Vivo Y02 Review: Surprisingly Good on a Budget
In a world of stark contrasts, where flagship smartphones like the Vivo X70 Pro Plus dazzle with their premium features, we turn our attention to the other end of the spectrum – the budget-friendly Vivo Y02. While it may be one of the most affordable options on the market, it manages to exceed expectations in several key areas.
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Market Positioning:
Priced slightly above PKR 32,999, the Vivo Y02 offers a compelling package, particularly considering the budget-friendly tag. In a market crowded with options in this price range, it’s easy to dismiss it as a “grandma phone.” However, a closer look reveals a hidden gem.
What’s in the Box:
The Vivo Y02 package includes the smartphone itself, a microUSB charging cable, and a 10W power adapter. The absence of an included case is a drawback, but there’s a silver lining with a pre-applied protective screen film. However, this film lacks an oleophobic coating.
Design and Build:
From the front, the Vivo Y02 resembles your typical budget smartphone, with noticeable bezels, a teardrop-shaped camera notch at the top, and a chin at the bottom.
The real design surprise comes from the back. It features an attractive matte gradient finish, a metal insert, and a rounded decorative camera module housing two circles for the camera and flash. This design adds a touch of premium aesthetics to what should be an entry-level device.
Display:
The Vivo Y02 sports a 6.51-inch IPS display with an HD+ resolution of 1600×720 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 270 PPI. While it may not offer the sharpest visuals, it provides a comfortable viewing experience without straining your eyes. The inclusion of an eye protection feature further enhances the display’s user-friendliness. The screen offers decent brightness, making it suitable for outdoor use.
Performance:
Under the hood, the Vivo Y02 is equipped with a budget-friendly MediaTek Helio P22 processor with eight Cortex-A53 cores, 2GB of RAM, and a PowerVR GE8320 GPU. While it’s not a powerhouse, it handles everyday tasks smoothly, surprising users with its responsive interface. The device even manages to run popular games like Asphalt Nitro and Angry Birds 2, albeit with occasional lags. The absence of support for some heavy games like Genshin Impact is expected in this price range.
Connectivity:
The Vivo Y02’s hardware doesn’t offer modern features like NFC or a fingerprint scanner. However, it supports Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, and includes a 3.5mm headphone jack. The presence of a dedicated microSD slot for expandable storage is a welcome addition.
Software:
The device runs on FuntouchOS 12 based on Android 12 GO. While the GO version limits some advanced features, it ensures a straightforward and user-friendly interface. The inclusion of simplified mode, customizable navigation buttons, and useful settings like dark mode and auto-brightness enhance the overall user experience.
Camera:
The Vivo Y02 features a modest camera setup, consisting of a single 8-megapixel rear camera with an f/2.0 aperture. While it may not deliver flagship-level photography, it captures decent shots with guide lines and support for features like time-lapse and bokeh mode. The 5-megapixel front-facing camera handles selfies adequately.
Battery Life:
With a 5,000mAh battery, the Vivo Y02 offers impressive battery life, easily lasting a full day of usage. The device’s 10W charging, while not the fastest, is reasonable given its price range. It takes over 2 hours to charge from 5% to 100%, but it’s commendable that it reaches 50% in just an hour.
Conclusion:
The Vivo Y02 may have its limitations, such as the absence of NFC, a fingerprint scanner, and the use of microUSB for charging. However, it excels where it truly matters. It offers a surprisingly good gaming experience, decent camera performance, excellent battery life, and an attractive design—all at an affordable price point. For users seeking a budget smartphone that doesn’t compromise on essential features and functionality, the Vivo Y02 proves to be a hidden gem in the budget smartphone market. It’s a recommendation we wholeheartedly stand by.
