Vivo Y21 Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Vivo Y21 is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers an impressive set of features. With its sleek design and glass front, this device exudes a premium feel. The 6.51-inch IPS LCD display provides a vibrant visual experience, perfect for browsing and media consumption. Running on Android 11 with Funtouch 11.1, the Y21 provides a smooth and intuitive user interface. The Mediatek Helio P35 chipset ensures efficient performance, while the 4GB RAM ensures seamless multitasking. The 13MP dual rear camera setup captures sharp and detailed photos, and the 8MP front camera is perfect for capturing stunning selfies. The 5000mAh battery offers all-day battery life, and the 18W fast charging ensures quick recharging. With a price of ₹13,489, the Vivo Y21 is a great choice for those looking for a reliable and affordable smartphone.

Design and Build Quality

The Vivo Y21 features a design that is aesthetically pleasing and exhibits a sleek and premium look. The smartphone has a plastic frame with a glass front and back panel, giving it a modern and sophisticated feel. The device has dimensions of 164.3 x 76.1 x 8 mm and weighs 182 grams, making it lightweight and easy to hold. The slim form factor and slim bezels around the 6.51-inch IPS LCD display contribute to a larger screen-to-body ratio, enhancing the overall viewing experience. The back panel has a smooth texture that adds to the device's grip, ensuring comfortable one-handed usability. The placement of buttons and controls is well-thought-out, allowing for easy access and intuitive navigation. The build quality of the Vivo Y21 is commendable, and it appears to be durable and robust. The construction of the device is solid, and the fit and finish are of high quality. Overall, the Vivo Y21 is designed to be portable and user-friendly, with its sleek design and premium look and feel.

Display

The Vivo Y21 features a 6.51-inch IPS LCD display, offering a decent screen size for an immersive viewing experience. With a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 270 ppi, the display delivers adequate sharpness and clarity for everyday usage. The aspect ratio of 20:9 ensures a tall and narrow screen, which can be advantageous for multitasking and media consumption.

While the Y21's LCD technology may not offer the deep blacks and infinite contrast ratios of OLED displays, it still provides good color accuracy and vibrancy. The colors on the screen appear natural and vibrant, enhancing the overall visual experience.

In terms of brightness levels, the Vivo Y21 offers satisfactory performance. It is bright enough for comfortable indoor usage, but it may struggle a bit under direct sunlight. However, the display's outdoor visibility is generally decent, allowing users to view content even in well-lit environments.

The touch responsiveness of the display is quite responsive, ensuring smooth and fluid navigation. The screen also comes with a protective layer, although the specific details regarding the type of protection, such as Gorilla Glass, are not mentioned in the available sources.

The Vivo Y21's display has wide viewing angles, allowing users to view content from various positions without significant color distortion. Additionally, it does not incorporate a notch design, resulting in reduced distractions and more screen real estate. However, the bezels surrounding the display are noticeable, which may affect the screen-to-body ratio to some extent.

Unfortunately, there is no information available regarding features like HDR, wide color gamut, screen calibration, or blue light filter in the sources reviewed. Hence, it's safe to assume that the Vivo Y21 may not include these advanced display features.

Overall, the Vivo Y21's display offers a satisfactory visual experience with its decent screen size, color accuracy, and vibrant colors. While it may not have some high-end display features, it caters well to everyday smartphone usage.

Performance

The Vivo Y21 is equipped with a MediaTek MT6765 Helio P35 chipset, which provides a decent performance for a budget smartphone. With an octa-core processor consisting of four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.35 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz, the device is capable of handling everyday tasks with ease. The CPU benchmarks and processor performance of the Vivo Y21 indicate its efficiency in delivering a smooth user experience and lag-free performance.

When it comes to gaming capabilities, the Vivo Y21 performs reasonably well. The PowerVR GE8320 GPU ensures that graphics-intensive games can be played without major issues. Although it may not be able to handle the latest high-end games at maximum settings, it can still provide a satisfactory gaming experience for casual gamers. The GPU benchmarks and gaming benchmarks reveal the device's ability to handle gaming tasks efficiently.

In terms of multitasking performance, the Vivo Y21's 4GB of RAM allows for smooth switching between apps and ensures that the device can handle multiple tasks simultaneously. The system optimization and thermal management of the device contribute to its overall performance by ensuring that it remains cool even during prolonged usage.

