Vivo Y21d Quietly Launches in Kenya with a Massive 6,500mAh Battery
Vivo has discreetly introduced another budget-friendly smartphone, the Vivo Y21d, expanding its existing range of affordable devices.
This phone is ideal for students, first-time smartphone buyers, or anyone needing a durable backup device for daily tasks, especially those who work in wet environments.
Key Specifications at a Glance
Build Quality
A major highlight of the Vivo Y21d is its design and build quality. With an IP68/69 rating, this phone offers excellent dust and water resistance, capable of withstanding high-pressure water jets and submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes.
Display
The phone's basic LCD is suitable for everyday use. However, for entertainment like Netflix or Prime Video, its color reproduction, particularly in dark scenes, may be limited compared to OLED screens.
While the 1,000 nits offer decent outdoor visibility, it's not Vivo's strongest showing. Additionally, the bezels are thick, but this is acceptable for a budget-friendly device.
Vivo's inclusion of a 90Hz refresh rate ensures a very smooth experience for scrolling, swiping, and gaming. Additionally, the display is TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certified.
Processor
The Vivi Y21D, an entry-level phone, is equipped with an entry-grade processor, the 12nm Unisoc T7225 (T612). This chip, which may be unfamiliar to many, performs comparably to the Snapdragon 670, a processor that was released approximately eight years ago.
The Unisoc T7225, released three years ago, is an outdated chipset. I had hoped Vivo would opt for the MediaTek Helio G99 instead.
This phone isn't recommended for serious gamers. While it can manage simpler games, it will probably struggle with more graphically intensive ones.
The phone offers three storage configurations: 128GB with 6GB RAM, 128GB with 12GB RAM, and 256GB with 12GB RAM. The RAM is expandable by up to 6GB. However, it utilizes the older eMMC 5.1 storage instead of the faster UFS storage. Users can expand the storage further with an SD card, up to 2TB.
Battery
The Vivo Y21d's standout feature is its impressive 6,500mAh battery, which is not a silicone battery. This large capacity could power the phone for one to two days with typical use.
The phone comes with a 44W charger included. Vivo advertises impressive battery life, claiming 6.5 days of standby, 21.6 hours of YouTube video playback, and 19 hours of TikTok playback. Additionally, the phone is said to charge from 0-50% in just 38 minutes. These claims will be tested upon receipt of our review unit.
Camera
The cameras on this device are quite basic. It features a 50MP main camera on the back, accompanied by a largely ineffectual 0.8MP sensor, and a 5MP camera for selfies on the front.
The rear camera offers a variety of scene modes, such as night mode, portrait, slo-mo, time lapse, document scanner, underwater photography, and dual view. The selfie camera scene includes night mode portrait, live photo, and dual view.
Pricing and Availability
8GB + 128GB - KES 19,000
12GB + 128GB - KES 21,000
12GB + 256 - KES 24,000
Why the Vivo Y21d matters for Kenyan Buyers
For Kenyan buyers seeking an affordable smartphone with premium features, the Vivi Y21d is an excellent budget choice. It boasts a large 6500mAh battery and a design that mimics flagship models.
With IP68/69 SGS Gold Label 5-star Certification, this phone offers exceptional durability. Kenyan buyers will appreciate not having to worry about water damage or broken screens.
Final Thoughts
The Vivo Y21d is a strong overall contender, with a particular emphasis on its build and design. Vivo's primary objective is to bolster its presence in the entry-level smartphone market in Kenya.
This phone is ideal if your primary uses are social media scrolling, making calls, checking emails, and taking simple photos. Intense gaming will significantly strain this phone, requiring users to reduce refresh rates to their lowest settings for optimal performance.
