A Comprehensive Review of Vivo’s Latest Budget-Friendly 5G Smartphone

In a world where the technology landscape is changing at lightning speed, the demand for 5G-enabled smartphones has skyrocketed. While high-end smartphones often come packed with 5G capabilities, finding a budget-friendly 5G device that doesn’t compromise on essential features can be challenging. That’s where Vivo’s latest release, the Vivo Y300 5G, comes into play. Priced to appeal to budget-conscious consumers, the Vivo Y300 5G promises impressive performance, seamless connectivity, and a design that stands out in the competitive mid-range smartphone market. In this review, we’ll dive into what makes the Vivo Y300 5G a strong contender and explore whether it lives up to the expectations.

Design and Build Quality

The Vivo Y300 5G sports a sleek, modern design that mirrors some of Vivo’s more premium models, making it an attractive option at its price point. Available in two colors, Stardust Black and Ice Blue, the phone’s glossy finish and curved edges give it a refined look. At 8.3 mm thick and weighing around 185 grams, the Y300 feels surprisingly lightweight and easy to handle. The rear panel is plastic but manages to avoid looking or feeling cheap, offering a good grip and minimal fingerprint smudging.

The front features a large 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels, which, although not Full HD, delivers vibrant colors and sharp images for daily tasks, video streaming, and light gaming. With thin bezels and a small waterdrop notch at the top, the screen-to-body ratio is maximized, offering an immersive experience for users who prioritize screen size.

Display and Visual Experience

While the Vivo Y300 5G doesn’t boast an AMOLED display, its 6.5-inch HD+ LCD panel holds its own, especially for an entry-level 5G smartphone. The colors are reasonably bright, and viewing angles are solid, making it more than sufficient for casual users who enjoy video content or social media. The 720p resolution may be noticeable to those accustomed to higher resolution screens, but for a budget device, it’s par for the course and should not be a dealbreaker. The display offers decent brightness levels, making it usable in both indoor and moderately bright outdoor conditions.

While high refresh rates have become popular among mid-range and premium devices, the Vivo Y300 5G features a standard 60Hz refresh rate. Although this might be a drawback for avid gamers and those looking for ultra-smooth scrolling, it’s a reasonable trade-off that helps to keep the price down while still offering a satisfactory viewing experience.

Performance: Processor, RAM, and Storage

Under the hood, the Vivo Y300 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset, which is a popular choice for budget-friendly 5G devices due to its balance between performance and energy efficiency. The Dimensity 700, combined with 4GB of RAM, ensures smooth performance for most day-to-day tasks such as browsing, messaging, and using social media apps. Basic gaming, like titles such as Subway Surfers or Candy Crush, performs smoothly, but graphic-intensive games like PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact may require lower settings for optimal gameplay.

In terms of storage, the Vivo Y300 5G comes with 64GB of internal storage, which might feel limited for those who keep a large collection of photos, apps, and games. Fortunately, there is an option to expand storage via a microSD card, which can be a lifesaver for those looking to store more content without needing to upgrade to a pricier model.

Software Experience: FunTouch OS

The Vivo Y300 5G runs on Vivo’s custom FunTouch OS based on Android 12, a UI that is designed to offer a highly customizable experience. FunTouch OS comes with a variety of options to tweak the interface, change themes, and adjust icons, providing a degree of personalization not always found on other budget devices. However, the UI can feel a bit overwhelming due to the inclusion of bloatware and pre-installed apps.

That said, Vivo has made strides to improve the software experience, and most users will find that once they’ve arranged their apps and tweaked settings, the interface is responsive and functional. FunTouch OS also includes some handy features like an Ultra Game Mode, which optimizes the phone for gaming by blocking notifications and enhancing performance, as well as an Eye Protection Mode that adjusts the screen to be gentler on the eyes in low-light conditions.

Camera Setup and Quality

For photography, the Vivo Y300 5G offers a dual-camera setup on the rear, featuring a 13MP main camera and a 2MP depth sensor. While it’s not a triple- or quad-lens camera setup like we see on pricier models, the primary camera does an admirable job of capturing sharp and vibrant images in good lighting. In daylight conditions, the 13MP sensor captures decent detail with accurate colors. However, in low-light settings, the camera quality does decline, with noise becoming more apparent.

The depth sensor helps improve portrait shots, adding a pleasant bokeh effect that’s ideal for social media. For users who mainly use their cameras for casual shots and social media posts, the Y300’s camera setup should be more than sufficient.

On the front, the 8MP selfie camera is capable of taking decent selfies in well-lit environments, though the quality drops in dim lighting. It comes with several AI beauty features, which are popular among Vivo users, allowing for slight enhancements to make selfies look polished. Overall, while the Vivo Y300 5G doesn’t aim to compete with camera-focused smartphones, it delivers good results for everyday photography.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is a standout feature on the Vivo Y300 5G. With a 5000mAh battery, this device can comfortably last a full day on a single charge, even with moderate usage. The energy-efficient Dimensity 700 processor further enhances battery longevity, making it possible to get through a day with tasks like streaming, browsing, and messaging without needing to reach for the charger.

The phone supports 18W fast charging, which is decent for its price range, though it’s worth noting that some competitors in the budget space now offer slightly faster charging speeds. The Y300 5G’s charging isn’t the fastest, but it gets the job done, taking a little over an hour and a half to reach a full charge from 0 to 100%. Overall, for users prioritizing long battery life over ultra-fast charging, the Vivo Y300 5G’s battery performance is sure to impress.

5G Connectivity and Network Performance

As the name suggests, one of the highlights of the Vivo Y300 5G is its 5G capability. The inclusion of 5G at this price point is a huge plus, as it means users can experience faster download and upload speeds in areas with 5G coverage. This is particularly valuable for those who stream a lot of content or rely on high-speed internet on the go.

The Vivo Y300 5G supports dual-SIM functionality, making it an ideal choice for users who want the flexibility of managing two numbers on one device, whether for business or personal use. During tests, call quality was clear, and signal reception remained strong, which is a promising sign for those who often find themselves in areas with spotty reception.

Final Verdict: Is the Vivo Y300 5G Worth It?

The Vivo Y300 5G presents itself as an excellent option for budget-conscious consumers looking to enter the world of 5G without breaking the bank. With a stylish design, dependable performance, and the promise of future-proofed connectivity, the Y300 5G checks off a lot of boxes for those looking for an entry-level 5G smartphone.

However, it’s important to consider the trade-offs. The display isn’t Full HD, and there’s no ultra-fast refresh rate or advanced camera setup, but for the price, Vivo has done an impressive job balancing the essentials. For users focused on basic tasks, long battery life, and occasional photos, the Vivo Y300 5G is a solid choice that will more than meet daily needs.

For anyone ready to step into the 5G era on a budget, the Vivo Y300 5G provides an affordable, reliable option that covers all the basics. It may not have all the bells and whistles of flagship devices, but it’s a commendable budget phone that’s built to keep you connected, stylish, and ahead of the curve. How was our post, please comment below and stay tuned with us.