Vivo Y73 : In the ever-evolving landscape of smartphone technology, Vivo has consistently pushed boundaries with its innovative offerings.
The Vivo Y73, a mid-range contender, exemplifies the brand’s commitment to delivering feature-rich devices at competitive price points.
This comprehensive review delves into the various aspects of the Y73, exploring its design, performance, camera capabilities, and overall user experience.
Vivo Y73 Design and Build Quality
The Vivo Y73 boasts a sleek and modern design that belies its mid-range status.
With dimensions of 161.2 x 74.4 x 7.4 mm and weighing a mere 170 grams, the device strikes an excellent balance between screen real estate and ergonomics.
The phone’s back panel features a unique diamond flare pattern, available in two striking colorways: Diamond Flare and Roman Black.
This aesthetic choice not only enhances the visual appeal but also helps mask fingerprints and smudges.
The device’s build quality is commendable, with a plastic frame and back panel that doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy.
The curved edges and slim profile contribute to a comfortable in-hand feel, making one-handed usage a breeze for most users.
The placement of physical buttons is well-thought-out, with the power and volume rockers on the right side within easy reach.
One notable design feature is the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack, an increasingly rare sight in modern smartphones.
This addition will undoubtedly please audio enthusiasts who prefer wired headphones.
The bottom of the device houses a USB-C port and a single speaker grille, while the top edge remains clean and uncluttered.
Vivo Y73 Display
The Vivo Y73 sports a 6.44-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, resulting in a crisp 409 ppi density.
The screen-to-body ratio of approximately 83.5% ensures an immersive viewing experience with minimal bezels.
The display’s quality is one of the Y73’s standout features, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast typical of AMOLED panels.
With a peak brightness of 570 nits, the screen remains legible even under direct sunlight.
The display also supports HDR10, enhancing the visual experience when consuming compatible content.
However, it’s worth noting that the refresh rate is limited to 60Hz, which may disappoint some users accustomed to smoother 90Hz or 120Hz displays found in some competitors.
The inclusion of an in-display fingerprint sensor adds a touch of premium feel to the device.
This optical sensor is reasonably quick and accurate, providing a seamless unlocking experience most of the time.
Vivo Y73 Performance and Hardware
Under the hood, the Vivo Y73 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G95 chipset, a capable mid-range processor built on a 12nm process.
This octa-core CPU configuration, featuring two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz, delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming.
The device comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, expandable via a dedicated microSD card slot.
This generous RAM allocation ensures efficient multitasking, while the ample storage space caters to users with extensive media libraries or app collections.
In terms of gaming performance, the Mali-G76 MC4 GPU handles most titles with ease at medium to high settings.
Popular games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile run smoothly, although more demanding titles may require some graphical compromises for optimal frame rates.
The Y73 runs on Funtouch OS 11.1, based on Android 11, offering a clean and customizable user interface.
Vivo’s skin includes several useful features like Ultra Game Mode, which optimizes system resources for gaming, and Multi-Turbo 5.0 for enhanced overall performance.
Vivo Y73 Camera System
The camera setup on the Vivo Y73 is a mixed bag of impressive hardware and some limitations. The rear triple-camera array consists of:
64MP main sensor (f/1.8 aperture)
2MP macro lens (f/2.4 aperture)
2MP depth sensor (f/2.4 aperture)
The primary 64MP sensor is the star of the show, capturing detailed and well-exposed shots in good lighting conditions.
It utilizes pixel-binning technology to produce 16MP images with improved low-light performance. The camera app offers various modes and AI enhancements to further boost image quality.
However, the lack of an ultra-wide lens is a noticeable omission, especially considering many competitors in this price range offer this versatile option.
The 2MP macro lens, while allowing for close-up shots, often produces results of limited practical use due to its low resolution.
The depth sensor contributes to creating a natural bokeh effect in portrait mode, with generally accurate edge detection.
Night mode performance is decent, though not class-leading, managing to brighten scenes and reduce noise, albeit with some loss of detail.
Video capabilities include 4K recording at 30fps and 1080p at up to 60fps. Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) helps in producing smoother footage, particularly effective at 1080p resolution.
The front-facing camera boasts a 16MP sensor housed in a small waterdrop notch. It captures pleasing selfies with good detail and natural skin tones.
Various beautification options and filters are available for those who prefer to enhance their self-portraits.
Vivo Y73 Battery Life and Charging
The Vivo Y73 is equipped with a 4000mAh battery, which may seem modest on paper but delivers impressive endurance thanks to efficient hardware and software optimization.
Most users can expect a full day of moderate to heavy usage on a single charge.
The device supports 33W fast charging, with the included charger capable of topping up the battery from 0 to 61% in just 30 minutes.
A full charge takes approximately 65 minutes, which is commendable for a mid-range device.
While the Y73 doesn’t offer wireless charging, the quick wired charging somewhat compensates for this omission.
Vivo Y73 Connectivity and Additional Features
In terms of connectivity, the Vivo Y73 covers all the essentials. It supports dual SIM functionality with 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band), Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, and BDS.
The inclusion of an FM radio will be appreciated by users who enjoy terrestrial broadcasts.
The device also features a triple-slot tray, allowing for two SIM cards and a microSD card simultaneously, eliminating the need to choose between dual SIM functionality and expanded storage.
One notable omission is NFC support, which may disappoint users who rely on contactless payments or quick device pairing.
Vivo Y73 Software and User Experience
Funtouch OS 11.1, based on Android 11, powers the Vivo Y73. This custom skin has come a long way in recent years, offering a cleaner, more intuitive interface that’s closer to stock Android.
The UI is smooth and responsive, with minimal bloatware compared to earlier iterations.
Vivo has included several thoughtful features, such as:
Ultra Game Mode: Enhances gaming performance and blocks notifications for uninterrupted gameplay.
Multi-Turbo 5.0: Optimizes system performance for smoother overall operation.
Dark Mode: System-wide dark theme for comfortable nighttime use and potential battery savings.
Always-on Display: Customizable clock styles and notifications on the lock screen.
The software experience is generally positive, with smooth animations and quick app launches.
However, some users may find certain aspects of Funtouch OS less intuitive compared to stock Android or other popular skins.
Vivo Y73 Price and Value Proposition
The Vivo Y73 was launched at a competitive price point in the mid-range segment.
Its combination of a vibrant AMOLED display, capable processor, generous RAM, and fast charging make it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers seeking a well-rounded device.
However, the lack of certain features like an ultra-wide camera, high refresh rate display, and NFC might make some potential buyers consider alternatives.
The value proposition ultimately depends on individual priorities and how much weight one places on the Y73’s strengths versus its limitations.
Vivo Y73 Conclusion
The Vivo Y73 emerges as a solid mid-range contender, offering a balanced mix of performance, design, and features.
Its strengths lie in its attractive design, excellent AMOLED display, capable main camera, and fast charging capabilities.
The device handles day-to-day tasks with ease and provides a smooth user experience overall.
However, it’s not without its shortcomings. The lack of an ultra-wide camera, 60Hz refresh rate, and absence of NFC may be deal-breakers for some users, especially given the fierce competition in this price segment.
Ultimately, the Vivo Y73 is best suited for users who prioritize a quality display, decent performance, and fast charging in a stylish package.
It may not be the most feature-packed device in its class, but it delivers a reliable and enjoyable smartphone experience for its target audience.
As with any smartphone purchase, potential buyers should weigh the Y73’s pros and cons against their personal needs and preferences.
For many, this Vivo offering will strike the right balance between features and affordability, making it a worthy consideration in the crowded mid-range market.