10 Pros and Cons of Buying vivo Smartphones
vivo is often recognized as a prominent smartphone brand because they're consistently ranked among the top vendors worldwide in terms of shipments each year. Their extensive advertising campaigns have helped Vivo become a well-known name in the smartphone industry.
vivo offers various series of phones catering to different market segments. The most affordable one is the vivo Y series, with prices typically ranging from $70 to $140. There are also the S and Z series, though they are less common. The high-end X series represents vivo's flagship line and has been well-received in many markets since its introduction.
The V series is vivo's cornerstone, highly anticipated with each new release. This series is heavily promoted, making it one of the most recognized among consumers globally.
Many people trust and buy vivo phones, but some still doubt their quality. This article aims to address these doubts by outlining the advantages and disadvantages of vivo phones.
Pros of vivo Smartphone
What makes Vivo phones stand out? Here are some key benefits:
1. Pioneering Unique Innovations

Vivo is known for being bold and experimental compared to other brands under BBK Electronics like OPPO, Realme, and OnePlus. The Vivo NEX series, for example, is a direct competitor to Xiaomi's Mix series, both showcasing unique and innovative technologies.
Vivo introduced now-common features like hidden cameras, on-screen fingerprint sensors, and OIS gimbals. The Vivo NEX A and NEX S, released in 2018, were the first phones with a FullView Display without a front camera, using a motorized pop-up front camera instead.
The Vivo NEX series continued to evolve, with models like the Vivo NEX 3 in 2019 and the NEX 3S 5G in 2020. The most remarkable model, the Vivo NEX Dual Display, features screens on both the front and back.
Vivo was the first to use in-display fingerprint sensor technology with the Vivo X20 Plus UD in 2018. They also introduced gimbal stabilization, originally an accessory for video stabilization, as an internal component with the Vivo X50 Pro. This technology has since been included in subsequent models like the X60 Pro, X70 Pro, and X80 Pro.
Although the gimbal was removed in the Vivo X90 Pro and X100 Pro due to effective alternative stabilization systems and space constraints, Vivo remains a trendsetter in the smartphone world, continually pushing the boundaries of innovation. This makes Vivo a brand worth trusting for cutting-edge technology.
2. Excellence in the Camera Sector

Vivo mobile phones are known for their excellent front cameras. Their old slogan, "Your Inspiration of Perfect Selfie," highlights their commitment to delivering the best selfie camera experience.
This isn't just a marketing claim. Vivo phones, particularly the Vivo V series, are renowned for their superior front cameras. Recently, this strength has extended to the Vivo Y series as well.
The camera excellence of Vivo phones isn't limited to the front camera. They offer a superior photography and videography experience with the Vivo X series.
This strength is especially notable since Vivo partnered with the renowned German optics manufacturer, ZEISS, to enhance the image processing system of the Vivo X series cameras.
This partnership began in 2020, with the first product being the Vivo X60 Pro, and it continues today with the Vivo X100 Pro.
3. Generally Has an Attractive Design

Another appealing aspect of Vivo mobile phones is their design. From the cheapest to the most expensive models, Vivo phones boast attractive designs. The colors used in their designs are eye-catching, making them a key selling point.
The Vivo V series stands out the most in terms of design. This series consistently features attractive designs, from the Vivo V9 and V11 series to the Vivo V15 series, V17 Pro, and the latest V29 series.
In 2022, Vivo introduced the Vivo V23 5G, featuring a back cover design that temporarily changes color when exposed to sunlight, thanks to Fluorite AG Glass material. In 2023, the Vivo V27 5G impressed consumers with a simpler yet unique design, showcasing the Aura Light Portrait display that emits LED flash light like a ring light.
The Vivo V29 5G continues this trend with a beautiful design on both the front and back. It features a curved screen and a back cover with cool sky blue shades. The ring light is back, enhancing lighting for nighttime photos.
Unsurprisingly, Vivo phones are popular among women who appreciate beautiful designs. Additionally, Vivo phones are generally slimmer and lighter, making them easy to handle for women, children, and the elderly.
4. Dual Engine Fast Charging Technology

