Folding phones, pop-up cameras, 5G, and multiple camera lenses. These days, most smartphone manufacturers are too focused on innovations that would set them apart from the others. The “pioneering” tag has never been most sought after than today. While the design is definitely not overlooked, it is still refreshing to see the Vivo V15 Blossom Pink built especially for a niche market.
Design: 5/5
Vivo V15 Blossom Pink is as feminine as you can get. The soft pink shade will awaken the Elle Woods in you. It’s almost like an accessory than a smartphone. It won’t look like an oddball when mixed with the contents of a kikay (vanity) kit. The rear surface is glossy and shimmery. The 6.53-inch body can be quite a handful for small hands but with the trend these days, the size is just standard. The selfie camera pops up just a teenie weenie bit and is almost unnoticeable in dim places. Vivo also retains the headphone jack and USB connector.
Hardware: 4/5
Vivo V15 Blossom Pink runs on MediaTek Helio P70 2.1GHz octa-core processor with 6GB of RAM. Internal storage is at 128GB so take all the photos and videos you want. It’s dual nano SIM and the cellular network is 4G LTE. The selfie camera, which Vivo is aggressively promoting, is at 32MP f/2.0. The rear triple camera’s specifications include 12MP + 8MP + 5MP. Other features include Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection, 4,000mAh battery capacity with Dual-Engine fast charging, a micro USB port, and runs on Android 9 Pie (FunTouch OS 9). The rear-mounted fingerprint scanner is easy to use.
User Experience: 4/5
When purchasing smartphones, the camera is the biggest consideration these days. So, props to Vivo for making so much effort in developing the Elevating Front Facing Camera. It also feels sturdy because moving parts in smartphone can get pretty scary. I brought the camera in a concert venue to test the zoom and its low-light capabilities. The output is decent enough and can be used or shared in social media. Since the phone is targeted toward female users who love taking selfies, the 32MP front-facing camera takes “blooming selfies” in natural light. Outdoor selfies really look good with sharp images even without using the beauty filter. The rear camera setup has autofocus that casual snappers can use with ease.
We also took videos during a concert and the playback is good and the sound is surprisingly clear. I am amazed that the song drowns other background noise.
The battery withstood the grueling use in gaming with its built-in 4,000mAh battery and Dual-Engine fast charging. Charged it in the morning and using it all day the battery level is still at 30%, which you cannot do with other phones. That alone is remarkable. The bezel-less display is what can win users over because they can play with a “wide-screen” and video watching is also something to look forward to when using the device.
Running on MediaTek Helio P70 2.1GHz octa-core processor, the device is able to handle moderate use with ease. The body doesn’t need a housing or casing because even if it’s smooth, it’s not slippery at all.
Value: 4/5
The Vivo V15 has most of the premium features its sibling the Vivo V15 Pro has. It also possesses all the essentials many female users need and the Elevating Selfie Camera is just perfect even for group shots. The wide-angle lens is a surefire way to win a photography enthusiast’s heart. Shelling out PHP 17,999 is a good investment for an eye-candy but full of power accessory.
Specifications:
- Display: 6.53-inch 19.5:9 FHD+ Ultra FullView display @ 2340 x 1080px, 91.64% screen-to-body ratio Corning Gorilla Glass 5
- Processor: MediaTek Helio P70 2.1GHz octa-core
- GPU: Mali-G72 MP3
- RAM: 6 GB
- Memory: 128 GB
- SIM: Dual
- Front camera: 32 MP with f/2.0 aperture
- Rear cameras: 12 MP f/1.78 + 8MP f/2.2 + 5MP f/2.4 with AI and LED flash
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou micro USB, fingerprint scanner (rear-mounted), Jovi AI, 3.5mm audio port
- Operating system: FunTouch OS 9 (based on Android 9)
- Battery: 4,000mAh battery (with Dual-Engine fast charging)
- Dimensions: 161.2 x 75.9 x 8.5 mm
- Weight:186 g
What’s Hot:
- Color and Design
- Clear Audio
What’s Not:
- Experienced a bit of lag while playing games.
Bottomline:
Love pink? Get it.
Also published in GADGETS MAGAZINE July 2019 Issue
Reviewed by Marlet D. Salazar