The smartphone market is constantly evolving, with new models being introduced frequently, each offering unique features and advancements. One of the standout options in the mid-range segment is the Vivo S20, a device that promises an excellent balance between performance, design, and camera capabilities. Launched in 2020, the Vivo S20 garnered attention for its sleek design, powerful internals, and impressive photography features. Let’s dive deeper into this smartphone and explore what it offers.
Design and Build Quality
The Vivo S20 comes with a sleek, modern design that immediately stands out in the crowded smartphone market. At first glance, the S20 has an ultra-thin profile that is both lightweight and comfortable to hold. The device measures 159.6 x 73.9 x 7.38 mm and weighs around 173 grams, making it quite ergonomic in the hand. The phone is available in a variety of vibrant colors, including Sunset Jazz, Monet, and Midnight Blue, each of which adds to the aesthetic appeal of the device.
The front of the Vivo S20 is dominated by a 6.44-inch AMOLED display that curves gently around the edges, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The AMOLED panel provides an immersive viewing experience, and with a 90Hz refresh rate, the screen feels smooth when scrolling through apps or gaming. The screen also supports HDR10+, making it ideal for watching high-definition videos on platforms like YouTube and Netflix.
On the rear, the Vivo S20 features a triple-camera setup arranged in a vertical alignment. The gradient color scheme of the rear panel creates a visually appealing effect, especially under different lighting conditions. The rear panel is made of glass, which adds a premium feel to the device, though it is prone to fingerprints. Fortunately, Vivo includes a transparent silicone case in the box to help protect the phone while keeping the design visible.
Display Quality
The 6.44-inch AMOLED display on the Vivo S20 is one of the key highlights of this phone. It has a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, translating to a pixel density of around 409 PPI, which ensures sharp text and clear images. The screen offers excellent color reproduction and deep blacks thanks to the AMOLED technology, making it perfect for watching movies, gaming, and browsing through social media.
With support for HDR10+, the Vivo S20 allows users to enjoy HDR content from various streaming platforms. The display is also quite bright, with a peak brightness level of 1,000 nits, which makes it usable even under direct sunlight. The 90Hz refresh rate makes animations and transitions smoother, providing a more fluid experience, especially for users who engage in mobile gaming or scroll through content frequently.
Performance and Hardware
Under the hood, the Vivo S20 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 800U chipset, an efficient mid-range processor built on a 7nm process. This chipset is coupled with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, providing a solid performance that can handle everyday tasks, multitasking, and light to moderate gaming without any major hiccups. The device runs on Funtouch OS 10.5, which is based on Android 10. Funtouch OS comes with a number of customizations and features like Smart Mirror for screen mirroring, Game Mode for optimizing gaming performance, and Dark Mode for an enhanced visual experience.
The Dimensity 800U is a capable chipset that delivers good performance in both single-core and multi-core tasks. While it may not rival the flagship Snapdragon 865 or the Apple A13 Bionic, it performs well in terms of daily operations like browsing, social media, email, and light gaming. When it comes to gaming, titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile can be played on medium to high settings with smooth frame rates.
The phone supports 5G connectivity, which is an added bonus for users looking to future-proof their device. As 5G networks continue to expand, the Vivo S20 is ready to take advantage of faster download speeds and improved network performance.
Cameras: A Highlight of the Vivo S20
The camera capabilities of the Vivo S20 are one of its standout features, particularly the selfie camera, which is among the best in its class. The device is equipped with a triple-camera setup on the rear and a dual front camera for stunning selfies.
Rear Camera Setup:
- 64MP primary sensor: The main camera captures detailed, sharp images with vibrant colors, even in challenging lighting conditions. It supports 4K video recording at 30fps and offers excellent performance in both day and night photography.
- 8MP ultra-wide sensor: This sensor has a 120-degree field of view and is great for capturing expansive landscapes, group shots, and architecture.
- 2MP depth sensor: Used for calculating the depth of field, this sensor is designed to improve portrait shots, providing a nice bokeh effect in the background while keeping the subject in sharp focus.
The night mode on the rear camera allows the device to take clear and bright photos even in low-light situations. Additionally, the camera supports features like AI scene recognition, Super Macro Mode, and Super Night Mode to enhance the overall photography experience.
Front Camera:
The front camera of the Vivo S20 is particularly impressive. It houses a 44MP primary sensor paired with an 8MP ultra-wide sensor. This combination ensures that selfies are detailed and sharp, even in low-light conditions. The AI beauty mode can smooth out skin tones and enhance facial features, while the ultra-wide camera allows for group selfies. The front camera also supports 4K video recording at 30fps, making it a great choice for vloggers and social media influencers.