Vivo has introduced an impressive feature known as Dual Engine Fast Charging, first seen in the Vivo V11 Pro and later incorporated into other models in the V series. This technology competes directly with OPPO's VOOC Flash Charge and Huawei's SuperCharge.
Dual Engine Fast Charging enables batteries to charge much faster than traditional methods, thanks to two charging chips that distribute voltage more efficiently.
Vivo claims that this technology can charge a phone for 30 minutes to provide almost 7 hours of video playback, nearly an hour of music listening, and about 181.3 hours in standby mode. Even a quick 5-minute charge can yield 2 hours of music streaming.
The debut of this technology with the Vivo V11 Pro made Vivo phones more appealing, offering features that are genuinely useful to many users.
By 2023, Vivo's charging technology had evolved further. The Vivo V27 5G featured a 66W FlashCharge capable of charging the battery to 50% in just 19 minutes. This was followed by the Vivo X90 Pro, which introduced a 120W power capability, achieving 50% charge in merely 8 minutes.
In 2024, the fast charging feature saw another enhancement with the Vivo V29 5G, which offers 80 watts of power, allowing the battery to reach 50% charge in 17 minutes. Although the power increased, the improvement in charge time was marginal compared to the Vivo V27 5G.
Still, the Vivo X90 Pro and the Vivo Y100t remain the fastest charging options at 120 watts. The Vivo X100 Pro, successor to the X90 Pro, actually decreased to 100 watts from the original 120 watts.
5. Strong Branding

Vivo, much like OPPO, maintains a robust branding presence. Vivo employs a large-scale commission marketing strategy, similar to OPPO, though Vivo's approach to advertising is seen as more refined.
Their advertisements are ubiquitous, seen on street billboards and national TV. Vivo also bolsters its brand by collaborating with well-known artists who command large fan bases, such as Agnes Monica.
These efforts have made Vivo a familiar name to a broad audience. It’s common for people seeking new mobile phones to prefer Vivo, if not OPPO. This loyalty shows that Vivo's branding has successfully resonated with the community.
Vivo has a keen understanding of how to attract its target market, primarily young, creative, and energetic individuals. Their advertisements are tailor-made for this demographic, featuring visuals, effects, and themes that relate closely to the daily lives of today’s youth. With such a targeted and effective marketing strategy, it’s no wonder Vivo’s reputation continues to grow strong.
Cons of Vivo Phones
After exploring the advantages, let's take a look at some of the disadvantages of Vivo phones.
1. Confusing Series Naming

Vivo's range of series is generally well-organized. However, the naming conventions within a single series can be confusing. For instance, Vivo introduced the Vivo V20 at the end of 2020, and shortly after, in early 2021, they released an updated version with a new chipset, renaming it the Vivo V20 2021.
A similar situation occurred with the Vivo Y51, which has 2020 and 2021 variants, and even a Vivo Y51A variant. The Vivo Y12 and Y20 series further complicate matters with multiple variants released simultaneously.
This proliferation of models within the same series can easily confuse consumers, potentially leading to purchasing errors, only discovered when the phone is delivered.
2. iOS-like FunTouchOS

Vivo phones operate with Funtouch UI, an Android-based user interface that is feature-rich and quite engaging. However, its design heavily resembles iOS, which makes Funtouch seem less original and more like a copy of Apple’s interface.
While there’s nothing inherently wrong with an Android UI mimicking iOS, Vivo could benefit from innovating Funtouch OS to offer unique features not found in other user interfaces. This would differentiate Funtouch OS, making it stand out not just for its similarity to iOS but for its distinctiveness.
Over time, Funtouch OS has started to incorporate elements of pure Android, making it easier to use and customize according to user preferences.
However, one area where Vivo still falls short is in providing OS upgrades. Currently, only the X series is guaranteed to receive Android version updates for three years, a policy that began in 2021. Extending upgrade guarantees can significantly increase the lifespan of a smartphone.
3. Focusing Predominantly on the Mid-Range Market

