Vivo T1 5G: A Bold New Challenger in the Budget 5G Arena
Vivo is making a play for the Gen Z market with their new Series T, and the Vivo T1 5G is its first and most powerful offering. This phone delivers a blend of performance and style at an attractive price, but does it have enough punch to stand out in a crowded market? Let’s delve into the first impressions of this ambitious budget 5G contender.
Vivo T1 5G Price in India
The Vivo T1 5G starts at Rs. 15,990 for the 4GB RAM variant. Two further options exist: a 6GB RAM model at Rs. 16,990 and an 8GB RAM variant at Rs. 19,990. All variations come with 128GB of storage, offering ample space for apps, games, and photos. The phone is available in Rainbow Fantasy and Starlight Black colour options. Vivo is also offering attractive cashback deals for buyers using certain bank cards at launch.
Vivo T1 5G Design, Specifications, and Features
The Vivo T1 5G sports a fresh design with a flat back and flattened sides, providing a comfortable grip. The 6.58-inch full-HD+ IPS LCD display boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth scrolling and immersive gaming experiences. A dewdrop notch houses the 16-megapixel front camera, accompanied by a thick chin at the bottom and slim bezels on the sides. The phone measures 8.25mm thick and weighs 187g, making it comfortable to hold.
The power and volume buttons are conveniently placed on the right side of the plastic frame. Vivo integrates the fingerprint scanner directly into the power button, making for a seamless unlocking experience. The bottom of the phone features a 3.5mm headphone jack, primary microphone, USB Type-C port, and loudspeaker. The top houses the SIM tray and secondary microphone.
On the rear, the Vivo T1 5G features a triple camera setup consisting of a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 2-megapixel depth sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. Our review unit, the Rainbow Fantasy version, showcases a captivating sparkly, iridescent finish that shifts colors as light catches it.
The Vivo T1 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 SoC, a reliable processor that we have already tested in the Moto G71 5G. To further boost performance, Vivo has implemented a virtual RAM feature that utilizes a portion of the phone’s storage as additional RAM. This can be configured from 1GB to 4GB depending on the chosen variant.
The phone runs Funtouch OS 12, based on Android 12, offering a refreshed interface and new features. While the interface feels modern, Vivo has included a considerable number of pre-installed apps, including Moj, Josh, MX Takatak, Cred, Share Chat, and Facebook. Fortunately, these can be uninstalled to free up storage space.
Performance: A Promising Start
The Vivo T1 5G prioritizes performance at its price point, and early impressions suggest it performs admirably. The Snapdragon 695 SoC is known for its efficient performance and compatibility with 5G networks. The 120Hz refresh rate on the display promises smooth gaming, while the virtual RAM feature further enhances multitasking capabilities. We need to conduct comprehensive testing to determine its true performance capabilities, but initial gaming sessions have been notably smooth and responsive.
Camera: A Mixed Bag
The Vivo T1 5G features a powerful 50-megapixel primary camera at its core, which is promising for capturing detailed shots. However, the inclusion of 2-megapixel depth and macro cameras feels like a compromise. We’ll need to analyze the camera performance in detail to gauge its overall image quality and see how it stacks up against its competition.
Battery and Charging: A Balanced Approach
The Vivo T1 5G features a 5,000mAh battery, a standard capacity in this price range. The phone offers 18W fast charging and ships with a charger included in the box. This is a positive, as the growing trend of excluding chargers can be frustrating. However, other phones in this segment offer faster charging speeds, which might be a drawback for quick charging enthusiasts.
Comparing the Vivo T1 5G to Its Competitors
The sub-Rs. 20,000 price segment is becoming increasingly competitive, and the Vivo T1 5G faces stiff competition from well-established players like the Moto G71 5G and Redmi Note 11T 5G. These phones also offer compelling performance at attractive prices, potentially swayed potential buyers. The Moto G71 5G, for example, boasts of a 5G network support with wider band coverage compared to the Vivo T1 5G.
Initial Verdict: A Strong Contender, But With Room for improvement
The Vivo T1 5G presents a compelling proposition for Gen Z buyers who prioritize performance and design at a budget-friendly price. The phone delivers a sleek design, a powerful processor, and a 120Hz display – all important factors for gaming and everyday use. However, it falls short in some areas, like the lack of a wide-angle camera, dated notch design, and slower-than-average charging speeds. The Vivo T1 5G has the potential to make a splash, but only a comprehensive review will truly determine its strengths and weaknesses in comparison to its competitors.
Stay tuned for our full review, which will provide an in-depth analysis of the Vivo T1 5G’s performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and overall user experience. This will give us a clearer picture of whether the Vivo T1 5G truly stands out in the budget 5G market and if it delivers on its promise of being a compelling option for the Gen Z generation.