The dual front-camera setup allows users to capture wide-angle selfies and make use of bokeh effects for more professional-looking shots. Whether you’re taking selfies, group photos, or recording videos, the Vivo S20’s front camera is versatile and performs excellently.
Battery Life
The Vivo S20 is equipped with a 4000mAh battery, which provides decent battery life for a device of this size. During normal use, which includes social media browsing, occasional gaming, and video streaming, the phone can easily last through a full day without requiring a recharge. For more demanding users, heavy gaming or video playback may require a mid-day charge, but the battery is still quite efficient considering the device’s performance capabilities.
The Vivo S20 supports 33W fast charging via USB Type-C, allowing users to quickly charge the phone to about 60% in just 30 minutes and up to 100% in around 70 minutes. This fast-charging capability is a great feature for those who are always on the go and need to quickly top up their battery.
Software and Features
The Vivo S20 runs on Funtouch OS 10.5, which is based on Android 10. While Funtouch OS has received criticism in the past for being too heavy-handed in its customizations, the latest version feels more refined and user-friendly. It comes with a host of features like Smart Motion, Ultra Game Mode, and Super Screenshot, enhancing the overall user experience.
Additionally, the phone includes Jovi AI, Vivo’s artificial intelligence assistant, which can help with tasks like managing notifications, controlling smart home devices, and providing suggestions for apps and settings based on your usage patterns.
The Vivo S20 also offers multi-window support, enabling users to run two apps side-by-side, and Dark Mode, which reduces eye strain and extends battery life by using darker UI elements.
Vivo S20 Specifications
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Design | Dimensions: 159.6 x 73.9 x 7.38 mm |
| Weight: 173 grams | |
| Build: Glass front, glass back, plastic frame | |
| Colors: Sunset Jazz, Monet, Midnight Blue | |
| Display | Size: 6.44 inches |
| Type: AMOLED, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors | |
| Resolution: 2400 x 1080 pixels (~409 ppi density) | |
| Aspect Ratio: 20:9 | |
| Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | |
| Refresh Rate: 90Hz | |
| HDR: HDR10+ | |
| Platform | OS: Android 10, Funtouch OS 10.5 |
| Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | |
| CPU: Octa-core (2×2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | |
| GPU: Mali-G57 MC3 | |
| Memory | RAM: 8GB |
| Internal Storage: 128GB | |
| Expandable Storage: No (No microSD card slot) | |
| Main Camera | 64 MP (f/1.9, wide, PDAF) |
| (Rear) | 8 MP (f/2.2, 120˚ ultrawide) |
| 2 MP (f/2.4, depth sensor) | |
| Features: LED flash, HDR, panorama | |
| Video: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@30fps, gyro-EIS | |
| Selfie Camera | 44 MP (f/2.0, wide) |
| (Front) | 8 MP (f/2.2, ultrawide) |
| Features: HDR, 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | |
| Battery | Capacity: 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging: 33W fast charging (50% in 30 minutes, 100% in ~70 minutes) | |
| Connectivity | Network: 5G, 4G LTE, 3G, 2G |
| Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | |
| Bluetooth: 5.1, A2DP, LE | |
| GPS: Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | |
| USB: USB Type-C 2.0, USB On-The-Go | |
| NFC: Yes (depending on region) | |
| Audio: 3.5mm audio jack | |
| Sensors | Fingerprint: Under-display, optical |
| Accelerometer: Yes | |
| Gyroscope: Yes | |
| Proximity: Yes | |
| Compass: Yes | |
| Other Features | Dual SIM: Nano-SIM and Nano-SIM, dual standby |
| Fast Charging: 33W FlashCharge | |
| Face Unlock: Yes | |
| AI Enhancements: AI scene recognition, AI beauty mode, Super Night Mode, Super Macro Mode | |
| Price | Varies by region and retailer, generally in the mid-range price segment. |
Conclusion
The Vivo S20 is an impressive smartphone that provides a great mix of style, performance, and camera capabilities. Whether you’re looking for a phone with a stunning display, powerful internals, or excellent photography features, the Vivo S20 offers a well-rounded package at a competitive price point. It’s especially well-suited for selfie enthusiasts and content creators who prioritize camera quality.
While it may not be the most powerful phone on the market, the Vivo S20 excels in offering a balanced experience with a premium design, solid performance, and a great camera setup. Whether you’re an avid gamer, photographer, or just looking for a reliable all-around smartphone, the Vivo S20 is definitely worth considering.