The Pros and Cons of vivo Y21d

vivo has long been known as one of the most active brands in releasing smartphones under its Y-Series line. The Y21 series is one of them. This series includes several models that can easily confuse buyers.

In the market, you can already find the standard vivo Y21, vivo Y21s, vivo Y21T, and vivo Y21A. All of them are entry-level phones with only small differences in their specifications. In October 2025, vivo introduced another member of the Y21 family called vivo Y21d.

Unlike the other models in the Y21 lineup that focus on sleek design or camera quality, the vivo Y21d takes a different approach. This model is built not for speed but for endurance, aiming at users who need a phone that can survive harsh conditions.

Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of vivo’s latest rugged smartphone and find out who it’s made for.

Pros of vivo Y21d

Besides its durability, the vivo Y21d has got several other great features. Here are some of them.

1. Strong Durability with IP69+ Rating 

One of the biggest highlights of the vivo Y21d is its toughness. Phones in this price range rarely come with this level of protection. The Y21d is made to handle extreme situations, which makes it perfect for users who prioritize durability.

It carries both IP68 and IP69+ certifications. That means the phone can survive underwater at a depth of six metres for up to thirty minutes. It also resists high-pressure and high-temperature water jets, a protection level usually found on dedicated rugged phones.

To make its water resistance even more practical, vivo adds helpful features. The Wet Touch feature keeps the screen responsive even when your fingers are wet. There’s also the One-Tap Water Ejection function that vibrates the speaker to push out any water trapped inside after the phone has been submerged.

Its toughness is supported by military-grade MIL-STD-810H certification to show that the device can endure drops, shocks, and extreme temperatures.

The sturdy frame also meets the SGS Gold Five-Star standard for durability. With protection against water, dust, and impact, the vivo Y21d stands as one of the toughest phones in its class.

2. Good Battery Life That Lasts More Than a Day

The vivo Y21d comes with a 6500 mAh battery. This capacity is quite large, though not the biggest, since some budget phones now offer batteries of more than 7000 mAh.

vivo claims that this battery can last up to three days with normal use. Based on tests from Mr Raza’s YouTube channel, the phone can last about one and a half to two days when power saving mode is on.

It’s likely that vivo’s claim refers to standby time, which means when the phone is rarely used. Even if the official claim sounds a bit optimistic, the battery performance is still impressive. The vivo Y21d can deliver around ten to eleven hours of screen-on time, which is more than enough for a full day of use.

3. Full Charge in About 70 Minutes

Aside from its strong battery life, charging speed is also quite good with the 44W FlashCharge feature. The charger is already included in the box, so users don’t need to buy it separately.

According to vivo, the Y21d can reach 50 percent charge in forty minutes. This claim is quite accurate since Mr Raza’s test results show a similar time range of thirty-eight to forty minutes. A full charge takes about seventy to eighty minutes. Considering the size of its battery, this charging speed is impressive because it shortens the waiting time.

vivo also adds a 5-Year Battery Health feature that helps maintain more than 80 percent of the battery’s capacity even after 1600 charging cycles, or around five years of regular use. This makes the Y21d a solid choice for anyone looking for a long-lasting and reliable phone.

4. 6.68-inch Display with 1000 nits Peak Brightness

The 6.68-inch screen of the vivo Y21d offers a big impact in visibility. Its brightness level can reach up to 1000 nits in HBM mode, which is quite impressive for a phone in its class.

With this level of brightness, the display stays clear even under direct sunlight. It performs well outdoors during the day, which makes it a good choice for users who spend a lot of time outside.

Many reviewers have praised the screen brightness of the vivo Y21d. The YouTube channel Unbox Bawaji also mentioned that the display remains easy to see even when used under the sun.

The screen is also equipped with TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light software. Many phones today have this certification, but the approach can differ. Some use physical methods such as special filters or coatings that permanently reduce blue light.

The vivo Y21d uses a software-based method that adjusts the screen’s color and brightness through an app. This method is not as permanent as the physical one, but it still provides good protection for the eyes.

5. Powerful Stereo Speakers with Audio Booster

vivo Y21d features dual stereo speakers that produce rich and immersive sound, perfect for watching movies or listening to music. It also includes a “400% Audio Booster” feature that can increase the volume significantly, which is very useful in noisy places.

