vivo S20 Pro Review: Features, Price, and Performance
Network
- Technology: GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
- Announced: November 28, 2024
- Released: December 12, 2024
- Status: Available
Body
- Dimensions: 160.6 x 75 x 7.5 mm (6.32 x 2.95 x 0.30 in)
- Weight: 194 g (6.84 oz)
- SIM: Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
- IP64 dust/water resistant
Display
- Type: AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1600 nits (HBM), 5000 nits (peak)
- Size: 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm² (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio)
- Resolution: 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Platform
- OS: Android 15, OriginOS 5
- Chipset: Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ (4 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720)
- GPU: Immortalis-G720 MC12
Memory
- Card slot: No
- Internal: 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, UFS 3.1
Main Camera
- Triple:
- 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", PDAF, OIS
- 50 MP, f/2.6, 85mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF (15cm - ∞), OIS, 3x optical zoom
- 50 MP, f/2.1, (ultrawide), AF
- Features: Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDR
- Video: 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS
Selfie Camera
- Single: 50 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), AF
- Features: HDR
- Video: 4K, 1080p
Sound
- Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers
- 3.5mm jack: No
Comms
- WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
- Bluetooth: 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5
- Positioning: GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
- NFC: Yes
- Infrared port: Yes
- Radio: No
- USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
Features
- Sensors: Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
- Type: Si/C Li-Ion 5500 mAh
- Charging: 90W wired, PD
- Reverse wired
Miscellaneous
- Colors: Gray, Purple, Gold
- Models: V2430A
- Price: About 450 EUR
Design and Finish :
The Vivo S20 Pro impresses with its modern, sleek and elegant design. The phone has a slim and sleek shape that makes it comfortable to hold and use. The device has a glossy glass back that not only gives it a premium feel but also provides a smooth feel when you hold it in your hand. Although the glass back is prone to fingerprints, it does improve the overall aesthetics.
On the front, it features a 6.44-inch AMOLED display that stretches from edge to edge, giving the device a high screen-to-body ratio that is perfect for media viewing, gaming, and web browsing. The bezels are narrow and the hole cutouts for the two front cameras are neatly placed in the top corners so they are unobtrusive.
The Vivo S20 Pro is available in several attractive color options, including Monochrome Silver and Zhejiang Blue, each with a slightly different finish that adds personality to the phone. While not an outright rugged phone, the build quality is impressive given the price range. The phone feels premium, with a sturdy metal frame and a well-balanced design that fits comfortably in most people's hands.
Screen :
The Vivo S20 Pro features a 6.44-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels that delivers crisp images and vibrant colors. AMOLED screens are known for their deep blacks, excellent contrast, and rich color saturation, and the S20 Pro's display excels in all these areas. Whether you're watching movies, playing games, or simply browsing the internet, the screen provides an immersive experience with good brightness and good viewing angles. With a 90Hz refresh rate, the S20 Pro offers a smoother experience compared to many smartphones in its price range, especially when scrolling and gaming. This makes it smoother and more comfortable and responsive than devices with standard 60Hz displays.
Plus, the in-display fingerprint scanner makes unlocking your phone safe and convenient. It's fast and responsive, and while it's not as fast as more advanced systems on flagship devices, it's still a reliable way to unlock your device.
Performance and Software :
The Vivo S20 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset, a solid mid-range processor that balances performance and power efficiency. This chipset, combined with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, ensures that the phone can easily handle everyday tasks like multitasking, browsing the web, using apps like social media, productivity tools, messaging, and more.
When it comes to gaming, the Snapdragon 765G can handle most modern mobile games at medium to high settings without any noticeable stuttering or lag. When it comes to more demanding games, the phone may not offer the best performance like flagship devices, but it offers a good enough experience for casual and mid-range games.
The Vivo S20 Pro runs on Funtouch OS 10.5, which is based on Android 10, adding a layer of customization to the standard Android experience. Funtouch OS offers a variety of features such as gesture navigation, dark mode, and multiple customization options for themes and wallpapers. Navigating the software is smooth, though it can feel a little sluggish compared to stock Android, and some users may find the interface a little cluttered, but Vivo has made great strides in improving the user experience, and the interface is generally intuitive.
Camera System :
One of the standout features of the Vivo S20 Pro is its excellent camera system, designed for users who enjoy taking high-quality photos and videos. The phone comes with a triple camera on the back, which includes:
- 64MP Main Camera: This is a flagship sensor that will satisfy most of your photography needs. It captures clear, detailed images with excellent color reproduction even in bright environments.
- 8MP Ultra Wide Camera: Perfect for capturing landscapes and group photos, the ultra wide sensor allows you to capture wide-angle shots with more of the scene in the frame.
- 2MP Depth Sensor: This sensor helps with portrait photography, providing better separation between the subject and background for a natural bokeh effect.
The 64MP main sensor captures clear, vibrant photos with accurate colors even in sunlight. In low light, the camera performs well, with Vivo's AI Night mode brightening photos and reducing noise. However, it may not match the performance of flagship models in very low light. The ultra-wide camera performs well for an 8MP sensor, but may have distortion at the edges of wide-angle shots.
On the front, the Vivo S20 Pro features a 44MP main selfie camera and an additional 8MP ultra-wide lens. This dual front camera setup is perfect for creating group selfies or detailed individual portraits. The 44MP sensor takes crisp, vibrant selfies, while the 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera lets you fit more people into the frame.
Vivo's AI-powered camera features further enhance the user experience, offering intelligent scene recognition, beautification mode, and portrait enhancement, making the camera app easy to use for both beginners and advanced users.
Battery Life :
On the front, the Vivo S20 Pro features a 44MP main selfie camera and an additional 8MP ultra-wide lens. This dual front camera setup is perfect for creating group selfies or detailed individual portraits. The 44MP sensor takes crisp, vibrant selfies, while the 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera lets you fit more people into the frame.
Vivo's AI-powered camera features further enhance the user experience, offering intelligent scene recognition, beautification mode, and portrait enhancement, making the camera app easy to use for both beginners and advanced users.
Battery Life :
The Vivo S20 Pro comes with a 4000mAh battery, which is a good size for a phone of this caliber. With moderate use, it can easily last a full day, for example, if you're surfing the internet, social media, or watching videos. With heavy use, you may need to charge the device in the evening, but the battery life is comparable to a mid-range device. When it's time to charge, the Vivo S20 Pro supports 33W fast charging, allowing you to charge your phone quickly. This fast charging support allows you to charge from 0% to about 70% in about 30 minutes, making it ideal for users who need quick power during the day.
Connectivity and Other Features :
In terms of connectivity, the Vivo S20 Pro supports 5G, allowing users to enjoy faster network speeds where 5G is available. It also supports Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS for a reliable connection. The device comes equipped with a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer, which is becoming the standard for modern smartphones. The Vivo S20 Pro also offers some handy extras, such as dual SIM support, NFC for contactless payments, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, which will come in handy for users who prefer wired headphones.
Conclusion :
The Vivo S20 Pro is a solid mid-range smartphone that offers great value for money. With a powerful camera system, beautiful AMOLED display, reliable performance, and fast charging, it's perfect for users who prioritize photography, media consumption, and gaming on a budget. The Snapdragon 765G chipset ensures smooth performance for most tasks, and the integration of 5G makes the device future-proof.
