vivo Y19s: A Feature-Packed Entry-Level Smartphone With Stellar Battery Life

Design and Build

The vivo Y19s comes with a sleek design measuring 165.8×76.1×8.1 mm, making it both stylish and comfortable to hold. Weighing in at 198 g, it strikes a decent balance between feeling substantial but not too bulky. The front of the phone is protected by glass, while the plastic back and frame ensure durability at a lower cost. The Y19s is available in three appealing color options: Glacier Blue, Glossy Black, and Pearl Silver, catering to a variety of tastes. Here are the relevant specs:

When it comes to the body of the vivo Y19s, its dimensions strike a good balance between having a large display and remaining comfortable to hold. At 198 g, it's not the lightest phone on the market, but it avoids the bulk of heavier devices like those with larger batteries or rugged builds.

For most users, it should feel relatively comfortable to hold for long periods, making it a good fit for tasks like watching videos, casual gaming, and browsing. It's still compact enough to slide into most pockets or bags without feeling overly intrusive.

However, users with smaller hands may find it a tad large for one-handed use, and those sensitive to phone weight might notice its presence over extended sessions. For most people though, it's likely to strike a comfortable middle ground between portability and usability.

The plastic back and frame of the vivo Y19s offer a few advantages. While plastic doesn't have the premium feel of metal or glass, it's more durable and resistant to shattering - so it's less likely to break if you drop it, making it a practical choice for daily use. The plastic back can also keep the phone relatively lightweight compared to glass-backed devices, which often add significant heft.

On the downside, plastic backs are more prone to scratches and may show signs of wear more quickly than glass, but using a case can easily mitigate this issue. The plastic frame is also less heat-conductive, which means the phone may stay cooler to the touch during extended use, especially with activities like gaming and video streaming. On the other hand, this property can impact the phone's performance in a negative way; however, its processor is not designed for very heavy workloads.

The vivo Y19s comes in three colors: Glacier Blue, Glossy Black, and Pearl Silver - each appealing to different aesthetics and personalities:

• Glacier Blue: This color is likely to attract users who enjoy a more vibrant and youthful look. It has a certain freshness to it, making it perfect for people who like to stand out with a pop of color and don't mind a little attention.
• Glossy Black: Glossy Black is the go-to option for users seeking a sleek, understated, and professional look. Black always brings a classic and timeless elegance to any device, making it ideal for business professionals or those who prefer a subtle yet refined aesthetic.
• Pearl Silver: This hue suits users who enjoy a balance between modern minimalism and a bit of shine. It offers a clean, polished appearance that can appeal to both minimalist design lovers and users who appreciate a touch of flair without being overly flashy.

In summary, whether you're after a professional, stylish look or a playful vibe, the Y19s provides a color to match your style, all while being comfortable and practical enough for everyday carry.

If we compare the vivo Y19s with the predecessor Y17s, it's gotten a bit larger and heavier, though it has retained the thickness. The Y17s was 163.7×75.4×8.1 mm and 186 g. Material-wise, it too featured a glass front and a plastic back and frame.

IP Rating and MIL-STD Compliance

(Related: IP ratings and MIL-STD explained.)

One key highlight of the vivo Y19s is its IP64 rating, meaning it offers dust and splash resistance, giving it a little extra durability for everyday mishaps. The phone also meets MIL-STD-810H compliance, but don't mistake it for a rugged device - it's not built for extreme conditions, though it has a drop-resistant design and can handle a bit of rough and tumble.

Here are the key tests under MIL-STD-810H for shock resistance:

• Shock Testing (Method 516.8): This test involves subjecting the device to sudden impacts and drops from various heights onto different surfaces. The device is dropped multiple times in various orientations to assess how well it can survive real-world accidents, such as falling off a table or slipping out of a bag.
• Vibration Testing (Method 514.8): This test simulates the vibrations a device might experience during transport or use, such as when it's carried in a bag while walking or in a car. The device is exposed to continuous vibrations over an extended period to see if any components become loose or damaged.
• Drop Testing: In addition to shock and vibration tests, drop tests are performed to assess the device ability to endure drops from typical heights (often around 1.2 to 1.5 meters) onto hard surfaces like concrete. This is crucial for assessing the durability of the device's build and materials.

While the vivo Y19s is MIL-STD-810H compliant for shock resistance, it's important to note that this does not equate to full MIL-STD-810H compliance found in typical rugged devices, which undergo the full suite of MIL-STD-810H tests, which can include resistance to extreme temperatures, humidity, salt fog, sand, and dust, as well as immersion in water.

In contrast, the Y19s's compliance is limited to specific shock and vibration tests relevant to everyday usage scenarios. This partial compliance means that while the device can handle occasional drops and minor shocks better than most non-rugged phones, it is not designed to endure the same level of environmental extremes that fully rugged phones can.

