Vivo S20: Mid-Range Device with Massive
Vivo S20 Summary
The Vivo S20 is the latest offering from Vivo’s S-series of smartphones from the company, which targets users who want a little of everything — stylish, peppy performance and good-quality pictures and don’t want to break the bank. The Vivo S20 is positioned to serve as a mid-range smartphone offering a premium feel for a low price. But is it good as all the hype says it is? In such a comprehensive review, we will cover every aspect of the Vivo S20 whether it be the design, display and usability or camera and battery performance, to help you decide if it is the right smartphone for you.
Key Specification
Here’s a short roundup of Vivo S20’s main specs:
- Screen: 6.67-inch AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 820
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB (Not expandable)
- Rear Cameras: 50MP (primary) + 8MP (ultrawide)
- Front Camera: 50MP
- Battery: 6500mAh, 90W fast charging
- OS: Android 15, Funtouch OS 15
- Weight: 186g
- Colors: Midnight Black, Nebula Blue
Unboxing Experience
The Vivo S20 has a premium packaging box which has:
- Vivo S20 smartphone
- A 90W fast charger
- USB-C cable
- Clear silicone case
- SIM ejector tool
- User Manual and warranty card
At this price point, a premium unboxing experience and the inclusion of a fast charger and a case goes a long way.
Design, Build Quality, and Handling
Design: The phone comes with a variation of gradient finish at the back and the Nebula Blue variant changes colours when you look at it from various angles. The back camera module is well-laid out that makes the phone classy.
Build Quality: The phone comes in polycarbonate with a gloss finish and gives a glass-like impression. It does not feel very premium, if compared to a glass-backed phone, but the composite is light and resistant.
Handling: Weighing in at only 186g, the Vivo S20 is very comfortable to hold and use one-handed. The curved edges and slim profile make it easy to hold, even after hours of usage.
Display, Battery Life, and Charging Speed
The Vivo S20 Entertainment on a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
Display Quality: The AMOLED panel provides deep blacks and good contrast and viewing angles. Scrolling and animations feel buttery-smooth too, thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate.
Battery Life: Under moderate usage, the 6500mAh battery provides you with all-day battery life. If you are a heavy user, you can run out before the day is done.
Charging Speed: 90W fast charger is one of the highlights, charging the phone from 0 to 100% in slightly more than an hour. Then a quick 10-minute charge, and you’re ready to go with a few hours of use.
Software and Performance
It comes with Funtouch OS 15, which is built on Android 15. The software is packed with features, but it might seem overwhelming for users looking for an stock Android experience.
Performance: Heavy lifting is performed using the MediaTek Dimensity 820 chipset along with 8GB of RAM, which is adequate to tackle day-to-day tasks with ease on the Vivo S20. It is also suited to some casual gaming, although high settings in graphically demanding titles may not be practical.
Software Experience: As mentioned, Funtouch OS provides plenty of customization features, but the downside is that bloatware comes preinstalled and cannot be uninstalled. The UI is smooth, courtesy of its 120Hz display, although when first opening up device it’s going to take a little while to get used to the level of heavy customization.
Camera and photo and video performance
Camera features is one aspect where the Vivo S20 shines, particularly for a mid-range device.
Rear Cameras:
50MP Main Camera: Produces detailed and colorful images, especially under good lighting conditions. The dynamic range is also impressive, and the colors look natural.
8MP Ultra-Wide Camera: Decent for landscapes and group shots, though a little quality loss in low light.
Front Camera: It takes detailed and sharp photos, with natural-looking skin tones and good background blur in portrait mode, thanks to that 50MP selfie camera.
Video Recording: The phone supports video recording up to 4K (30fps). Stabilized and with decent detail in the image, the lack of optical image stabilization (OIS) if obvious in shaky conditions.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Sleek and lightweight design
- 120Hz AMOLED display with amazing vibrancy
- Great camera for the money
- Fast 90W charging
- Snappy performance to accomplish standard tasks
Cons:
- Funtouch OS, with pre-installed bloatware
- Average low-light camera performance
- No microSD card support
- Less premium feel with the polycarbonate build
Price and Availability
Vivo S20 Price and AvailabilityThe Vivo S20 is priced at around $299 (₹22,999 in India) which seems quite competitive in the mid-range segment. It comes in two colour options: Midnight Black and Nebula Blue.
Is It Available in India?
Yes, the Vivo S20 can be purchased in India on Vivo’s website, Flipkart and via offline retail channels. For Indian consumers in search of an stylish, feature-rich mid-range smartphone, this is a great option.
Final Verdict
The Vivo S20 is a perfectly good midrange device, with its fair share of design flair, performance and camera chops. It isn’t without its shortcomings, including the lack of expandable storage, battery life, and average low-light camera performance, but it does pack a punch for the price.
Why Should You Buy?
- Most stylish smartphone with a 120Hz display
- If you want a camera focus in a mid-range segment.
- If you want fast charging for fast top-ups.
Why Should You Not Buy?
- If you want a clean, bloatware free software experience.
- If you want a phone for extensive gaming and multitasking.
- If you prefer a premium build quality featuring glass or metal.
Conclusion
Overall, The Vivo S20 is an excellent, stylish, and feature-rich smartphone that doesn’t break the bank. With the great camera configuration, bright display, and fast charging features, it is one of the best options available in the mid-range segment. Which certainly isn’t a perfect phone, but is a very strong value play worth considering for anyone in the market for a new smartphone.
If all of the above characteristics are things you want from a device without spending too much, the Vivo S20 may be the device for you.
