vivo recently unveiled its latest mid-ranger, the vivo Y36 5G, targeting the tech-savvy youth. This budget-friendly powerhouse boasts an ultra-stylish design, ample storage and RAM, a long-lasting battery with fast charging, and a smooth high refresh rate display.
The Y36 5G joins the brand’s Y series as an affordable mid-range option, packed with features like a 50MP main camera, a 90Hz display, and fast charging. It caters to young users who love capturing stunning visuals and enjoying seamless gaming.
We were fortunate to get our hands on the captivating Aqua Glitter variant of the vivo Y36 5G. After putting it through its paces for several weeks, here’s our comprehensive review to see if the Y36 5G lives up to its promises.
Unboxing
The vivo Y36 5G arrives in a clean, minimalist white box with branding elements, showcasing its key features on the back. Inside, you’ll find everything you need to get started, including a 44W FlashCharge power brick, USB-C cable, essential paperwork, a SIM ejector pin, a transparent protective case, and the star of the show, the vivo Y36 5G smartphone itself. While the unboxing experience is no frills, it delivers the essentials effectively.
vivo Y36 5G Specifications
| Display | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 650 nits (peak) 6.64 inches 2388 × 1080 (FHD+) 240Hz touch sampling rate ~85.4% screen-to-body ratio ~395ppi |
| Processor | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| RAM | 8GB + 8GB (Virtual RAM) |
| Storage | 256GB (expandable via microSD) |
| Power | 5,000mAh battery 44W vivo FlashCharge |
| Cameras | Rear 50MP (f/1.8)+ 2MP (f/2.4) + 2MP (f/2.4) Front 16MP f/2.0 |
| Audio | Mono speaker |
| Video | 1080p/30fps |
| Durability | Plastic back, plastic frame, IP5X, IP4X |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 5 Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Biometrics | Side-mounted fingerprint reader Face unlock (via camera) |
| Ports and switches | USB 2.0 via USB-C |
| Software | Android 13, Funtouch 13 |
| Dimensions and weight | 164.1 x 76.2 x 8.1 mm 202 g |
| Colors | Meteor Black, Aqua Glitter |
| In the box | vivo Y36 Documentation USB Cable USB Power Adapter Eject Tool Phone case |
Design and Build
The vivo Y36 5G’s design is a major selling point. Despite being plastic, the phone feels surprisingly sturdy and well-crafted. The back features a glossy AG glass that resists fingerprints, and comes in two captivating colors: Glitter Aqua and Meteor Black.
The phone’s sleek and modern design, with its smooth curves and slim profile, makes it comfortable to hold and easy to carry. Minimal bezels around the display enhance the viewing experience for videos and web browsing.
“We are raving for the Aqua Glitter color variant that showcases the elegant fluorite anti-glare glass finish, and the seamless 2.5D curved design.”
Editor’s View
Buttons like the volume rocker and power button are conveniently placed on the right side for easy access. The phone also includes a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, a headphone jack, and a SIM card tray for expandable storage or dual SIM functionality.
Overall, the vivo Y36 5G combines an attractive design with a solid build, offering a phone that’s not only stylish but also feels reliable and functional in your hand. The thoughtful design elements contribute to a positive user experience.
Display
The vivo Y36 5G boasts a large 6.64-inch IPS display with a sharp 1080p resolution and a smooth 90Hz refresh rate. While the bezels are minimal throughout, the bottom one is slightly thicker. A discreet punch-hole notch disrupts the screen minimally, housing the front camera.
The display delivers impressive brightness, making it easily readable even under harsh sunlight. Additionally, it produces vibrant and true-to-life colors, enhancing the visual experience.
The 90Hz refresh rate, while not quite as smooth as some higher-end options, offers a noticeable improvement over standard displays. Scrolling and animations feel noticeably smoother, benefiting both gamers and those who appreciate a fluid user experience. The display’s responsiveness is further enhanced by a 240Hz touch sampling rate. Additionally, the vivo Y36 5G boasts a 200% volume booster, further improving the immersion factor for entertainment and gaming.
While the default color calibration may lean slightly towards oversaturation for some users, the phone thankfully allows you to adjust the color temperature to your preference, ensuring a personalized viewing experience.
Camera
vivo has chosen to go with a distinct camera configuration. Unlike the Y35, the vivo Y36 5G foregoes the ultrawide lens. Instead, it boasts a dual rear camera system, comprising a high-resolution 50MP primary shooter and a dedicated 2MP depth sensor.
In good lighting conditions, the primary sensor captures detailed and vibrant photos, rendering colors accurately. The camera software is often optimized for various scenarios, including AI scene detection, which can enhance the quality of photos by adjusting settings based on the subject.
In low-light situations, the vivo Y36 5G’s camera may utilize features like night mode or multi-frame processing to improve image quality in dimly lit environments. While it may not match flagship-level low-light performance, it can still produce respectable results.
The depth sensor is used for portrait-mode photos. It does a good job of blurring the background and keeping the subject in focus. However, the edge detection is not always perfect.
The macro mode on the vivo Y36 5G performs as anticipated. The subject is sharply focused, and the blur effect appears precise to the naked eye.
If you’re a food enthusiast who enjoys capturing delectable dishes, the vivo Y36 5G will undoubtedly delight you with its photography capabilities. It accurately reproduces colors, bringing them in line with the real-life subject, and its autofocus performs flawlessly as expected.
Selfies
The 16MP front-facing camera is decent for selfies and video calls. It offers various features to enhance your self-portraits, including beauty modes and portrait effects. In good lighting, the camera captures acceptable selfies, showcasing details and colors well. However, photos taken in low-light conditions may exhibit increased noise and a noticeable loss of sharpness.
Video
The vivo Y36 5G supports video recording in Full HD at 30fps, delivering sharp and detailed videos in good lighting. It also incorporates stabilization features to minimize shaky footage.
Overall, the vivo Y36 5G’s camera system is generally capable of capturing good-quality photos and videos suitable for everyday use across various lighting conditions. While it may encounter challenges with balancing highlights and shadows in high-contrast environments, it remains competitive within the budget smartphone segment.
Performance
Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor and 8GB of RAM, the vivo Y36 5G delivers good performance for everyday tasks. It effortlessly handles multitasking without lag and tackles casual gaming, although it might not be the most suitable option for demanding titles.
The 5000mAh battery promises a full day of use on a single charge. Moreover, the phone supports 44W FlashCharge, rapidly taking the battery from 0 to 30% in just 15 minutes.
Overall, the vivo Y36 5G offers good performance for everyday use, boasting smooth multitasking and long battery life with fast charging support. Additionally, its IPX5 and IPX4 water and dust resistance certifications are rare features at this price point, enhancing its durability.
Verdict
Whether or not the vivo Y36 5G is right for you depends on your needs and budget. If you prioritize powerful performance, long battery life, and a crisp, vibrant display, the vivo Y36 5G is a strong contender. Additionally, its stylish design aligns perfectly with the Gen Z trend of Outfit of the Day (OOTD) posts, making it appealing to fashion-conscious individuals. Furthermore, it serves as an excellent choice for casual gamers on a budget.
Pricing & Availability
The vivo Y36 is now available for only Php 12,999 – at vivo Philippine’s official website, e-stores such as Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok, as well as physical stores nationwide.