So, the vivo Y19s's MIL-STD-810H compliance provides a reassuring level of durability, though it should not be mistaken for the all-encompassing ruggedness of devices specifically designed for harsh environments. The Y19s is a robust choice for everyday scenarios, but users who need a phone for extreme conditions might want to consider a fully rugged device.

For comparison, the predecessor vivo Y17s came with an IP54 rating.

Display

(Related: Know more about the various kinds of displays and screen specs.)

The Y19s features a 6.68-inch IPS LCD display with a 90 Hz refresh rate, which is impressive at this price point. The high refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and a better visual experience in supported apps. However, the 720×1608 pixel resolution is on the lower side, especially given the screen size, resulting in a 264 PPI (pixels per inch) density. While the display offers good brightness and smooth visuals, users who crave higher-definition displays might notice the difference when comparing to Full HD+ screens.

vivo Y19s display. Image credit: vivo

Here are the relevant specs:

The display of the vivo Y19s is one of its key features, offering a solid viewing experience for an entry-level smartphone. The IPS LCD (In-Plane Switching Liquid Crystal Display) technology used in the phone is a solid choice for this price segment. IPS displays are known for offering better color accuracy and viewing angles compared to older LCD technologies.

This means that when viewing the Y19s from the side or at an angle, the colors remain consistent, and there's little-to-no color distortion - perfect for sharing your screen with friends, watching videos, or gaming in different orientations.

However, compared to OLED or AMOLED displays, IPS panels don't offer the same depth of black levels or vibrancy, as they can't 'turn off' individual pixels for true blacks. This might be noticeable in darker scenes or if you're used to the more saturated colors found in higher-end OLED screens. Still, for an entry-level phone like the Y19s, the IPS panel delivers reliable color performance and visual clarity for the price.

The 90 Hz refresh rate is a fantastic feature at this price point, as it delivers smoother scrolling and better animations compared to standard 60 Hz displays. This higher refresh rate makes the user interface feel more responsive, particularly when scrolling through apps, swiping through home screens, and playing games that support higher frame rates. If you're coming from a 60 Hz device, you'll notice a significant improvement in fluidity.

While not as high as the 120 Hz or 144 Hz refresh rates found on flagship gaming phones, 90 Hz strikes a good balance between smoothness and battery life, ensuring the Y19s feels modern without draining power too quickly.

The 720×1608 px resolution, translating to around 264 PPI (pixels per inch), is a bit of a trade-off in an otherwise solid display. On a screen as large as 6.68 inches, the resolution is adequate for most day-to-day activities, including:

• Casual web browsing
• Streaming video content at 720p resolution
• Social media scrolling
• Casual gaming

For these types of content, you'll find the display perfectly usable, and the lower resolution helps conserve battery life since fewer pixels are being powered. The 20:9 aspect ratio is also ideal for watching modern widescreen content, with minimal black bars at the top and bottom of videos.

However, the lower pixel density means the screen won't be as sharp as Full HD+ or Quad HD displays, particularly when it comes to:

• High-Resolution Gaming: Graphically intensive games may not appear as sharp, though the performance will be smoother thanks to the 90 Hz refresh rate.
• High-Definition Video Content: Streaming services like Netflix and YouTube that offer content in 1080p or higher may not look as crisp on this display. Fine text and detailed images may also appear slightly pixelated to those with a keen eye for sharpness.

If you're someone who regularly watches high-definition content or craves ultra-sharp visuals, you might feel the lack of a Full HD resolution. For most casual users, however, the 720p resolution will suffice, especially given the benefits of battery efficiency.

The 1000 nits HBM brightness is one of the highlights of the Y19s's display, particularly for those who often use their phones outdoors. This level of brightness is above average for a budget device and ensures that you can read the screen comfortably in bright sunlight without straining your eyes.

Whether you're texting, checking maps, or browsing on a sunny day, the display's ability to ramp up brightness in high brightness mode (HBM) means you won't have to constantly squint or search for shade. This makes the Y19s a great choice for outdoor use, especially in bright environments.

Overall, the vivo Y19s offers a well-rounded display experience for its price range. The 90 Hz refresh rate elevates the user experience by making interactions smoother, while the IPS LCD panel ensures accurate colors and good viewing angles. The 720×1608 px resolution is sufficient for most tasks, though users seeking sharper visuals might prefer higher-resolution displays. The 1000 nits brightness is a real asset, especially for outdoor visibility.

If you're primarily using your phone for everyday tasks like browsing, messaging, and streaming standard-resolution content, this display will serve you well. But if crisp, high-definition visuals are essential to your experience, you may want to consider devices with Full HD or higher resolution screens.