Furthermore, the Vivo Y21 excels in app loading speeds, thanks to its efficient processor and ample RAM. Apps open quickly, allowing users to navigate through their device effortlessly. The overall performance metrics of the Vivo Y21, as indicated by benchmark tests and scores, reflect its ability to deliver a satisfactory performance for its price range.

It is important to note that the Vivo Y21 is a budget smartphone, so it is unrealistic to expect flagship-level performance from it. However, considering its price point, the device offers a commendable performance. Whether it's browsing the web, using social media apps, or playing casual games, the Vivo Y21 provides a smooth and reliable user experience. Its processor efficiency and GPU efficiency contribute to its overall performance, making it a suitable choice for users who prioritize affordability without compromising on performance.

In conclusion, the Vivo Y21 delivers a decent performance for a budget smartphone. Its MediaTek MT6765 Helio P35 chipset, along with its efficient CPU and GPU, ensures smooth multitasking, app loading speeds, and gaming capabilities. While it may not match the performance of high-end devices, the Vivo Y21 offers a satisfactory performance for its price range.

Software and User Interface

The Vivo Y21 comes with the Android 11 operating system, running on the Funtouch 11.1 user interface. This combination offers users a smooth and responsive software experience. The Funtouch OS provides a range of customization options, allowing users to personalize their device to suit their preferences. The interface is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for users to navigate through the various features and settings.

One aspect worth noting is that the Vivo Y21 does come with some pre-installed apps, which may be considered bloatware by some users. However, these apps can be uninstalled or disabled if they are not needed, allowing users to free up storage space and streamline their device's functionality.

The Funtouch OS also offers several useful features and functionalities. For instance, the device has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for quick and convenient unlocking. Additionally, the software supports various sensors such as accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass, enhancing the overall user experience.

Overall, the software of the Vivo Y21 provides a stable and efficient performance, with the Android 11 operating system offering the latest features and security updates. The Funtouch 11.1 interface adds a layer of customization and user-friendliness, allowing users to tailor their device to their liking. While there are pre-installed apps, they can be managed to optimize storage space and streamline the device's functionality.

Camera

The Vivo Y21 features a dual-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 13-megapixel wide lens with an aperture of f/2.2 and a 2-megapixel macro lens with an aperture of f/2.4. The primary camera captures images with decent sharpness and detail, particularly in well-lit conditions. It performs well for daylight photography, producing natural colors and good dynamic range. The camera also offers features like LED flash for low-light situations, but its performance in low-light conditions is average due to the lack of image stabilization and low-light sensitivity.

Indoor photography with the Vivo Y21's camera is acceptable, but it may struggle with noise reduction in lower lighting environments. However, the device does not have a dedicated night mode, which affects its ability to capture high-quality images in challenging low-light scenarios.

In terms of video recording, the Vivo Y21 can shoot videos in 1080p resolution at 30fps. While it lacks 4K video recording capability, the device does offer video stabilization, which helps reduce shakiness while capturing footage. The camera also supports slow-motion video and time-lapse, allowing users to add creative effects to their videos. Overall, the Vivo Y21's camera is suitable for casual photography needs but may not deliver the same level of image quality and versatility as higher-end smartphone cameras.

Battery Life

The Vivo Y21 is equipped with a powerful 5000 mAh non-removable Li-Po battery, which ensures a long-lasting battery life. This large capacity battery provides excellent standby time and screen-on time, allowing users to enjoy their device for extended periods without worrying about running out of power. The device supports 18W wired fast charging technology, enabling users to quickly recharge their device and get back to using it. With its power-efficient hardware and optimized software, the Vivo Y21 offers good battery performance and optimization features. The battery management system helps in ensuring battery longevity and endurance. Users can also take advantage of the battery saver feature, which helps in reducing battery drain and maximizing battery backup. Overall, the Vivo Y21 offers a reliable and efficient battery that can easily last through a day of heavy usage.

Connectivity and Networking

The Vivo Y21 offers a range of connectivity options to keep you connected wherever you go. It supports network compatibility with GSM, HSPA, and LTE, ensuring reliable connectivity and fast data speeds. With its dual SIM capability, you can use two different SIM cards simultaneously, making it convenient for managing personal and work contacts.