Besides being loud, the speakers are Hi-Res Audio certified. This means the audio details remain clear and accurate whether you are gaming, streaming, or taking calls on loudspeaker mode.

Mr Raza also noted that the sound is powerful with a touch of bass. Even at full volume, the speakers do not crack or distort. These qualities make the overall multimedia experience on the vivo Y21d enjoyable and satisfying.

6. 50 MP Camera with Underwater Shooting Mode

The vivo Y21d still delivers solid performance in the camera department. It features a 50 MP main camera with an f/1.8 aperture that works well for everyday photography.

In good lighting, the photos look sharp and colourful, making them great for social media. The phone also includes a Night Mode that helps capture better shots in low light, although the results are still typical for its price range.

The highlight of this phone is the unique Underwater Mode. Supported by its strong build and IP69+ certification, users can take photos or record videos underwater, whether in a swimming pool or during light snorkelling.

This feature is designed smartly. It allows users to use physical buttons such as the volume keys to take pictures, which is important since touchscreens usually do not work properly under water.

The ability to shoot underwater adds a creative and fun bonus that is rarely found on regular smartphones in this price range.

Cons of vivo Y21d

After discussing its pros, now let’s take a look at the cons of the vivo Y21d.

1. Average Chipset Performance

Although the vivo Y21d has a tough exterior, its performance is quite modest, especially for demanding tasks and heavy games. The phone uses the entry-level Unisoc T7225 chipset, also known as the Unisoc T612.

For daily use such as browsing, chatting, social media, and streaming, the performance is decent and smooth. It can handle light multitasking well, especially for the 6 GB and 8 GB RAM variants that also support Extended RAM.

However, the chipset’s limit becomes clear when running heavy 3D games. The Mali-G52 MP1 GPU is not designed for high-end graphics and works better for casual gaming.

According to Unbox Bawaji, PUBG Mobile on the vivo Y21d runs at around 40 fps. For a phone priced at around IDR 2 million, this is underwhelming, since some competitors perform better in the same range.

With an AnTuTu v10 score of around 350,000 and eMMC storage type, users should not expect too much from its performance. Still, it remains fine for light everyday tasks. It’s better to choose at least the 6 GB RAM variant, as the 4 GB version may feel limited.

2. HD+ Display with Only 90 Hz Refresh Rate

Another noticeable weakness lies in the display. Although the screen measures 6.68 inches, the resolution is only HD+ or 1608 x 720 pixels. For a screen this large, the pixel density of about 264 ppi is relatively low for today’s standards.

Because of that, the sharpness is not ideal. Some users may notice that text and icons are not as crisp or clear as on a Full HD+ screen. The display can look a bit soft or pixelated, especially when showing small text.

In this price range, many phones already offer Full HD+ resolution. The refresh rate of 90 Hz is an improvement over 60 Hz, but still not enough to compensate for the low resolution. There are already several phones under US$120 that provide 120 Hz screens.

3. Limited Connectivity Options

Connectivity is another area where the vivo Y21d falls short. The phone does not include NFC, even though many competitors in the same price segment already offer it.

It also lacks 5G support and only works on 4G LTE networks. While 5G coverage in Indonesia is still developing, this absence makes the phone feel less ready for future use.

This limitation is understandable since the chipset itself does not support 5G. However, it still reduces the phone’s appeal for users who want a more future-proof device.

The phone also does not include a 3.5 mm audio jack. This design choice likely helps with waterproofing, but it means users must rely on Bluetooth earphones or a USB-C converter. Some users may find this inconvenient.

On a positive note, the vivo Y21d still has a hardware gyroscope sensor, as confirmed by some reviewers.

Conclusion

The vivo Y21d is clearly built for durability rather than performance. Its rugged IP69+ body, massive 6500 mAh battery, and bright 1000 nits display make it a great option for outdoor workers and drivers who need a phone that can survive tough conditions.

However, it is not ideal for users who need strong performance or better display quality. Its entry-level chipset, HD+ screen, lack of an ultrawide camera, average selfie quality, and missing NFC feature make it less appealing as an all-around phone for general users.