For comparison, the predecessor vivo Y17s featured a 6.56-inch, 720×1612 px IPS LCD display with a 60 Hz refresh rate and 700 nits peak brightness.

Networks

(Related: Cellular networks explained.)

Navigating through the tech landscape, the vivo Y19s supports the GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies.

GSM and HSPA are the stalwarts, providing 2G and 3G connectivity, respectively. Then there's LTE, the foundation of modern 4G networks, delivering faster internet speeds and improved call quality.

SIM

The dual Nano-SIM (dual stand-by) setup keeps you connected, making the vivo Y19s an ideal companion for those on the go.

Chipset - Performance

At the heart of the vivo Y19s lies the Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset, a 12-nm SoC that's optimized for efficiency in day-to-day tasks. It houses an octa-core CPU featuring two types of cores. Combined with the Mali-G57 GPU, this phone should handle casual gaming, browsing, and multitasking with relative ease, though it's not built for heavy gaming or demanding applications. Here are the relevant specs:

The vivo Y19s is powered by the Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset, which is an entry-level to midrange SoC designed to provide decent performance while keeping power consumption in check. Along with its octa-core CPU and Mali-G57 GPU, this chipset gives the Y19s sufficient power for everyday tasks.

The Unisoc Tiger T612 features an octa-core CPU made up of two different types of cores:

• Cortex-A75 Cores - Power and Performance: The Cortex-A75 cores are designed for performance-intensive tasks. These cores are more powerful and handle demanding applications like gaming (especially games with complex graphics or physics), high-definition video playback, running multiple apps simultaneously, and handling resource-heavy apps like photo editing software or productivity tools.

  These cores are activated when the phone needs a burst of performance, such as when you're launching apps, loading web pages quickly, or multitasking. The A75 cores are more power-hungry, so they aren't used constantly but come into play when the system needs more horsepower.

• Cortex-A55 Cores - Energy Efficiency: On the other hand, the Cortex-A55 cores are designed for power efficiency. They handle the phone's day-to-day tasks like messaging, social media browsing. light web surfing, and background tasks (e.g., syncing emails or notifications).

  These cores are optimized to use less power, ensuring that the phone conserves battery life during low-intensity activities. They handle the workload when the phone is idle or running simpler tasks, providing a balance between performance and efficiency.

The use of two types of CPU cores in what's known as a big.LITTLE architecture is a way to balance performance and power consumption. The "big" Cortex-A75 cores are used for heavy lifting when high performance is needed, while the "LITTLE" Cortex-A55 cores manage lighter tasks without draining the battery. Even though the cores share the same clock speed (1.8 GHz), they are architecturally different, allowing the phone to switch between power-hungry and energy-efficient cores depending on the task at hand.

This setup ensures that the vivo Y19s can perform well in high-demand scenarios without constantly draining the battery, making it more efficient in everyday usage.

The Mali-G57 GPU complements the Unisoc T612 by handling graphics-related tasks. This GPU is adequate for casual gaming, video playback, and basic graphic-intensive applications. While it's not the most powerful GPU on the market, it provides smooth performance in less demanding games, like casual puzzle or arcade games, basic 3D games with moderate graphical requirements, and streaming video content at standard resolutions.

However, for graphics-heavy games like first-person shooters, racing games with detailed environments, or those that require advanced shaders and high frame rates, the Mali-G57 might struggle. You may need to dial down the graphics settings to maintain smooth gameplay.

With its combination of Cortex-A75 and A55 cores and the Mali-G57 GPU, the vivo Y19s is well-suited for tasks like the following:

• Everyday Tasks: Browsing the web, messaging, social media apps, and video streaming.
• Casual Gaming: Games that don't require top-tier graphics performance will run smoothly.
• Multitasking: Switching between multiple apps should be fairly smooth, as long as you're not pushing it with too many high-performance apps at once.
• Light Productivity: Apps like document editors, spreadsheets, and simple photo editing apps will run without issue.

Despite its strengths in handling everyday tasks, the vivo Y19s will show its limitations when it comes to resource-heavy tasks. If you're someone who frequently engages in tasks like the following, you may find the Y19s a bit underpowered:

• Heavy Gaming: Graphically demanding games will likely struggle with frame rates and overall smoothness. If you're serious about mobile gaming, a phone with a more powerful GPU, such as the Mali-G76 or Adreno GPUs found in midrange and flagship phones, would be more appropriate.
• Advanced Video Editing: While the phone can handle light photo and video editing, trying to work with high-resolution videos or more complex editing tools will push the Unisoc T612 beyond its limits.
• Heavy Multitasking: If you often run multiple resource-intensive apps simultaneously (such as video calls while browsing or editing documents), the performance may start to lag.

