Introduction to the Vivo Y78 5G
The Vivo Y78 5G brings 5G technology to the budget-conscious market, featuring solid specifications at a very reasonable price. Vivo’s goal with the Y78 is to provide a smartphone that meets the demands of modern users, including fast internet speeds, a long-lasting battery, and sufficient performance for everyday tasks. In this article, we provide an in-depth review of the Vivo Y78 5G’s design, performance, display, camera, and more, to see if it truly delivers value.
With 5G becoming increasingly prevalent, Vivo’s Y78 provides a great entry point for users who want to experience faster speeds without investing in a flagship model. Priced below many competitors, the Vivo Y78 may just be the ideal budget-friendly option with 5G, especially for users prioritizing a reliable smartphone experience without premium costs.
Design and Build Quality
Vivo has clearly put effort into the Y78’s design, which is sleek and modern. The phone has a lightweight plastic frame, making it durable yet easy to handle. While plastic doesn’t feel as premium as metal or glass, it makes the Y78 lightweight at around 190 grams. The 2.5D curved edges give it a comfortable hold and a sophisticated look that’s often found in higher-end models.
The back of the phone has a glossy finish, which, although attractive, can be a magnet for fingerprints. Vivo includes a transparent protective case, which helps keep the phone smudge-free. The Y78 5G also features a dual-camera module that sits flush with the body, reducing the chance of scratches on the camera lens. Available in Midnight Black and Shining Blue, the color options cater to users who prefer both subtle and bold designs.
Display Quality and Performance
The Vivo Y78 5G sports a 6.58-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 2408 x 1080 pixels, providing a crisp and detailed viewing experience. While it lacks the deep blacks and vivid contrasts of AMOLED displays, Vivo has tuned the colors well for an IPS LCD. It’s great for everyday use, including browsing, video streaming, and social media scrolling.
Additionally, the display has a 90Hz refresh rate, which offers smoother visuals when compared to the more standard 60Hz on budget phones. Users will notice a difference when scrolling through apps or navigating the interface. However, it’s worth mentioning that at maximum brightness, the screen may struggle a bit under direct sunlight. With adaptive brightness, the display adjusts according to ambient light, but users may still need to manually increase brightness outdoors.
Processing Power and Hardware Specifications
Under the hood, the Vivo Y78 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset, a reliable mid-range processor with an octa-core setup. This chipset is designed to balance power efficiency with performance, supporting day-to-day tasks smoothly. The phone’s memory configuration includes options of 4GB or 6GB of RAM, depending on the variant, and both models include RAM expansion technology to boost memory by using a portion of the internal storage.
While the MediaTek Dimensity 700 is not intended for intensive gaming, it holds up well for light to moderate tasks. Apps load relatively quickly, and multitasking is smooth with minimal lag. For users interested in gaming, titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile run at low to medium settings with no major issues. However, resource-intensive games may show occasional stutters, and high graphic settings could impact performance.
Software and User Interface Experience
The Vivo Y78 5G operates on Funtouch OS 12, based on Android 12, bringing Vivo’s distinct software customization to the table. Funtouch OS has evolved over the years to offer a user-friendly interface with plenty of customization options. Users have access to features like dynamic wallpapers, gesture-based navigation, and a range of Vivo-specific widgets. For those new to Funtouch, the learning curve is minimal as it shares similarities with stock Android while offering additional tools.
One downside is the presence of some pre-installed apps, often referred to as bloatware. While most can be uninstalled, they take up initial storage space and might clutter the app drawer. Fortunately, Vivo’s update policy has improved, and the Y78 5G will likely receive security patches and some feature updates, although major OS updates might be slower.
Camera Capabilities
The Vivo Y78 5G has a dual-camera setup, including a 50MP primary sensor paired with a 2MP depth sensor. The 50MP main camera is quite capable in good lighting, capturing detailed images with a fair color balance. Vivo’s AI scene recognition feature enhances photos by adjusting saturation, contrast, and sharpness based on the scene, which can be useful for casual photographers.
In low light, however, the camera’s limitations become apparent. Without optical image stabilization (OIS), low-light photos tend to show more noise and less detail. Vivo has implemented a Night Mode, which helps to some extent but does not completely eliminate noise. The 8MP front camera, on the other hand, performs well for selfies, and Vivo’s portrait and beautification modes add an extra touch to make photos social media-ready.
Battery Life and Charging Speed
Battery life is one of the standout features of the Vivo Y78 5G, thanks to its substantial 5000mAh battery. Vivo’s battery optimizations and the efficiency of the MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset allow the phone to comfortably last a full day with moderate to heavy usage. For most users, screen-on time averages between 7-8 hours, which includes activities like browsing, streaming, and light gaming.
