decent performance, and good looks, without breaking the bank.
It’s not exactly a powerhouse, but that’s not to whom the Y21 is catered. This phone is intended to be simple to use, long battery life and reliable operation in day to day use so its perfect for first time smartphone users or anyone looking for a back up phone.
Design and construction: Smooth and light
The Vivo Y21 makes a remarkably good first impression for a budget phone. The phone is 8mm slim and weighs 182 grams which feel light and comfortable in hand while holding throughout the day.
Its smooth rear finish has the appearance of glass, with it actually being constructed from premium plastic.
It’s available in Diamond Glow and Midnight Blue colours and both variations bring a sense of sophistication that isn’t common in this price range.
The dual camera module looks quite tidy and modern as well.
Display: Enough for the Basics
The Y21 comes with a 6.51-inch HD+ IPS LCD display having a resolution of 1600×720 pixels.
It’s not full HD, but for general use — say, browsing, video watching and messaging — it gets the job done.
It’s bright enough to be seen indoors (good) and outdoors (OK), though seeing it in direct sunlight isn’t always easy.
The absence of a high refresh rate may be a deal-breaker for some, but the vast majority of casual users won’t even notice it in everyday use.
Performance:
Designed for Ease ou don’t really know which way to go.
The Y21 is powered by MediaTek Helio P35 processor, 4GB RAM and 64GB or 128GB internal storage.
This hardware isn’t made for gamers or power users, but for everyday apps (WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram), it’s enough.
Light multitasking is fine, and Vivo also added a feature called Extended RAM, which basically borrows 1GB of storage to use as extra RAM, boosting performance a touch.
You won’t get blazing speed, but the phone is (mostly) stable enough to do most common tasks.
Camera: Basic but Functional
For photos and videos, the Vivo Y21 is equipped with a dual rear camera setup that includes a 13MP main shooter and a 2MP macro lens.
The main camera takes good photos in good lighting, with average color reproduction. Portraits and closeups are also good, but the edge detection can be hit or miss.
In low light or at night, image quality declines — you’ll see noise, softer details.
There is Camera Speaking, the 8MP front camera offers decent selfies that can be taken during the day and also captures reasonably good day time video as well.
The camera isn’t anything amazing, but it’s also good enough for some basic photography and social media.
Battery Life: A Strong Suit
The Vivo Y21 is backed by a 5000mAh battery, which delivers at least a day and a half or a complete day of battery life on normal usage.
You can also watch videos, play on social media and take calls without worrying about running low on juice.
The phone also comes with 18W fast charging through USB Type-C which is good to see at this pricivalge range.
It takes about two hours to fully charge from 0%, which is pretty standard for the segment.
Software Experience
The phone uses Funtouch OS 11.1 on Android 11. The interface is vibrant, easy to use, and it has some convenient features like Ultra Game Mode, App Clone, and Dark Mode.
There are some pre-installed apps however these can mostly be uninstalled, or disabled. Vivo’s UI has gotten faster and more responsive over time.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Sleek and lightweight design
Long-lasting 5000mAh battery
Decent cameras for the price
Fast charging via Type-C connecter
Larger storage (RAM) of Extended RAM for better multitasking
Cons:
No Full HD display
Entry-level processor
Does not take good low-light camera pictures
No under-display fingerprint scanner
Vivo Y21 Final Verdict
And it’s not like the Vivo Y21 is the one to come looking for competition with flagships – and that’s okay. It’s made for users who are seeking reliability, simplicity, long battery life — and good looks.
The Y21 has all the necessary features, without overloading with options, for students, pensioners and frugal buyers.
If you are looking for a budget phone that just works – and looks good doing so, the Vivo Y21 is a decent choice to consider.