In summary, the Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset in the vivo Y19s offers enough power for everyday tasks, casual gaming, and light multitasking. The octa-core CPU, with its mix of power and efficiency cores, ensures that the phone can switch between demanding and lightweight activities without wasting battery life. The Mali-G57 GPU provides decent graphics performance for less intensive games and media consumption but may struggle with more graphically intense tasks.

Overall, for users with moderate smartphone needs - who enjoy casual gaming, streaming, and general use - the Y19s will perform adequately. However, power users or gamers who need high-end processing for demanding applications may need to look elsewhere for a more robust configuration.

For comparison, the predecessor Y17s featured the Mediatek MT6769 Helio G85 (12 nm) chipset, housing an octa-core CPU (2×2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 + 6×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) and the Mali-G52 MC2 GPU.

Memory and Storage

Here are the relevant specs:

In terms of memory, the Y19s comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, which should be sufficient for most users. The inclusion of eMMC 5.1 storage is a bit of a trade-off, as it's slower than UFS, but it helps keep the price down.

If you need more storage, the Y19s offers a dedicated microSDXC slot, so you can expand storage without sacrificing a SIM card slot.

For comparison, the predecessor vivo Y17s came in three variants, featuring 4 GB or 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB or 128 GB of eMMC 5.1 internal storage, expandable via a microSDXC card.

Cameras

The dual camera setup on the vivo Y19s is headlined by a 50 MP wide camera. The inclusion of PDAF with it should make focusing snappy, while the Ring-LED flash adds a touch of brightness when needed. There's also panorama mode for wide shots.

The secondary camera serves an auxiliary role, but vivo hasn't detailed its exact purpose - it's likely used for depth sensing or basic AI enhancements.

vivo Y19s selfie and main camera setup. Image credit: vivo

On the front, the 5 MP selfie camera with an f/2.2 aperture is serviceable for quick snaps or video calls, though it's far from the best in terms of selfie quality. If you're big on social media and crave sharp, Instagram-ready selfies, this camera setup may fall short of expectations.

Battery and Charging

(Related: Battery specs and charging types explained.)

Here are the relevant specs:

Arguably one of the Y19s's biggest selling points is its 5500 mAh battery, which promises long-lasting endurance. Whether you're binge-watching videos, playing games, or simply scrolling through social media, this phone should last you through the day and even longer under moderate usage. It also supports 15 W wired charging, which isn't the fastest, but it's enough to keep things ticking along without excessive downtime.

Additionally, the reverse wired charging feature allows you to use the Y19s as a power bank to charge other devices - a handy addition in a pinch.

For comparison, the older Y17s came with a 5000 mAh battery with 15 W wired charging. It also supported reverse wired charging.

Sound

(Related: Know more about the sound specs and features.)

Here are the relevant specs:

The vivo Y19s comes equipped with dual speakers, offering better stereo sound compared to single-speaker setups. For those who prefer wired audio, the good news is the phone retains the 3.5 mm headphone jack, a feature that's becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones.

For comparison, the predecessor vivo Y17s had a single loudspeaker, and it also supported the 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Connectivity

The vivo Y19s doesn't skimp on essential connectivity options. With support for dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, it ensures you can connect to common Wi-Fi networks.

The Y19s boasts Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring a seamless connection, whether you're connecting to headphones, speakers, or other devices. With features like A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) for high-quality audio streaming and LE (Low Energy) for power efficiency, your Bluetooth experience reaches new heights.

This phone is a true global traveler, supporting various positioning systems, including GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, and QZSS.

While the Y19s lacks NFC, which might be a downside for those who use mobile payments, it includes FM radio for entertainment on the go.

Last but not least, the trusty USB-C 2.0 - the universal connector. Whether you're charging your device, transferring files, or connecting to external devices, USB Type-C 2.0 ensures a reliable connection. It's the jack-of-all-trades, allowing you to expand your device's capabilities and stay connected to the wider world of technology. And the support for OTG (USB On-The-Go) enables your device to act as host and connect to other USB devices, such as flash drives, keyboards, cameras, and more, without needing a computer as an intermediary.

Sensors

The vivo Y19s comes equipped with the following sensors:

• Proximity Sensor: Detects the presence or movement of an object (say, with infrared, sound, light, or electromagnetic fields) without physically contacting it. It is used, for example, to turn off the screen when you position your device close to your ear while making a call.
• Fingerprint Sensor: Used for quick and secure unlocking. It is side-facing in the Y19s.
• Accelerometer: The accelerometer detects changes in the device's orientation and acceleration. If you tilt, shake, or move your device, the accelerometer knows.
• Compass: The compass determines your device's orientation. It is essential for navigation apps, map orientation, and augmented reality experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is vivo Y19s release date?

  The vivo Y19s has been announced on the 15th October, 2024. It is expected to release later in the same month.