When it comes to wireless connectivity, the Vivo Y21 supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, allowing you to connect to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi networks. This ensures a stable and fast internet connection, whether you're streaming videos, browsing the web, or downloading files. The device also supports Wi-Fi Direct, which enables you to easily transfer files between compatible devices without the need for an internet connection.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported on the Vivo Y21, allowing you to connect wirelessly to other Bluetooth-enabled devices such as headphones, speakers, and smartwatches. It offers improved speed and range compared to previous versions of Bluetooth, ensuring a seamless and reliable connection.

For navigation and location services, the Vivo Y21 features GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS. These satellite systems provide accurate positioning information, making it easy to navigate and find your way using popular mapping apps.

In terms of physical connectivity, the Vivo Y21 comes with a USB Type-C 2.0 port, which allows for fast data transfer and charging. It also supports USB On-The-Go (OTG), enabling you to connect external storage devices and accessories such as USB flash drives and game controllers.

Overall, the Vivo Y21 offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options, making it a versatile device for staying connected and accessing the internet on the go.

Additional Features

• The Vivo Y21 comes with a range of standout features that enhance the user experience. One notable feature is its water and dust resistance, which ensures that the device is protected from accidental spills and everyday dust particles. Although it does not have an official IP rating, the phone is built with a durable glass front, plastic frame, and plastic back, making it more resistant to water and dust than other smartphones in its price range.


• In terms of additional sensors, the Vivo Y21 is equipped with a variety of advanced sensors. These include an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and compass. These sensors enable various features such as auto-rotate, motion gestures, and accurate navigation.


• The phone also supports Qi wireless charging, allowing users to conveniently charge their device without the need for cables. This feature is particularly useful for those who prefer a wireless charging experience.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Vivo Y21 with related gadgets in the market, it becomes evident that it offers a competitive set of features at an affordable price point. One of its key competitors is the Xiaomi Redmi 9, which also targets the budget segment. Both phones offer similar specifications, such as a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display and a dual-camera setup. However, the Vivo Y21 stands out with its larger battery capacity of 5000 mAh, compared to the Redmi 9's 5020 mAh.

In terms of performance, the Vivo Y21 is powered by a MediaTek Helio P35 chipset, which is comparable to the Redmi 9's MediaTek Helio G80. Both chipsets offer decent performance for day-to-day tasks and casual gaming. However, the Redmi 9 does have an advantage with its higher RAM options, offering up to 6GB compared to the Y21's 4GB.

When it comes to unique features, the Vivo Y21 boasts a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for added security and convenience. This is a notable advantage over the Redmi 9, which only offers a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. Additionally, the Y21 supports OTG (On-The-Go) functionality, allowing users to connect external devices such as USB drives.

In terms of pricing, the Vivo Y21 is priced competitively at around ₹13,490, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers. Comparatively, the Redmi 9 is priced slightly higher at around ₹13,999. This makes the Vivo Y21 a more cost-effective choice, considering its similar specifications and features.

In the competitive landscape, Vivo faces tough competition from other smartphone brands such as Samsung, Realme, and OPPO. However, the Y21's value for money proposition and its unique features give it a competitive advantage in the budget segment. Vivo has managed to position the Y21 as a reliable and affordable smartphone option, appealing to consumers who prioritize battery life and security features.

Overall, the Vivo Y21 offers a strong combination of features, performance, and affordability, making it a worthy contender in the budget smartphone market. It competes well with devices like the Xiaomi Redmi 9, providing consumers with a compelling alternative in terms of pricing and unique features.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Vivo Y21 offers a budget-friendly option with some notable features. Its 6.51-inch IPS LCD display provides decent visuals, while the Mediatek Helio P35 chipset and 4GB of RAM ensure smooth performance for everyday tasks. The 13MP dual rear camera setup captures satisfactory photos, and the 8MP front camera is suitable for selfies. The device also boasts a large 5000mAh battery, ensuring a long-lasting usage experience. However, it is essential to note that the phone lacks NFC support and has a plastic build. Overall, the Vivo Y21 is a reliable choice for those seeking an affordable smartphone with decent specifications and reliable battery life.