For charging, the Y78 supports 18W fast charging. While it may not be the fastest on the market, it’s sufficient for casual use, taking around two hours to charge from 0 to 100%. Considering the battery’s long life, a daily charge is often enough, and many users will find they can go a full day without needing to recharge.
5G and Connectivity
The Vivo Y78 5G’s 5G capability is a major selling point, particularly in this price segment. Equipped with dual-mode 5G, the phone provides stable connectivity in areas with 5G coverage. Speeds are noticeably faster compared to 4G, allowing for smoother streaming, quicker downloads, and better online gaming experiences. The phone also supports Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, and dual SIM functionality, giving users flexibility in connectivity options.
Dual-mode 5G allows the phone to switch between SA (standalone) and NSA (non-standalone) networks, making it compatible with various 5G networks. This ensures that as 5G infrastructure continues to expand, the Y78 will remain capable of delivering strong performance. However, for those in areas where 5G is still in development, the phone also handles 4G LTE seamlessly.
Audio and Sound Quality
The audio quality of the Vivo Y78 5G is decent for a budget device. It includes a single bottom-firing speaker that’s loud enough for casual media consumption. While the sound lacks depth and is not as rich as dual-speaker setups, it’s sufficient for videos, music, and gaming at moderate volumes. There is some distortion at maximum volume, so users may prefer using headphones for a better experience.
Fortunately, the phone includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing users to connect wired headphones without any adapters. For audio quality through headphones, the Vivo Y78 delivers a balanced sound that works well with most genres. With Bluetooth 5.1, it also supports wireless audio connections, including high-quality audio codecs for compatible headphones.
Storage Options and Expandability
The Vivo Y78 5G comes in two storage configurations: 64GB and 128GB. For many users, 64GB may be enough for basic usage, though the 128GB version is better suited for those who store more media files or apps. If you need more storage, the Y78 5G includes a microSD card slot, supporting expandable storage up to 1TB. This option provides significant flexibility for users who want to store additional photos, videos, or large apps without impacting the phone’s main storage.
Security Features: Fingerprint and Face Unlock
The Vivo Y78 5G incorporates a side-mounted fingerprint sensor within the power button, making it easily accessible and responsive. Users find it convenient for quick unlocking without needing to move their fingers around the back or front of the device. Vivo’s sensor is fast and accurate, typically unlocking the device on the first try.
Additionally, Vivo includes face unlock as an alternative option. This feature works well in good lighting, although it may struggle in low-light conditions. Both security options add convenience to the phone and ensure that users can secure their device based on personal preferences.
Gaming Performance and Capabilities
As a budget phone, the Vivo Y78 5G is not specifically built for gaming, but it performs adequately for casual gaming sessions. The 90Hz refresh rate enhances the experience in games that support it, adding to smoother animations. For lightweight games like Subway Surfers or Candy Crush, performance is excellent, and for moderately demanding titles, the phone can handle low to medium settings comfortably.
However, for graphically intensive games, users might notice occasional frame drops, especially at higher settings. Games like Genshin Impact and Asphalt 9 can be played, but performance is capped at lower settings to avoid overheating and excessive battery drain.
Pros and Cons of the Vivo Y78 5G
Summing up the Vivo Y78 5G’s advantages and disadvantages can help potential buyers make an informed decision. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Pros: Affordable price, solid 5G connectivity, excellent battery life, decent camera for daylight photography, and expandable storage.
- Cons: Limited performance in high-end gaming, average low-light camera quality, single speaker with modest sound, and lack of AMOLED display.
Comparing Vivo Y78 5G with Competitors
In the budget 5G market, the Vivo Y78 5G faces strong competition from models like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 5G, Realme 8 5G, and Samsung Galaxy A32 5G. Each device has its unique strengths: the Redmi Note 11 5G offers an AMOLED display, while the Realme 8 5G includes faster charging and a slightly better camera system. However, the Vivo Y78 shines in battery life and design, making it a solid choice for users who prioritize endurance and a good overall experience.
Final Verdict
Overall, the Vivo Y78 5G is a great option for users looking to experience 5G without breaking the bank. Its balanced performance, long-lasting battery, and practical design make it a well-rounded choice in the budget category. While it may not excel in high-performance gaming or photography, it offers more than enough for day-to-day usage and is a strong contender for users focused on battery life and 5G connectivity. For its price range, the Vivo Y78 5G is a dependable and affordable entry into 5G, especially for users who value longevity and connectivity.