Vivo primarily markets its X Series as the flagship line globally. However, the brand tends to emphasize the V Series more often in its promotional efforts.
This approach is logical since the V Series offers significant value at a more accessible price point, making it appealing to the mid-range market. Nevertheless, Vivo also has the potential to make a stronger impact in the high-end smartphone market. They have introduced several models such as the Vivo X50, X50 Pro, X60, X60 Pro, X70 Pro, X80 Pro, and X90 Pro.
Unfortunately, Vivo has not consistently brought their top-tier models, including the Vivo X50 Pro Plus, Vivo X60 Pro Plus, and Vivo X70 Pro Plus, to all global markets.
These models belong to a high-end series capable of competing with other luxury smartphones. For context, competitors like OPPO have introduced the Find X5 Pro, and Xiaomi has launched the Mi 11 Ultra, which are priced at premium levels in various markets.
Vivo could benefit from taking bold steps to introduce their high-end models more broadly. The decision to limit the availability of the Pro Plus variants might be based on market research or perceived consumer preferences. However, this strategy may prevent consumers in certain regions from accessing the latest Vivo technology.
Looking ahead, the successors to the Vivo X series introduced in 2024, such as the Vivo X100 5G and Vivo X100 Pro, are planned to enter multiple markets, yet the Pro Plus variant will still be absent. This continues Vivo's trend of focusing more on mid-range models rather than fully embracing the high-end smartphone segment.
4. Rapid Price Drop

Like OPPO, Vivo often launches its mobile phones with higher initial pricing. Despite this, their prices are still considered reasonable compared to competitors like OPPO.
A noticeable characteristic of Vivo phones is their tendency to depreciate quickly. For example, a model might be launched at a higher price point but could see a significant price drop within just a few months, particularly when purchased from online retailers.
This price reduction is frequently accelerated by the introduction of successor models at similar or competitive price points, leading to aggressive price wars among online sellers eager to clear out old stock.
This pattern of rapid depreciation is not unique to Vivo; it's common across various smartphone brands. However, it tends to be more pronounced with Vivo. While this can be advantageous for consumers who are willing to wait for prices to drop, it can be a disadvantage for Vivo users who need to sell their devices quickly due to urgent financial needs.
They may find that the resale value of their phones has diminished more than expected, resulting in a lower return on their initial investment.
5. Poor Value for Money in the Y Series

Vivo offers not only the V and X series but also the Y series, which is aimed at the entry-level market. However, most phones in the Y series are considered to have weaker performance compared to competitors at the same price point, such as Infinix, Redmi, and Realme.
Take, for example, the Vivo Y02t launched in 2023. Priced at USD 116 approx, this phone is only equipped with the Helio P35 processor.
Additionally, there’s the Vivo Y22, priced at USD 175 and released in 2022, which still uses the Helio G85 chipset. This is somewhat outdated, as many comparable models from other brands have moved on to the more powerful Helio G99. Moreover, the Vivo Y22 lacks an ultrawide camera, which diminishes its competitiveness in the market.
Another example is the Vivo Y36, released in 2023, which comes with the Snapdragon 680 chip despite its launch price of USD 190.
Clearly, the Vivo Y series may not be the best choice for those seeking high-performance phones at a low price. Instead, the Y series is designed more for users who prioritize a sleek, lightweight design and aesthetic appeal.
However, good performance is essential not just for gamers but for all users, as it significantly affects the overall user experience. If a phone lags in performance, it can make even basic tasks frustrating.
These points highlight some of the strengths and weaknesses of Vivo phones in general. This overview should help those considering a Vivo phone make a more informed decision.